British Embassy Asunción: call for bids 2020/2021 – COVID-19

The British Embassy in Asunción is now accepting project proposals for the 2020/2021 financial year (1 July 2020 – 30 November 2020). Deadline for submission of proposals is Monday 1 June 2020 (until midnight, Paraguay time).

Call for bids

This year, the British Embassy will run a competitive bidding process seeking to support projects and activities that deliver real and measurable outcomes in support of Paraguay’s efforts to cope with COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Interested partners are invited to present project proposals addressing and mitigating the health (incl. mental health), social, legislative, economic, and environmental impacts of COVID-19.

All expenditures must qualify as Official Development Assistance (ODA), as defined by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and have the promotion of welfare of the people of Paraguay as the main objective.

Who may bid? Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible, your organisation or agency must be a legal entity, not-for-profit or commercial company, a registered non-governmental (NGO) or governmental organisation, academia, research institutions, and must demonstrate:

• proof of legal registration
• previous experience in delivering and managing projects
• preferably previous experience working with international agencies/organisations

How to bid

Proposals should be sent by email using the attached forms to UKinParaguay@fco.gov.uk no later than Monday 1 May June (until midnight, Paraguay time). In the subject line of the email, please indicate “Project Bid_[NAME OF ORGANISATION]_[PROJECT TITLE]”.

Project bid guidance

• Projects are funded under a reimbursement scheme for a single financial year running from 1 July 2020 to 30 November 2020, with no expectations of continued funding beyond this period.
• Maximum budget per project is PYG 220,000,000 or its equivalent in USD.
• Please note that proposals near maximum can be considered.
• Each institution may submit up to a maximum of 1 proposal.
• Proposals forms can be filled in English or Spanish

Project assessment

Project bids will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Alignment with the aforementioned thematic area (COVID-19)
• Achievable outcomes within the funding period and sustainability after the funding ends
• Clear project design which includes monitoring and evaluation procedures
• Identified risks and planned mitigation
• The organisation’s safeguarding policies that ensure protection of beneficiaries
• Demonstrated value for money in the Activity Based Budget (ABB)
• Innovative projects and organisations are encouraged to participate.
• We strongly advise potential implementers to avoid focusing their approach on the purchase of goods (furniture, personal protective equipment, medical supplies)

Process

• Ensure that the Activity Based Budget (ABB) is in the same currency as the bank account where funds reimbursements are to be received. Use the Excel template provided below
• Proposals must be received before midnight on 1 June 2020 (Paraguay time). All proposals received in a different format or means to the one requested and/or submitted after the set date and time will not be considered
• Proposals selected for further consideration and due diligence information will be notified by 17 June 2020.
• The British Embassy in Asuncion aims to sign grant agreements with successful implementers between 23 and 26 June 2020.
• Due to the high number of bids we receive, we are unable to provide detailed feedback to unsuccessful bids

Indicative timetable

Additional information and documentation

All implementers will be expected to sign a standard FCO contract or grant agreement with the Embassy. The terms of the contract or agreement are not negotiable.