1. Q: Can Proposals be sent by email or do hard copies have to be sent?
A: Hard copies to be received before the closing time and date. Soft copies on a CD would be appreciated.

2. Q: Will late submissions be accepted if they are late only by a few minutes or hours?
A: No. It is not possible to accept a late submission no matter how late.

3. Q: Can a Proposal be submitted without all mandatory documents of the Request for Proposal (RfP)?
A: No. Incomplete applications submitted without the full set of mandatory requirements will not be accepted and reviewed. It is essential that the submitted application is complete.

4. Q: Can applications use formats other than templates prescribed in the RfP?
A: No. The use of prescribed templates is mandatory. For section where a format is not prescribed and annexed in the RfP (for example CVs of key programme personnel, proven track record of Myanmar experience, etc.), any format the applicant uses will be acceptable.

5. Q: How should proposals be developed and targets set if base lines for prescribed indicators are not available?
A: Round III grants applicants must have proven experience and will be expected to be familiar with the area of their planned work, both programmatic and geographical area. The proposal must have baselines for all targets against output level indicators.

6. Q: Can proposals use other indicators other than those prescribed in the RfP?
A: Yes. If activities are proposed that cannot be captured by those mandatory “core indicators” as in the RfP, organisations can adopt additional relevant indicators from the National Operational Plans designed to monitor such activities. However “core indicators” are mandatory for related activities.

7. Q: What if an organisation cannot agree with all elements of the legal conditions as put forward in the RfP in the templates for proposed Memorandum of Agreements annexed? Can the organisation still apply?
A: No. The application will only be accepted if all requirements are in full compliance with the legal conditions of the agreements.

8. Q: What is the minimum and maximum grant applicable?
A: An organization may submit a Proposal for a grant of minimum US$250,000. There is no set limit for a maximum amount for a grant. An independent review panel will review proposals and budgets and will have recommendations to the Fund Board. Organisations may be required to amend proposals based on the Fund Board decision and in advance of signing Agreements.

9. Q: What is the time frame for implementation of activities to be completed?
A: From signing Agreements until 31 December 2011, subject to the renewal of the Three Diseases Fund overarching Memorandum of Understanding.

Successful implementing partners will be informed before end 2010 if the MOU for UNOPS has been extended and the full year of funding to December 2011 is confirmed, or if the programme will have to close by 30th September 2011. Potential applicants are advised to submit their proposals to cover the period to end December 2011.

10. Q: Can local NGOs apply in this Round?
A: Yes. Local NGOs can apply in this round. Like any applicant, they must be able to demonstrate programme and fund management experience to manage a minimum grant of US$250,000. This round prioritises services delivery and results within a short implementation period. Some local NGOs may wish to consider applying jointly with organizations that have a track record of successful implementation and grants management at a significant scale.

11. Q: Can joint applications be made?
A: Yes. Joint applications are encouraged to cover a more comprehensive package of services or when individual agencies need the support of more experienced organisations for programming and fund management. Applicants should submit under an “umbrella” organisation that would be the direct recipient and implementing partner.

All applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their programme is complementary to and jointly coordinated with other organizations’ programmes within the same geographical area and under the TSGs.

12. Q: How would a joint proposal be prepared?
A: For joint proposals, one lead partner (the main applicant), together with the other implementing partners, will need to work out the details of the collaboration: who will be responsible for which activities, for technical support, for monitoring and evaluation etc.. The lead partner would submit the proposal and, if successful, would receive and manage the grant. The partners need to share a common understanding of how the project would be implemented, documented in a written partnership / joint venture agreement. This shall be described within the proposal.

All applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their programme is complementary to and jointly coordinated with other organizations programmes within the same geographical area and under the TSGs.

13. Q: Can present 3DF implementing partners apply in this Round?
A: Yes. Proposals must explain how the proposed activities will complement existing projects if the applicant is already an implementing partner of the 3DF

14. Q: Can one agency submit more than one Proposal or be part of different proposals – for example if they want to do different things in different geographical locations or different diseases.
A: Yes, although it must be clearly explained/justified why two or more proposals are being submitted. Integrated proposals with activities covering 2 or 3 diseases per organization can also be submitted. Organisations can be part of more than one proposal too as part of alliances and joint efforts. Note, that the minimum grant is US$250,000.

15. Q: Can one organization apply for grants in new disease area, different from previous experience in country?
A: Yes, if the organization can demonstrate technical competence and describe in the proposal measurable outputs and results offered in the new disease area. Nevertheless the organisation must have at least 2 years of experience in Myanmar in at least one of the three diseases.

16. Q: Organizations many times operate larger scale programmes with multi-donor contributions. In an effort to upscale this complex programme additional 3DF funds are applied for. How does the organisation set targets and report activities to the 3DF?
A: The organization must clearly describe the overall programme; how the 3DF funds will be used; what additional activities will be conducted; how 3DF funds will be accounted for. To set targets and attribute outputs to 3DF as one contributor to a larger programme, the organisation should calculate 3DF’s share of the programme in proportion to the entire budget of the programme. Outputs should be attributed in proportion to the budget share.

17. Q: Would it be possible to submit one proposal or is it necessary to submit three if the organization would like to apply for work in all three diseases?
A: One integrated proposal would be sufficient as long as the activities and budgetary requirements are clearly separated and the proposal’s activities and outputs are clearly described so that the review team can differentiate between the three disease components or see the interactions if applicable. It is also possible to submit separate proposals per disease. Note, the minimum grant is US$250,000

18. Q: Does the 3DF plan to support phase out activities of Round I projects currently funded by 3DF? Can existing IPs apply for Round III as a continuation of Round I projects?
A: No. The 3DF has committed to extend activities of Round I into a full 4th year beyond the initial 3 years commitment. Current Implementing Partners can apply for Round III funds to scale up activities. It is important that such organisations clearly demonstrate how scaling up of activities would be achieved over and above existing activities and within the time frame.

