Costa Rica and Nicaragua: call for bids to support COVID-19 response

Background

The UK Government recognises that the world is facing its largest public health emergency in a generation. Challenges of this nature require a collaborative and coordinated response. The British Embassy in San Jose is committed to working with interested government agencies, civil society organisations, research-based institutions and multilateral partners to support this global effort.

We are particularly interested in short-term projects and one-off activities that aim to deliver concrete and measurable outcomes in the following areas:

1. Preventing the spread and mitigating the impacts of COVID-19
2. Supporting the socio-economic development of groups most affected by the pandemic, such as women, children, migrants and people with disabilities
3. Tackling misinformation around COVID-19
4. Contributing to the global health response, including supporting science-based innovation and the search for new treatments

Exceptions

We are interested in receiving a range of proposals that fit these objectives. However, we are unable to support proposals that include:

• procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), oxygen-related equipment (e.g. ventilators and respirators), diagnostic tests/materials and COVID-19-related medicines
• purchase of IT and other equipment
• direct cash transfers to vulnerable individuals or families

Project and activity proposals should have sustainable outcomes that clearly identify the change they expect to deliver. Bids should also highlight how they complement work being done at the national level to address the impact of the pandemic.

Project and activity bid guidance

Projects are expected to have a duration of no more than 8 months and to be completed before the end of March 2021, with no expectation of continued funding beyond this period. Activities are one-off interventions that take place at a specific time before the end of March 2021. The maximum funding for projects and activities is US$20,000.

Assessment

Bids will be assessed against the following criteria:

• alignment with the above mentioned priorities
• outcomes are achievable within the funding period
• project design includes clear monitoring and evaluation procedures, as well as risk and financial accountability procedures
• evidence of sustainability – demonstrating that project benefits continue after the funding ends
• the organisation’s safeguarding policies ensure protection of beneficiaries
• feasibility of project delivery under current circumstances
• administration costs for delivering a project should not exceed 10% of the total project budget
• overall value for money
• All projects are expected to have achieved 85% spend by end December 2020.

Bidding process

Proposals must be submitted using the relevant bid form and activity based budget template provided below.

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.

All proposals must be received by midnight on 15 July 2020. Late proposals will not be considered. Proposals must be submitted to Denise.Lewis@fco.gov.uk

Successful bidders will be notified by 29 July 2020.