The Horticultural Advancement Activity (THAzA)

INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI)

The objective of this EoI is to evaluate the qualifications of interested applicants and select pre-
qualified applicants that have the potential to be grant recipients. This is an initial screening and
pre-qualification does not imply that the applicant will receive a grant. The pre-qualified
applicants will be required to submit a detailed business proposal for further evaluation and final
selection.

1. ABOUT THAzA
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a 5-year ‘The
Horticultural Advancement Activity (THAzA)’ project to Food & Agriculture Organization
(FAO) of the United Nations. The project is implemented by FAO-Pakistan and focusses on the
following selected horticultural commodities and districts in the province of Balochistan and
Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (previously called FATA).

Commodities Balochistan Apple, Grapes, Killa Saifullah, Killa Abdullah,

/ Districts Apricots, Pishin, Ziarat, Mastung, Quetta,
Onions, Tomato Zhob, Loralai, Khuzdar, Awaran,
Kharan, Kalat, Naseerabad,
Jaffarabad, Harnai
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Apple, grapes, North and South Waziristan,
Apricot, Potato, Orakzai, Kurram
Tomato

THAzA will build capacities within selected horticultural value chains to increase its efficiency,
through application of technologies, value addition and improved access to markets and services.
The project interventions will enhance the production efficiency through the promotion of
improved technology and better practices (improved skills) as well as through the appropriate
advancements in the post-harvest management of the selected horticultural products.

THAzA will particularly focus on the introduction of improved technical skills, advancement of
technology and production practices, improvement of skills at all levels of the value chain,
promoting value addition thereby increasing job opportunities for youth and women, and
improved access to markets.

2. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
Through this call for EoIs, THAzA intend to extend in-kind grant support to selected projects in
the form of machinery, equipment, etc. on cost sharing basis. In-kind grants can be awarded for
establishing new / start-up projects as well as existing businesses for expansion and/or
technology/process upgradation. Only those projects will qualify for THAzA grant which would
be located within the selected districts of Balochistan and KP and involve selected horticultural
value chains.

Projects that could potentially attract THAzA grants are value added facilities such as grading and
packaging facilities; cold and modified atmosphere storage facilities; processing facilities
including value addition and any other innovative and proven proposal for upgrading the
competitiveness of the THAzA commodities on a commercial scale at any tier of the selected
THAzA value chains (except primary production) and thus contributing to achieving the THAzA
objectives.

3. COST SHARE REQUIREMENT

All grant awards by THAzA are subject to a mandatory requirement of cost share contributions
by the grantees. In each grant award grantee is required to propose and contribute whether in-
kind or in cash (or a mixture of cash and in kind contribution). The matching investment will
help ensure that potential partners have financial stakes in the supported activities and are
committed to the project activities and financially capable to implement. In all grant funding
cases of THAzA, the grantee must provide cost-share contribution as follows:

BALOCHISTAN NMDs of KP WOMEN

Cost Sharing Ratio Cost Sharing Ratio Cost Sharing Ratio
(grantee : THAzA) (grantee : THAzA) (grantee : THAzA)
25 : 75 25 : 75 15 : 85

4. WHO CAN APPLY

This call invites application from any individual or a registered business entity who has the
capability and interest in investing in either establishing a new commercial business venture or
expand/extend an existing business within the selected districts of Balochistan and NMDs of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
All potential applicants meeting the criteria set below are eligible to apply:
a) Individual applicants having a valid CNIC.
b) Applicants other than individuals must be registered with appropriate Pakistani authorities
and compliant with all applicable regulations.
c) Willing to invest in selected value chains and districts as mentioned above.
d) Have sufficient financial resources to meet the investment requirement.
e) Willing to sign required certifications and a set of FAO’s standard provisions prior to
receiving a grant.
f) Willing to share business data and give access to record after award of grant.
g) Allow usage of photos/videos/testimonials for communications purpose in electronic or print
media.
h) Provide job opportunities to females, youth and men.
i) Allow other farmers/entrepreneurs access to his/her facility for training, exposure and
dissemination purposes.

6. INELIGIBLE RECEPIENTS
Following persons / entities are not eligible to apply:
a) An entity owned or operated by the Federal or Government of Pakistan or Provincial
Governments.
b) Any entity that has been found to have misused funds in the past.
c) Any entity affiliated with FAO/THAzA or any of its members of the governing body,
directors, officers, or employees.
d) Political parties, groupings, or institutions or their subsidiaries and affiliates.
 e) Organizations that advocate, promote, or espouse anti-democratic policies or illegal
activities
f) Faith-based organizations whose objectives are for discriminatory and religious
purposes, and whose main objective for the grant is of a religious nature.
g) Any person whose name and/or name of key personnel appear on one or more of the
list of blacklisted persons maintained by international organizations.
h) An applicant that refuses to sign the required certifications

7. APPLICATION SUBMISSION & DEADLINE

Interested applicants should submit their EoIs through Concept Notes by using the attached
template. Applicants should complete the Concept Note template and submit through trackable
courier / postal services or by hand to the THAzA office at the address below and should bear
reference “Expression of Interest (EoIs)”. Concept Notes may also be submitted electronically
at FAOPK-Tenders-EOI@fao.org

EOIs will be evaluated and processed on rolling basis.

THAzA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Office THAzA Balochistan Office

Title: The Grants Associate, THAzA
Address: WFP Compound, House # 10,
Sahibzada Abdul Qayum Road, University
Town, Peshawar
Contact #: 091-5702231
Title: The Grants Associate, THAzA
Address: 29-A, Chaman Housing Scheme,
Airport Road, Quetta
Contact #: 081- 2864341

All questions concerning this EoI may be addressed via email FAOPK-Tenders-EOI@fao.org
THAzA will assist applicants in understanding the application process and can provide coaching
in application development at the request of applicants.

This call for EoIs will remain open till 31-Dec-2019. Concept Notes received after the closure of
deadline will not be entertained. THAzA reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
Applicants that submit duly completed Concept Notes that closely contribute to THAzA
objectives will be shortlisted and notified of next steps. Depending upon feasibility and need,
THAzA may call shortlisted applicants for further discussion before submission of detailed
proposal / business plan.

Attachment: Concept Note Template