I. Background
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peace building.
CRS is actively positioning for multiple USAID contracts around the world. A critical part of preparing and implementing successful USAID contracts has been identified as building out a Grants under Contracts (GUC) Manual and related policies and procedures. As such, CRS is seeking a consultant to support in identifying any current gaps in our policies and procedures with a focus on CRS developing a Grants Under Contract (GUC) process compliant with United States government (USG) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts related rules and regulations.
II. Objective
The consultant will collaborate with various stakeholders within CRS including the Institutional
Development and Advancement (IDEA) Contracts Support Unit, Regional office operations staff, Country Program staff, and other headquarters staff to determine if CRS’ current grant-making policies, procedures, and processes are compliant with USG and USAID requirements. The consultant will identify existing gaps and provide guidance and suggested actions that should be taken to fill identified gaps, with the ultimate goal being alignment between CRS policies and procedures and USG/USAID requirements that will allow CRS to successfully develop a compliant GUC manual as well as manage GUCs during implementation.
III. Activities
1. The consultant will lead a review of current CRS grant making policies, procedures, and processes, and existing GUC manual template. This will include a desk review of written documents (policies, guidance) as well as interviews with key stakeholders within CRS.
2. The consultant will write a report detailing specific gaps in policy and procedure that need to be
addressed by CRS to ensure compliance with USG/USAID requirements. This report should include
gaps identified, suggested next steps to close those gaps, and any additional information that the
consultant deems necessary to ensure compliance with USG/USAID requirement.
3. In close collaboration with the IDEA Contracts Support Unit, develop written best practices/guidance to support CRS efforts to effectively manage the GUC process during implementation.
This document should include, but is not limited to, the following:
• Grantee eligibility requirements
• Managing grant application and award processes
• Coordinating with USAID on grantee selection process
• Methods and tools to track grants disbursed along with monitoring and measurement of
grantee performance.
• Termination/suspension of grants
• DRAFT RACI matrix detailing who within CRS is responsible, accountable, consulted, and
informed during the GUC process. Final version to be completed by CRS.
IV. Timeline and Anticipated Level of Effort
The consultancy will start in December 2024 and end in January 2025.
Consultant will deliver the following:
1. Written report detailing gaps in current CRS policy, procedure, processes, and templates along
with suggested steps to address gaps.
2. Written documents (in agreed upon format) covering best practices/guidance on managing
GUCs during implementation.
3. PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of the findings of the consultancy, suggested
next steps, and any other information required.
V. Place of Performance
Travel to CRS headquarters is not currently anticipated as being necessary for the performance of
this consultancy. However, the consultant should bid all costs that they believe are required to
successfully implement the scope of work.
VI. Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s degree in business, law, international development, or a related field.
2. Demonstrated experience managing a USAID Grants Under Contract program.
3. Expert knowledge of FAR, AIDAR, and 2 CFR 200.
4. Experience developing policies and procedures for organizations receiving USAID acquisition
funding, especially in the area of USAID management of Grants Under Contract.
VII. Application Components
1. Cover letter, which describes a brief summary of approach that demonstrates qualifications in
undertaking the Scope of Work. This summary should highlight how the applicant will complete the
deliverables.
a. The cover letter should also include the completion of the table found under Section IV.
Timeline and Anticipated Level of Effort. (Document cannot exceed 3 pages single-spaced.)
2. Compensation rate per day, level of effort, and total cost.
3. Resume/ CV.
4. Contact information for three professional references, with the following details about the
references: (a) name, (b) position, (c) company, (d) phone number, (e) email address, and (f) city,
state, country
5. Applicants are encouraged to submit samples of previous relevant work.
6. Completion of Annex A
VIII. Clarification Questions and CRS Response
Prospective bidders may submit any clarification questions to lauren.hamdy@crs.org, no later than
11:59 PM EDT on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. The solicitation name “US9046.10.2024 Compliance Review- Grants under Contract” must be included in the Email Subject Line. Responses will be provided to any known prospective bidders on Friday, November 8, 2024.
IX. Proposal Deadline
All proposals must be sent to lauren.hamdy@crs.org no later than 11:59 PM EDT on Friday, November 15, 2024. The solicitation name “US9046.10.2024 Compliance Review- Grants under Contract” must be included in the subject line.
Please visit our website https://www.crs.org/about/bid-opportunity for attachments.
