USAID/KEA Call for Grant Application: Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Kenya

USAID Kenya and East Africa (KEA) seeks applications for funding for upto two awards to support recipients in implementing a program entitled “Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)” with an aim to improve welfare and protection of children affected by HIV/AIDS in the target counties.

Implementation Geographical Areas

The Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program will be implemented in the following counties: One award for Nyanza and Western and part of Rift Valley in the following counties : Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Homabay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nandi, Nyamira, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and West Pokot. One award for Central and Eastern and part of Rift Valley in the following counties: Baringo, Embu, Kajiado, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kitui, Laikipia, Machakos, Makueni, Meru, Murang’a, Nakuru, Narok, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Samburu, Tharaka Nithi and Turkana.

The two programs are intended to provide OVC interventions that ensure children remain: AIDS free, healthy, safe, stable and schooled. They should maximize opportunities through effective integration across the continuum of prevention, mitigation, care and treatment services for children, adolescents and their families.

Increasing access to comprehensive services will require that referral networks/systems and linkages between communities and facilities be established and/or strengthened to ensure that all OVC and their families have access to the broad array of health and social services within focus counties.

Goals / Purpose

• Increased access to health and social services for OVC and their families.
• Strengthened capacity of households and communities to protect and care for OVC.
• Strengthened child welfare and protection structures and systems for effective responses in targeted counties.

Funding Information

• Subject to funding availability, USAID intends to provide $101 million in total funding.
• This funding will be distributed through two (2) cooperative agreements.
• The intended ceiling for Award 1 “Nyanza and Western and part of Rift Valley” is $64 million and $37 million for Award 2 for Central and Eastern and part of Rift Valley over a five (5) years period. Actual funding amounts are subject to availability of funds.
• The period of performance anticipated herein is 5 year period.
• The estimated start date will be upon the signature of the award, on or about February/March 2017.

Program Priorities

• Promote county and community ownership, working directly with local organizations in order to build their capacity to effectively implement case management systems and institutionalize quality service delivery.
• Target the sub-national level, including with the County and Sub-county Department of Children Services (DCS) to improve service delivery for OVC and their households.
• Build on other USG and non-USG funded social-economic programs focused on vulnerable children, adolescents and caregivers.
• Leverage resources through strategic partnerships with the public and private sectors.
• Ensure timely reporting of achievements into national reporting systems.

Eligibility Criteria

• >U.S. and non-US organizations may participate.

• Applicants must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations.

• The successful applicant(s) will be subject to a responsibility determination assessment (Pre-award Survey) by the Agreement Officer (AO).

• The Recipient must be a responsible entity.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit their applications at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit grants.gov.

Deadline: 7th October 2016