South Sudan Integrated Youth Engagement Activity | 72066822RFA00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72066822RFA00001

The South Sudan Integrated Youth Engagement Activity (IYEA) is a USAID funding opportunity issued by USAID South Sudan (USAID-Juba) under Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) number 72066822RFA00001. It is listed under Federal Assistance Listing (FAL) 98.001, Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas, and is categorized in the funding activity area of Education. USAID plans to support this activity through a Cooperative Agreement, which typically means the awardee will implement the program with substantial involvement from USAID during execution (as opposed to a more hands-off grant). The opportunity was posted on Grants.gov and applicants are expected to monitor that site for any amendments or updates to the NOFO.

The opportunity follows a competitive process and USAID intends to make one award in total. The anticipated maximum funding level (award ceiling) is $43,500,000, and the single award will go to the applicant who best meets the objectives of the NOFO based on the published merit review criteria, along with a required risk assessment. While the detailed technical goals and specific programmatic requirements are contained in the full NOFO, the title and classification indicate the activity is focused on integrated youth engagement in South Sudan, with education positioned as a central thematic area.

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of qualified entity may apply, subject to any additional conditions or clarifications contained in the NOFO itself (notably in Section C on eligibility standards). USAID emphasizes that applicants must submit all required information exactly as requested in the solicitation and comply with the eligibility standards to be considered for award. Applicants are also directed to pay attention to funding restrictions referenced in Section D.8, which can affect what costs or activities are allowable under the Cooperative Agreement.

A key feature of this solicitation is its multi-tiered, multi-phase selection process. In Phase 1, applicants submit an Initial Application by the Phase 1 closing date. USAID evaluates these initial submissions and selects up to four applicants to advance. In Phase 2, the shortlisted applicants are invited to deliver oral presentations covering their technical and management approaches; these presentations are conducted virtually. Based on Phase 2 performance, USAID selects one applicant to proceed to Phase 3. In Phase 3, the selected applicant becomes the Apparently Successful Applicant and is asked to submit a full application, including a detailed program description that will be incorporated into the final Cooperative Agreement.

The timeline provided in the announcement sets the issue date as January 26, 2022. Questions from prospective applicants were due by February 9, 2022, and USAID indicated that responses to timely questions would be shared with all potential applicants through an amendment posted on Grants.gov. The Phase 1 closing date for the Initial Application was February 28, 2022, with a submission deadline of 2:00 PM Juba Time. Applicants were advised to submit questions to the points of contact listed in Section D of the NOFO.

Administrative compliance is highlighted as a gating requirement. USAID notes that it may not make an award unless the applicant has met the requirements related to the unique entity identifier and registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), as detailed in Section D.5.B(3). Because SAM registration can take weeks, applicants were strongly encouraged to start registrations early to avoid disqualification due to administrative delays. The notice also flags that USAID is not responsible for transmission or conversion errors when downloading the NOFO, and directs applicants who have trouble with Grants.gov to use the Grants.gov Helpdesk.

Finally, the announcement includes standard federal disclaimers: posting the NOFO does not obligate the U.S. Government to make an award, and it does not commit the Government to reimburse any costs incurred in preparing or submitting an application. All application preparation and submission costs are borne by the applicant. The notice is signed by the Agreement Officer, Alexis McGinness, on behalf of USAID.

• The Agency for International Development, South Sudan (USAID)-Juba in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "South Sudan Integrated Youth Engagement Activity" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 26, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 28, 2022 Phase 1 Closing Date. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $43,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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