Date Issued: Thursday, November 13, 2014 Closing Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015 Closing Time: 4:00 PM EST

Reference: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand

Challenge for Development (PAEGC) Second Global Innovation Call Subject: Request for Applications (RFA)

Solicitation Number: AID-SOL-OAA-00005 Dear Prospective Applicants: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Sweden, Duke Energy Corporation, the Government of Germany, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) invite eligible organizations to respond to Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development (PAEGC) Second Global Innovation Call. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is for a funding competition component of PAEGC, designed to address barriers to increasing access to clean energy services within the agriculture sectors of developing countries. The BAA describes the purpose of the program and the types of activities that it will fund; indicates the process for preparing and submitting applications for funding; and outlines criteria that will be used to evaluate the applications received. Through this competition, PAEGC anticipates disbursing $10 - $20 million USD in award funding. Individual awards are expected to be between $500,000 USD and $2,000,000 USD. The period of performance for individual awards will be up to three years; the actual period of performance for each award will be determined at the time of award. Awards made through this BAA may be in the form of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, depending on the nature of the activities proposed in the application. It is expected that between 10 and 20 individual awards will be issued through this solicitation. This BAA and any future amendments can be downloaded from http://www.grants.gov and http://www.fbo.gov. Prospective Applicants that are unable to retrieve the BAA from the Internet can request an electronic copy by e-mail at PoweringAg@usaid.gov. DUE DATE: Applications shall be received no sooner than Monday, December 8, 2014 and no later than Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 4:00 PM EST via the Online Application Platform accessed at: http://poweringag.org/call-innovations. Applicants should retain a copy for their records any and all content and documents that they upload to the Online Application Platform. QUESTIONS: Prospective Applicants who have questions concerning the contents of this BAA shall submit them in writing no later than Monday, December 1, 2014 at 4:00 PM EST to the following e-mail address: PoweringAg@usaid.gov Issuance of this BAA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of USAID, nor does it commit USAID or any of the other PAEGC contributing Partners to pay for costs incurred in the 1

preparation and submission of applications. Further, USAID reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. Sincerely, //s// Stephanie E. Fugate USAID Contracting and Agreement Officer Office of Acquisition & Assistance M/OAA/SIDP/B, Special Initiatives and Development Partners

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Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Acronyms5 Commonly Used Terms and Definitions...6 SECTION I. FUNDING DESCRIPTION.13 A. Broad Agency Announcement..13 B. Program Description.........................................................................................................13 B.1 Background14 B.2 Cross-cutting Critical Barriers...15 C. PAEGC Global Innovation Call.....16 C.1 Global Innovation Call Funding Windows.16 C.2 Required Features of all Proposed Clean Energy Solutions.18 C.3 What Will Not Be Funded19 C.4 Acceleration Support19

SECTION II AWARD INFORMATION.22 A. Authorizing Legislation...22 B. Authorized Geographic Code..22 C. Award and Administration Information...22 C.1 Award....22 C.2 Authority to Obligate the Government.22 C.3 USAID Management of Activities22 C.4 Award Administration...23 C.5 Program Profit and Income23 C.6 Funding Information..23 C.7 Period of Performance...23 C.8 Award Budgets..23 SECTION III APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY, COST-SHARE REQUIREMENTS, AND SELECTION PROCESS...24 A. Applicant Eligibility Requirements...24 B. Applicant Cost-Share Requirements.24 C. Applicant Selection Process..25 D. Application Submission and Review Schedule.25

SECTION IV APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS27 A. Points of Contact27 B. Online Application Platform..27 B.1 Account Creation and Login..28 B.2 Indication of Non-Disclosure.28

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B.3 Basic Applicant Information28 B.4 Stage 1: Concept Note Submission..29 B.5 Stage 2: Full Proposal Submission...30 B.6 Supporting Documentation..32 B.7 Stage 3: Presentation to the Innovator Evaluation Board33

SECTION V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION35 A. Eligibility Screening.35 B. Stage 1. Concept Note Evaluation35 C. Stage 2. Full Proposal Review.36

SECTION VI. AWARD AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION.....................................39 A. Additional Requirements.39 B. Substantial Involvement...39 C. Representations, Certifications and Administration by Type of Award Mechanism...39 D. Intellectual Property..39 E. Title and Rights in Property..41 F. Branding & Marking Requirements..41 G. Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).41 H. Reporting Requirements...42 SECTION VII REFERENCE DOCUMENTS..43 SECTION VIII. APPENDICES44

A. Appendix 1 Eligible Countries of Implementation .44 B. Appendix 2 Online Budget Form.45 B.1 Online Budget Narrative Form45 C. Appendix 3 Past Performance Requirements ..47

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Abbreviations and Acronyms

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act ADS Automated Directives System AIDAR Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulations AO Agreement Officer AOR Agreement Officer Representative APS Annual Program Statement BAA Broad Agency Announcement CA Cooperative Agreement CCR Central Contractor Registration CFP Call for Proposals CFR Code of Federal Regulation CO Contracting Officer COR Contracting Officers Representative DUNS Data Universal Numbering System DQA Data Quality Assessment EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan EST Eastern Standard Time EPA Environmental Protection Agency FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation FOG Fixed Obligation Grant FSN Foreign Service National GHG Greenhouse Gas IEE Initial Environmental Examination IFB Invitation for Bids IR Intermediate Result LOC Letter of Credit M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MB Megabyte OAA USAID/Washington's Office of Acquisition and Assistance OAP Online Application Platform OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control OMB Office of Management and Budget NGO Nongovernmental Organization NICRA Negotiated Indirect Cost Agreement PAEGC Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development PCA Partner Contracted Audit PD Program Description PDF Portable Document Format PMP Performance Management Plan R&D Research and Development RF Results Framework RFA Request for Application RFQ Request for Quotation SF Standard Form TEC Technical Evaluation Committee USAID United States Agency for International Development USC United States Code USD United States Dollar USG United States Government 5

Commonly Used Terms and Definitions

Within the context of this BAA, potential Applicants shall be aware that these definitions apply to the following commonly-used terms:

Acquisition Award

The acquiring by contract with appropriated funds of supplies or services (including construction) by and for the use of the US Federal Government through purchase or lease, whether the supplies or services are already in existence or must be created, developed, demonstrated, and evaluated. Acquisition begins at the point when the USG agency needs are established and includes the description of requirements to satisfy the agency needs, solicitation and selection of sources, award of contracts, contract financing, contract performance, contract administration, and those technical and management functions directly related to the process of fulfilling the agency needs by contract. Source: FAR1

2.101

Agribusiness

The various commercial operators along the agricultural value chain (input providers such producers of inputs (seeds/fertilizers, manufacturers agricultural machinery); farmers; processors; distributors and marketing companies, traders (importers, exporters, wholesale, retail).

Agricultural Value Chain

The full range of participants and activities that move agricultural goods from a farmers field to the end consumer. Activities within the agricultural value chain include: input production or supply (i.e. seed, fertilizer, feed, etc.), irrigation, production (i.e. planting crops, raising livestock), storage, transport, processing (i.e. sorting, physical transformation, mixing, conserving, packaging), wholesaling, marketing, retailing, waste management, etc.

Agreement Officer (AO)

The USAID representative with the authority to enter into, administer, terminate and closeout Assistance Awards, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of USAID. An Agreement Officer can only act within the scope of a duly authorized warrant or other valid delegation of authority. The term "Agreement Officer" includes persons warranted as "Grant Officers." It also includes certain authorized representatives of the Agreement Officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the Agreement Officer. Source: ADS 3002

Agreement Officers Representative (AOR)

The USAID representative who performs functions that are designated by the Agreement Officer, or is specifically designated by policy or regulation as part of the administration of an Assistance Award (grant or cooperative agreement). Source: ADS 300

1 All terms sourced as Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) can be found online at USAID Policy website: http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/agency-policy 2 All terms sourced as Automated Directives System (ADS) can be found online in the Glossary of ADS Terms located at: http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/agency-policy/glossary-ads-terms 6

Apparently Successful Applicant(s)

The Applicant(s) for USAID funding recommended for an award after technical evaluation, but who has not yet been awarded a grant, cooperative agreement, contract or other Assistance/Acquisition Award by the Agreement/Contract Officer. Apparently successful applicant status confers no right and constitutes no USAID commitment to an award, which still must be obligated by the Agreement Officer. Source: ADS 303; 22 CFR 226.913

Applicant

An entity/organization that has submitted an application for funding through this solicitation, but has not yet been issued an award.

