Request for Information (RFI) - Female Empowerment (FEMPOW) | 72051420RFI01

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72051420RFI01

The Request for Information (RFI) titled "Female Empowerment (FEMPOW)" is a market research and feedback-gathering notice issued by USAID/Colombia (USAID Bogota) under funding opportunity number 72051420RFI01. It is tied to a concept paper for the USAID/Colombia Female Empowerment activity, also referenced as Mujeres Poderosas, and it sits broadly within the community development space (CFDA 98.001). The purpose is to invite input from interested organizations and stakeholders on the attached concept paper so USAID can refine its thinking, assess feasible approaches, and better understand what potential implementers or partners see as workable, high-impact, or risky in the design.

This notice is not a grant competition or procurement action. USAID is explicit that the RFI is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), not a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and not a promise that any solicitation will follow. It also states the US Government will not pay any costs associated with preparing or submitting responses. In practical terms, the RFI is a structured way for USAID to gather comments before deciding whether and how to launch a future award or activity, and any effort an organization puts into responding is at its own expense.

USAID also emphasizes fairness and confidentiality. Submitting an RFI response will not provide any competitive advantage in a later solicitation, and it will not create an organizational conflict of interest. Responses are to be treated as confidential, and organizations should not expect USAID to reply individually to suggestions or comments. This is important for respondents to understand because the value of participating is mainly indirect: influencing the eventual shape of a program design, clarifying what the market can realistically deliver, and flagging implementation considerations that USAID may incorporate.

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning USAID is open to hearing from a wide range of entities rather than limiting the request to a narrow category of organizations. The funding instrument type is labeled "Other" within the announcement metadata, which reinforces that this is not a conventional solicitation at this stage. The listing includes an award ceiling of $35,000,000, which signals the potential scale USAID is considering for the FEMPOW activity if it proceeds to a formal funding or procurement process, though the RFI itself does not commit funds or confirm that an award will be made. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided data.

The submission instructions are designed to keep responses focused and easy to review. USAID asks respondents to strictly limit input to the questions in the RFI and to comments and suggestions on the concept paper, rather than submitting broad marketing material or unrelated organizational information. Responses should be no more than three pages, written in English, and formatted in 11-point font. USAID also notes that not all questions must be answered, which gives respondents flexibility to address the areas where they have the strongest experience or most useful insights without forcing a full, exhaustive response.

Key administrative details include an original closing date of May 18, 2020, and a creation date of April 24, 2020. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an invitation to shape a potential USAID/Colombia female empowerment initiative by offering practical, field-informed feedback on the draft concept, while recognizing that there is no immediate application, no guaranteed next step, and no direct benefit or response promised to any individual respondent.

• The Colombia USAID-Bogota in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information (RFI) - Female Empowerment (FEMPOW)" 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 2020-04-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-18. (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 $35,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for 72051420RFI01

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