RFA-PlantTissueCulture-July2012.docx

Request for Applications

(RFA) # 04/12

Grant Support Program for Plant Tissue Culture Units

July 2012

Closing Date & Time: 27th July, 2012, 1700 hours

USAID’s Agribusiness Project

Agribusiness Support Fund

www.asf.org.pk

Table of Contents1. Project Background.......................................................................................................3

2. Description of Proposed Initiative.................................................................................3

3. UAP Support.................................................................................................................3

4. Specifications and Features of the proposed facility:...............................................4

4.1 Expected Results/Outcomes..........................................................................................5

4.2 Project Expected Outcomes...........................................................................................5

5. ELIGIBILITY AND EVALUATION CRITERIA.......................................................6

6. AUTHORITY/GOVERNING REGULATIONS..........................................................7

7. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS...........................................................................7

6.1 Full Grant Application.......................................................................................................7

6.3 Required Documents Checklist:........................................................................................9

ATTACHMENT A - GRANT APPLICATION FORM.......................................................12

ATTACHMENT B - ENSURING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FAITH-BASED & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.....................................................................................14

ATTACHMENT C - COST SHARING GUIDANCE..........................................................15

ATTACHMENT D – BREAK UP OF EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES...............................................................................................................................................16

1. Project Background

Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) is a not-for-profit company incorporated under section 42 of the Com-panies Ordinance 1984. ASF is currently implementing a 5-year USAID’s Agribusiness Project (UAP) with the overall goal to support improved conditions for broad-based economic growth, create employ-ment opportunities and contribute to poverty alleviation through increase in competitiveness of horticul-ture and livestock value chains. The project is designed to address the problems and constraints impeding the development of agriculture sector of Pakistan and to stimulate private sector investment in the target high value sectors.

The overall goal and specific objectives of UAP are as follows:

Overall Goal:

To support improved conditions for broad-based economic growth, create employment opportunities and contribute to poverty alleviation through increase in competitiveness of horticulture and livestock value chains in partnership with all stakeholders.

Specific Objectives:

a. To strengthen the capacity in horticulture and livestock value chains to increase sales to domestic and foreign markets;

b. To strengthen the capacity of smallholders and farmer enterprises to operate autonomously and effectively; and

c. To increase agriculture efficiency and productivity through adoption of new farming techniques and technological innovation among targeted beneficiaries.

2. Description of Proposed Initiative

Recognizing the fact that utilization of the best culture practices, fertilization, plant protection measures etc. will not give the necessary results without the use of quality planting material and that tissue culture is now a significant method for mass propagation of high value fruit and ornamental plants and ensures the availability of true to type disease free stock material, UAP has launched support program for estab-lishment of commercial tissue culture units (tissue culture labs) by private sector. The USAID’s Agribusi-ness Project (UAP) seeks to provide in-kind grant support to horticulture farmers and private investors who are willing to participate, on a cost-sharing basis (see Annex C for cost share information), in the program for establishment of Plant Tissue Culture Units.

3. UAP Support

UAP support will be available on cost sharing basis for Lab equipment, tissue culture chemicals, glass-ware, office equipment, consultation & training and one year operational expenses. ASF/UAP anticipates that the total cost of identified incremental components supported for each Plant Tissue Culture Unit would be up to PKR 6,386,000/-. Successful applicants will be required to contribute a minimum of per-centage of the total cost of the program; remaining cost will be contributed by UAP in shape of in-kind grant. It is expected that this program will be completed in a period of one (01) year. All goods and ser-vices under in-kind support will be procured and provided by UAP to the grantee. The following table shows the support available and the cost share required by the grantee.

S.NO Cost Head Total Amount (PKR) Entrepreneur Share (PKR)

ASF Share (PKR)

1Lab Equipment, Tissue culture chemicals and glassware etc.

3,906,000 1,171,800 2,734,200

2 Office Equipment 500,000 150,000 350,0003 Consultation and Training Cost 600,000 600,000 --

4Operational cost including Salaries

1,380,000 1,380,000 --

Total (PKR) 2480000 3,301,800 3,084,200

Break up of Equipment and Operational Costs is provided in Annex D.

All grant agreements with successful applicants will be negotiated, denominated and funded in Pakistani Rupees. The Plant Tissue Culture Units will be provided as in-kind support and ASF/UAP will arrange the supply of the Plant Tissue Culture Units through pre-qualified vendor(s). Other Payments (if any) un-der grant support will be made on a reimbursement basis in tranches corresponding to achievement of agreed upon milestones.

