World news story

Nicaragua Bilateral Prosperity Fund: Call for Bids 2016

The call for bids for the Bilateral Prosperity Fund is now open.

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

Overview

The Bilateral Prosperity Fund will seek to create the right conditions for growth in Nicaragua, seeking to deliver real, measurable outcomes in support of development in the country. Our priorities for this fund are to improve business in human rights, including components such as corporate social responsibility, and to strengthen infrastructure development. Over time we expect these reforms to create opportunities for international companies, including UK companies.

Project bids

Typical projects should range in value between £5,000 and £10,000 (with a minimum bid size of £5,000) and should aim to work with organisations from the government, civil society and the private sector. Projects must be completed by 31st December 2016.

Official Development Assistance (ODA)

All expenditures must qualify as ODA. Official Development Assistance (ODA) is a term created by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to measure aid. ODA should be undertaken by the official sector (official agencies, including state and local governments, or their executive agencies) and has promotion of economic development and welfare as the main objective.

Regional Bids

There is scope for regional/multi-country work with other countries in Central America, and bids that include a multi-country aspect will also be considered; this can be either a project that includes impacts in two or more countries OR a project in one country that not only clearly shows how it can be replicated in the region but has activities designed to take that forward in some way; these bids will require support from all relevant embassies. Please contact Panama.Prosperity@fco.gov.uk before submitting a regional bid.

Priorities

We are looking for projects which will improve business in human rights, and also strengthen infrastructure development.

How to bid: General Guidance on Project Proposals

Bidding Process

The bidding process is in two stages: a concept bid and full bid stage.

Concept Bid

  • Only bids approved through the concept stage will be considered for full bids. Implementers will be advised if a concept bid has been accepted and called to present a full bid.
  • The project proposal in the concept bid form should be submitted in English with the title “Nicaragua Bilateral Prosperity Fund 2016: XXX name of the implementer”, to Nicaragua.Prosperity@fco.gov.uk . Deadline to submit concept bids is 8 June 2016.

Full Bid

  • Those bids agreed by the Board at the Concept stage will be invited to submit a full bid. The project proposal in the bid form (including an Activity Based Budget) should be submitted in English with the title “Nicaragua Bilateral Prosperity Fund 2016: XXX name of the implementer”, to Nicaragua.Prosperity@fco.gov.uk . Deadline for submission is 20 June 2016.

More information and documents

  • The FCO will sign a standard grant contract with all successful bidders. The terms of the contract and standard grant agreement are not negotiable. The Grant Contract form and other documents can be found below.
  • Please read all guidance and ensure that project proposals are designed and submitted in accordance with it. Proposals that do not meet the criteria and guidance will be rejected.
  1. Grant Contract Form Grant Contract Short Form (MS Word Document, 171 KB)
  2. Project Concept Bid Form Project Concept Form (MS Word Document, 56 KB)
  3. Guidance for completing the Project Concept Bid Form Guidance for completing the Concept Bid Form (MS Word Document, 54.1 KB)
  4. Project Proposal Form (under £10K) Project Proposal Form (under £10K) (MS Word Document, 210 KB)
  5. Activity Based Budget Activity Based Budget template (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 42 KB)

Timeline 2016

Dates Activity
25 May 2016 Announce request for submission of Concept Bids
8 June 2016 Deadline for Implementers to submit Concept Bids
10 June 2016 Post Board Meeting
13 June 2016 Post notification to Implementers announcing results of Concept Bids
20 June 2016 Deadline for Implementers to submit Full Bids (including a final Activity Based Budget)
30 June 2016 Post notification to Implementers announcing results of bidding round
10 July 2016 Contracts and financial arrangements completed
15 July 2016 Planned Start of Projects
31 December 2016 All projects to be completed

Updates to this page

Published 25 May 2016