Lowering Barriers to Competition
An exclusive with USAID Senior Procurement Executive Mark Walther on our new WorkwithUSAID.org website
Partnership is at the heart of USAID. Since our founding in 1961, we have worked collaboratively with thousands of organizations across the globe to build a more prosperous world on behalf of the American people.
At USAID, we are committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across the Agency’s work, including with whom we work.
With ongoing issues like the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we continue to diversify our partner base. By extending our focus to reach new partners, we can leverage the innovation and expertise of organizations that are deeply connected to the communities in our host countries.
This month, we are unveiling a new, innovative web and mobile platform, called WorkwithUSAID.org. The website will help our existing and prospective partners access innovative tools and resources so they can learn how to more effectively compete for funding, ultimately resulting in better development outcomes around the world.
Engaging with new partners is just one component in our commitment. We also have to ensure partners are ready to work with us. We understand it can be challenging for organizations to navigate the U.S. Government’s terminology, the complex requirements for funding eligibility, and differentiating between the requisite registrations. We are listening and we are responding.
USAID’s Mark Walther, the Agency’s Senior Procurement Executive, explains how this new and innovative platform will help lower barriers so that all qualified entities can more easily compete for USAID funding.
What are some of the biggest obstacles organizations face when trying to compete for USAID funding?
We have spoken with a number of prospective partners to ask about obstacles they face when pursuing partnership opportunities. The number one response we have received is that many do not know where to start. Additionally, we have heard that some organizations are not able to navigate the U.S. Government’s complex requirements to apply for funding in the first place.
What can organizations do on this platform to increase the visibility of their work and capabilities across the international development community?
We know that many partners may not have the online tools such as websites or social media to promote the great work they are doing in their communities. These organizations can sign up for the Partner Directory. When you create a profile, you can showcase your organization and utilize the directory to network with others in the development community. The directory is on WorkwithUSAID.org to help your organizations more easily forge prime and/or sub-partnerships in acquisition and assistance.
How do organizations know if they are ready and eligible to compete for USAID funding?
We encourage you to take advantage of the Pre-Engagement Assessment tool on WorkwithUSAID.org. The assessment consists of 48 questions related to your organization’s program management, financial management, human resources, compliance, and programming. Once you have completed the assessment, you will receive a customized report on your organization’s key operational areas and readiness to work with USAID. Your results will identify potential gaps that might need to be addressed, and will point you to resources to improve the capabilities of your organization.
What other features are offered on the WorkwithUSAID.org website?
In addition to the Partner Directory and Pre-Engagement Assessment, WorkwithUSAID.org offers several other resources to inform and inspire partners. First, the site features a library of free tools and curated resources to help you improve the capabilities and capacity of your organization. Topics include compliance, organizational development, communications, and more. We also made sure to include a variety of formats, such as guides, webinars, courses, and podcasts, so you can find information that is most accessible and useful for you. Second, our team has collected hundreds of frequently asked questions and answered them all in one place, making it easy for partners to find answers to their questions. Finally, the News and Insights blog on WorkwithUSAID.org shares inspirational stories, as well as tips and trends related to USAID partnership, so that you can learn from the experiences of others.
How is this website different from USAID.gov?
USAID.gov is the Agency’s official website that includes thousands of pages of information. It includes valuable resources for existing and potential partners, such as the “How to Work with USAID” training series, but it serves many other purposes for website visitors who want to learn more about USAID’s priorities and overall work.
WorkwithUSAID.org takes partners one step further into a dynamic interactive platform that offers a space for development organizations to connect with one another via the Partner Directory, as well as evaluate their organizational readiness by utilizing the Pre-Engagement Assessment tool.
We see the WorkwithUSAID.org website as a first stop for new and underutilized partners who are interested in connecting to funding opportunities from USAID.
About the Authors
Rachel Chilton currently serves as the Deputy Director of Communications in USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance. She has been with the Agency for more than 8 years. Vivian Nguyen recently joined the Communications team in USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance. She previously worked on USAID’s Partnerships Incubator project. For more, follow @WorkwithUSAID.
