Opportunity Information: Apply for 72048619RFI00001
This opportunity is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), specifically the Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) based in Bangkok, Thailand. It is titled "USAID Laos Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship" and carries the reference and opportunity number 72048619RFI00001. The RFI was released on November 9, 2018, with responses due by December 12, 2018 at 4:00 PM Bangkok local time. Rather than being a traditional grant solicitation, this notice is part of USAID's early planning process to gather input that will help design a future activity aimed at strengthening business innovation and entrepreneurship in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
The central purpose of the RFI is to collect ideas, practical recommendations, and on-the-ground perspectives from individuals and organizations that have relevant experience or insight into entrepreneurship, private sector development, innovation ecosystems, and related business enabling conditions in Laos. USAID indicates it is seeking responses to specific questions included in the RFI (not reproduced in the text provided), and it invites interested parties to respond to any or all of those questions. In other words, responses can be selective and tailored to a respondent's expertise, rather than needing to cover everything.
A key point is that USAID is not requesting proposals, budgets, or technical applications at this stage. This is not a competitive funding round and it is not an application for an award. The RFI is voluntary, and it is meant to inform USAID's strategy and program design for potential future work in the innovation and entrepreneurship space in Lao PDR. Because it is only an information-gathering exercise, there is no award ceiling listed (shown as 0) and no expected number of awards is specified.
The notice also makes clear that the RFI does not create any obligation on the U.S. Government to make an award, fund a project, or pay for any costs respondents incur while preparing their input. Any follow-on opportunities that might emerge from this planning process would be announced separately at a later date through official channels such as fbo.gov (the legacy federal procurement site referenced at the time) or grants.gov. The eligible applicants field is listed as "Unrestricted," which signals that USAID was open to hearing from a wide range of potential stakeholders, including private firms, nonprofits, academic institutions, investors, accelerators, and individual experts.
Administratively, the opportunity is categorized under "Other" for both opportunity category and funding instrument type, and it falls under a business and commerce activity category. It is associated with CFDA number 98.001, a broad USAID foreign assistance listing. The RFI is signed by William Sedlak, Regional Agreement/Contracting Officer at USAID/RDMA in Bangkok. Overall, the notice should be read as an invitation to shape an upcoming USAID initiative in Laos focused on building a stronger environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, rather than as a call to submit a funded project proposal.Apply for 72048619RFI00001
- The Thailand USAID-Bangkok in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "USAID Laos Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-11-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-12-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): USAID Laos Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RFI)
What is this opportunity?
This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), issued by USAID's Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) in Bangkok, Thailand. The RFI is titled "USAID Laos Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship" and is intended to gather input to help USAID design a future activity in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) focused on strengthening business innovation and entrepreneurship.
Is this a grant application or a funding opportunity?
No. This is not a traditional grant solicitation and not an application for an award. USAID is not requesting proposals, budgets, or technical applications under this RFI. It is an early-stage information-gathering step meant to inform future program design.
What is the reference/opportunity number for this RFI?
The reference and opportunity number is 72048619RFI00001.
Who is issuing the RFI?
The RFI is issued by USAID's Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA), based in Bangkok, Thailand.
What is the title of the RFI?
The title is "USAID Laos Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship."
What country or region is the RFI focused on?
The RFI is focused on the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), specifically on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the business enabling environment in Laos.
What is USAID trying to learn or collect through this RFI?
USAID is seeking ideas, practical recommendations, and on-the-ground perspectives from people and organizations with relevant insight into entrepreneurship, private sector development, innovation ecosystems, and business enabling conditions in Laos. The goal is to use this input to shape the design of a potential future USAID activity.
Do responses have to address every question in the RFI?
No. Respondents are invited to respond to any or all of the questions included in the RFI. Responses can be selective and tailored to the respondent's experience and expertise.
When was the RFI released?
The RFI was released on November 9, 2018.
When were responses due?
Responses were due by December 12, 2018 at 4:00 PM Bangkok local time.
Is participation mandatory?
No. Participation is voluntary. The RFI is a request for input and does not require anyone to respond.
Who is eligible to respond?
The eligible applicants field is listed as "Unrestricted," meaning USAID was open to hearing from a wide range of stakeholders. This can include private firms, nonprofits, academic institutions, investors, accelerators, and individual experts, among others.
Is USAID selecting winners or making awards based on RFI responses?
No. This RFI is not a competitive funding round. USAID is not making awards from RFI responses; the purpose is to inform planning and design for possible future work.
Is there an award ceiling or a specified funding amount?
No. Because this is only an information request and not a funding solicitation, there is no award ceiling listed (shown as 0) and no expected number of awards specified.
Will USAID reimburse the costs of preparing or submitting an RFI response?
No. The notice states that the U.S. Government is not obligated to pay for any costs respondents incur in preparing their input.
Does responding to the RFI guarantee future funding or an award?
No. The RFI does not create any obligation on the U.S. Government to make an award, fund a project, or proceed with any specific activity.
Where would future related opportunities be announced if USAID decides to move forward?
Any follow-on opportunities would be announced separately at a later date through official channels such as fbo.gov (the legacy federal procurement site referenced at the time) or grants.gov.
How is this opportunity categorized by USAID?
The opportunity is categorized under "Other" for both the opportunity category and the funding instrument type. It is associated with a business and commerce activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this notice?
The RFI is associated with CFDA number 98.001, a broad USAID foreign assistance listing.
Who signed the RFI?
The RFI is signed by William Sedlak, Regional Agreement/Contracting Officer at USAID/RDMA in Bangkok.
What is the main takeaway for organizations that usually look for grants?
The key point is that this notice is an invitation to share insights that could shape a future USAID initiative in Laos. It should not be treated as a call to submit a funded project proposal, and it is not the stage where budgets, formal applications, or award decisions are being requested or made.
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