Assistance Award

Financial support to accomplish a public purpose, including grants, cooperative/collaboration agreements, and other agreements in the form of money, or property in lieu of money, by USAID to an eligible recipient. The term does not include technical assistance, the provision of services instead of money; other assistance in the form of loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies, or insurance; direct payments of any kind to individuals; or contracts which are required to be entered into and administered under procurement laws and regulations. Source: ADS 300

Award

A form of implementing mechanism through which USAID transfers funds to an implementing partner, generally selected through a competitive process resulting in a contract, grant, or collaboration/cooperative agreement. Source: ADS 303

Awardee An entity/organization that has been selected to receive funding through this solicitation in the form of an acquisition or assistance award.

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

A general announcement of an USG Agencys research interest including criteria for selecting proposals and soliciting the participation of all offerors capable of satisfying the Governments needs. Source: FAR 2.101

Business Model The manner by which an enterprise creates, delivers and captures value profitably.

Clean Energy

Usable energy (i.e. electricity, illumination, heating/refrigeration, mechanization) that is derived from renewable sources and supports a reduction in fossil fuel use, increase in efficiency, and/or limitation of greenhouse gas emissions. Clean energy sources include solar, hydro, wind, geothermal, sustainably produced biomass, and biogas.

3 All terms sourced as Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) can be found online at: http://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/agency-policy/external-reference-links/cfr 7

Clean Energy Services

The range of products and services that are derived from/associated with the clean energy sector, including manufacturing, importing, distribution, servicing and financing.

Clean Energy Service Provider / Clean Energy Enterprise

A company or organization that sells clean energy technology, services, and/or solutions to consumers on a sustainable basis in the near to mid-term.

Clean Energy Solution

A combination of appropriate technology and business model that addresses the clean energy demands of a selected market. This is synonymous with the term innovation.

Collaboration Agreement/ Public Private Alliance

An agreement between two or more parties involving joint definition of a development problem and shared contributions to its solution and is characterized by a shared understanding of the development problem or issue; a shared belief that collaboration will be more effective than any approach taken by a single actor; a shared commitment of resources; significant use of limited resources; and perhaps, most important, a willingness to share risks. Source: ADS 202

Contract

A mutually binding legal relationship obligating the seller to furnish the supplies or services (including construction) and the buyer to pay for them. It includes all types of commitments that obligate the USG to an expenditure of appropriated funds and that, except as otherwise authorized, are in writing. In addition to bilateral instruments, contracts include (but are not limited to) awards and notices of awards; job orders or task letters issued under basic ordering agreements; letter contracts; orders, such as purchase orders, under which the contract becomes effective by written acceptance or performance; and bilateral contract modifications. Contracts do not include grants and cooperative agreements covered by 31 U.S.C. 6301, et seq. Source: ADS 300

Contractor

A non-government organization or individual acting as an agent of USAID and carrying out a scope of work specified by USAID, or a for-profit or non-profit organization that has a contract with USAID. The seller of the goods and/or services. It includes both organizations and individuals. Source: ADS 300

Contracting Officer (CO)

A person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the Contracting Officer. A single Contracting Officer may be responsible for duties in any or all of these areas. Source FAR 2.101

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Contracting Officers Representative (COR)

The USAID representative who performs functions which are designated by the Contracting Officer, or are specifically designated by policy or regulation as part of contract administration. Source: ADS 300

Cooperative Agreement

A legal instrument used where the principal purpose is the transfer of money, property, services or anything of value to the recipient in order to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute and where substantial involvement by USAID is anticipated. Source: ADS 300

Cost-Share

Documented mobilization/leveraging of non-USAID resources from the recipient, and/or partner organization(s), private firms and institutions to complement implementation of PAEGC activities at the country level. Cost-Sharing may be demonstrated either through direct funding, beneficiary contributions, in-kind assistance, or a combination thereof. Cost-Share contributions may come from internal and/or external sources. Although contributions from non-US government entities are allowable and count toward an Applicants External Cost-Share contribution, External Cost-Share may not be paid by the US Federal Government under another award - except where authorized by Federal statute to be used for cost sharing or matching. USAID does not apply its source and nationality requirements or the restricted goods provision established in the Standard Provision "USAID Eligibility Rules for Commodities and Services" to Cost-Share contributions. Source: 22 CFR 226.23; ADS 303

Developing Country/Advanced Developing Country

A developing country means any country categorized by the World Bank as a low or lower middle income country according to its gross national income per capita. An advanced developing country means any country categorized by the World Bank as an upper middle income country according to its gross national income per capita, except for any such country in which USAID provides assistance when the procurement is for USAID assistance to that country (i.e., it is the cooperating or recipient country). Although prospective Applicants may be based in any country that is not prohibited4, activities funded through PAEGC awards must be implemented in developing and/or advanced developing countries. A complete listing of developing countries and advanced developing countries as defined by Geographic Code 937 is provided as Appendix 1 to this solicitation document Source: ADS 310

4 As of the date of this BAA based on the Appropriations Act, USAID is prohibited from directly financing any assistance or reparations for the governments of Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria. Please refer to Automated Directive System (ADS) 310 entitled Source and Nationality Requirements for Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID. 9

Energy Efficiency A method, technology, and/or strategy for managing and restraining the growth in energy consumption of appliances, buildings, as well as end-use applications such as cooking or lighting.

FedBizOpps

The USG Federal website that posts all Federal procurement opportunities with a value over $25,000. (www.fbo.gov)

Feed the Future The USG global hunger and food security initiative (www.feedthefuture.gov)

Finalist

An entity/organization that has submitted an application for funding through this solicitation, and received a top score during the Full Proposal stage of the application evaluation process. Finalists are invited to deliver presentations of their Clean Energy Solutions to the Innovator Evaluation Board through an in-person or video teleconference (VTC).

Food Security Food security is a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Founding Partner

Public and Private Sector entities that contribute financial and in-kind resources to support PAEGC. At the time of this solicitation, the PAEGC Founding Partners are: United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Sweden, Duke Energy Corporation, the Government of Germany, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).

Funding Window A funding level based on USAID requirements for Cost-Share (cash/cash equivalent) or in-kind contribution and related to the nature of the activities being proposed by the recipient in this BAA.

Grant

A legal instrument used where the principal purpose is the transfer of money, property, services or anything of value to the recipient in order to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by USG Federal statute and where substantial involvement by USAID is not anticipated. Source: ADS 300

Grants.gov USG-wide website for grants interactions. The Grants.gov portal provides grantees the ability to electronically find and apply for grants. (www.grants.gov)

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Innovation/ Innovative

Innovation and innovative can describe a variety of concepts, from anything new to something interesting or unexpected. At USAID, innovation refers to novel business or organizational models, operational or production processes, or products or services that lead to substantial improvements (not incremental next steps) in addressing development challenges. Innovation may incorporate science and technology but is often broader, to include new processes or business models. Innovation, whether in USAIDs own business processes or in identifying and supporting novel approaches to development, can help produce development outcomes more effectively, more cheaply, that reach more beneficiaries, and in a shorter period of time.

Innovator

An entity/organization that has developed an innovative Clean Energy Solution and has submitted an application for PAEGC funding. Regardless whether this entity/organization has been selected for PAEGC funding, it may be referred to as an Innovator.

Innovator Evaluation Board

A standing panel of technical experts, business/financial specialists, development experts, and researchers with extensive experience in clean energy and agriculture technology to which Finalists present their Clean Energy Solution proposals. The Presentation to the Innovator Evaluation Board is the final stage in the solicitations awardee selection process.

