RFI - USAID/Morocco Bridge to Middle School Activity | 72060821BMSRFI 0002

FAQs: USAID/Morocco "Bridge to Middle School" Activity (RFI)

1) What is this opportunity?

This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by USAID/Morocco for a potential future education program tentatively called the "Bridge to Middle School" Activity. It is intended to collect input to help USAID refine its program concept before deciding whether to launch a formal competition.

2) Is this an open funding competition or a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?

No. USAID explicitly states this is not a funding solicitation and does not function like a NOFO. It is for information and planning only.

3) What is USAID trying to accomplish with the "Bridge to Middle School" concept?

The concept is framed as a systems strengthening and capacity building effort to support Morocco's Ministry of Education, with a broader strategic goal of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Morocco's public education system, especially around the transition from upper primary into middle school.

4) Why is USAID issuing an RFI instead of a NOFO?

USAID is using the RFI to test whether its preliminary program concept is sound and whether the proposed design makes sense. The feedback is meant to inform USAID's internal planning and design decisions before it decides whether to issue a NOFO.

5) Who is USAID asking to respond?

USAID is requesting feedback from the public, current and prospective USAID partners, and other knowledgeable stakeholders with relevant education experience and documentation.

6) What specific inputs is USAID requesting?

USAID highlights three areas for input:

• Reactions to USAID's draft theory of change (problem analysis, assumptions, pathways of change, and expected outcomes).
• Documentation- and experience-based information about strengths and weaknesses of Morocco's upper primary and middle school public education system.
• Any additional considerations stakeholders believe USAID should factor into program design, particularly related to systems-level reform and institutional capacity.

7) What does USAID mean by "draft theory of change" in this RFI?

It refers to USAID's proposed logic for how the intervention would work, including the underlying problem analysis, assumptions, the pathways that would lead to change, and the expected outcomes. USAID is asking whether that logic seems realistic and evidence-based.

8) What kinds of education system issues does USAID seem interested in for the Morocco context?

Based on the RFI description, USAID is looking for information tied to the upper primary to middle school transition and the functioning of the public system, including topics such as learning outcomes, transition and dropout points, school management, teacher support, governance, and equity concerns.

9) Will USAID pay respondents for preparing and submitting an RFI response?

No. USAID states it will not pay for the time or materials respondents submit.

10) Does responding to this RFI guarantee that USAID will issue a NOFO or make an award?

No. USAID states the RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to issue a NOFO, make an award, or take any funding action.

11) If a future competition is issued, where will it be posted?

USAID indicates that if it later decides to compete an award, the official opportunity and application instructions would be posted on grants.gov.

12) Should interested organizations contact USAID with questions about this future activity now?

USAID notes it will not respond to questions or requests for information until a NOFO is actually issued.

13) How should interested parties stay informed about any next steps?

USAID advises interested parties to keep monitoring grants.gov for updates.

14) What template and language were required for RFI responses?

Responses had to use the required template (Attachment 3) and be written in English.

15) What file formats were acceptable?

Responses had to be submitted in Microsoft Word format or as a searchable PDF.

16) What was the page limit and formatting requirement?

The response length was capped at six single-spaced pages, using 11-point Times New Roman (or similar), 1-inch margins, and consecutive page numbering.

17) Does USAID prefer long narrative responses or concise feedback?

USAID emphasizes concise, issue-specific input and designed the instructions to keep responses short and comparable.

18) Can respondents submit additional attachments like reports or infographics?

USAID stated it would only review additional materials if they were provided as embedded links within the main body of the response, not as separate attachments.

19) What identifying information had to be included in the response?

Respondents needed to include identifying and contact information such as name, title, organization, and contact details.

20) Will individual RFI responses be confidential?

USAID says individual responses will be kept confidential, but it also warns respondents not to include proprietary or protected information.

21) Should organizations include proprietary, protected, or sensitive content in their responses?

No. Even though USAID indicates individual responses will be kept confidential, it specifically warns respondents not to include proprietary or protected information.

22) Are applications, resumes, or staffing profiles appropriate for an RFI response?

No. USAID clarifies that applications or resumes are not appropriate for an RFI and would be discarded.

23) Will USAID invite respondents to elaborate or participate in follow-up after submission?

No. USAID states respondents would not be invited to elaborate after submission.

24) Does responding to the RFI provide any competitive advantage later?

No. USAID states that responding to the RFI would not provide any competitive advantage in a future procurement.

25) How might USAID use the feedback it receives?

USAID states it may incorporate all, some, or none of the feedback into any later NOFO, depending on internal discussions and approvals.

26) How were responses required to be submitted?

Responses were required to be submitted by email only. USAID specified no phone calls and no hard copy submissions.

27) What email addresses were used for submission?

Responses were to be emailed to Salya Yacoubi at syacoubi@usaid.gov with a copy to usaidmoroccocontracts@usaid.gov.

28) What subject line and file naming convention were required?

Both the email subject line and the file name were required to read: "Responses to Morocco RFI Bridge to Middle School."

29) What was the deadline for submission?

The deadline was June 23, 2021, by 12:00 pm (noon) Rabat time.

30) Would late submissions be considered?

No. USAID stated late submissions would not be reviewed.

31) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and identifying information for this listing?

The listing appears on grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number 72060821BMSRFI 0002, with CFDA 98.001. It was posted by USAID/Morocco (USAID-Rabat), created June 2, 2021, and closed June 23, 2021.

32) Does the listing include any planning figures about potential award size or structure?

Yes. The listing metadata references an anticipated cooperative agreement structure, an award ceiling noted at $25,000,000, and an expectation of one award. USAID also emphasizes these figures are part of the planning context and do not change the fact that an RFI is not a commitment to fund.

33) What program area/category does this RFI fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under education.