RFI - Sri Lanka Media Support Program | RFI 383 GVP 17 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFI 383 GVP 17 001

USAID/Sri Lanka (USAID-Colombo) issued a Request for Information (RFI) titled "RFI - Sri Lanka Media Support Program" to gather input from organizations and professionals who work in or support the media sector. The RFI is not a funding solicitation by itself, but a market research and project design step meant to shape a future USAID activity. USAID is seeking perspectives from both U.S. and non-U.S. entities, including non-profit and for-profit NGOs, media professionals, and other relevant institutions that can speak to the realities of Sri Lanka's media environment and what would make an external support program effective.

The concept USAID is exploring is a four-year activity with an estimated total value up to $6,000,000, with the expectation of making one award. The anticipated funding instrument type is a Cooperative Agreement, and the activity is categorized under community development (CFDA 98.001). The overall intention is to strengthen the professionalism of Sri Lanka's media sector while also expanding access to information, implying a focus not only on journalist skills and ethics, but also on the systems, institutions, and practices that shape whether the public can obtain reliable information and whether media can operate effectively.

USAID is specifically asking respondents to react to the problem framing and offer recommendations to improve the project design. The agency wants feedback on whether the problems it has identified match Sri Lanka's current sociopolitical context, and what additional issues the program should address that may not yet be captured. It also asks who the key stakeholders should be, what realistic results could be achieved over the life of the project, and how the activity might influence broader media sector development and reform. In addition, USAID requests concrete suggestions to improve the proposed goals and objectives and to propose technical interventions that could strengthen the media sector, which signals that USAID is looking for practical, implementable ideas rather than general commentary.

Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and other applicants as clarified in the opportunity materials. This wide eligibility suggests USAID is open to a range of implementers and partners, such as media development NGOs, journalism schools, professional associations, training providers, research groups, technology-focused organizations working on information access, and consortiums that combine complementary capabilities.

Responses to the RFI were requested in writing and directed to Mr. Harsha Kaluarachchi, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at srilankaprocurement@usaid.gov. Questions were to be addressed to Mr. Robert Parnell, Contracting Officer, at rparnell@usaid.gov. The posting dates indicate the RFI was created on October 21, 2016, with an original closing date of October 28, 2016 at 5:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time. USAID also makes the standard point that issuing the RFI does not create any obligation to fund a future program, does not guarantee a subsequent solicitation, and does not commit the U.S. Government to reimburse any costs incurred by respondents in preparing and submitting information.

• The Agency for International Development, Sri Lanka USAID-Colombo in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RFI - Sri Lanka Media Support Program" 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 Oct 21, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 28, 2016. (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 $6,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for RFI 383 GVP 17 001

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