Funding Opportunities
The Basics
USAID-funded activities are implemented primarily through grants and cooperative agreements with U.S. or local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or universities; contracts with U.S. or local for-profit firms with specific technical expertise or required commodities; transfers to other agencies of the U.S. Government; and agreements with agencies of international organizations such as the United Nations, among other mechanisms. All USAID assistance is “non-reimbursable.” Additional information about how USAID implements its activities can be found in the Doing Business with USAID section of the Agency’s website (www.usaid.gov/business). Current business opportunities with USAID in Guatemala or in other countries where USAID is active can also be found on the same site: USAID Business - Business Opportunities Section
As a United States Government agency, USAID is funded by the tax contributions of the American people. Our programs are results-oriented and implemented in accordance with U.S. Government rules and regulations. Programs are subject to systematic and regular monitoring, evaluation and reporting of financial and performance data. USAID Missions utilize this information to guide program management and prepare detailed annual reports to USAID/Washington and the U.S. Congress, to which USAID is accountable. Every year, USAID publishes a Fiscal Year Performance and Accountability Report that highlights the contributions of our U.S. foreign assistance programs (for 2004, see www.usaid.gov/policy/par04/).
Strategy, Funding and Program Development Cycles
In consultation with the U.S. Ambassador, host country government officials, local partners and experts, stakeholder groups, and other donors, USAID Missions develop three-year, rolling strategies that link to the Joint State-USAID strategy and address U.S. foreign policy interests and development needs in the recipient countries. These strategies are approved by USAID/Washington and funded through budget requests that are submitted annually by Missions, transmitted to Congress and determined by apportionment to the “operating units” (overseas Missions) in the different geographic areas once Congress approves the fiscal year Appropriations Law for Foreign Operations.
Once our strategy and budget levels are approved, USAID/Guatemala negotiates a framework agreement with the Government of Guatemala in which both our governments commit to fund and take other measures to support a shared development program. These agreements are renewed annually through amendments.
After the framework bilateral agreement is signed and the funds obligated, USAID/Guatemala designs programs to support our overall development effort. The Mission contracts out services and purchases commodities to implement these programs through requests for proposals (RFPs) and/or solicits ideas for relevant activities through requests for applications (RFAs). USAID reviews all proposals received in response to these solicitations in accordance with U.S. Government regulations and guidelines on acquisitions and assistance. There are a variety of other ways that USAID implements its programs, including through previously competed USAID/Washington mechanisms, agreements with other U.S. Government Agencies or by approval of “unsolicited” proposals (see below). USAID also provides food assistance to countries suffering from food security concerns.
In order to implement USAID’s result-based programs most effectively, contractors and partners must collaborate closely with the host government and local civil society organizations. The desired results for each program are outlined in the respective contract or grant, and annual work plans are developed by partners and reviewed and approved by USAID program managers. Implementing partners monitor and report on results to USAID on a quarterly basis.
USAID’s partners collaborate with Mission staff to identify and disseminate lessons learned and best practices so that other development experts can avoid, adapt and/or replicate them depending on the particular context. See USAID Telling Our Story: Latin America and the Caribbean Story Archive to read USAID lessons learned and best practices from Guatemala and other countries around the world, as well as USAID Evaluation Publications to access our program evaluations.
Other helpful information can be found at:
Foreign Per Diem Rates for international per diem rates
USAID Forms for USAID forms
USAID Business - Regulations and Policy Section for USAID regulations.
Unsolicited Proposals
Most USAID/Guatemala funds are fully committed to our planned and current program portfolio. Only in exceptional cases are we able to fund unsolicited proposals. USAID reviews and responds to all unsolicited proposals but only those that contribute unique approaches and capacities consistent with the Agency’s objectives qualify to be considered for funding. Funds must also be available. To be considered, an unsolicited proposal must meet four criteria:
- Be fully supportive of USAID/Guatemala or Regional Program priorities.
- Present a unique approach to addressing USAID program priorities.
- Demonstrate the applicant’s unique capability to carry out proposed activities.
- Demonstrated support for the proposed activities by the host country government or private institutions.
Prior to submitting an unsolicited proposal, kindly familiarize yourself with the USAID/Guatemala Country Plan 2004-2009. USAID in Guatemala/Country Plan. Unsolicited proposals should be submitted to USAID/Guatemala’s Planning and Program Support (PPS) Office.
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