The resources of UAP are derived from, and entirely dependent upon, funding from USAID. Therefore, any commitments made by UAP under this RFA including any future amendments to this RFA are sub-ject to the availability of funding from USAID.

4. Specifications and Features of the proposed facility:

The proposed facility will be a micro propagation unit with an annual production capacity of approxi-mately 1 million plantlets with other specifications as given below.

1. Land Building and Civil Works

The building of about 4000 sq. ft includes clean rooms and areas with comfort AC for laboratory, growth rooms and office space.

The following facilities would be required in the building.a) Storage room for chemicalsb) Washing and Media preparation roomc) Sterilization roomd) Inoculation roome) Culture room

2. Green house

A green house of 3000 sq.ft. and a shade house of 40,000 sq.ft.

3. Equipment

Major equipment and instruments required for the plant are as follows.

Autoclave Laminar air flow cabinet Equipment for sterilization Electronic weighing balance Water distillation apparatus Air handling units Refrigerator Air conditioners

Stereomicroscope Digital pH meter Shelves / racks Green house material

4.1 Expected Results/Outcomes

The proposed project is expected to result in: Availability of 1 million High Quality TC plants. Easy availability of TC plants to farmers at a lower cost. Availability of disease free plants True to the type of mother plant under well management. Pest and disease free seedlings. Uniform growth, increases yield. Early maturity of crop enabling maximum land use in low land holding areas. Round the year planting as seedlings will be made available throughout the year. No staggered harvesting. 95% - 98% plants will bear bunches.

4.2 Project Expected Outcomes

For One Tissue Cultue Lab: expected direct job creation for 20-25 people. As a result of this intervention 25 % increase in production is expected which would translate into

at least 20% increase in income of farmers’ at large scale, thus creating more jobs.

5. ELIGIBILITY AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

Eligible beneficiaries of the program will be relevant horticulture farmers and potential private sector investors committed to construct a 4000 sq. ft building for establishing the Plant Tissue Culture Unit with aforementioned facilities on own piece of land. In case number of eligible applications exceeds available grants, selection will be made on the basis of following criteria.

Sr. ParticularsMaximum

Points Available

1 Experience

20

Points to be awarded on the basis of any one or a combination of following heads Relevant Experience + Agricultural Education = 2 marks per year Relevant Experience without Agricultural Education = 1.7 marks per

year General Business Experience = 1.5 marks per year Agricultural Education with no experience = 5 marks

2 Ownership Structure

20

Points to be awarded on the basis of any one or a combination of following heads Company = 20 Partnership/ Sole proprietorship = 15 Unregistered individual Farmers = 10

3 Land Ownership (Equivalent to the size of the project)

20

Points to be awarded on the basis of any one or a combination of following heads Own land in a horticultural area specializing in a specific fruit/ ornamen-

tal plant = 20 Marks Own land elsewhere = 5 - 15 Marks (Based on relevance to project and

horticulture)

4 Financial Strength

20

Points to be awarded on the basis of any one or a combination of following heads Bank Statement showing own Resources available in excess of the re-

quired cost share =20 Marks Bank Statement showing own Resources Equal to the required cost

share = 15 Marks Loan facility with a financial institution = 10 Marks Other business/ property to be utilized to support the project = 5 Marks

Total Points Available 80

6. AUTHORITY/GOVERNING REGULATIONS

The grants will be awarded and implemented in accordance with USAID and US Government regulations governing grants under cooperative agreements and UAP internal grant management policies.

UAP alerts applicants and grantees that USAID may, at its sole discretion, supersede any decision, act or omission taken by UAP with respect to any grant. Under the UAP grant program, USAID retains the right at all times to (1) dictate a different decision with respect to the award or administration of any grant; (2) rectify an omission by UAP with respect to the award or administration of any grant; 3) take over the administration of any grant awarded hereunder; and/or (4) terminate, in whole or in part, UAP’s grant-making authorities.

7. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

The applicants will submit implementation plan for the implementation of the description of the project given above introducing innovations that are appropriate to their organizational/ enterprise strengths.

Preparation of Grant Application:

Concerned UAP regional offices will assist applicants in understanding the application process, and can provide guidance in application development at the request of applicants. Communications between UAP and applicant should pass through the dedicated focal person at both sides.

Issuance of this RFA and assistance with application development do not constitute an award or commitment on the part of UAP, nor does it commit UAP to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, UAP reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications received.