Intervention

Awardees planned activities intended to increase agricultural productivity and/or value through the use of clean energy in developing or emerging countries.

Market Driven Market driven means investment, production and distribution are determined by supply and demand and reflected in freely set prices.

Offer

Offer means a response to a solicitation that, if accepted, would bind the offer or to perform the resultant contract. Responses to invitations for bids (sealed bidding) are offers called bids or sealed bids; responses to requests for proposals (negotiation) are offers called proposals; however, responses to requests for quotations (simplified acquisition) are quotations, not offers. Source: FAR 2.101

Online Application Platform

The online application platform defines the website that all Applicants will use to submit an application to the Powering Agriculture solicitation (www.PoweringAg.org/apply)

Scaling Increasing the use of a technology or approach while maintaining or improving effectiveness and affordability

Semi-Finalist An entity/organization that has submitted an application for funding through this solicitation, and received a top score during the Concept Note stage of the application evaluation process. Semi-Finalists are invited to prepare and submit

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Full Proposals, the next stage in the applicant evaluation process.

Solicitation

Term used by the US Government to refer to the assorted means by which offers or proposals are sought for government requirements and programs. Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations for Bids (IFBs), Tenders, Requests for Applications (RFAs), Annual Program Statements (APSs), and Requests for Quotes (RFQs) are all examples of types of US Government solicitations. Source: ADS 221

Statement of Work

Also referred to as a work statement. A document that defines service contract requirements in clear, concise language identifying specific work to be accomplished. It must be individually tailored to consider the period of performance, deliverable items, if any, and the desired degree of performance. In the case of task order contracts, the statement of work for the basic contract need only define the scope of the overall contract. Individual task orders must define specific task requirements. Source: FAR 37.602-1

Target Area of Operation

The target area of operation defines the primary geographic location and/or market for project implementation and impact.

Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC)

A collection of a technical evaluators that preform an analysis of each offerors proposal with respect to the standards and criteria established in the source selection plan, and as set forth in the solicitation Source: ADS 300; 48 CFR 715.303-70

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SECTION I. FUNDING DESCRIPTION

A. Broad Agency Announcement

A Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is a solicitation method used for Research and Development (R&D) efforts based on synopses published on FedBizOpps.gov and/or Grants.gov that provide for full and open competition in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 6.102(d)(2)). The BAA solicitation method used: (i) When the United States Government (USG) desires new and creative solutions to problem statements, (ii) When using a conventional statement of work could result in unintentionally stifling ideas and concepts given many possible approaches, (iii) When fulfilling requirements for scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or understanding rather than focusing on a specific system or hardware solution, (iv) When the USG must be able to state its objectives in terms of areas of need or interest rather than specific solutions or outcomes, (v) When meaningful proposals with varying technical/scientific approaches are reasonably anticipated, and (vi) When evaluation will be based on a peer or scientific review. Awards made through this BAA may be in the form of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and collaboration agreements - depending on the nature of the submitting organization and the proposal.

B. Program Description The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Sweden, the Government of Germany, Duke Energy Corporation, and the United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) (collectively, the Founding Partners) have combined resources to fund this BAA for Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development (PAEGC). The objective of PAEGC is to support new and sustainable approaches to accelerate the development and deployment of Clean Energy Solutions (CES) 5 for increasing agriculture productivity and/or value in developing countries. Such solutions are those that integrate clean energy technologies and innovative business models to: (i) Enhance agricultural yields/productivity; (ii) Decrease post-harvest loss; (iii) Improve farmer and agribusiness income generating opportunities and revenues; and/or (iv) Increase energy efficiency and associated savings within the operations of farms and agribusinesses - while stimulating low carbon economic growth within the agriculture sector of developing countries. The Grand Challenge for Development (GCD) model is designed to focus global attention and resources on specific, narrowly defined international development problems, and to promote innovative approaches solving them.6 GCDs encourage solutions that build on physical and social science research and technological advancements, and aim to engage new actors that might

5 In the context of this solicitation, the term clean energy refers to usable energy (i.e. electricity, illumination, heating/refrigeration, mechanization) that is derived from renewable sources and supports a reduction in fossil fuel use, increase in efficiency, and/or limitation of greenhouse gas emissions. Clean energy sources include solar, hydro, wind, geothermal, sustainably harvested biomass, and biogas. The term clean energy solution refers to the combination of appropriate technology and business model that addresses the clean energy demands of a select market. This is synonymous with the term innovation 6 PAEGC is the third in a series of six Grand Challenges for Development that USAID initiated with international partners. The previous two Grand Challenges respectively focus on maternal and newborn health and early-age literacy: (i) Saving Lives at Birth; and (ii) All Children Reading. The final three Grand Challenges focus on citizen engagement & government responsiveness, addressing Ebola, and the water-food value chain respectively: (iii) Making All Voices Count, Fighting Ebola, and Securing Water for Food. Further information about these initiatives can be found online at: www.savinglivesatbirth.net , www.allchildrenreading.org , http://www.makingallvoicescount.org/, http://www.ebolagrandchallenge.net/ and http://www.securingwaterforfood.org/. 13

otherwise not receive support through traditional international development programs. Importantly, the model supports solutions with the potential to achieve scale in low resource settings by, among other things, leveraging investment and financing.

B.1 Background Historically and globally, agricultural intensification has been largely accompanied with the increased use of energy inputs - particularly petroleum based products for electricity generation and liquid fuel - to produce, process, and distribute agricultural products. In getting food from the farm to the table, there are a number of energy intensive activities within agricultural value chains including, but not limited to: (i) Pumping water and irrigating crops, (ii) On-farm mechanization, (iii) Value-added processing, (iv) Refrigerated storage and transformation processes, and (v) Transporting agricultural goods from the farm/market to end-consumers. Due to the close relationship [that] exists between rising energy prices and the costs of agricultural production,7,8 the price volatility of energy services can adversely affect food insecure populations - particularly those located in emerging economies and developing countries. There is a growing concern that if the inexpensive supply of fossil fuels becomes unavailable in the future, options for increasing food productivity may become severely limited.9 Figure 1 shows the co-movement between food prices and energy prices over time.10,11 Figure 1: Food and Energy Prices over Time

7 OECD/FAO. (2008). OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook, 2008-2017. 8 GIZ. (2011). Modern Energy Services for Modern Agriculture. A Review of Smallholder Farming in Developing Countries 9 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2011). Energy-Smart Food for People and Climate: Issue Paper. United Nations. 10 FAO. (2014). Food Price Index. 2014. www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/. 11 IndexMundi. Crude Oil Price Index. (2014). http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=crude-oil&months=120 14

By 2050, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects that an increase in 70 percent of 2005-2007 food production levels will be needed to meet the demand of a growing world population expected to reach 9.6 billion people. 12,13 If left unchecked, and if current trends continue, this significant agricultural intensification will result in an even greater demand for fossil fuels worldwide. Such a path could contribute to greater food insecurity, and prominent increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the agricultural sector14. While there is a growing recognition of challenges associated with energy intensive agriculture operations, efforts made to date to address interrelated concerns of water usage, food production/processing, and energy consumption have been rather fragmented and mono-sectoral in focus. This isolated, siloed approach has resulted in a lack of coordination, and inconsistencies between laws and regulatory frameworks within both sectors,15 which may delay global efforts to sustainably support climate-resilient agricultural intensification. However, the adoption of a nexus approach that concurrently focuses on both sectors could enable better collaboration and coordination among the numerous countries/donors that dedicate resources to energy and agriculture programs.16,17,18 A combined clean energy/agriculture approach could help maximize the impact of finite energy resources to: (i) Increase farmers and agribusiness use of clean energy technologies, (ii) Improve on-farm/agriculture processing energy efficiency, (iii) Introduce new income generating opportunities in developing countries, (iv) Reduce food insecurity in vulnerable regions, and (iv) Mitigate adverse climate change effects that stem from the agriculture sector. PAEGC seeks to address the aforementioned concerns by supporting innovation within the energy/agriculture nexus in emerging markets and developing countries where many farmers and agribusinesses lack access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy services. As such, these farmers and agribusinesses are less able to adopt sustainable agricultural techniques to increasing crop yields, engage in opportunities for value-added processing, and benefit from broad-based, environmentally-sound economic growth.

