U.S. Agency for International Development, M/OP/A/AOT, Room 7.10-004, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20523-7101

U -- ESTABLISHING THE RONALD H. BROWN INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPING SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN BUSINESSES AND AFRICAN/U.S. BUSINESS RELATIONS SOL RFA No. M/OP-99-354 DUE 033199 POC Contact Point: Michael Walsh, via Internet: mwalsh@usaid.gov, Tel: 202-712-1205, Fax: 202-216-3052 The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development, Strategic Analysis Division, is seeking applications for a two year grant from qualifying U.S. organizations to establish the Ronald H. Brown Institute. This initiative is being undertaken in conjunction with the Ronald H. Brown Foundation (www.rhbf.org). The purpose of this grant is to accelerate Sub-Saharan Africa's private sector development by improving African business development and linkages with US firms. USAID's Bureau for Africa intends to develop a "Ronald H. Brown Institute" (or RBI) to implement a program of supportive internships, institutional exchanges, workshops and seminars. The program of the proposed assistance agreement is to develop the RBI to implement: (a) a program of internships for historically and economically disadvantaged African businesspersons to be trained primarily in USA firms in Africa, emphasizing skills in vital sectors and key occupations; (b) an annual program of institutional exchanges, workshops, and seminars to compliment the internships with the same objectives as the internships, namely, accelerated Sub-Saharan private sector development and improved African business linkages with USA enterprises; (c) mobilization of significant additional resources from extra-USAID sources such as the private sector or foundations to compliment the $3 million provided by USAID; and (d) development of an adequate endowment to fund the specified RBI program following the assumption of full responsibility for the RBI by the ultimate "Takeover Organization." The Takeover Organization could be a newly established organization, but is most likely to be an existing Southern Africa business-oriented, non-profit, non-governmental organization, foundation, association or university. The endowment would consist of non-USAID resources mobilized, plus any residual USAID funds remaining after developmental costs are deducted from USAID $3 million contribution. The initial focus for the RBI would be Southern Africa, although after the RBI program proves cost-effective, the program would be expanded to include all SSA countries with normal diplomatic relations with the USA. A Request for Application (RFA) will be issued after January 15, 1999. Applications will be considered from a wide range of organizations that include non-profit, non-governmental, for-profit and private voluntary organizations, consulting groups, colleges and universities (including those historically black), foundations, international organizations, governmental technical assistance programs, banks, and business associations in Africa and USA. Note: Although proposals are welcomed from for-profit organizations, USAID's policy is not to award fees or profits through grants or cooperative agreements. Applicants and/or their proposed collaborators must demonstrate their competence and expertise in the implementation of related activities, including fund-raising. Requests for the RFA should reference Solicitation No. M/OP-99-354. To help identify potential subrecipients or collaborators, a list of all organizations requesting a copy of the RFA by January 14, 1999 will be sent with each document. By providing the list, USAID does not endorse the listed organizations as being capable of carrying out the activity, nor does USAID verify the claimed status of the organizations known prior to the issuance of the solicitation document. The preferred method of distribution of USAID Procurement information is via the Internet or by request of a solicitation on a 3.5" floppy disk (WordPerfect 5.1/5.2 format). This CBD notice can be viewed and downloaded using the Agency web site. The RFA, once issued can be downloaded from the web site. The Worldwide Web address is http://www.info.usaid.gov. Select "USAID Procurement and Business Opportunities" from the home page, then "USAID Procurements." On the following screen, select "Download Available USAID Solicitations." Receipt of this RFA through INTERNET must be confirmed by writtenor faxed (202-216-3052) notification to the contact person noted above. It is the responsibility of the recipient of this solicitation document to ensure that it has been received from INTERNET in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Interested offerors also may request a printed copy of the RFA by submitting a written request to the Contact Point listed above or by E-mail to: mwalsh@usaid.gov. A preproposal conference is anticipated to be held in Washington D.C. approximately 30 days after the issuance of the RFA. The results of this conference will be issued to all entities that have received the RFA. The closing date for receipt of applications will be approximately 60 days after the issuance of the RFA. USAID expects to make award by August 30, 1999. Posted 12/22/98 (I-SN282618). (0356)

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