Rwanda Market Systems for Livestock Activity (MSLA)

Background
The United States Agency for International Development’s Mission in Rwanda (USAID/Rwanda) is seeking to strengthen the anticipated Market Systems for Livestock Activity (MSLA) design through this Request for Information (RFI). The initiative aims to address malnutrition and food insecurity in Rwanda, where the national average rate of stunting is high at 33%. The Government of Rwanda (GoR) has prioritized reducing malnutrition and stunting to less than 15% by 2029, with a focus on improving livelihoods and food security through increased productivity.

The MSLA will support these goals by developing a profitable market for Animal Source Food (ASF), thereby increasing small-scale farmers' income and improving nutritional outcomes.

Grant Details
The MSLA will utilize a market system development (MSD) approach to enhance sales of livestock, household income, livestock-related goods and services, and consumption of ASF in targeted districts. The activity has four intermediate results (IRs):
1) Environmentally sustainable private sector-led ASF production and market improved;
2) Increased awareness and acceptance by Rwandans for consumption of animal source foods;
3) Sustainably increased access to finance for livestock producers and other market actors;
4) Improved policy and enabling environment for livestock production. Each IR includes specific sub-intermediate results aimed at enhancing productivity, market access, financial literacy, and policy development.

Eligibility Requirements
Responses are encouraged from various organizations including US small businesses, medium or large businesses, US NGOs/nonprofits, local Rwandan organizations, local Rwandan businesses, or other entities that meet the criteria of being legally organized under Rwandan law with majority ownership by Rwandan citizens.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is implied to align with the strategic goals set forth by the Government of Rwanda's National Strategy for Transformation-2 (NST-2) and Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation-5 (PSTA-5), which aim for significant improvements by 2029.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant opportunity is not specified as this RFI is solely for information gathering and planning purposes. There are no commitments made regarding funding or contract awards based on responses to this RFI.

Place of Performance
The activities will be performed in various districts within Rwanda's Feed the Future Zone Of Influence (ZOI), including Burera, Gakenke, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Ngororero, Karongi, Rutsiro in the northwest; Nyamasheke and Nyamagabe in the southwest; Gatsibo, Kayonza, Ngoma, and Bugasera in the east.