B.2 Cross-cutting Critical Barriers In the context of the energy/agriculture nexus, PAEGC has identified four broad categories of barriers that hinder the adoption and use of clean energy technologies within the agriculture sectors of developing countries.

Limited Demand: In many locations, farmers and agribusinesses are not aware of clean energy technologies that may assist them in enhancing the productivity, profitability, and/or efficiencies of their operations. Though awareness is a necessary condition for demand, prospective adoptees must also note clear, verified benefits to switching from long-standing agriculture practices to new methods/technologies.

12 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2009). How to Feed the World by 2050. United Nations. 13 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). (2013). World Population Prospects: The 2012 Revision (http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/Documentation/publications.htm) 14 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2011). Energy-Smart Food for People and Climate: Issue Paper. United Nations. 15 United Nations World Water Assessment Programme. (2014). World Water Development Report 2014 Volume 1. 16 Scott, et.al. (2011). Policy and institutional dimensions of the waterenergy nexus. Energy Policy. (39). Pg. 66226630 17 Hoff, H. (2011). Understanding the Nexus. Background Paper for the Bonn 2011 Conference: The Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus. Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm 18 United Nations. (2013). The Status of the Water-Food-Energy Nexus in Asia and the Pacific. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 15

Inappropriate Technology Design/Cost: Often, technologies that are readily

used in modern agriculture operations do not match the performance characteristics and/or price points required in emerging markets. Technologies need to be appropriate for local operating conditions and also affordable for the target users.

Few Commercially Replicable Business Models: Few examples exist of proven

business models that can be commercially replicated and/or adapted to link clean energy enterprises with farmers and agribusinesses in relevant supply chains. There are even fewer examples of profitable clean energy service companies in rural areas with resource constrained customers. Moreover, the agriculture value chain itself is fragmented and has generally not developed beyond trading of raw commodities as an investment asset class, which makes it harder to develop and finance replicable commercially sustainable business models.

Limited Access to Financing: The problems of risk and design are compounded

by lack of access to affordable credit to distributors of clean energy products and services who then in turn cannot provide or direct customers to end user financing. Banks and other financial institutions which may already skeptical about lending to farmers and agribusinesses - are unfamiliar with clean energy products and services that frequently have relatively high initial capital costs.

PAEGC is looking for innovative CESs that involve comprehensive approaches to overcoming one or more of these aforementioned barriers that exist in the agriculture sectors emerging markets.

C. PAEGC Global Innovation Call PAEGCs second Global Innovation Call is designed to source innovative technologies/business models applicable to the clean energy/agriculture nexus.19 Through this BAA, PAEGC is seeking innovative approaches to effectively integrate new CESs within the agriculture sectors of developing countries and emerging markets. PAEGC is agnostic in regards to the specific clean energy technologies, target geographic locations, and target agriculture value chains proposed by Applicants. However, all CESs proposed must demonstrate a prominent clean energy component, prominent agriculture component, and a viable business model with an identified target market in a developing country(ies). Through this BAA, PAEGC anticipates disbursing up to $20 million USD in awards. Individual awards are expected to range is from $500,000 to $2,000,000 USD. This range in award size is reflective of an understanding that the financial and non-financial needs of prospective Applicants will vary greatly according to the nature of their proposed activities, and the current state of development of the solutions they are proposing to pursue. The actual value of individual awards will be dependent on the need for financing, and the nature of the proposed activities. It is expected that between 10 and 20 individual awards will be issued through this BAA.

C.1 Global Innovation Call Funding Windows PAEGC recognizes that at different stages of development, prospective Applicants proposed solutions will have different levels of risk, financial/technical needs, and evidence/data on which to base their potential for impact and scale. For this reason, the PAEGC Global Innovation Call

19 Descriptions of the projects that PAEGC selected for funding through the first Global Innovation Call can be found at: http://www.poweringag.org/2013-winners 16

channels resources through two separate Funding Windows tailored to support a portfolio of CES at both: (i) the early stages of research and design; and (ii) at the later stage of product/business model development to assist Clean Energy Solutions expand to commercial scale and/or replicate successfully piloted solutions elsewhere.

Funding Window 1 Clean Energy Solution Design: This Funding Window is for new clean energy technologies and business models that show promise of being viable in supporting the objective of PAEGC, but have yet to demonstrate their proven applicability in a developing country context through extensive field tests. These Clean Energy Solutions, may be at the early stages of research and development (R&D), and could benefit from PAEGC funding to refine/improve the design of the technologies, establish proof of concept, pilot field tests, and adapt technologies/business models for a new markets. All awards made through this Funding Window for early stage development of Clean Energy Solutions will be up to $500,000 USD. All Applicants that receive awards through this Funding Window are encouraged to demonstrate a Cost-Share contribution of at least 15 percent (up to 75,000) of the total award value.20 Funding Window 2 Clean Energy Solutions Scale-up/Commercial Growth: This Funding Window is intended to support clean energy technologies and business models that have been successfully piloted in a developing country/emerging market on a small scale, and are now ready for market expansion and scaling-up. Funding Window 2 Applicants are those that have already demonstrated a viable technology and business model, and are generating revenue in an existing market. It is expected that these solutions will have already demonstrated technical feasibility and market acceptance, and that Applicants will be able to provide evidence supporting these accomplishments. These Applicants may seek PAEGC funding for commercial activities, including but not limited to: adaptation of the innovation for larger scale production, market adoption, and distribution. Awards made through this Funding Window will be between $500,000 USD and $2,000,000 USD. The actual value of individual awards will be dependent on the need for financing, and the nature of the proposed activities. All Applicants that receive awards through this Funding Window shall demonstrate a 35 percent Cost-Share contribution.

Through this BAA, Applicants will apply for either Window 1 or Window 2 funding. Those applications for Window 1 funding will only be evaluated against other Window 1 applications. Likewise, Window 2 applications will be evaluated only against other Window 2 applications PAEGC does not have a pre-determined ratio regarding the number of projects/amount of funds/types of technology applications that will be channeled through the two Windows. However, Applicants shall note that PAEGC is interested in funding a diverse portfolio, comprising CES that are in various stages of development across different types of technology applications and business models. PAEGC shall be regarded by prospective Applicants as just one source of funding for a potential project. Applicants shall not expect to have their entire project financed by PAEGC, nor shall they drop components of a viable project design just because they are not funded by PAEGC. It is likely that PAEGC funding will finance only a portion of a larger project design, in which case Applicants

20 Further discussion about what constitutes internal and external contributions in the context of this solicitation is provided in Section III. 17

shall look to other sources of financing/technical assistance to raise the total amount of capital needed. These other sources of financing/technical assistance will be supported through the Applicants Cost-Share contributions to the projects. PAEGC awards are intended to help de-risk projects to help them achieve more commercially acceptable levels of risk and returns and to technically pilot/fine tune new promising CESs. PAEGC funding is meant to finance early stages of projects that are difficult to finance commercially, with the intention to assist those Awardees reach a project development phase that is easier to access conventional sources financing.

C.2 Required Features of all Proposed Clean Energy Solutions Regardless of what Funding Window individual Applicants are interested, PAEGC expects the following features to be reflected in all competitive applications for funding.

Strong Emphasis on the Clean Energy/Agriculture Nexus Approach: Applicants must be able to describe how their Clean Energy Solution will have an impact on both increasing use of clean energy/increasing energy efficiency & on increasing agriculture production and/or value. All Applicants must have a clear plan on how they intend to monitor/measure the impact(s) of their CES.

Promote User-Centered Design Not Technology for the Sake of Technology: Many renewable energy/energy efficiency technologies that exist worldwide are not accessible/known to farmers/agribusinesses in developing countries. PAEGC is looking to support CES that are truly market-driven; Applicants must describe the specific developing country agricultural market they are targeting, and articulate how their solutions meet an existing market demand on the ground. Applicants must also describe how small-scale farmers and small to medium scale enterprises (SMEs)/operators along the agricultural value chain benefit from the proposed measures.

