Land O’Lakes Request for Applications (RFA) Number LINQ-RFA 001

Lebanon Investment in Quality (LINQ) is a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded program, implemented by Land O’Lakes International Development, that aims to increase the competitiveness and productivity of value-added agri-businesses in Lebanon through investments in improved technology, food safety, quality assurance, marketing and branding. LINQ will also enhance access to finance for infrastructure upgrades essential to improve competitiveness, ultimately leading to increased income and job creation.   

LINQ is seeking Concept Notes from agri-business enterprises in Lebanon that are looking to grow ad innovate. Applicants are invited to propose activities that help take their business to the next level, through adopting new investments that increase production and energy efficiency, improve food product quality and safety, introduce innovative products, facilitate access to new markets, or revamp product design or packaging.  Interested businesses must commit to invest capital or financing, with an average of 30-50% cost-share value requested from LINQ, to demonstrate their commitment to the objectives of the project.

Application instructions

This RFA invites business applicants to develop a Concept Note that provides a basic outline of their business plan for growth. The required Concept Note format is included as Attachment A in the attached full document and may also be obtained by email request to [email protected] or by contacting LINQ offices.

The Concept Note format consists of three sections:

    1. Applicant Profile
    2. Description of Current Business Organization - standardized form about the business
    3. Concept Note - Description of Investment Opportunity – a written description (not to exceed 8 pages) of the business idea, the target market, the goals and objectives, the strategy followed, the intended outcomes/results, the list of activities to reach these outcomes, their duration, and the budget estimates including co-financing provided by the business and the investment, if any, requested from LINQ.

In addition, the following supporting documents must be submitted with the Concept Note:

  • Business Registration.
  • Proof of ownership, rights, or access to land required, such as a copy of deed or lease agreement.

Applicants may attach additional information or data that will substantiate and strengthen the application and Concept Note for the proposed business venture.

LINQ is accepting Concept Note Applications on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to submit concept notes as early as possible. Concept Note review will commence upon receipt.  Applications submitted after the closing date, February 15, 2019, will not be considered.

For those concepts that meet the evaluation criteria above, LINQ representatives will schedule a visit to the business location and proposed project site(s).

 

On or before March 14, 2019, LINQ will inform all applicants whether their Concept Note has been approved. Partners who have been selected as potential grantees will be required to prepare a detailed business plan within one month of notification and will be supported in this process by the LINQ team. Subject to approval by USAID, the selected business will enter into a formal written Sub-award (Grant) Agreement with LINQ.

Concept Note Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate and score all complete Concept Notes, targeting investment grant packages, received by the Closing Date of the RFA:

  1. Potential Impact
  2. Viability and Sustainability
  3. Feasibility
  4. Additionality
  5. Scalability
  6. Women’s inclusion and promotion
  7. Employment creation
  8. Environmental impact

How to apply

The Concept Note and required supporting documents should be submitted electronically (in MS-Word or PDF file format) via email by the closing date and time deadline via email to [email protected] as specified in the Request for Application (RFA).

Formats for projected financial statements and information on new employment opportunities to be created are provided in MS Excel file format with the RFA documents.

The full RFA, including the application, and all terms and conditions is available by downloading the document attached. This RFA is valid until February 15, 2019.

IMPORTANT: LINQ does not guarantee that a Concept Note or Application will be funded until a final written approval is issued by USAID.  Land O’Lakes reserves the right to fund any or none of the submissions. Any investment or expenditure made by a prospective business partner prior to official execution of a USAID LINQ grant agreement is solely and entirely at the investor's own risk.

Expired
Deadline
Saturday, 23. Feb 2019
Type of Call
Call for Applications
Intervention Sector(s):
Agriculture, Development