Request for Information on Inclusive Education and Policy, Tajikistan | 72011922R00002

FAQs: USAID/Tajikistan Request for Information on Inclusive Education and Policy (72011922R00002)

1) What is this notice?

This notice is a USAID/Tajikistan Request for Information (RFI) titled "Request for Information on Inclusive Education and Policy, Tajikistan" (Reference Number 72011922R00002). It is a market research and planning document used to gather input that may inform potential future programming.

2) Is this a grant or funding opportunity?

No. USAID states this is strictly for market research and planning purposes and is not a Request for Proposals (RFP). It should not be treated as a commitment that USAID will fund a project or issue a future solicitation.

3) Will USAID review proposals or budgets submitted in response to this RFI?

No. USAID emphasizes that any proposals or budget submissions sent in response to this RFI will not be reviewed as funding applications.

4) What is the main purpose of the RFI?

The core goal is to gather practical, written input to help USAID better understand and potentially design future programming related to inclusive education in Tajikistan, with a strong emphasis on Tajik Sign Language and systems that expand access for deaf and hard of hearing learners.

5) What topics is USAID most interested in?

The RFI focuses heavily on Tajik Sign Language, including potential pathways for official recognition, development of content standards, and the full pipeline needed to expand access. This pipeline includes interpreter and teacher training, certification systems, employment and workforce placement, and higher education capacity to deliver sign language instruction and related training programs.

6) What policy questions is USAID asking about?

USAID asks what considerations matter for developing education policy that would formally recognize Tajik Sign Language and establish content standards.

7) What program design questions is USAID asking about?

USAID requests descriptions of what an effective activity would look like if the objective is to increase both the number and the quality of Tajik Sign Language interpreters and teachers, specifically through higher education institutions, with the broader intent of improving education quality across primary, general secondary, and higher education levels.

8) Does a response need to answer every question USAID listed?

No. USAID notes that respondents are not required to answer all targeted questions in the RFI.

9) What barriers does USAID want respondents to address?

USAID asks respondents to share perspectives on likely barriers that could block or slow implementation, as well as the fundamental components that would make a Tajik Sign Language-focused activity successful in practice.

10) What kinds of partnerships is USAID considering?

USAID explicitly asks how it could work with the Ministry of Education and Science, the private sector, civil society, and Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) to strengthen programming related to inclusive education and Tajik Sign Language.

11) Why does the RFI emphasize higher education institutions?

The RFI reflects USAID interest in universities, teacher training institutes, and other tertiary institutions as long-term anchors for interpreter preparation and sign language instruction, including the creation of certification approaches and pathways to employment.

12) What does USAID want to know about potential university partners?

USAID requests recommendations of specific higher education institutions it might partner with, including geographic considerations that could affect coordination or access.

13) What does USAID mean by a "pipeline" approach for Tajik Sign Language?

As described in the RFI, the pipeline covers multiple connected elements needed to expand access for deaf and hard of hearing learners: interpreter and teacher training, certification systems, workforce placement and employment connections, and higher education capacity to deliver instruction and training programs.

14) Is USAID interested in interpreter certification and job placement?

Yes. The RFI asks for ideas on how to engage higher education institutions to create a Tajik Sign Language interpreter certification program and how to connect graduates to actual jobs afterward, signaling interest in employability and labor-market integration alongside training.

15) What does the RFI ask about practicums and school linkages?

USAID asks for best practices on linking student teaching practicums to primary and general secondary schools serving deaf and hard of hearing students.

16) Does the RFI ask how Tajik Sign Language should fit within university structures?

Yes. It asks for ideas on how to house Tajik Sign Language within language faculties or disciplines at universities.

17) Is outreach to deaf student communities part of the RFI?

Yes. USAID asks how higher education institutions can conduct outreach and provide services that are responsive to deaf student communities and invites broader recommendations relevant to programming for deaf and hard of hearing students in higher education.

18) When was the RFI posted and when were responses due?

The RFI was posted on February 25, 2022. Responses were due by March 24, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Tajikistan time.

19) How were responses required to be submitted?

Responses had to be submitted electronically using an attached USAID template and emailed to darvanitidi@usaid.gov.

20) What subject line was required for the submission email?

The email subject line needed to be: "72011922R00002 USAID/Tajikistan Inclusive Education."

21) Who is the point of contact for questions and submissions?

The point of contact is Denis Arvanitidi at darvanitidi@usaid.gov.

22) What information needed to be included in the email submission?

USAID required basic identifying information including the reference number, date, affiliation/organization, business address, and representative name and email.

23) What were the page limits for the response?

The main narrative response was limited to 10 pages. Optional annexes could be attached and did not count toward the 10-page limit, but annexes were capped at 3 pages.

24) Can respondents submit proprietary information?

No. USAID instructs respondents not to send proprietary material.

25) Will respondents receive feedback from USAID after submitting?

USAID states respondents should expect only an electronic confirmation of receipt, not individualized feedback.

26) Will USAID reimburse costs incurred to prepare an RFI response?

No. USAID states the government will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing a response.

27) Does responding to the RFI create any obligation for USAID?

No. USAID reiterates that the government assumes no obligation as a result of the RFI, and no claims can be made based on USAID use of submitted information.

28) How might USAID use the information it receives?

USAID indicates submitted information may be used internally to identify implementation challenges and improve development outcomes, and to inform possible future programming design.

29) What is the sector and CFDA listing associated with this notice?

The metadata categorizes this as a discretionary opportunity in the education sector, listed under CFDA 98.001.

30) Who was listed as eligible to respond?

The opportunity metadata lists eligible applicants as unrestricted. However, this notice is an RFI rather than a funding announcement.

31) Is there an award amount or expected number of awards?

No. Because this is an RFI, the award ceiling is listed as zero and there are no expected awards associated with this notice.

32) What is the overall message of the RFI?

USAID is testing ideas and gathering expert input to shape possible future work on inclusive education and Tajik Sign Language policy and training systems in Tajikistan, especially through the higher education system and in collaboration with government and disability-focused stakeholders.