Opportunity Information: Apply for RFI 636 21 CELGA 03
The Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) opportunity in Sierra Leone is currently being presented by USAID Guinea and Sierra Leone as a Request for Information (RFI), also described as a sources sought notice. In practical terms, this means USAID is not yet funding a project through a formal competition and is not asking for proposals or applications at this stage. Instead, USAID is gathering input from stakeholders, implementers, civil society groups, and other interested organizations to help shape a future activity focused on civic engagement, local governance, and accountability in Sierra Leone.
The stated purpose of the RFI is twofold. First, USAID wants to give interested organizations a structured way to share information, lessons learned, and suggestions that could influence the design of the upcoming CELGA activity. Second, USAID is explicitly looking for innovative approaches and partnership models that could strengthen collaboration between international and local actors, align better with Sierra Leone's needs, and support USAID Guinea and Sierra Leone's broader development objectives. The activity category is listed under community development, which signals an emphasis on community-level engagement and governance systems rather than, for example, purely infrastructure or humanitarian assistance.
It is important to understand the limits of what this notice represents. USAID clearly states that the RFI is being used only for information gathering, research, and planning. It is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), an invitation for bids, or any other form of solicitation. USAID also emphasizes that it is not accepting unsolicited proposals or applications right now. If USAID decides to move forward with a formal solicitation later, it would be announced publicly through Grants.gov or beta.SAM.gov in the coming months, but there is no guarantee a solicitation will be issued.
From an eligibility standpoint, the notice lists eligible applicants as "unrestricted," which generally suggests that a wide range of organizations could potentially participate in a future competition if one is released, including international organizations, local organizations, NGOs, and possibly other entities depending on the final solicitation terms. However, because this is only an RFI, the eligibility language does not yet translate into confirmed eligibility rules for funding; those details would be defined later in an actual solicitation.
The listing includes basic identifying and administrative details: the funding opportunity title is "Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone," and the opportunity number is RFI 636 21 CELGA 03. It is issued by USAID-Conakry (Guinea) under the USAID Guinea and Sierra Leone platform. The original closing date for responses to the RFI was July 12, 2021, and the posting was created June 17, 2021. The award ceiling is shown as 0 and expected awards are not specified, which is consistent with an RFI since it is not an actual funding competition.
Finally, USAID notes two compliance-related points that often matter to organizations deciding whether to respond. Responding to the RFI will not provide any advantage in a later procurement or competition, meaning organizations should not assume participation improves their odds later. USAID also instructs respondents not to submit proprietary information, since RFIs can be used broadly for planning and may not provide the protections that come with a formal procurement process.Apply for RFI 636 21 CELGA 03
- The Guinea USAID-Conakry in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone" 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 2021-06-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FAQs: Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone (USAID RFI)
What is the CELGA opportunity in Sierra Leone?
CELGA stands for Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability in Sierra Leone. At this stage, it is presented by USAID Guinea and Sierra Leone as a Request for Information (RFI), also described as a sources sought notice, to gather input that may help shape a future activity.
Is this a funding opportunity I can apply to right now?
No. USAID states this is not a solicitation and USAID is not asking for proposals or applications at this time. The notice is strictly for information gathering, research, and planning.
What is a Request for Information (RFI) or sources sought notice in practical terms?
An RFI (sources sought) is a way for USAID to collect ideas, lessons learned, and suggestions from organizations and stakeholders. It is used to inform program design and potential future planning, not to award funding.
What is USAID trying to learn or collect through this RFI?
USAID describes two main purposes: (1) to provide a structured way for organizations to share information, lessons learned, and suggestions that could influence the design of the future CELGA activity, and (2) to identify innovative approaches and partnership models that could strengthen collaboration between international and local actors and better align with Sierra Leone's needs and USAID objectives.
What themes or sector does this activity fall under?
The activity category is listed under community development, indicating a focus on community-level civic engagement, local governance, and accountability systems rather than a purely infrastructure or humanitarian assistance focus.
Does USAID guarantee that a future solicitation will be released?
No. USAID indicates that if it decides to move forward with a formal solicitation later, it would be announced publicly, but there is no guarantee that a solicitation will be issued.
If a formal competition is released later, where would it be posted?
USAID notes that any future formal solicitation would be announced publicly through Grants.gov or beta.SAM.gov in the coming months, if USAID chooses to proceed.
Is this notice a Request for Proposals (RFP), NOFO, invitation for bids, or any other solicitation?
No. USAID explicitly states the RFI is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), an invitation for bids, or any other form of solicitation.
Are unsolicited proposals or applications accepted under this notice?
No. USAID states it is not accepting unsolicited proposals or applications at this time.
Who is issuing this RFI?
The RFI is issued by USAID-Conakry (Guinea) under the USAID Guinea and Sierra Leone platform.
What is the official opportunity title and number?
The title is "Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone" and the opportunity number is RFI 636 21 CELGA 03.
What are the key dates listed for this RFI?
The posting was created on June 17, 2021. The original closing date for responses was July 12, 2021.
Is there an award amount, award ceiling, or expected number of awards listed?
The award ceiling is shown as 0 and expected awards are not specified. This is consistent with an RFI because it is not an actual funding competition or award process.
What does "eligible applicants: unrestricted" mean here?
The notice lists eligible applicants as "unrestricted," which generally suggests a wide range of organizations could potentially participate in a future competition. However, because this is only an RFI, this language does not establish confirmed eligibility requirements for funding; those would be defined in a future formal solicitation.
Does responding to the RFI improve an organization's chances in a later competition?
No. USAID notes that responding to the RFI will not provide any advantage in a later procurement or competition.
Should respondents include proprietary or confidential information in their RFI response?
No. USAID instructs respondents not to submit proprietary information, since RFIs may be used broadly for planning and may not provide the protections that come with a formal procurement process.
What kind of input is USAID explicitly looking for?
USAID states it is explicitly looking for innovative approaches and partnership models that can strengthen collaboration between international and local actors, align better with Sierra Leone's needs, and support USAID Guinea and Sierra Leone's broader development objectives.
Does the RFI define final eligibility rules, selection criteria, or application requirements?
No. Because this is not a solicitation, it does not set final eligibility rules, selection criteria, or application requirements for funding. Those details would only be provided if USAID later issues a formal solicitation.
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