Request for Applications: USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation Project (Zambia)

About

The purpose of this grant activity is to contribute towards improved functionality rate of water supply facilities, increased access to water and increased access to sanitation in underserved areas of Zambia.

RTI International (RTII) was awarded the USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation Project in January 2022. The purpose of the USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation Project (USAID Expanding WASH) is to professionalize WASH services, to promote accountability for reliable and high-quality WASH services, and to enhance the enabling environment for private sector engagement (PSE) in service delivery in underserved areas of Zambia (Northern, Western and Muchinga provinces).

Objectives

• The overall objective of USAID Expanding WASH project is to maintain and expand sustainable WASH services in peri-urban, rural growth centers, and rural areas of Muchinga, Northern, Western and Southern Provinces in 12 selected districts namely Chinsali, Nakonde, Mpika, Lunte, Mungwi, Kazungula, Kalomo, Nalolo, Kalabo, Mongu, Kaoma and Sesheke. Over the course of a fiveyear period, the project targets to increase access to water by 15% and increase access to sanitation by 25%.

• The three objectives for the project are:

  • Objective 1: Institutionalize market-based WASH service delivery, with financially sustainable and inclusive management models.

  • Objective 2: Increase the accountability of WASH service providers, policymakers, and civic leaders.

  • Objective 3: Increase private sector participation (PSP).

Funding Information

• USAID Expanding WASH expects to award a total of three (3) grants, one per region of implementation. Each grant will comprise a Fixed Amount Award portion and an In-Kind Grant portion (Support Equipment). The amounts below indicate the budget ceilings for the Fixed Amount Awards and excluding the Support Equipment for each region.

  • Northern Region with 5 districts - $60,000

  • Western Region with 5 districts - $ 60,000

  • Southern Region with 2 districts - $ 30,000

• Applicants’ budgets should not exceed the above amounts. Submission of budgets in excess of the above amounts may result in the rejection of the application, at the discretion of the project.

• Before award, the project will discuss the IKG budget amounts to be added to the FAA budget (Support Equipment) based on a detailed needs assessment. The total grant (FAA + IKG) for each region shall not to exceed USD 150,000.

Duration of Grants

• The planned duration of the grant will not exceed 12 months starting approximately in April 2024, or shortly thereafter.

Activities

• Sub-Objective 1.2: Enhance Construction Quality of Small-Scale Water Systems (New and Rehabilitated Hand Pump Boreholes and Small Piped-water Schemes)

  • Task 1.2.4 – Orient and build capacity in D-WASHE committees, V-WASHE committees and Area Pump Menders in the Operation, Maintenance and Management of water points.

  • Activities:

    • Orient the D-WASHE committees and V-WASHE committees in sustainable Operation, Maintenance and Management of selected water points. In addition, developing enabling environment for private sector participation.

    • Conduct needs assessment and undertake practical training APMs on repair of non-functional boreholes with hand pumps.

• Sub-Objective 1.3: Facilitate Access for the Poor to Adequate Sanitation Facilities

  • Task 1.3.3 – Train CCs to be selected from the 12 target districts on ways to address open defecation and improve access to basic sanitation in the target populations with a market- based approach that supports supply chain development in the construction of toilets.

  • Activities:

    • Building of capacity in 217 CC covering all the 12 selected districts. The training will enable CCs to mobilize communities and effectively disseminate sanitation behavioral change messages in villages.

    • Equipping the CCs: Distribute 217 Bicycles to be procured by the project and awarded to the grantee as an in-kind grant.

Target Audience and Coverage

• The grant activity will seek to create and maximize opportunities to enhance social inclusion, gender equity, and youth empowerment. Towards this end, APMs and CCs selection process will target to include 50% women, youth, and persons with disabilities to foster inclusion in each area.

Eligibility

• This RFA targets non-profit, NGOs with the ability to implement WASH Capacity building activities in one of the three regions, Northern, Western or Southern regions. GRZ organizations are not eligible to apply. Applicants with presence in the named districts shall be given preference. Organizations restricted from receiving US Government funded assistance will not be considered.

• Thus, applicants should:

  • Be legally recognized and registered organisation in Zambia.

  • Current and updated registration documents and statutes must be submitted.

  • Provide past performance record to demonstrate experience to implement WASH Capacity building activities that focus on improved Operation, Maintenance and Management of water points and sanitation behavioral change.

  • Provide evidence to demonstrate capacity to distribute support Equipment (Bicycles, WASH Toolkits and Smart Phones for APMs, CCs and EHTs) which will be procured as part of the in-kind grant activities.

  • Provide evidence to show that the entity has been active for the last 12 Months.

  • Be directly responsible for preparation and management of the project, not acting as an intermediary or consultant.

  • Not be affiliated with a political party nor engaged in any political activities.

Post Date: October 05, 2023