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At Development Essentials we like to keep our clients informed about development news, challenges and USAID changes in policies and procedures. We attend conferences and seminars and work with our partners to bring you the latest news. While we don’t have a monopoly on wisdom, from time to time we’ll give you our views about the news and how it might affect your organization. As always, you’re welcome to give us your feedback and questions for the newsletter and blog articles at info@developmentessentials.us.
A Post to USAID Implementers: Get in the Game and Fight COVID-19!
by Chris O’Donnell, Development Essentials For the past few weeks US government foreign assistance funding and targeted countries continue to increase approaching $750 million and 100 most at-risk countries facing the threat of the global pandemic COVID-19. The funding also includes $110 from the International Disaster Assistance Account to provide protective services, water, sanitation and... ...
Seven Recommendations to Diversify USAID Partners
By Chris O’Donnell, April 16, 2019. With USAID’s launch of “Effective Partnering and Procurement Reform” including over 170 recommendations, USAID makes a priority—diversify implementing partners. Whether, commercial, non-governmental, small business, public international organization or local, USAID historically obligates a significant percentage of funding to a few organizations. While success begets success, can USAID take steps... ...
A USAID Debrief: Making It a Winning Opportunity
By Chris O’Donnell, April 8, 2019. It is never fun to lose a competition for a contract or grant after you’ve spent so much time, effort and cost on the bidding process. Adding to the misery is receiving limited information from the debrief. On the other hand, even if you win the award, what have... ...
USAID Launches New Security & Information Technology Requirements for Awards
By Chris O’Donnell, March 29, 2019. Initiating statutory rule-making, USAID on March 21, 2019 posted to the Federal Registry a proposed rule to add 7 new acquisition (AIDAR) clauses for contract solicitations and awards. Public comment is open for 60-days. USAID in the Federal Registry announcement states, if the rule is adopted, it would provide... ...
The Country Development Cooperation Strategy—USAID’s Compass on the Journey to Self-Reliance
By Chris O’Donnell, December 12, 2018 Celebrating Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery, I spent the day accompanying a Gold Star family, The Pittman’s from Mendocino County California, whose son Jesse, a Navy Seal was killed in Afghanistan when the Chinook helicopter that carried him and 29 other American troops was shot down. The Pittman’s... ...
USAID to Post “Reports to Congress” on Agency Website
By Chris O’Donnell, February 11, 2015. On December 16, 2014 the President signed into law the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act 2015, which includes language on development priorities (regions, countries and programs), directives and reports. Section 413(a) provides directives on reports to Congress. Any agency receiving funds, shall post on the public website of that agency any report required to... ...
USAID Obligations Posted on Improved USAspending.gov
By Chris O’Donnell, April 27, 2015. On March 31, 2015 the US Treasury Department launched improvements to the USAspending.gov website, the cornerstone of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006. The Act requires the full disclosure to the public of all entities or organizations receiving federal funds beginning in FY07. Data for USAspending.gov orginates from three main sources: prime recipient... ...
USAID’s 3rd Quarter Business Forecast Posted–USAID Invites Questions by the Public
By Chris O’Donnell, May 18, 2015. With 5 months remaining in FY15, USAID posted the 3rd Quarter Business Forecast on May 4, 2015. On June 3, 2015 (1:00-2:00pm, Eastern Standard Time) USAID will host a forecast review conference call to respond to questions submitted to ombudsman@usaid.gov by COB Tuesday May 19, 2015. Interested parties can register for the conference call at https: ...
USAID’s Small Business Forecast: What Information is Required?
By Chris O’Donnell, May 20, 2015. Originally referred to as the Small Business Forecast, it is codified in the 1988 Business Opportunity Development Reform Act Title V (Contract Planning: Goal Setting and Reviews Section 501(C)). Each executive agency reporting to the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) contract actions with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000,000 in fiscal year 1988, or any... ...
2016 is the Year of the USAID Small Business
By Chris O’Donnell, October 19, 2015. 2016 is the year of the USAID small business. The year will mark mandatory implementation and reporting of small business goals for domestic–as well as overseas acquisitions. While in 2015 USAID led the US government and voluntarily established small business goals for overseas acquisitions, they are now mandatory across the USG and included in the agency score card. Implementation combined... ...