Opportunity Information: Apply for 72038820RFA00006
USAID Ecosystems / Protibesh Activity is a USAID/Bangladesh funding opportunity to support a five-year environmental program focused on improving ecosystem conservation in Bangladesh. USAID plans to make a single award under a Cooperative Agreement, with total funding not to exceed $20.5 million, assuming funds are available and USAID chooses to move forward as planned. Within that total, $1.0 million is specifically set aside as a dedicated crisis and/or emergency response budget line, meaning the implementer is expected to maintain the ability to pivot resources and operations to respond to urgent shocks or emerging environmental or social emergencies that affect the targeted landscapes.
The program is designed around conservation outcomes in and around Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), with early geographic emphasis on two high-value ecological regions: the Sundarbans Reserve Forest in Khulna Division and the forest and wetland ecosystems in Sylhet Division that have been identified as ecologically critical. In practical terms, the activity is aiming to reduce major threats to biodiversity while also improving the systems that govern and manage natural resources. That includes strengthening environmental governance, supporting better day-to-day management of protected or sensitive areas, and encouraging market-based incentives that make conservation economically viable for communities and local stakeholders living in and near these biodiversity hotspots.
A central theme of the opportunity is building durable local institutions and improving how decisions are made and enforced at local levels. USAID highlights several focus areas: improving local environmental governance; strengthening co-management organizations so they are more sustainable and capable over time; and building the capacity of local government units to integrate environmental management into local development planning, rather than treating conservation as a separate or optional issue. The activity also prioritizes the role of civil society organizations in environmental governance, community mobilization, and inclusive participation. Inclusion is spelled out clearly: women, minority populations, and youth are expected to be actively integrated into conservation and protection efforts, not just consulted. On the national policy side, the program will provide policy support to key Government of Bangladesh ministries, particularly the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Land, and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, reflecting an intent to address cross-cutting drivers of ecosystem degradation that sit across multiple agencies and mandates.
Strategically, this activity is positioned as part of USAID/Bangladesh broader resilience and development agenda. It is linked to the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Development Objective 4, “Strengthened Resilience to Natural Hazards,” specifically contributing through improved ecosystem conservation (Intermediate Result 4.1) in and around targeted KBAs. It also aligns with Objective 3.3 of the Bangladesh Integrated Country Strategy, focused on strengthening resilience to natural hazards. Because USAID/Bangladesh was developing a new CDCS at the time of the notice, applicants are implicitly expected to design approaches that can remain aligned with an evolving results framework and remain consistent with other relevant US Government policies, strategies, and initiatives as they are updated.
The notice also frames the activity within USAID “Journey to Self-Reliance” approach. The intent is not only to generate conservation gains, but to do so in ways that increase local capacity, promote enterprise-driven development where appropriate, mobilize public and private revenues, and leave behind results that can be sustained locally. USAID references Bangladesh performance on its Self-Reliance Roadmap, pointing to relative weaknesses in biodiversity protection, government and civil society capacity, open and accountable governance, and inclusive development. In that context, the activity is expected to function as both an implementation program and a learning platform, generating lessons that can be applied to other conservation and governance initiatives in Bangladesh to improve long-term ownership and sustainability.
Beyond Bangladesh, USAID connects the activity to regional cooperation goals under the US Government Indo-Pacific Vision, which emphasizes strengthened natural resource management as part of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Sundarbans and Sylhet ecosystems are described as parts of broader transnational landscapes shared with India, and the notice signals that lessons learned should be relevant beyond national borders. USAID highlights particular regional priorities such as mitigating threats to biodiversity, combating illegal logging and wildlife poaching, promoting environmental safeguards, fostering private sector engagement, and conserving ecosystems, all of which are framed as important to Bangladesh long-term sustainable growth.
