Australia Middle East NGO Cooperation Agreement

Phase Three (AMENCA 3): Palestinian Farmers Connecting

to Markets program

Competitive Aid Grant Process Briefing

15 September 201510am-2pm – DFAT London Circuit Office,

Room – GR1

Competitive Aid Grants & NGO Selection Processes

(10:30-11am: Process Summary and Questions)

Byron Singline - Contracting Services Branch (CVB)

Competitive Aid Grant Processes

CVB role in DFAT is to manage large value procurements (corporate and aid)

• also to provide general procurement and ‘aid grants’ policy and advice.

CVB providing Probity and Support to Middle East Development Section as they manage this approach to market and assessment process for AMENCA 3.

Aid Grants are managed by DFAT in accordance with the principles of the Commonwealth Grant Guidelines (CGG’s)

• Process complexity suited to program• Key driver to ensure maximising aid impact in most efficient way (Value for Money)• Fair, open, transparent process for all applicants meeting eligibility conditions• Debrief provided at end of process once grants signed

Amenca 3: Competitive Aid Grant Process Open for all eligible Australian NGO-led consortia

• 5 yr AUD 32 million (5,125,000-Yrs 1-3; 2,975,000-Yrs 4-5; max. per proposal)• CGP opened 3 September; closes 12:00pm Canberra time (AEST) 9 October • Late submissions will not be accepted or assessed by DFAT.

Evaluation Committee Meeting: 19-21 October • proposal analysis and discussion, scoring, interviews of shortlisted ANGO-led

consortia, final scoring EC initially assess proposals Technical Strength via Selection Criteria (Para 6 of Aid

Grant Guideline); considering all information provided (see Annex 1 – Proposal Template).

May also analyse provided financial proposal costings/budget summary at this time. EC may also consider other relevant information including previous performance

information on grants delivered for DFAT/other organisations; DFAT may then shortlist for interview.

EC will assess/compare shortlisted proposals on technical strength & budget analysis to provide a value for money (V4M) recommendation to DFAT delegate to approve up to four proposals for initial workshop funding.

Selection Criteria

Para 6.2 of Aid Grant Guideline Organisational Effectiveness – 25% Key Personnel – 10% Joint Learning, Synergies & Collaboration – 15% Project Effectiveness – 40% Value for Money – 10%

Safeguards and cross-cutting issues (Para 6.3)• Proposals must include the applicant’s approach to:

– ‘do no harm’ and protecting women and girls, – including people with disabilities, – minimising fiduciary risk and complying with anti-terrorism legislation – All organisations (including all partners in a consortium) must comply with

DFAT’s Child Protection Policy .

Assessment Methodology

Priority placed on ANGO consortia with relevant mix of skills/ experience/expertise contributing to the goal/objectives of the AMENCA 3 program

Important consider all key aspects in approach/response to criteria Consider environment/importance of security planning, safety

Also consider systems management of financial controls, audits, attention to key DFAT principles of aid funding management

• Anti-Corruption, Anti-Terrorism• Fraud detection and management• Maximising benefit on the ground, meeting outcomes; minimising admin• Importance of responding with all required documents as per Annex 1 – Proposal

Template• Pay attention to maximum page limits for Response, and Annexes Required

(maximum 22 pages) – additional pages may be removed, or submission may be deemed non-conforming, and not be assessed.

Successful Proposals Funded

Up to four (4) initially funded to attend workshop – Nov 2015 PTs.• Workshop will provide opportunity for consortiums to work together and link

proposals together for common targets, with assistance from DFAT and an ‘Amenca Technical Support Team’.

After workshop, and time for consortiums to revise their proposals, decision will be made whether all four (4) go thru for full funding of the initial three (3) year period, or if less will go thru, with increased funding.

DFAT will approved consortiums to go thru; and negotiate grant agreement for initial three (3) years.

• After initial 3 years and reviews; intent is to fund those proposals that show success, for an additional 2 years thru an amendment, based on original submission.

Thankyou for your attention, and all the best with the process.

Any further questions during open market period :

Amenca@dfat.gov.au

Any Questions???