The UNITER Project is seeking applications to administer and advance the NGO Capacity Building Marketplace and Voucher System for Ukrainian NGOs

CFA Goal

Realizing the need to shift responsibility toward local actors for capacity building, Pact, under the USAID-supported Ukraine National Initiatives to Enhance Reforms (UNITER) project and in partnership with Ukrainian NGOs, designed and currently employs the instrument of the NGO Capacity Building Marketplace, a virtual venue where capacity building suppliers directly connect with capacity building demand. The Swedish International Development Agency, Sida, and international donors are now joining USAID and Pact as financiers of this instrument.

This CFA aims at selecting a local Ukrainian organization or consortium of organizations capable of taking local ownership of the online "NGO Capacity Building Marketplace" or "NGO Marketplace" and its connected funding mechanism, the voucher system for capacity building micro grants to Ukrainian NGOs.

Scope of Work

The interested applicant must submit a proposal package[1] and address it to Pact/UNITER project. The applicant should demonstrate its ability to effectively lead, administer, promote and develop further the online NGO Marketplace and the voucher system.

Proposal should include but not limited to:

Overall clear vision including best practices and standards' assurances (certification) of the online "NGO Marketplace" and the voucher system development until 2015.
Aim and tasks of project - with clarity, coherence and methodology, expected outputs. Please note that innovative approaches and new formats of promoting the concept will be priority for Pact/UNITER.

Description of proven applicant's experience in small re-granting as well as administration and promoting of on-line platforms/web-sites or other products.
Media coverage and promotion strategy of the online "NGO Marketplace" and the voucher system.

Business plan until 2015 of the "NGO Marketplace" and the voucher system.
Detailed budget (Please see Pact/UNITER Budget Form attached).
Obligatory Attachments.

Benefits of CB Marketplace Administration

Administrator of the NGO Capacity Building Marketplace and Voucher System will enjoy the following benefits:

• Lead capacity building sector for NGOs;
• Be able to develop and promote own new capacity building products;
• Be seen as innovative and progressive player;
• Improve own sustainability with a view to turn into a successful market of NGO services;
• Increase own reputation among NGOs and businesses;
• Ongoing capacity development and support from Pact/UNITER during whole transition period which include among others trainings, coaching and institutional development.

Eligibility criteria

Officially registered Ukrainian legal entities (NGOs, charitable foundations, businesses) from all regions of Ukraine experienced and capable to manage Capacity Building Marketplace may take part in the competition.

Consortiums of NGOs and businesses or coalitions of NGOs are encouraged to take part in the competition.

All applications submitted for the competition will be reviewed and assessed by Independent Selection Board based on established selection criteria and according to the Pact/UNITER's selection procedures. 

Please note that applicants must demonstrate availability of additional funding, particularly from local sources: 10% minimum cost-sharing requirement from other local resources (business associations, private entities or individuals) and/or local governments. 

Selection Criteria:

Technical Criteria:

Relevance and effectiveness of the action (Weight 25%)
Methodology and sustainability plan (Weight 35%)
Operational capacity and expertise of the applicant and partners (25%)

Financial Criteria: Budget and cost effectiveness (Weight 15%)

Please note that:

As part of the present competition grants cannot be awarded to political parties, faith- based organizations and individuals;
Application must be submitted in English language;
Applicants will be notified of the progress of their application in written form by e-mail;
Decision of the Independent Selection Board is final and will not be reconsidered;
Submitted applications will not be returned or reviewed;
Pact/UNITER will provide capacity development consultations and assistance to the winner during transition period.

Grant amount: up to USD 600,000.00 (the grant amount may be increased in 2012)

For Voucher System: at least 50% out of total grant amount must be spent on Capacity Building Vouchers.

Administrative costs: will be negotiated based upon USAID /Pact rules and regulations.

Tentative duration of the projects: up to 22 months. Pact plans to sign Grant Agreement with selected Recipient in October 2011.

Deadline for submission of the applications is 15 August 2011.

The selection process will take at least 1,5 month.

Questions related to this CFA and its procedure must be submitted in writing (with the Subject of letter "Question - NGO Capacity Building Marketplace and Voucher System for Ukrainian NGOs") by e-mail [email protected] until 20 July 2011.

Answers will be posted after 20 July 2011 at the website of UNITER project at www.uniter.org.ua.

How to Apply?

The deadline for submission of proposals is 15 August 2011 at 17:00 Kyiv time.

One hard copy of an application filled in English with all annexes must be sent in a sealed envelope by registered mail, private courier service or by hand-delivery at the address below. The complete application form must also be supplied in electronic format (floppy disc or CD-Rom).

The envelope should contain the note "UNITER - NGO Capacity Building Marketplace and Voucher system for Ukrainian NGOs".

Pact Inc.,
Project UNITER
Kyiv, 01601,
3 Mechnykova Str.
Office 801

In the interest of equal treatment of applicants, Pact/UNITER cannot give a prior opinion on the application and answer individual telephone enquiries concerning this CFA.

Pact Inc. and CFA partners reserve the right to fund any or none of the applications received in response to this CFA, at their discretion. Neither Pact Inc., nor USAID and other CFA partners make any commitment, either expressed or implied, through publication of this CFA to compensate or reimburse applicants for costs incurred in preparing applications.

[1] Proposal package should include Business Plan (developed based on attached ToR; Application form); Detailed Budget with Budget Notes; Annexes listed in ToR.