Improving Health Status and Human Capital in Senegal | 72068521APS00001

FAQs: USAID/Senegal - Improving Health Status and Human Capital in Senegal (72068521APS00001)

1) What is the title of this USAID/Senegal funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Improving Health Status and Human Capital in Senegal."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 72068521APS00001.

3) What type of funding announcement is this?

This is an Annual Program Statement (APS). It is structured as an umbrella funding framework that sets overall context, principles, evaluation approach, and required submission materials, with component programs beneath it that include component-specific objectives and requirements.

4) What does it mean that this APS is an "umbrella" APS?

It means the APS provides the overarching program goals and application rules, while the detailed programming is organized into separate component programs (with annexes) that specify objectives, expected results, and requirements (including funding ceilings) for each component.

5) What is USAID trying to achieve through this opportunity?

The APS is intended to advance USAID-Dakar's Health, Population, and Nutrition (HPN) portfolio goals over FY 2021 through FY 2026 by improving health status and strengthening human capital in Senegal through coordinated investments.

6) Over what time period is this APS intended to support activities?

The APS is designed to support a portfolio of activities across FY 2021 through FY 2026.

7) Is this meant to fund one project or multiple activities?

It is designed to finance one or multiple cooperative agreements that together advance USAID-Dakar's HPN goals. The structure signals a coordinated portfolio approach rather than a single narrow project.

8) What award mechanism will USAID use?

The opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism.

9) What does a cooperative agreement imply for implementation?

A cooperative agreement implies USAID anticipates substantial involvement during implementation, such as collaboration on technical direction, monitoring, or coordination.

10) Is this a discretionary award?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary award.

11) Who is the originating office for this opportunity?

The originating office is USAID-Dakar.

12) What is the total award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The award ceiling is $88,000,000.

13) Does the award ceiling mean one applicant can receive the full $88,000,000?

The information provided describes a potentially large, multi-award portfolio under the APS (not necessarily a single award). The $88,000,000 ceiling reflects the overall scale of the opportunity as presented.

14) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 98.001.

15) What is the funding activity category?

The opportunity falls under the health funding activity category.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is open broadly to qualified organizations.

17) What is the closing date listed for the opportunity?

The original closing date listed is October 25, 2021.

18) How is the program organized?

The APS includes three distinct component programs (with additional annexes). Each component includes its own objectives, expected results, and requirements, including funding ceilings.

19) Can an applicant propose work under more than one component?

Yes. The structure signals that applicants may propose work under one or more components.

20) What does USAID appear to be looking for in applicants?

Based on the APS structure, USAID appears to be looking for partners that can contribute to a coordinated health and human-capital portfolio aligned with USAID strategic results for Senegal, rather than isolated interventions.

21) What is Component 1 focused on?

Component 1 focuses on central-level health systems strengthening, targeting national systems and functions managed at the Ministry of Health level.

22) What kinds of areas does Component 1 generally cover?

Component 1 is described as aiming to improve core health system building blocks that affect nationwide performance. Examples mentioned include governance and stewardship, policy and planning, national supply and logistics approaches, health information and data use, quality standards, financing-related functions, and other cross-cutting mechanisms that support consistent service delivery across the country.

23) What is the rationale for investing in central-level systems under Component 1?

The logic stated is that strengthening national systems improves scale, sustainability, and alignment across regions and districts.

24) What is Component 2 focused on?

Component 2 is centered on integrated district health and provides comprehensive support to health districts in specific priority regions.

25) Which regions are prioritized under Component 2?

Component 2 targets five priority regions: Diourbel, Kolda, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, and Kedougou.

26) What does "integrated district health" suggest in this APS?

It suggests an emphasis on coordinated service delivery and management at the district level, where planning, supervision, community engagement, and routine services connect.

27) What types of district-level improvements are implied under Component 2?

The description points to strengthening practical frontline performance through approaches such as capacity building, supportive supervision, data-driven management, and improved connections between facilities, communities, and referral systems.

28) What is Component 3 focused on?

Component 3 targets urban health, tailored to marginalized and underserved districts in the Dakar Region.

29) Which technical areas are explicitly highlighted under Component 3?

Component 3 focuses on improving outcomes in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH); family planning (FP); malaria (M); nutrition (N); and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

30) Why does the APS treat urban health as its own component?

The description indicates that barriers in dense urban settings can differ from rural contexts, including inequities within cities, mobility, informal settlements, service congestion, and WASH gaps that affect health. Component 3 indicates interest in approaches designed specifically for urban systems and populations.

31) Is Component 3 just rural programming moved into a city context?

No. The APS framing suggests USAID is looking for approaches designed specifically for urban contexts, not simply adapting rural programming.

32) What is the overall approach of the APS across all components?

Overall, the APS combines national-level system strengthening (Component 1), intensive district support in selected regions (Component 2), and targeted urban interventions in Dakar addressing RMNCAH, family planning, malaria, nutrition, and WASH (Component 3).

33) What kinds of application materials and evaluation criteria apply?

The APS umbrella is described as laying out guiding principles, how applications will be evaluated, and what submission materials are required. Component annexes then add component-specific objectives and requirements.

34) Is this opportunity designed for narrow, single-topic projects?

The description suggests the opposite: it is meant to support a set of related health and human-capital investments over several years, aligned with USAID strategic results for Senegal.

35) How does this APS link health outcomes and human capital?

Based on the description, the APS frames improvements in health status and health system performance as key drivers of stronger human capital, implemented through multi-level investments (national systems, district service delivery, and urban-focused interventions).