Information on Application Status

It is anticipated that the evaluation of applications will require approximately six weeks from the date of submission, and no information on application status will be available until a final decision has been made. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of final award decision.

Full Grant Application

Basic information about the applicant should be provided as per Annex A.

The application elements and guidelines are summarized below:

Section I (Basic Information). The Applicant provides basic contact information, informa-tion regarding the status of the organization/ enterprise and about the program.

Section II (Project Implementation Plan) This section covers information regarding project implementation, including proposed personnel, CVs of proposed key personnel 1(maxi-mum 5) and descriptions of each task. Each task must be:

Complete and sound.

Integrated and scheduled with dependent tasks.

Assigned to a responsible party.

Defined in terms of resources required.

Concluded with a viable deliverable/milestone of achievement-milestones must be linked to results.

The tasks listed must show a logical, thoughtful approach to the overall implementation plan. Tasks should describe actions and be logically sequenced. Each task must contrib-ute to the achievement of the program objective.

The applicant must describe any relevant material assumptions made and/or conditions required for the achievement of the grant objective.

The implementation plans may be supported by a bar chart that shows all identified tasks over the duration of the program.

If the activities might cause a medium to high environmental risk, the implementation plan must include environmental mitigation measures.

Section III (Experience and Capacity). Applicant describes previous or ongoing experi-ence implementing similar activities. This is a critical factor in assessing the capacity of the grantee to implement the program.

Furthermore, contribution from other donors and Grantees resource commitment will be investigated and documented. In order to avoid double financing/ billing, UAP will require full disclosure by grantee.

The application must be signed by an authorized representative of the Applicant.

Grant Application Form (Attachment A) shall be submitted in English.

Applications should be submitted in hard copy to the UAP office at the address below not later than 1700 hours, 27th July, 2012.

Agribusiness Support FundUSAID’s Agribusiness Project144 CCA, Sector DD, Phase IVDHA, Lahore

In addition an electronic copy of the application clearly stating the RFA reference number and title in the subject line should also be emailed to: [email protected] (Kindly note that this email address should not be used to submit queries. Queries should be sent to the email address provided in the RFA advertisement and in section 6.3 below).

mailto:[email protected]

6.3 Required Documents Checklist:

As per the list below, applicants should attach maximum number of required documents with the grant application as applicable. ASF/UAP reserves the right to ask for more or less documentation at its discretion.

Partnership / Sole Proprietorship Public / Private Ltd Company Security deposit of Rs.10,000 in shape of

Demand Draft payable to “Agribusiness Support Fund”. Security deposit is refundable to the rejected applicants and adjustable for successful applicants. Applications without security deposit will not be entertained.

Copies of CNICs of all partners/proprietor Bank statement (last six months) Copy of NTN / Last filed Tax Return List of major Customers / Suppliers (with

contacts) Audited Financials (last 3 years) Copies of Title Document/ Rent agreement &

utility bills of office premises Ownership/ Lease documents for piece of land

where the Tissue Culture Unit will be established

Letter(s) of commitment for matching the funds (cost share) in cash or in-kind over the life of grant from applicant or third party duly signed by the Authorized Organizational Representative stating the exact amount of the matching funds or value of the in-kind support that will be contributed

Letter authorizing ASF/UAP to approach applicant’s bank for information

Letter of proprietorship from bank (for sole proprietorship)

Copies of other Registration certificates, if any (Sales Tax, Chamber Registration etc.)

Partnership Deed (for partnership) Form C(if registered firm) Any other information / document that

ASF/UAP may demand at any time

Security deposit of Rs.10,000 in shape of Demand Draft payable to “Agribusiness Support Fund”. Security deposit is refundable to the rejected applicants and adjustable for successful applicants. Applications without security deposit will not be entertained.

Copy of CNICs of all directors. Board resolution for applying for the grant. Certified copy of Articles & Memorandum of

Association. Certificate of incorporation of business Certificate of commencement of business (For

Public Ltd Companies only) Certified copy of latest Form-29 Audited Financials (last 3 years) Bank Statement (Last 6 Months) Ownership/ Lease documents for piece of land



NTN / Last filed Tax Return List of Major Customers & Suppliers (with

contacts) Letter authorizing ASF/UAP to approach

applicant’s bank for information Copies of other registration certificates (if any),

Sales Tax, Chamber Registration etc) Any other information / document that

ASF/UAP may demand at any time

Individual Grower Association/ Cooperative


Copy of CNIC Copies of Title Document/ Rent agreement of

Land cultivated Bank statement (last six months) Ownership/ Lease documents for piece of land



List of major markets served with Customers / Suppliers with contacts


Copies of other Registrations/ Memberships, if any (Local Growers Association etc)


Documents defining the legal status of association (Cooperative/ Society registration certificate)

Charter Document /By- Laws Names of members of Governing body (the

council, committee, trustees, or other body) Copies of CNIC of all members of Governing

body Resolution of the Governing body to apply for

membership List of Members of Association Bank statement (last six months) Accounts Audited by relevant authority (last 3

years) Ownership/ Lease documents for piece of land




In addition to the above the grantees must be willing to sign the following required certifications prior to receiving a grant. UAP will provide the certifications to applicants.

- Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing (all grants)

- Recipient Certificate of Compliance (all grants)

Please submit all queries concerning this RFA to [email protected].

ANNEXES:

A. Grant Application Form B. Equal Opportunity for Faith Based and Community Groups provision and surveyC. Cost Sharing Guidance

ATTACHMENT A - GRANT APPLICATION FORM

To be filled by the applicant.

Concerned UAP regional offices are available to answer any questions you may have and to assist you in completing this grant application, if necessary.

This application is in response to RFA No. 04/12 entitled “Grant Support Program for Plant Tissue Culture Units”.

Section I (Basic Information)

1. Name of Applicant:

2. Date of Registration (required for all applicants other than individuals farmers) :

3. Contact information:

Name of key contact person, Qualification and title:

Name:

Title: Qualification:

Office address: Office phone:

Mobile: Fax:

E-mail: Website:

4. Key Management:

List the full names and title of legal representatives, owners, board members or founding members if you do not have a formal board of directors, chief executives and key staff (president, directors, treasurer, etc), as applicable.

Name Qualification Title

5. Experience of the applicant (Nature & Years):

6. Describe your enterprise/ organization, its current activities and overall purpose in detail:

7. Location of proposed activity:

8. Objective of proposed activity:

9. In addition to your organization/ enterprise who else will be the beneficiaries of this program. Mainly how you expect to target women, increase employment opportunities and entrepreneurship.

10. Anticipated Start and end date (day, month, and year)of your activity:

Section II (Project Implementation Plan)

11. Implementation plan: Main tasks, with estimated start and end dates for each task. Please include all events, trainings, publications, etc.

Description of Main Tasks Name of staff responsible Start Date

End Date

Task 1:Task 2:Task 3:Task 4:Task 5:Task 6:Task 7, etc: (please add rows as needed)

Section III (Experience and Capacity)

12. List personnel who will be involved in implementing this project (CVs & salary history sheets are required for all project personnel):

13. If available, please attach an organizational chart and organizational profile.

Section IV (Cost)

1. Estimated cost in Pakistani Rupees per the attached budget:

Amount requested from UAP program: PKR_________________

In-kind or other contribution from your organization: PKR _________________

Other donors or third-party resources: PKR _________________

Total Estimated Cost PKR _________________

By affixing my signature below, I certify that to the best of my knowledge, the information provided in this application is accurate and correct:

Submitted by (Name and title): ____________________________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________ Date: __________________________

ATTACHMENT B - ENSURING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FAITH-BASED & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Complying with requirements of Executive Order 13279, Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations, USAID ensures equal protection and opportunity for faith-based and other community organizations in administering social service programs supported with Federal financial assistance following these fundamental principles:

(1) Federal financial assistance for social service programs must be distributed in the most effective and efficient manner possible;

(2) All eligible organizations, including faith-based and other community organizations, must be able to compete on an equal footing for Federal financial assistance used to support social service programs;

(3) No organization may be discriminated against on the basis of religious character or affiliation in the administration or distribution of Federal financial assistance;

(4) Faith-based organizations may not be required as a condition of Federal assistance to sacrifice their independence, autonomy, expression, or religious character. Accordingly, a faith-based organization that applies for or participates in a USAID program may retain its independence and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, provided that it does not use direct federal financial assistance to support any inherently reli-gious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization. Among other things, faith-based organizations may use their facilities to provide social services supported by USAID, without removing or altering religious art, icons, scriptures, or other symbols from these facilities. In addition, a faith-based organization may retain religious terms in its name, select its board members on a reli -gious basis, and include religious references in its mission statements and other chartering or govern -ing documents.

USAID collects data regarding the participation of faith-based and community organizations in social service programs that receive Federal financial assistance through the attached Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants.

