This presentation explores how organizations can apply for support from USAID and includes a review of the various types of proposals and agreements.

1. Doing Business with USAID

2. Our Mission
On behalf of the American people, we
promote and demonstrate democratic
values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful,
and prosperous world. In support of
America's foreign policy, the U.S. Agency
for International Development leads the
U.S. Government's international
development and disaster assistance
through partnerships and investments that
save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen
democratic governance, and help people
emerge from humanitarian crises and
progress beyond assistance.

3. What We Do
USAID leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster
assistance working in a variety of different technical areas, including:
● Agriculture and Food Security
● Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance
● Economic Growth, Trade, and Infrastructure
● Education
● Environment and Global Climate Change
● Gender Equality and Women’s
Empowerment
● Global Health
● Water and Sanitation
● Working in Crises and Conflict
USAID has more than 9,000 staff working around the world with Missions in more
than 80 countries and programs in more than 100 countries.

4. How We Do It
● Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
● Private Voluntary Organizations
● Colleges and Universities
● U.S. Businesses (Small and Large)
● Researchers, Scientists, and Innovators
● Diaspora Groups
● Faith-Based and Community Organizations
● Other Governments
● U.S. Government Agencies
● U.S. Military
● Donors
We Partner with a variety of different types of organizations who help to
implement our programs and activities around the world. USAID has more than
4,000 different partners. Below are a few examples of the types of
organizations that we work with.

5. How We Operate
To effectively work with USAID, it is important to understand the strategies and policies behind
the specific projects the Agency funds. Below are a few key resources that provide the
framework for how we operate.
● Program Cycle: Guiding framework that links policy, strategic planning, project design,
implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
● Policies, Strategies, Frameworks, and Visions: Outline the Agency's position in key areas
and provides guidance to the field through analysis, evidence and past experience.
● Country Development Cooperation Strategies (CDCS): Multi-year, country-specific
planning tools designed to make strategic choices based on evidence and analysis while
encouraging innovative approaches to achieving development results.
● Automated Directive System (ADS): Agency’s operation policies and procedures.
○ ADS 300 series is specifically related to working with USAID.

6. Funding at USAID
The Agency’s funding comes from the American People.
Congress sets the Agency’s Funding Levels.
Agency staff work with both U.S. Congress and the Executive Office of the
President to determine budget priorities.
The majority of the Agency’s funds are awarded through the competitive
acquisition and assistance process.

7. How We Award Funds
ACQUISITION
Contracts: USAID purchases technical assistance services, goods, products, and
other services from an entity.
ASSISTANCE
Grants: USAID provides financial assistance to an entity to implement programs
with little direct involvement.
Cooperative Agreements: USAID provides financial assistance to an entity to
implement programs and has substantial involvement and contact throughout the
life of the award.

8. Assistance
$11.7 BN
69%
Acquisition
$5.1 BN
30%
Washington
$10.4 BN
61%
Missions
$6.6 BN
39%
Missions vs.
Washington
In FY 2018,
USAID obligated
$17 billion to
programs.
Assistance vs.
Acquisition
FY 2018 Funding at a Glance

9. Registration Requirements
To be eligible to apply for U.S. federal awards (grants or contracts), entities need to
register for three things:
1. DUNS Number
2. CAGE or NCAGE
a. U.S.-based organizations need a Commercial and Governmental Entity
(CAGE) Code
b. Non US-based organizations need a NATO Commercial and
Governmental Entity (NCAGE) Code
3. SAM (System for Award Management)

10. Identifying Funding Opportunities
Business Forecast: Provides a look at upcoming funding opportunities. Forecast is
updated daily at usaid.gov/Business-Forecast.
FBO.gov: All USAID contracts available for bidding are posted on the Federal
Business Opportunities website through Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
Grants.gov: All cooperative agreements and grants available are posted on
Grants.gov through Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs).
Additional Opportunities: There is a variety of other opportunities available on
USAID’s website under usaid.gov/partnerships.

11. USAID’s Business Forecast
● Annual Program Statements (APS),
● Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs),
● Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs),
● Contracts,
● Cooperative Agreements,
● Development Innovation Accelerators
(DIAs),
● Fixed Amount Awards (FAAs),
The USAID Business Forecast includes any planned or currently open competitive acquisition or
assistance opportunity above $150,000.
Opportunities that must be included in the Business Forecast:
● Grants,
● General Services Administration (GSA) BPAs,
● Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
contracts,
● IDIQ Task Orders,
● Leader with Associate (LWA) awards,
● Task orders issued under IDIQs & GSA schedules.

12. Tips for Submitting a Proposal or Application
● Read the entire solicitation carefully
● Ask questions by sending them to the Point of Contact listed during the
open question period
● Follow the instructions outlined in the solicitation
● Create a strong proposal
○ Demonstrate your technical expertise, past performance, and
ability to accomplish the work
○ Be specific - do not let USAID make assumptions
● New to USAID? Consider partnering with an organization that has
worked with USAID
● Did not win the award? Ask for a debriefing to learn more about why you
did not win

13. Unsolicited Proposals
Great ideas come from a variety of different places. USAID welcomes proposals of projects and activities
from anyone. All proposals are reviewed. However, limited funds are available for unsolicited proposals.
To be legally eligible for consideration, unsolicited proposals should be:
● Innovative and unique
● Independently originated and developed by the offeror
● Prepared without U.S. Government supervision, endorsement, direction, or direct Government involvement
● Include sufficient detail to permit a determination that USAID support could be worthwhile and the proposed work
could benefit USAID's research and development or other responsibilities
● Not be an advance proposal for a known USAID requirement that can or will be acquired by competitive methods.
To submit an unsolicited proposal, review the guidelines available on USAID.gov.
Proposals can be sent to: UnsolicitedProposals@usaid.gov.

14. Learn More
● Visit www.usaid.gov for additional resources on how to work with USAID, such
as online training and more.
● Join A&A email distribution list.
● Follow us on Twitter: @USAIDBizOpps.

16. OPTIONAL SMALL
BUSINESS SLIDES TO
FOLLOW

17. USAID and Small Businesses
Small Businesses play a critical role in helping the Agency to achieve its Mission.
Year SBA Goal* Achieved* SBA Grade
FY 2013 11.00% 15.10% A
FY 2014 12.35% 20.81% A+
FY 2015 14.00% 18.13% A
FY2016 11.00% 13.02% *Pending
Over the last three years, USAID has received an A or an A+ from the U.S. Small
Business Administration on the usage of small businesses.
*The percentages of goal and achieved are based on the number of acquisition dollars awarded in Washington to U.S. based small businesses.

18. Promoting Small Businesses with USAID
● In Washington, all awards over $25,000 reviewed by Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to ensure that small businesses are being
considered.
● USAID allows Small Businesses to submit “reviewed” financial statements in lieu of
“audited” financial statements at the proposal stage.
● Issued templates to all Contracting Officers that includes a small business evaluation
factor for all Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts.
● Administrator review of all awards over $75 million includes OSDBU.
● Engage with small business organizations to learn best practices concerning marketing
to USAID.

19. USAID OSDBU Activities
• Negotiate and track Agency internal small business goals.
• Provide small business program training for Agency staff (both technical and
acquisition).
• Conduct Small Business Outreach Activities
○ Annual Small Business Conference
○ Participate in External Local and National SB Outreach
• Manage a Mentor/Protégé Program.
Connect with OSDBU by e-mailing osdbu@usaid.gov.