As the Biden Administration draws to a close, what will be Samantha Power’s legacy as the head of USAID? On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Administrator Power took the stage at the Center for Global Development to tackle important geopolitical and development issues, while highlighting how USAID has adapted to meet these challenges head-on. Tune in … [Read more…]
It looks like Trump is gearing up to bring back the global gag rule (PLGHA), which cuts off funding to foreign NGOs if they engage in any abortion-related activities, even when those services are funded from non-U.S. sources. During his first term, Trump expanded this policy to encompass all U.S. global health assistance. As the … [Read more…]
While USAID and the US federal government have been supportive of Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements (NICRAs), many other donors (World Bank, Gates Foundation, etc.) impose caps on indirect cost rates or restrict reimbursement for administrative support. They think doing so allows more funds to flow directly to beneficiaries. However, what these donors often overlook … [Read more…]
Mandatory Reference for ADS Chapter 303 Full Revision Date: 08/08/2024Responsible Office: M/OAAFile Name: 303maz_080824 Overview This mandatory reference provides guidance to Agreement Officers (AOs) and Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs) on the requirements for applicants, recipients, and first-tier subrecipients of USAID assistance regarding Unique Entity Identifiers (UEIs), System for Award Management (SAM) registration, as well as … [Read more…]
IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE REQUIREMENTS, DON’T TAKE THE MONEY! These revisions pertain solely to assistance awards (cooperative agreements, grants) and is not applicable to acquisition awards (contracts). How did we get there?December 26, 2013 – The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued final guidance titled “Uniform Guidance”April 22, 2024 OMB Issued the latest … [Read more…]
USAID has issued a final rule amending its acquisition regulation to incorporate a new contract clause related to information security and IT resources that support the agency’s operations and assets. The revisions to the USAID Acquisition Regulation, or AIDAR, is in effect since May 20 to provide increased oversight and management of contractors providing IT … [Read more…]
On March 20, 2024, USAID published the “Security and Information Technology Requirements” final rule in the Federal Register. This final rule incorporates feedback from public comments in response to its predecessor proposed rule. The final rule includes a summary of comments received from the public, USAID’s responses, and changes made to the clauses as a … [Read more…]
USAID is leaning into artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to enhance the Agency’s ability to carry out its foreign assistance mandate around the world. According to the Agency, “promising applications funded by USAID are proliferating across various geographies and sectors, including agriculture, health and infectious diseases, civic spaces and democracy, education … and … [Read more…]
USAID announced that WorkwithUSAID.gov is now available in Spanish and French, expanding accessibility to the website’s valuable resources for new and potential partner organizations in more of the countries where USAID works. Through WorkwithUSAID.gov, USAID has created a platform to enable new, local, U.S.-based, and nontraditional partners to learn how to engage with, or become … [Read more…]
“In December 2023, I rejoined USAID as the Agency’s Senior Procurement Executive and the Director of the Management Bureau’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance (M/OAA). Having been part of the USAID Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) family before, I know firsthand the incredible work and commitment of our A&A workforce, and I also know the pressures … [Read more…]