Applicant’s completion of the survey is voluntary, and will not be a requirement of the RFA. The absence of a completed survey in an application will not be a basis upon which the application is determined incomplete or non-responsive. Applicants who volunteer to complete and submit the survey under a competitive or non-competitive action will be instructed within the text of the survey to submit it as part of the application process. The information collected through the survey is intended for data collection purposes only. UAP will provide USAID survey data, including:

1. How many applications were received under the RFA?2. How many applicants identified themselves as faith-based/religious organizations (FBOs)?3. Has the recipient proposed for this award indicated it is a FBO?

Equal opportunity for faith-based and community organizations does not provide for set-asides or evaluation preferences for faith-based and community organizations, and data collected will not to be used for purposes of funding decisions. Therefore, UAP will not:

provide for set-asides, reservations or evaluation preferences for faith based/community organizations in RFA´s.

Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants

The survey is available at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/surveyeo.doc.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/surveyeo.doc

Applicants who chose to submit the survey shall include it in the technical application in the “annexes” section.

ATTACHMENT C - COST SHARING GUIDANCE

All contributions, including cash and in-kind contributions like office space, equipment, staff-time etc. are accepted as part of the recipient’s cost-sharing when they meet the criteria established in the standard provision governing recipient contributions. A reasonable and fair market value should be assigned by the applicant to this contribution so that it can be properly recognized. Grant cost-sharing must be in conformance with applicable USAID guidance: specifically, the “Required as Applicable Standard Provision” entitled “Cost Sharing”.

Cost share are allowed ONLY if these:

Are verifiable from records

Are not included in another USG project

Are necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of objectives

Are allowable under applicable USAID regulations and cost principles

Are not paid by the USG under another award

Are provided for in the approved cost share budget

Are verifiable through audit

Further guidance on Cost Sharing can be found in ADS 303.3.10 (for information related to meeting cost sharing requirements, see ADS 303.3.10.4).

All types of contribution – cash or in kind – need to be substantiated by copies of bona fide receipts and, as mentioned earlier, are subject to audit. If the recipient does not meet its cost sharing requirement, it can result in questioned costs. The UAP has the authority to reduce the amount of incremental funding in the following funding period or to reduce the amount of the agreement by the difference between the expended amount and what the recipient agreed to provide.

ATTACHMENT D – BREAK UP OF EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES

Equipment Detail

S. No Equipment Capacity & Specs Estimated Cost1 Electric Autoclave 100 liters, Electrical:

220V, 50/60HzRs: 85,000/=

Laminar Flow cabinet VerticalSize: 2’ x 4’ (Feet)Electrical: 220V, 50/60Hz

Rs: 325,000/=

3 Hot Air Oven for sterilization 80 litersDigital display of temperature and timeElectrical: 220V, 50/60 Hz

Rs: 175,000/=

4 Water Distillation Apparatus AutomaticCapacity: 10 liter/hrElectrical: 220V, 50/60Hz

Rs: 60,000/=

5 . Refrigerator No Frost 300 litersElectrical; 220V, 50/60Hz

Rs: 60,000/=

6 Air Conditioner (2 Nos. one for inoculation room and one for incubation room)

2 tons – Heat & CoolElectrical: 220V, 50/60Hz

Rs.170,000/=

7 Growth Chamber 400 litersDigital displayRack with automatic temperature controlElectrical: 220V, 50/60Hz

Rs: 460,000/=

8 Stereo microscope Electrical,220V, 50/60Hz

Rs;65000/=

9 Digital pH Meter with electrode Portable Rs: 26,000/=

10 Digital Micropipette Set of 7 (0.5ul to 1000ul)

Rs: 100,000/=

11 Culture Media (Tissue Culture Chemicals)

Rs: 800,000/=

12 Laboratory Glassware Lump sum Rs. 300,000/=13 Magnetic stir with hot plate Rs. 50,000/=14 Digital electronic balance (for

measuring chemicals up to µg level)

Rs. 80,000/=

15 Soil sterilizer (Local made) Rs. 100,000/=16 Electric Generator Rs. 800,000/-17 Magnetic contractor, timer,

humidifier, Tube light rods with frams, glass sheets and racks etc.

Lump sum Rs. 250,000/=

Total Rs.3,906,000/-

Operational Expense

S.No Cost Head No One year Cost Monthly Cost1

Biologist 1 720,000 60,000

3 Technician 1 240,000 20,0004

Guard 1 120,000 10,000

7 Fuel Misc 120000 10,0008 Marketing (Brochures etc.) Misc 120000 10,0009 Communication Misc 60,000 5,000

Total 660000