Support Low Emissions Development (LEDs) Growth:

Applicants must be able to describe how their Clean Energy Solution/innovation supports low emissions economic growth and development amongst target end user groups. The applications must describe in what manner the adoption of their proposed CES will contribute to indicators that PAEGC uses to monitor the results of global climate change mitigation/adaptation efforts GHG emission reduction, increased investment in climate change mitigation/adaptation activities, clean energy generation, and/or energy efficiency.

Support for Gender Equality: Applicants must be able to show how their CES will contribute to reducing gender disparities in access to, control over and benefit from clean energy resources, wealth, opportunities and services: economic, social, political, and cultural. In this regard, Applicants must familiarize themselves with USAIDs Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy21

Have a Local Presence and Develop Market-Driven Partnerships:

Applicants must have a presence in the country(ies) in which they propose to work or at

21 USAIDs Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy can be found at: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pdact200.pdf 18

least one local partner in the country(ies). Prior developing country experience with the proposed clean energy solutions and/or agricultural segment chosen and/or delivery/distribution/financing models is preferred, including in the chosen country(ies). We also encourage applicants to develop market-driven partnerships that can help clean energy solutions/innovations achieve economies of scale.

Integrated Use of Grant Funding: Applicants must communicate in what way that PAEGC grant funding will be integrated into an established business plan. Regardless of the their proposed CES development stage, Applicants must demonstrate why grant funding as opposed to other sources of financing is the most effective means to fill an identified funding gap in their business model. Rather than regarding grant funding as free money, it shall be regarded as resource that will assist the Applicant in further developing its CES so that it is better positioned to attract other sources of financing after the PAEGC grant funding has expired.

C.3 What Will Not Be Funded

It is important for Applicants to note that there are certain types of activities that are not eligible for funding through this PAEGC solicitation. These include:

Project ideas that are managed from or include activities to be implemented in ineligible countries22 Approaches that reinforce harmful gender norms; Approaches that reinforce harmful environmental or social practices; Activities focused on research and development for a product without a clearly defined market demand or credible commercialization prospects; One-off renewable energy installations or pilot projects to support proven technologies for proven applications - unless they include an innovative component(s) that clearly outline realistic potential for replication and/or ability to achieve commercial scale; Projects that are based solely on fossil fuel-based generation technologies. Please note: Hybrid technologies that couple fossil fuel-based power generation with clean energy generation are acceptable; Projects focused on increase in utilization of mechanized agriculture utilizing fossil fuel-based technologies Projects that jeopardize the resiliency of agricultural practices or sustainable supply chains; and While it is understood that policy and trade reforms are often critical for technology development/deployment and for increasing energy access, such issues are better addressed through more conventional international development programs and/or bi-/multi-lateral and/or para-statal negotiations. Thus, proposed remedial interventions of this nature will not be eligible for funding.

C.4 Acceleration Support

After award, a third party/ies funded by the Founding Partners will offer limited acceleration support in the form of online training and group skills development to all Finalists (those invited for face-to-face interviews). More in-depth acceleration support from this third party/ies will be offered to Awardees only. The level of support provided to awardees will be optional and will depend on the needs and stage of the Awardee. This support may include advisory services,

22 Please see Appendix 1 for a list of eligible countries 19

technical services, and partnership facilitation. Supply side interventions may include: improving the innovation, capacity building of the management team, improving distribution models, gaining operational efficiency, and expanding access to capital to finance the growth strategy. Demand-side interventions may include: improving market linkages, securing contracts, building partnerships, enabling penetration of new markets, and support in attracting a growing customer base. If Finalists/awardees are not interested in receiving accelerator support through PAEGC, then they will not be required to participate.

Awardees will have the option to work with an Acceleration Facilitator to create a work-plan that identifies relevant and specific services from the acceleration support program. These services should directly complement the innovators ability to reach technical and financial milestones. The Acceleration Facilitator will either be a USAID staff member with a background in market-driven sustainable development from one of the Founding Partners, or a representative of an outside incubator or accelerator.

While all acceleration support will be needs-based and tailored to the innovator, we anticipate that the third party/ies will offer three broad sub-programs, described below. Services under each of the sub- programs will, ideally, be provided by existing and proven accelerators, incubators, industry experts, and recognized business development service providers. If there are specific services that an innovator requires that are outside of these sub-programs, we will do our utmost to provide them.

The three sub-programs are envisioned to include:

a. Biz-Tech Development Services: The Acceleration Facilitator may provide access to prequalified firms and consultants who can provide the services identified in the innovators acceleration work-plan. These services may include access to technology and engineering, pricing, human resource management, marketing, IT, legal, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, and distribution experts and business model innovation advisory services.

b. Investment Facilitation:

Investment-preparedness workshops. The Acceleration Facilitator may help prepare innovators to successfully attract capital partners. Innovators may participate in investment workshops with successful entrepreneurs, investors, other capital providers, and lawyers to help them analyze their growth strategy and determine capital requirements. In addition, the workshops will help innovators develop their pitches and prepare for questions from potential investors.

Investors circles. The Acceleration Facilitator may help bring together investors and

select innovators for structured pitch presentations. Grant, debt and equity capital providers will be invited, depending on the needs of the innovators. Additionally, s/he may invite relevant corporations to catalyze product development, licensing agreements, mergers, acquisitions, etc., as appropriate.

Deal management. The Acceleration Facilitator may integrate feedback from the

investors circles into the acceleration work plan and support the innovators to address identified challenges and prepare for future rounds of investment pitches. The Acceleration Facilitator may also track potential interest from the investors and support the innovators to respond and follow-up during diligence and negotiation process.

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c. Market Partnership Facilitation: The Acceleration Facilitator may facilitate market linkages and help build partnerships. Where relevant, the Acceleration Facilitator may help awardees (especially Funding Window 2 awardees) secure contracts, penetrate multiple markets, and build and serve a growing customer base. Services will include: Sales and business development. The Acceleration Facilitator may provide access to

advisors and build capacity around sales and new business development.

Partnership development. The Acceleration Facilitator may work with awardees, and prequalified firms and consultants to support the creation of partnerships with manufacturers, distributors and other B2B partners, donors, civil society organizations, local governments, etc. to facilitate uptake of the innovation and thereby growth of the business

International marketing. The Acceleration Facilitator may facilitate winning

innovators participation at international conferences (e.g. trade shows, technology fairs).

[END SECTION I]

21

SECTION II AWARD INFORMATION

A. Authorizing Legislation The authorizing legislation for this Award is the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, and the award is subject to 22 CFR 226 Administration of Assistance Awards to U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) may apply.

B. Authorized Geographic Code The authorized geographic code for source and nationality of Applicants is 935 defined as any area or country including the recipient country, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source. The authorized geographic code for country of implementation is 937 defined as the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source. A complete listing of developing countries and advanced developing countries as defined by Geographic Code 937 is provided as Appendix 1. As of the date of this BAA based on the Appropriations Act, USAID is prohibited from directly financing any assistance or reparations for the governments of Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria. Please refer to Automated Directive System (ADS) 310 entitled Source and Nationality Requirements for Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID.

