Opportunity Information: Apply for 72038619RFI00001
USAID/India released this opportunity as a Request for Information (RFI) tied to the planned South Asia Enhancing Growth and Development through Energy program, commonly referred to as South Asia EDGE. The purpose of the RFI is to gather practical input from organizations and experts so USAID can shape and refine the design of a future activity. In other words, this notice is about consultation and market research, not about funding awards at this stage. USAID is seeking comments, opinions, and recommendations on what the activity should prioritize, how it should be structured, and what approaches are most likely to work across the South Asian regional energy context.
The underlying goal of South Asia EDGE is to improve how energy services are delivered in the region, with an emphasis on making energy more affordable, secure, reliable, and sustainable. The way USAID describes reaching that goal is through energy market improvements: expanding markets where appropriate, strengthening transparency, and making markets more efficient. The intent is regional in nature, focused on South Asia as a whole rather than a single-country intervention, and it reflects a view that better-functioning energy markets can help drive broader economic growth and development outcomes.
USAID/India invited feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, reflecting the fact that energy market reform and infrastructure modernization typically require coordination among many actors. The RFI specifically points to participation from the private sector, government agencies, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and other technical experts. Alongside written responses, USAID also planned a multi-stakeholder consultative meeting scheduled for March 19, 2019, designed to collect additional perspectives and test assumptions in a group setting.
A key point in the notice is that the RFI is issued strictly for information and planning purposes. It is not a formal solicitation such as a Request for Proposals or Request for Applications, and it is not an invitation to bid. USAID explicitly states that submissions that look like proposals or applications will not be evaluated as such. The practical takeaway is that interested parties should focus on constructive, evidence-based input and recommendations rather than pitching a full implementation solution as if an award is being competed.
From the source data, the opportunity is listed under discretionary funding, with the funding instrument type labeled as “Other,” and the activity category is Energy. The CFDA number associated with the posting is 98.001. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may provide input, subject to any clarifications that might be included in the official eligibility text. The posting was issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development, India (USAID New Delhi). The notice shows a creation date of February 27, 2019, and an original closing date for responses of March 12, 2019. The record also includes an award ceiling of $70,000,000 and an expectation of one award, which signals the scale USAID may be considering for the eventual program, even though this specific announcement is not itself a funding competition.
Overall, this RFI functions as an early-stage engagement tool: USAID is signaling a large, regionally oriented energy market and energy services initiative, and is using written inputs and a consultative meeting to improve program design before releasing any future solicitation.Apply for 72038619RFI00001
- The Agency for International Development, India USAID-New Delhi in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RFI-South Asia Enhancing Growth and Development through Energy (South Asia EDGE)" 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 Feb 27, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 12, 2019. (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 $70,000,000.00 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): USAID/India South Asia EDGE Request for Information (RFI)
1) What is this opportunity?
This is a Request for Information (RFI) released by USAID/India related to the planned South Asia Enhancing Growth and Development through Energy program, commonly called South Asia EDGE. The RFI is a consultation and market research step to gather practical input that can help USAID shape and refine a future activity.
2) Is this an actual funding opportunity or a competition for an award?
No. USAID states the RFI is strictly for information and planning purposes. It is not a formal solicitation (not a Request for Proposals and not a Request for Applications), and it is not an invitation to bid. Any submission should be treated as feedback to inform design, not as an application for funding.
3) What is USAID trying to accomplish through the future South Asia EDGE activity?
The underlying goal is to improve how energy services are delivered across South Asia, with an emphasis on making energy more affordable, secure, reliable, and sustainable. USAID describes achieving this through energy market improvements, including expanding markets where appropriate, strengthening transparency, and improving market efficiency.
4) What types of input is USAID asking for in the RFI?
USAID is seeking comments, opinions, and recommendations on what the activity should prioritize, how it should be structured, and which approaches are most likely to work in the South Asian regional energy context. Submissions should focus on constructive, evidence-based input rather than a full implementation proposal.
5) Who is invited to respond to the RFI?
USAID invited feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including the private sector, government agencies, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and other technical experts.
6) What does "eligibility is unrestricted" mean for this RFI?
Based on the posting summary, eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may provide input. Any additional conditions would depend on clarifications in the official eligibility text associated with the notice.
7) What should respondents avoid submitting?
USAID notes that this RFI is not a solicitation and that submissions that look like proposals or applications will not be evaluated as proposals or applications. The practical implication is to avoid treating the response like a competitive bid and instead provide targeted recommendations and practical insights.
8) Is there a meeting connected to this RFI?
Yes. Alongside written responses, USAID planned a multi-stakeholder consultative meeting scheduled for March 19, 2019. The meeting was intended to gather additional perspectives and test assumptions in a group setting.
9) What is the geographic focus of South Asia EDGE?
The intent is regional, focused on South Asia as a whole rather than a single-country intervention. The activity is framed around improving energy markets and energy services across the region.
10) Which agency issued the RFI?
The notice was issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development, India (USAID New Delhi).
11) What is the topic or category of this opportunity?
The activity category listed is Energy.
12) What funding classification and instrument type are shown in the posting record?
The opportunity is listed under discretionary funding, and the funding instrument type is labeled as "Other."
13) What is the CFDA number associated with this posting?
The CFDA number shown is 98.001.
14) What are the key dates shown for this RFI?
The record shows a creation date of February 27, 2019, and an original closing date for written responses of March 12, 2019. A consultative meeting was scheduled for March 19, 2019.
15) Why does the record mention an award ceiling of $70,000,000 and "one award" if this is only an RFI?
The RFI itself is not a funding competition, but the record includes an award ceiling of $70,000,000 and an expectation of one award, which signals the scale and structure USAID may be considering for the eventual program. Those figures relate to potential future implementation planning rather than an award made under this RFI notice.
16) Does submitting a response to the RFI guarantee future funding or selection?
No. The notice describes this stage as consultation and planning. The RFI is used to inform USAID's design choices for a future activity, not to select an awardee or make a funding decision.
17) What is the main reason USAID is using an RFI for South Asia EDGE?
This RFI functions as an early-stage engagement tool. USAID is collecting written input and convening a consultative meeting to refine program priorities, design, and approaches before any future solicitation is released.
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