USAID Heshimu Bahari is a five-year (2022-2027) project financed by USAID and implemented by Chemonics International and partners. The goal of the project is to strengthen the enabling environment and science-driven framework for sustainable marine protected areas (MPAs) and fisheries co-management in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, by Government, communities, and the private sector, through four integrated objectives:
- Collaborative network of resilient MPAs and no-take replenishment zones (NTRZs) expanded.
- Community co-management of MPAs/marine capture fisheries strengthened.
- Private sector investment in MPAs and marine capture fisheries co-management expanded.
- Integration of relevant science-to-MPA management improved.
Objective.
This announcement is a call for Request for Application (RFA) seeking to award a grant to an NGO, Civil Society Organization (CSOs) or Private firm to undertake a benthic ecological survey in nearshore waters along the northern coast of Tanzania Mainland. The objective of the activity is to generate systematic baseline data to incorporate into multi-parameter analysis for marine spatial planning to identify priority marine areas for protection and management.
Geography coverage and target.
The target area broadly covers the nine collaborative fisheries management areas (CFMAs) in nearshore waters of northern Tanzania Mainland, indicated by green-shaded areas. The area encompasses marine waters adjacent to Mkinga District, part of Tanga Municipality, Pangani District and Bagamoyo District, but excluding Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park (TACMP). The benthic ecological survey (BES) itself will be implemented between the high spring tide mark and the 50m sub-tidal depth contour within the above-mentioned areas.
Eligible Recipients:
- Applicants must be a registered company or non-governmental organization (NGO) formally constituted, recognized by and in good standing with appropriate authorities in the country in which the entity is registered, and compliant with all applicable civil and fiscal regulations.
- Applicants may only submit one application per prime organization under this RFA.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate successful past performance in implementation of marine benthic and/or other marine ecological research in nearshore waters in Tanzania Mainland or Zanzibar.
- Applicants should assemble an implementation team with the following minimum requirements:
- A Team Leader with: (a) a Master’s degree or PhD in marine science or related discipline; (b) significant demonstrable experience leading similar marine ecological research studies in Tanzania or similar nearshore marine environments in the Western Indian Ocean (WI0); (c) at least 10 years practical in-water field experience in marine benthic surveys and/or other nearshore marine ecological research; (d) significant demonstrable experience in marine survey data handling and analysis, and (e) significant demonstrable experience writing high-quality technical reports for international donors or organisations or other international audience;
- Field Unit Leaders (one for each field/boat team) with (a) a bachelor’s degree or higher in marine science or related discipline (b) significant demonstrable practical in-water field experience in marine benthic surveys and/or other nearshore marine ecological research; and (c) significant demonstrable experience in handheld GPS navigation and/or smartphone navigation applications
- Applicants must display sound management in the form of financial, administrative, and technical policies and procedures and present a system of internal controls that safeguard assets; protect against fraud, waste, and abuse; and support the achievement of program goals and objectives. USAID Heshimu Bahari will assess this capability prior to awarding a grant.
- For any grant award(s) resulting from this solicitation that is other than in-kind, equivalent to $25,000 USD or more, and has no anticipated sub-awards, grantees will be required to provide a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) at the time of award. If the applicant already has a UEI number, it should be included in their application. Otherwise, applicants will be expected to get a UEI number before an award is made. USAID Heshimu Bahari will assist successful applicants with this process.
- Faith-based and community groups will receive equal opportunity for funding in accordance with the mandated guidelines laid out in ADS 303.3.28 except for faith-based organizations whose objectives are for discriminatory and religious purposes, and whose main objective of the grant is of a religious nature.
Funding:
Benthic ecological survey grants for entire area will be awarded up to the maximum of $120,000 for the period of not more than seven (7) months
Application and Submission Information.
Interested agencies are invited to request for RFA through the mail address [email protected]
The deadline for submitting of Request for proposals is Apr 24th, 2023, 5.00 p.m. All interested agencies must submit their proposals in electronic version through [email protected] . with subject clearly marked RFA 1/2023.
Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of Heshimu Bahari, nor does it commit Heshimu Bahari to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, Heshimu Bahari reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications received and reserves the right to ask for further clarifications from the applicants.