C. Award and Administration Information C.1 Award: Although there are multiple international government and private sector partners contributing financial and technical resources to PAEGC , all awards made through this competition will be issued and administered by USAID. USAID may (i) reject any or all proposals, (ii) accept more than one proposal, and (iii) waive informalities and minor irregularities in proposals received. Awards made through this BAA may be in the form of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and collaboration agreements - depending on the nature of the submitting organization and the proposal. A USAID Contract and Agreements Officer (CO/AO) will determine the appropriate award instrument for the selections resulting from this solicitation. Grants and cooperative agreements will be subject to the provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, and the award is subject to 22 CFR 226 Administration of Assistance Awards to U.S. Non- Governmental Organizations. Contract awards will be subject to the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the USAID FAR Supplement (see http://transition.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf). Collaboration agreements will be subject to the policies in AAPD 04-16. The USG may make an award on the basis of initial proposals received, without discussions. Therefore, each initial proposal must contain the Applicants best terms from a technical and cost standpoint. C.2 Authority to Obligate the Government: The CO/AO is the only individual authorized to commit the USG to the expenditure of public funds. No costs chargeable to the proposed Award may be incurred before receipt of either a fully executed Award or a specific, written authorization from the CO/AO. C.3 USAID Management of Activities: The CO/AO shall serve as the primary agreement contact between USAID and the recipient of the Award. The Contract and Agreement Officers 22

Representative (C/AOR) will serve as the primary technical contact between USAID and the recipient of the Award. C.4 Award Administration: Award administration will be determined at time of award based on the mechanism chosen by the CO/AO. C.5 Program Profit and Income: Applicants seeking information about program profit and program income or other issues regarding USAIDs administration of assistance awards shall consult 22 CFR 226 and for acquisition awards shall consult the FAR and AIDAR for applicable regulations. C.6 Funding Information: Funds may be provided in increments subject to availability of funds, successful implementation and continued relevance to USAID. USAIDs obligation to make awards is contingent upon the availability of sufficient appropriated and partner funds from which payment can be made and the receipt of proposals that USAID determines are acceptable for Award under this BAA. C.7 Period of Performance: The period of performance for new Awards for proposals submitted in response to this BAA is up to three years from date of Award. Any period of performance must be justified in the proposal.

C.8 Award Budgets: The estimated ceiling for this BAA is $10-20 Million USD. Subject to the availability of funds, the individual Award(s) will range from $500,000- $2,000,000. Further information about factors that will determine the funding level of individual awards is provided in Section III. It is anticipated that 10 20 proposals will be funded.

[END SECTION II]

23

SECTION III APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY, COST-SHARE REQUIREMENTS, AND SELECTION PROCESS

A. Applicant Eligibility Requirements

Applicants from any category of organization or institution, US or non-US23, are welcome to respond to this solicitation. Specific categories of organizations and institutions and entrepreneurs that are welcome to respond include, but are not limited to: educational, industrial, and not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, faith-based, foundations, academic institutions, civic groups, regional organizations, vendors, start-ups, and project developers. Government entities and individuals are not eligible to apply for funding. For the purposes of this BAA, publicly-funded universities or universities with government affiliations are not considered government entities. Applicants are allowed to submit multiple applications to this solicitation on behalf of the organization(s) that they represent. USAID welcomes proposals from organizations which have not previously received funding from USAID or the other PAEGC Founding Partners. However, entities that have previously received funding from PAEGC Founding Partners in any capacity including through PAEGCs first Global Innovation Call are also eligible to apply. Successful Applicants will be subject to a responsibility determination issued by a warranted Contracting Officer/Agreement Officer (CO/AO) in USAID. Responsibility determinations review an Applicants financial management, monitoring and evaluation, internal control systems, and policies and procedures to ensure compliance with established USG standards, laws, and regulations. The CO/AO may determine a pre-award survey is required and if so, would establish a formal survey team to conduct an examination that will determine whether the prospective recipient has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills or ability to obtain them in order to achieve the objectives of the program.

B. Applicant Cost-Share Requirements The level of funding awarded to individual selected Applicants will be dependent on: (i) The Funding Window to which they are applying and (ii) The nature of the activities they are planning to implement with PAEGC funding. As illustrated in Table 2 below, the value of individual Window 1 awards will be up to $500,000; the value of individual Window 2 awards will be between $500,000 and $2,000,000. Additionally, for each award made, the Applicants must demonstrate some level of Cost-Share contribution. The required minimum monetary value the Cost-Share contribution is expressed as a percentage of the total award value, and varies according to the two different Funding Windows. Window 1 Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a Cost-Share contribution of at least 15 percent of the total award value; Window 2 Applicants shall demonstrate a minimum Cost-Share contribution of 35 percent of the total award value. Cost-Sharing may be demonstrated either through direct funding, beneficiary contributions, in-kind assistance, or a combination thereof. Cost-Share contributions may come from internal or external sources. Examples of internal

23 As of the date of this BAA based on the Appropriations Act, USAID is prohibited from directly financing any assistance or reparations for the governments of Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria. Please refer to Automated Directive System (ADS) 310 entitled Source and Nationality Requirements for Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID. 24

contributions could include the value of salaries for staff, goods, and/or services that the Applicant will donate to the project, or self- investment in project activities. Examples of external contributions include the value of time donated by technical or business experts and technology, communications, or fixed capital assets as well as private equity/debt investments, an advance purchase order, a share of royalties, rights in the technology, a percentage of profit, or any other similar combination thereof. Resource-sharing from non-US publically-funded programs could also qualify. However, resources from another US Federal Government program may not be counted towards a Cost-Share contribution. In the Full Proposal stage of the evaluation process, Applicants will be asked to describe the nature of their Cost-Share, and the manner in which that contribution has been monetized and can be verified. Applicants are strongly encouraged to refer to ADS Chapter 30324 and 22 CFR 226.2325 to review the standards and criteria that must be met in order for resources to be considered by USAID as Cost-Share contributions. USAID does not apply its source and nationality requirements or the restricted goods provision established in the Standard Provision "USAID Eligibility Rules for Commodities and Services" to Cost-Share contributions. Table 2 summarizes the Cost-Share requirements for the two Funding Windows. Table 2: PAEGC Funding Window Award Value and Cost-Share

Funding Window Award Value Cost-Share

Window 1 Clean Energy Solution - Design Up to $500,000

up to15 percent of award value (up to $75,000)

Window 2 Clean Energy Solution Scale-Up/Commercial Growth

$500,000 - $2,000,000 35 percent of award value (Required)

C. Applicant Selection Process

After applications have been screened initially for eligibility and completeness, there are three stages to the PAEGC Applicant selection process: (Stage 1) Concept Note Submission, (Stage 2) Full Proposal Submission, and (Stage 3) Presentation to Innovator Evaluation Board (IEB). Applicants who are deemed ineligible or who submit incomplete applications will not progress through the selection process. Section IV provides detailed guidance regarding the proposal submission process and what information is required from the Applicants at each stage of the selection process. Section V describes the evaluation criteria that will be used at each stage of the selection process.

Stage 1: Concept Note Submission: For the first stage of the selection process, PAEGC invites Applicants from any eligible country to submit through the OAP basic information about their organization, and a 600-word Concept Note that succinctly describes their CES, and why it is appropriate from PAEGC Funding. All applicants are asked to respond to two questions that relate to: (i) Innovation; and (ii) Relevance to Clean Energy/Agriculture Nexus. Funding Window 1 Applicants are asked to respond to an additional

24 Content related to Cost-Share contributions in ADS Chapter 303 can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303.pdf 25 Content related to Cost-Share contributions in 22 CFR 226.23 can be found at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title22-vol1/xml/CFR-2011-title22-vol1-part226.xml#seqnum226.23 25

third question that relates to: (iii.a) Market Potential. Funding Window 2 Applications are asked to respond to an additional third question that relates to (iii.b) Potential to Scale. For each individual question, the response is limited to 200 words. The responses to these three questions will comprise the Concept Notes of the Applicants, and will be reviewed by the Stage 1 Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC)26 against a standard set of criteria, and given a score. The Stage 1 evaluation criteria and the weighting methodology that will be applied - are presented in Section V of this BAA.

Stage 2: Full Proposal Submission: Following evaluation of the Concept Notes, PAEGC will invite those Applicants that received the highest scores (the Semi-Finalists) to submit a 10 page Full Proposal and associated supporting documentation. Similar to the Concept Note stage, all Full Proposals will be evaluated against a standard set of criteria, and given a score. At this stage in the selection process, Semi-Finalist Applicants will also be asked to submit: (i) An illustrative budget, outlining their expected expenditures throughout the performance of the award - as well as the internal/external sources of their Cost-Share contributions; (ii) Letters of commitment from any partners in their consortia; (iii) Resumes/CVs of their proposed key personnel; and (iv) Past Performance Reference sheets that outline their experience to date managing projects with a relevant focus. The Stage 2 TEC will review the Full Proposals against a standard set of evaluation criteria, and give each a score. The Stage 2 evaluation criteria and the weighting methodology that will be applied - are presented in Section V of this BAA.

