Common use of Request for Additional Information Clause in Contracts

Request for Additional Information. Effective Date: 12/26/2014 Within 10 working days after an applicant receives notice that USAID will not fund its application, the unsuccessful applicant may send a written request for additional information to the AO. Additional information may be provided at the discretion of the AO. USAID may respond orally or in writing. The cognizant B/IO should respond to the request within 30 days after consultation with the AO or inform the applicant that more time is necessary. If responding orally, the AO or the technical representative from the B/IO must make a written summary of the response for the agreement file. The AO must be present at and lead any meeting. If responding in writing, the AO must approve any written communication before it is sent to the unsuccessful applicant. USAID’s responses must be limited to the Agency’s interest in supporting the applicant’s program as described in the application. Comparing one application to another is neither advisable nor helpful to the applicant. The Selection Committee (SC) chair and the AO should only give additional information that would be useful to the applicant in preparing future applications. If the applicant has questions about the program or about the programmatic review, the SC chair will provide constructive feedback that may assist the applicant when developing applications in the future. The SC chair may explain the basis for the decision and the strengths and weaknesses of the application in terms of the published review criteria. When the applicant has questions about process, accountability, and business considerations, the AO will respond. The SC chair and the AO will jointly respond when the applicant raises both types of questions.