In terms of competition mechanics, the selection process is explicitly multi-phase. Phase 1 requires applicants to submit a Technical Approach describing how they would achieve the program objectives and results. USAID then evaluates these submissions using merit review criteria and intends to down-select to up to three of the most promising approaches (though it reserves the right to select fewer or more depending on quality and competitiveness). Only those selected advance to Phase 2. Phase 2 is a full application round that includes a revised Technical Approach that responds to questions from the selection committee, plus a management and staffing plan and a statement covering institutional capacity and past performance. A Cost Application is also required in Phase 2. Applicants who advance are expected to turn around a complete Phase 2 package quickly, with an anticipated submission window of about 15 days, with the exact deadline set by the Agreement Officer in the Phase 2 instructions. After Phase 2 evaluation, USAID selects an Apparently Successful Applicant for discussions; if negotiations or discussions do not conclude successfully, USAID can move to another finalist from Phase 2 or decide not to make an award.
Key administrative details from the notice include the funding opportunity number 72038820RFA00006, the agency listed as USAID Bangladesh (USAID-Dhaka), the assistance listing under CFDA 98.001, and eligibility described as unrestricted (open to any entity type, subject to any specific clarifications in the full eligibility language). The opportunity anticipated one award with an award ceiling of $20.5 million, originally posted August 26, 2020, with an original closing date of October 11, 2020.Apply for 72038820RFA00006
- The Agency for International Development, Bangladesh USAID-Dhaka in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "USAID Ecosystems / Protibesh 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 Aug 26, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 11, 2020. (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 $20,500,000.00 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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USAID Ecosystems / Protibesh Activity (Bangladesh) - FAQs
What is the USAID Ecosystems / Protibesh Activity?
It is a USAID/Bangladesh funding opportunity to support a five-year environmental program focused on improving ecosystem conservation in Bangladesh, with an emphasis on reducing threats to biodiversity and strengthening natural resource governance and management systems.
Which USAID mission is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by USAID Bangladesh (USAID-Dhaka).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 72038820RFA00006.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing provided is CFDA 98.001.
What type of award does USAID plan to make?
USAID plans to make a single award under a Cooperative Agreement, assuming funds are available and USAID decides to proceed as planned.
How many awards are anticipated?
USAID anticipates making one award.
What is the maximum total funding available under this award?
The total funding is not to exceed $20.5 million.
Is any portion of the funding set aside for emergencies or crises?
Yes. Within the total funding, $1.0 million is specifically set aside as a dedicated crisis and/or emergency response budget line.
What does the dedicated crisis and/or emergency response budget line imply for the implementer?
It means the implementer is expected to maintain the ability to pivot resources and operations to respond to urgent shocks or emerging environmental or social emergencies that affect the targeted landscapes.
How long is the program expected to run?
The activity is designed as a five-year program.
What is the overall purpose of the activity?
The activity aims to improve ecosystem conservation outcomes in and around Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in Bangladesh by reducing major threats to biodiversity and improving the systems that govern and manage natural resources.
What are Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the context of this opportunity?
KBAs are the core conservation focus areas referenced in the notice. The activity is designed around conservation outcomes in and around targeted KBAs.
Which geographic areas are emphasized at the start of the activity?
The notice states an early geographic emphasis on two high-value ecological regions: the Sundarbans Reserve Forest in Khulna Division and forest and wetland ecosystems in Sylhet Division identified as ecologically critical.
Does the activity focus only on protected areas?
The notice describes work in and around KBAs and includes improving management of protected or sensitive areas, indicating a focus that includes protected/sensitive areas as well as surrounding landscapes.
What kinds of conservation challenges is the program intended to address?
It is intended to reduce major threats to biodiversity and strengthen systems that govern and manage natural resources, including improved governance, improved day-to-day management, and incentives that make conservation economically viable for local communities and stakeholders.
What does USAID mean by improving environmental governance in this activity?
Based on the notice, it includes improving local environmental governance, strengthening how decisions are made and enforced at local levels, and building capacity of local government units to integrate environmental management into local development planning.
What are co-management organizations, and how are they treated in this opportunity?
The notice emphasizes strengthening co-management organizations so they are more sustainable and capable over time, as part of building durable local institutions for conservation and protection.
How does the activity expect local government units to be involved?