Stage 3: Presentation to Innovator Evaluation Board (IEB):

PAEGC will invite those Applicants whose Full Proposals received the highest scores (the Finalists) to present their CES to an Innovator Evaluation Board (IEB) - a panel of technical experts, business specialists, sustainable development experts, and researchers experienced in clean energy and agriculture technology. Prior to delivering their presentations, the IEB may contact the Finalists to ask them to provide further clarification about certain aspects of their proposed activities and implementation plans, The presentations to the IEB will either be conducted through in-person or video teleconferences (VTC) interviews. Through this process, PAEGC will determine which Applicants will receive funding through this BAA.

D. Application Submission and Review Schedule

At the release of this BAA, it is expected that the application submission and review schedule will proceed as follows:

December 1, 2014: Deadline for submitting questions regarding the BAA February 12 , 2015: Deadline for Applicants to submit PAEGC Concept Notes September 2015: PAEGC Awards are issued to top Finalist Applicants

Dates presented above are subject to change. If there are any changes to this schedule, all Applicants/potential Applicants will be informed through an amendment to this BAA published on www.FedBizOps,gov, www.grants.gov, and the PAEGC website www.PoweringAg.Org.

[END SECTION III]

26 It is anticipated that the composition of the TEC and IEB will include members from USAID, SIDA, GIZ, OPIC, Duke Energy, technical experts, business specialists, sustainable development experts, and researchers. Technical and business specialists may include individuals under contract to the Powering Agriculture Support Task Order implemented by Tetra Tech. All TEC and IEB members are required to sign non-disclosure agreements. 26

SECTION IV APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Points of Contact This BAA is administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The primary points of contact for this BAA are as follows, who can both be reached at: PoweringAg@usaid.gov. Stephanie Fugate, Agreement/Contracting Officer Tameka J. Laws, Agreement/Contracting Officer U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Questions and Answers: Questions regarding this BAA must be submitted no later than 4:00PM EST on Monday, December 1, 2014 to the email address: PoweringAg@usaid.gov to provide sufficient time to address the questions and incorporate the questions and answers as an amendment to this solicitation (if necessary). All questions must be submitted in English. Verbal explanations or instructions given before the issuance of an Award will not be binding. Any information given to a prospective Applicant concerning this BAA will be furnished promptly to all other prospective Applicants as an amendment to this BAA, if that information is necessary in submitting proposals or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective Applicant.

B. Online Application Platform All Concept Notes and Full Proposals (if requested) and supporting documentation from Applicants will be submitted through the PAEGC Online Application Platform (OAP) found at: http://poweringag.org/call-innovations. Complete instructions regarding how to register as an Applicant and submit applications are provided on the website. Proposals submitted via post, facsimile, or e-mail will not be accepted. If an Applicant experiences any technical difficulties with submitting an application through the OAP, the Applicant should send an e-mail to tlaws@usaid.gov. All applications received by the submission deadline will be reviewed for responsiveness to the specifications outlined in this solicitation. Applicants must ensure that their applications are received by USAID in their entirety. No additions or modifications to the applications will be accepted after submission deadline stated in this solicitation. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with electronic submissions. NOTE: All application content and supporting documentation must be submitted in English. Applicants should retain for their records a copy of all information and documentation that they input/upload to the OAP. It is the Applicants responsibility to ensure that files are complete and transmitted by the deadline. The Applicant bears full responsibility for data errors or omissions. Following are the instructions that are to be followed for submitting applications to the PAEGC OAP, and an outline of the three stages of the Applicant selection process: (i) Concept Note Submission; (ii) Full Proposal Submission; and (iii) Presentation to the Innovator Evaluation Board (IEB). All eligible Applicants are invited to submit Concept Notes. Only those Applicants whose Concept Notes are evaluated the most favorably and given the highest scores will be invited to submit Full Proposals. Only those Applicants whose Full Proposals are evaluated the most favorably and given the highest scores will be invited to present their CES to the IEB. 27

B.1 Account Creation and Login Upon first visiting the OAP, the Applicant will be asked to create an account. On this initial page, the Applicant will be asked to provide a: (i) Full Name and Position Title; (ii) Username; (iii) Password (selected by Applicant); and (iv) E-mail address. The Applicant will subsequently receive an e-mail and asked to activate the account and login using the Username and Password they provided. Once they have created an account, Applicants will be able to submit more than one application on behalf of the organization(s) that they represent.

B.2 Indication of Non-Disclosure Upon first logging in to the OAP, and prior to submitting any information about their organization or proposed CES, the Applicant will be asked to agree to a statement of non-disclosure. Applicants that include data/information in their applications that they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the USG except for this solicitations evaluation purpose, shall indicate so through the OAP, and mark as instructed the box that references the following text: This application includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed in whole or in part for any purpose other than to evaluate this application. If, however, a grant is awarded to this Applicant as a result of or in connection with the submission of this data, the U.S. Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting grant. This restriction does not limit the U.S. Governments right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets and, mark each sheet of data it wished to restrict with the following legend: Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this application.

B.3 Basic Applicant Information Applicants are asked to submit the following information about their organization and the CES for which they are seeking PAEGC funding. This information will be submitted to the OAP through a combination of drop-down menus and text input fields. a. Name and full address of Applicant - including country where Applicant is incorporated or

registered.

b. Type of organization/firm (e.g., for-profit, non-profit, academic institution, etc.). c. Point of Contact information (name, position title, phone number, fax number, e-mail

address) of individual preparing application. d. Names of other organizations/firms that are partnering organizations in the proposal. Where

joint partnerships include innovators from developing countries, we encourage the partnership to designate the developing country partner as the primary Applicant.

e. Size of organization in terms of employed staff (for partnerships and consortia, list the combined total staff).

f. Descriptive title of CES (project) being proposed.

g. Country(ies) where PAEGC-funded activities are proposed to be implemented

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h. Specific agricultural value chain(s) and point in value chain where the proposed Clean Energy Solution will be integrated. These value chains may include, but are not limited to: staple crops, horticulture dairy, meat, aquaculture, agro-forestry products, etc.

i. Broad category of technology chosen for the proposed Clean Energy Solution which could include one or more of the following: solar, wind, biomass, waste, hydro, geothermal, tidal, and energy efficiency.

j. Funding Window being applied (Window 1: Clean Energy Solution Design; Window 2: Clean Energy Solution - Scale-Up/Commercial Growth).

B.4 Stage 1: Concept Note Submission

The Concept Notes submitted by the Applicants will consist of responses that they provide to standard questions that are presented in the OAP. Both Window 1 and Window 2 Applicants that are asked to provide 200-word responses to two standard questions that relate to: (i) Innovation; and (ii) Relevance to Clean Energy/Agriculture Nexus. Applicants that are applying for Window 1 funding are asked to provide a 200-word response to a third question that relates to: (iii.a) Market Potential. Applicants that are applying for Window 2 funding are asked to provide a 200-word response to a third question that relates to (iii.b) Potential for Scale. All responses are to be entered into using text input fields that are embedded in the OAP. For Window 1 Applicants, the response to the Innovation Question will be scored on a scale from 0 10, and the responses to the Relevance to Clean Energy/Agriculture Nexus Question and Market Potential Question will be scored on a scale of 0- 5 each. The highest possible score Window 1 Applicants can receive is 20. For Window 2 Applicants, the response to the Potential for Scale Question will be scored on a scale from 0 10, and the responses to the Innovation Question and the Relevance to Clean Energy/Agriculture Nexus Question will be scored on a scale of 0- 5 each. The highest possible score Window 2 Applicants can receive is 20. All of the Window 1 Concept Notes will only be evaluated against other Window 1 Concept Notes. All of the Window 2 Concept Notes will only be evaluated against other Window 2 Concept Notes. The evaluation criteria that will be used to score the responses received are included in Section V.

