Opportunity Information: Apply for 72051421RFI00002
USAID Colombia (Bogota) issued a Request for Information (RFI) tied to a draft concept paper for a provisionally named "Nature Tourism Activity." The core idea is to strengthen Colombias nature tourism sector by helping build sustainable business models that create real economic opportunities for local communities while also conserving the countrys biodiversity and reducing pressures that drive harmful land use change (for example, activities that contribute to deforestation or habitat conversion). In practical terms, USAID is testing and refining its early design for a future activity and wants outside perspectives to make sure the concept is realistic, well-structured, and aligned with what actually works in the field.
This notice is not a grant competition and not a request for proposals or applications. It is strictly a market and stakeholder sounding exercise intended to gather feedback from organizations and individuals who have relevant experience, including international nature tourism actors, private sector participants, and community stakeholders. USAID is looking for comments, opinions, recommendations, and new ideas on the approaches described in the draft concept paper (Attachment A). A separate set of guiding questions (Attachment B) is provided to help respondents shape their input, but respondents are not required to answer every question. USAID notes that any incorporation of feedback will depend on internal mission discussions and approvals, and respondents should not expect individualized replies to their submissions.
The RFI also emphasizes procurement fairness and confidentiality. USAID states that responding will not provide any competitive advantage in any future solicitation, and it will not create an organizational conflict of interest. It also clarifies that the U.S. Government is not committing to issue a future funding opportunity and will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response. In other words, this is an information-gathering step that may inform a later program design, but it does not guarantee that funding will be offered later.
Submission expectations are straightforward and fairly strict. Responses should stay focused on the questions in the RFI and on comments or suggestions directly related to the draft document. To keep the process efficient, USAID asks respondents to limit submissions to three pages, formatted in 11-point font. Submissions may be written in either English or Spanish. The original closing date for responses was June 3, 2021, and the opportunity is listed under CFDA 98.001, categorized under community development and natural resources. Eligibility is marked as unrestricted, meaning any interested entity could provide feedback. The listing also shows an anticipated ceiling of up to $30,000,000 associated with the future activity concept, signaling a potentially sizable program if USAID ultimately decides to proceed to a formal solicitation stage.Apply for 72051421RFI00002
- The Colombia USAID-Bogota in the community development, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information (RFI) - Nature Tourism Activity" 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 2021-05-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-06-03. (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 $30,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this USAID Colombia notice?
This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by USAID Colombia (Bogota) connected to a draft concept paper for a provisionally named "Nature Tourism Activity." The RFI is meant to collect feedback from the market and stakeholders to help USAID test and refine an early activity design.
Is this a grant competition or a request for proposals?
No. USAID states this notice is not a grant competition and not a request for proposals or applications. It is strictly an information-gathering and stakeholder sounding exercise.
What is the main goal of the proposed "Nature Tourism Activity" concept?
The core idea is to strengthen Colombia's nature tourism sector by supporting sustainable business models that create real economic opportunities for local communities while conserving biodiversity and reducing pressures that drive harmful land use change (such as deforestation or habitat conversion).
Why is USAID issuing an RFI for this concept?
USAID is seeking outside perspectives to ensure the draft concept is realistic, well-structured, and aligned with what works in the field. The feedback is intended to inform and improve USAID's internal design process for a possible future activity.
Who is USAID hoping will respond to the RFI?
USAID is inviting input from organizations and individuals with relevant experience, including international nature tourism actors, private sector participants, and community stakeholders.
What kind of input is USAID asking for?
USAID is looking for comments, opinions, recommendations, and new ideas on the approaches described in the draft concept paper (Attachment A). The agency provided guiding questions (Attachment B) to help shape responses, but respondents are not required to answer every question.
Do respondents have to answer every guiding question in Attachment B?
No. USAID notes that Attachment B is provided to guide input, but respondents are not required to answer every question.
Will USAID reply directly to my submission?
USAID indicates respondents should not expect individualized replies to their submissions.
Will my feedback definitely be used in the final activity design?
Not necessarily. USAID notes that incorporating feedback will depend on internal mission discussions and approvals.
Does responding to this RFI provide any advantage in a future solicitation?
No. USAID emphasizes procurement fairness and states that responding will not provide any competitive advantage in any future solicitation.
Could responding create an organizational conflict of interest for future USAID opportunities?
USAID states that responding to this RFI will not create an organizational conflict of interest.
Is USAID guaranteed to issue a future funding opportunity for this activity?
No. USAID clarifies that the U.S. Government is not committing to issue a future funding opportunity. This step may inform later program design, but it does not guarantee a future solicitation will be released.
Will USAID reimburse costs for preparing or submitting an RFI response?
No. USAID states it will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response.
What should an RFI response focus on?
USAID asks that responses stay focused on the questions in the RFI and on comments or suggestions directly related to the draft concept paper.
Is there a page limit or formatting requirement for submissions?
Yes. To keep the process efficient, USAID asks respondents to limit submissions to three pages in 11-point font.
What languages are accepted for submissions?
Submissions may be written in either English or Spanish.
What was the closing date for responses?
The original closing date for responses was June 3, 2021.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 98.001.
What program categories does this opportunity fall under?
It is categorized under community development and natural resources.
Who is eligible to respond to the RFI?
Eligibility is marked as unrestricted, meaning any interested entity could provide feedback.
Does the notice mention a potential future program size or funding level?
Yes. The listing shows an anticipated ceiling of up to $30,000,000 associated with the future activity concept. This signals a potentially sizable program if USAID later decides to proceed to a formal solicitation stage, but it is not a guarantee of funding.
What types of impacts is the concept trying to achieve?
Based on the concept summary provided, the activity aims to (1) support sustainable nature tourism business models, (2) create economic opportunities for local communities, (3) conserve Colombia's biodiversity, and (4) reduce pressures that lead to harmful land use change such as deforestation or habitat conversion.
Is this RFI tied to a specific document?
Yes. USAID references a draft concept paper (Attachment A) and a set of guiding questions (Attachment B) connected to the RFI.
What is the provisional name of the concept being discussed?
The draft concept is provisionally named "Nature Tourism Activity."
What is the purpose of limiting responses to three pages?
USAID indicates the limit is intended to keep the process efficient and focused on the most relevant feedback tied to the RFI and the draft concept paper.
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