Local government units are expected to build capacity to integrate environmental management into local development planning rather than treating conservation as separate or optional.
What role does civil society play in the activity?
The activity prioritizes civil society organizations in environmental governance, community mobilization, and inclusive participation.
How is inclusion addressed in the program design?
Inclusion is described explicitly: women, minority populations, and youth are expected to be actively integrated into conservation and protection efforts, not only consulted.
Which Government of Bangladesh ministries are expected to receive policy support?
The notice highlights policy support to key ministries, particularly the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; the Ministry of Land; and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
Why does the opportunity emphasize multiple ministries?
The notice indicates an intent to address cross-cutting drivers of ecosystem degradation that sit across multiple agencies and mandates.
How does this activity connect to USAID/Bangladesh strategic objectives?
It is linked to the USAID/Bangladesh Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Development Objective 4, "Strengthened Resilience to Natural Hazards," contributing through improved ecosystem conservation (Intermediate Result 4.1) in and around targeted KBAs.
Does the activity align with any other strategy mentioned in the notice?
Yes. It aligns with Objective 3.3 of the Bangladesh Integrated Country Strategy, focused on strengthening resilience to natural hazards.
How should applicants think about alignment if USAID is developing a new CDCS?
The notice indicates applicants are implicitly expected to design approaches that can remain aligned with an evolving results framework and remain consistent with relevant US Government policies, strategies, and initiatives as they are updated.
What is the "Journey to Self-Reliance" framing in this opportunity?
The notice frames the activity as supporting conservation gains in ways that increase local capacity, promote enterprise-driven development where appropriate, mobilize public and private revenues, and leave sustainable results with local ownership.
Is the activity expected to generate learning beyond its immediate implementation?
Yes. The notice describes the activity as both an implementation program and a learning platform, generating lessons that can be applied to other conservation and governance initiatives in Bangladesh to improve long-term ownership and sustainability.
How does the opportunity connect to regional priorities beyond Bangladesh?
The notice connects the activity to regional cooperation goals under the US Government Indo-Pacific Vision, emphasizing strengthened natural resource management as part of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Why are the Sundarbans and Sylhet ecosystems described as regionally relevant?
The notice describes them as parts of broader transnational landscapes shared with India and signals that lessons learned should be relevant beyond national borders.
What regional priority themes are specifically highlighted?
The notice highlights mitigating threats to biodiversity, combating illegal logging and wildlife poaching, promoting environmental safeguards, fostering private sector engagement, and conserving ecosystems.
What is the competition structure for this opportunity?
The selection process is multi-phase. Phase 1 requires a Technical Approach submission. USAID evaluates Phase 1 using merit review criteria and intends to down-select to up to three applicants (while reserving the right to select fewer or more). Only down-selected applicants proceed to Phase 2.
What must applicants submit in Phase 1?
Phase 1 requires a Technical Approach describing how the applicant would achieve the program objectives and results.
How many applicants does USAID expect to advance from Phase 1 to Phase 2?
USAID intends to down-select to up to three of the most promising approaches, while reserving the right to select fewer or more depending on quality and competitiveness.
What is required in Phase 2?
Phase 2 includes a revised Technical Approach responding to questions from the selection committee, plus a management and staffing plan and a statement covering institutional capacity and past performance. A Cost Application is also required in Phase 2.
How quickly do Phase 2 applicants need to submit their full package?
The notice anticipates a quick turnaround, with an expected Phase 2 submission window of about 15 days. The exact deadline is set by the Agreement Officer in Phase 2 instructions.
What happens after Phase 2 submissions are evaluated?
After Phase 2 evaluation, USAID selects an Apparently Successful Applicant for discussions. If negotiations or discussions do not conclude successfully, USAID may move to another Phase 2 finalist or decide not to make an award.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any specific clarifications in the full eligibility language.
When was this opportunity originally posted?
The notice states it was originally posted on August 26, 2020.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date listed is October 11, 2020.
Is funding guaranteed?
No. The notice indicates the award is planned assuming funds are available and USAID chooses to move forward as planned.
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