Innovation Question: What is your proposed Clean Energy Solution and how it is remarkably different from currently available technologies, applications of technologies, business models, and/or practices? (200 words)

(10 points for Window 1 Applicants; 5 points for Window 2 Applicants)

Relevance to Clean Energy/Agriculture Nexus Question: In what measurable manner will your proposed Clean Energy Solution contribute to increasing agriculture productivity and/or value in developing countries? (200 words)

(5 points for Window 1 Applicants, 5 points for Window 2 Applicants) Only Funding Window 1 Applicants are asked to provide a response to the following third question:

Market Potential Question: What is your target market(s) for the proposed Clean Energy Solution and how will PAEGC resources be used to support the distribution,

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maintenance, and commercialization of this proposed Clean Energy Solution? (200 words) (5 points for Window 1 Applicants)

Only Funding Window 2 Applicants are asked to provide a response to the following third question:

Potential for Scale Question: In what manner will you be able to leverage PAEGC resources to bring your Clean Energy Solution to a significantly expanded scale? (200 words) (10 points for Window 2 Applicants)

Every Concept Note received will be independently reviewed by at least three Evaluators. The Evaluators will give a numerical score for each response. The average of the total scores given by each Evaluator will account for the score of the Applicants Concept Note.

B.5 Stage 2: Full Proposal Submission Those Applicants whose Concept Notes received the highest scores will be invited to submit a Full Proposal and supporting documents through the OAP. The Full Proposal is meant to provide evaluators with in-depth information about the Applicants CES and their implementation plan. Every Applicant regardless of Funding Window being pursued will upload a 10-page Full Proposal in PDF format that does not exceed ten MB in size. The Full Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria: (i) Innovation and Relevance; (ii) Project Design/Technical Approach; (iii) Business/Financial Viability; and (iv) Operational Capacity. All Applicants are required to use these criteria as section headings in their Full Proposals. For both Window 1 and Window 2 Applicants, all evaluation criteria are weighted equally. Each evaluation criteria is worth a total of 5 points and will be scored on a scale of 0- 5 each. The highest score a Full Proposal can receive is 20 points. It is up to the individual Applicant to determine how many words/pages they would like to allocate in the Full Proposal to each evaluation criteria/section heading. Applicants may include charts/images/schematics in their Full Proposal, but they are to be included within the 10 page limit. Cover pages are not necessary. Applicants need not include CVs/resumes of key personnel or budget information as part of the 10 pages these will be uploaded/entered separately as supporting documents. The evaluation criteria that will be used to score the Full Proposals are described in Section V of this BAA. Full Proposals that exceed 10 pages in length and/or do not use the stated evaluation criteria as section headings will not be reviewed.

a. Innovation and Relevance The Applicant is asked to describe its Clean Energy Solution and the specific manner in which it will advance the objective of PAEGC. Under this heading of their Full Proposals, Applicants must clearly address the following: Why the proposed CES is considered as innovative and/or transformative in the proposed

area of implementation? How the CES is notably different and better than available technologies, business models,

and or practices? What are the specific barrier(s) to clean energy technology adoption that the CES will

address? In what manner will the CES will lead to a measurable increase in productivity, agricultural

yields, increase in income/livelihoods for farmers or other beneficiaries, sustainable agriculture practices, and/or other benefits of agricultural value chain activities in developing countries?

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In what manner will the CES measurably contribute to USAID Global Climate Change mitigation/adaptation efforts27: GHG emissions reduction, increased investment in climate change mitigation/adaptation, clean energy generation, and/or energy efficiency?

b. Project Design/Technical Approach

The Applicant is asked to describe what concrete result(s) PAEGC funding will enable them to achieve, and what are the associated steps that need to be taken over the three years of funding to achieve these results. Under this heading of their Full Proposals, Applicants must clearly address the following: What is the stated definition of success of the proposed CES and what are the tangible

result(s) will be achieved after three years? What are the various stages of implementation of the proposed CES, and what are

measurable results that will be achieved at the completion of each stage? What are the performance measures, indicators, and evaluation methods that will be used to

monitor progress and capture results of the planned activities? In what manner will benefits of the proposed CES be gender equitable within the target

area of implementation?28 What are the pre-identified associated risks/barriers to implementation that may hinder the

planned implementation of activities, and how significant are these risks?

c. Business/ Financial Viability The Applicant is asked to define the specific market in developing country/countries that their Clean Energy Solution is targeting, and describe the key aspects and approach of the sustainable business model that PAEGC resources will support. Under this heading of their Full Proposals, Applicants must clearly address the following: Detailed demographic information about the proposed target market and agricultural value

chain segment, specifying the actual/potential size of market, and portion of market that the Applicant plans to capture with its Clean Energy Solution.

Analysis of how demand for the proposed CES was determined within the target market, and why the proposed technical approach is viable for local country conditions.

Description of the proposed business model: o For Funding Window 1 Applicants: Provide a clear description of total

estimated cost and partnerships if intended to get to success proof of concept, demonstration, and/or field testing of the proposed CES. Describe the funding gap of the total resources needed, how much will still need to be raised if PAEGC funding is awarded, and any other pre-identified sources of financing/co-financing.

o For Funding Window 2 Applicants: Present a financial model with estimated expenses, revenues, and projected profitability over the three-years of implementation. Describe the business strategy, marketing, and sales and distribution channels envisioned.

Describe the sources/nature/value of the required internal and external Cost-Share contributions, and how will they complement PAEGC funding.

27 Please see USAIDs Global Climate Change and Development Strategy 2012-2016 for more information: http://www.usaid.gov/climate/strategy 28 Applicants are encouraged to review/reference USAIDs Gender Equity Policy - http://transition.usaid.gov/our_work/policy_planning_and_learning/documents/GenderEqualityPolicy.pdf 31

State how it is anticipated that operations/business will be sustained/expand after PAEGC funding expires.

d. Organizational Capacity

The Applicant is asked to explain how it and its partners (if any) are qualified to implement all planned activities associated with their Clean Energy Solution. Under this heading of their Full Proposals, Applicants must clearly address the following: The relevant skills and experiences of the key personnel and partners and strategic role of

partners in the project design - that will be engaged in the implementation of the CES. Specific examples of how relevant activities previously conducted/managed and illustrate

the experience gained and lessons learned that are relevant to the proposed CES. Experience working in the proposed area of implementation and/or similar environments,

as well as country(ies) of implementation. This experience can be further substantiated with the submission of Past Performance References that are submitted as supporting documentation.

What is the envisioned project management structure, and what are the reasons for choosing this structure?

B.6 Supporting Documentation

To complement the submission of their Full Proposals, Semi-Finalist Applicants are also asked to provide supplemental information about their organization and their proposed activities through forms embedded in the OAP and by uploading associated documents.

a. Budget and Budget Narrative Embedded in the OAP is a form which all Applicants must complete that provides PAEGC with their estimate expenditures over three years of implementation within various cost categories. Through the online form, Applicants will also provide a brief Budget Narrative explaining the basis for estimating each cost category, including reference to sources used in substantiating the cost estimate (e.g. organization's policy, payroll document, vendor quotes, etc.), and the level/nature of their Cost-Share Contribution. Applicants should budget one team member to attend PAEGC event(s) in the first year, and estimate a cost of $5000 for airfare, accommodation, registration and meals. The Budget portion of the Full Proposals will be reviewed for cost realism and cost effectiveness. A sample of the online Budget and Budget Narrative form is included in Appendix 2.

b. Past Performance Reference Through the OAP, Applicants are asked to upload a form that describes up to three (3) previous work experiences they have conducted that is relevant to the activities they are proposing for PAEGC funding. A sample of the online Past Performance Reference form is included in Appendix 3. If an Applicant is proposing to use partners or sub-awardees that will provide 20% or more of the work under the proposal, it must provide the same information for partnering organizations. USAID may contact references and use past performance data, along with other information, to determine the Applicants past performance. USAID reserves the right to obtain this information from any and all sources inside or outside the government, and to use the information in evaluating an Applicants past performance. A prior USAID-fu