19. Q: Do recipient organisations need to have a legal status in order to receive a grant?
A: Yes. In line with the M-CCM Governance Manual and practice, successful applicants are required to provide evidence of their authorization to work in Myanmar (for example Memorandum of Understanding and/or registration). This evidence is a mandatory part of the application.

20. Q: What is the rationale for including a procurement plan in the Proposals?
A: Timely procurement and delivery of required equipment and supplies are crucial for meeting the set targets/outputs in Round III. This requires a procurement plan with detailed specifications. Hence the procurement plan must be submitted as an integral part of the Proposal to demonstrate adherence to the 3DF procurement standards; ref. 3DF Procurement Manual at www.3dfund.org/procurement . As far as possible, orders for programme supplies and equipment need to be placed 12 months before the completion of planned activities.

21. Q: How can gender focus be demonstrated if there is no special chapter provided in the Description of Action template?
A: Gender equity as a cross cutting issue must be demonstrated throughout the proposal. A gendered approach to design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation should be outlined throughout the proposal rather than summarised in a single section. Each proposal will be assessed for its gender focus.

22. Q: How can a proposal demonstrate that at least 5% of the budget is designated for M&E?
A: The Budget template is developed to allow linkage of inputs to outputs. All outputs must be budgeted in the subsheets of the overall Budget. A specific output is M&E to provide a clear summary of resources committed to M&E. It must be at least 5% of the total Budget.

23. Q: How will proposals be reviewed in lieu of value for money?
A: Proposals must clearly define packages of services (outputs) with baselines and targets. Budgets need to be constructed by dividing inputs between the different outputs (use of logframes in planning simplifies this by adding necessary inputs per output to arrive to a complete budget). Unit costs with targets set for each output/ service packages offered are therefore clearly calculable for each output from the Budget. Nevertheless such unit costs will not be viewed outside context and compared to all offered service packages strictly on their monetary value. Several other aspects of the operation (such as geographical location and environment, target population, technical merit of the proposed package of services/activities and circumstantial factors as explained in the proposal - in other words the whole context) are also taken into consideration.

24. Q: What procedures apply for international agencies working with township level health authority vs. with local NGOs. Would it be the same procedure regarding cash flow disbursement and monitoring?
A: Applicants must be familiar with the 3DF Operational Guidelines, with reference to www.3dfund.org/operationalGuidelines, where modalities of work with different implementers are described in general. Procedures for working with township level health authorities are defined within the 3DF policy in compliance with the EC Common Position. It will be necessary to have clear procedures established and described in the proposal to ensure appropriate fund flow to collaborating partners in township level public health structures. Programmatic collaboration and levels of monitoring must also be in place when working with any local partners – LNGOs, private sector or township level health services. In all cases, it is the grantee, who will be responsible that funds are held, disbursed and accounted for in a transparent and efficient manner for their intended purpose.

25. Q: Can 3DF be viewed as a way for organizations to get more funds for their normal programmes or for activities organisations prioritise to suit their programme’s needs?
A: No. The priorities must be drawn from the National Operational Plan as well as full compliance with 3DF prescribed eligible actions as put forward in the RfP. Applicants must show in their proposals how those plans fit with these priorities. The Round III is an opportunity for organizations to look at the needs of the three diseases through a fresh lens and to propose imaginative and effective programmes that can address the national strategy priorities in a cost effective manner. Round III aims at rapid scale up within a short implementation period, demonstrating good value for money and effective service delivery. Proposals offering comprehensive service packages against listed priorities are encouraged and preferred.

26. Q: Renting Vehicles are expensive. Can proposals include the procurement of vehicles?
A: No. Vehicles cannot be bought with 3DF grants. Other ineligible activities include: investments made in infrastructure of public health structures; international travel of staff to conferences, workshops or trainings; hospitality. Applicants should refer to the Operational Guidelines (ref: www.3dfund.org/operationalGuidelines).

27. Q: Does the organization need to have at least 2 years experience in the same disease area which is applied for in Round III?
A: No. The organization can apply for a different disease area but it must have at least 2 years experience in country in any of the three diseases (at least one) with a proven track record. Organisations fulfilling these criteria can apply for all diseases.

28. Q: Can the organization apply for funding activities related purely to capacity building as part of the proposed activities?
A: No. Applications focused solely on capacity building are not eligible for Round III funding. Some capacity building activities may be included if directly linked to the delivery of outputs.

29. Q: Are there any guidelines on HR expenses calculated from the grant as there was for Round I?
A: Yes. As Round III is mostly about scaling up direct service delivery and not focused on capacity building, the rule of thumb is to limit personnel costs to 35% of the total budget. Well argued deviations will be considered.

30. Q: Would a local NGO that has previously been the indirect recipient of a grant from the 3DF in Round I be able to apply in its own right?
A: Yes. As with all other applicants, considerations will be given to previous experience, implementation and performance, institutional capacity (proven track record) and of beneficiary needs in addition to the technical and financial merit of the proposal. Ref: eligibility criteria in the TOR (Annex I).

31. Q: Would it be possible to meet the FM for clarifications/discussions on Round III?
A: After the issuance of the RfP it is not possible for the FM to have individual meetings with any potential applicant. All questions and answers and requests for clarifications will made public through the 3DF website.

32. If I still have questions not answered here, where do I go?
A: Email all queries to FAQround3@3dfund.org. Questions sent by 23 July are answered above. A live session for additional questions and answers was arranged for all interested parties on 04 August in Chatrium Hotel, in Yangon.