The United States Agency for International Development in Vietnam (USAID/Vietnam) is seeking applications from qualified entities to implement the “USAID Counter Wildlife Trafficking” activity.

Objectives

To help Vietnam control and stop the current increasingly serious situation of wildlife trafficking, USAID will invest in a new activity to increase Vietnam leadership in countering wildlife trafficking through enhancing the commitment of Government of Vietnam (GVN) leaders at the national and provincial level and reducing demand and consumption of illegal wildlife products.

The Objectives of this activity are to:

• Engage and develop political and local champions to address CWT
• Strengthen law enforcement
• Reduce consumer demand

The objectives are intended to contribute to the following higher level outcomes: increased arrests and prosecutions for illegal wildlife trafficking and reduced consumer demand for illegal wildlife products.

Activity Focus

In order to prioritize activity resources to achieve the expected results, the scope of this activity is limited to targeted species and geography. The primary biodiversity targets include: African rhinos, African and Asian elephants, pangolins and big cats that are commonly trafficked and traded from abroad into Vietnam. In addition, the Activity also includes the wildlife species that are regularly poached and traded domestically and internationally such as primates, muntjacs, and big cats, etc. Pangolins are potentially sourced within the country, but are mostly trafficked through and destined for Vietnam from elsewhere. Although the primary activity focus will be African species, activities will benefit a variety of African and Asian species through a general improvement of policy and governance, law enforcement, and a reduction in consumer demand.

Funding Information

• USAID intends to provide up to US $15,000,000 in total USAID funding.
• The period of performance anticipated herein is five years, starting from [actual date to be filled in at the time of award].

Geographic Focus

This is a nation-wide Activity and project activities are designed for both national and local levels. At the beginning, the Recipient will focus its effort on provinces and cities which are considered hot spots. In principle, the project locations will include:

• Places where local authorities have high commitment and will likely prioritize combating trafficking.
• Places where wildlife species and wildlife products are illegally trafficked, and consumed such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and possibly other cities and provinces nationwide.
• Areas through which focal species are trafficked or sold such as airports, seaports, and specific land borders and markets that sell wildlife and wildlife products.

Eligibility Criteria

• While for-profit firms may participate, pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400(g), it is USAID policy not to award profit to prime recipients and subrecipients under assistance instruments. However, while profit is not allowed for sub-awards, the prohibition does not apply when the recipient acquires goods and services in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 -326.
• Each applicant must be found to be a responsible entity before receiving an award. The Agreement Officer (AO) may determine that a pre-award survey is required in accordance with ADS 303.3.9.1 to determine whether the applicant has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. Applicants who do not currently meet all USAID requirements for systems and controls may still be eligible under special award considerations and should not be discouraged from applying. USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. The prime recipient is encouraged to promote involvement of “underutilized” partners and local organizations in the implementation of this activity.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.