USAID/Central Asia’s Turkmenistan New Generation Activity | 72011520R00004

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): USAID RFI - Turkmenistan New Generation Activity (RFI No. 72011520R00004)

1) What is this opportunity?

This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by USAID/Central Asia for the proposed "Turkmenistan New Generation Activity." It is a market research and design input request, not a funding opportunity and not an application process.

2) Is this RFI a grant solicitation or a way to apply for funding?

No. USAID states that this RFI is not a funding solicitation and it is not an application process. USAID will not accept applications or resumes through the RFI channel.

3) What is USAID trying to accomplish by issuing this RFI?

USAID is gathering practical input from organizations and individuals with experience in youth and workforce development. The intent is to use outside expertise to help shape and improve the design of a potential future activity.

4) Does responding to the RFI guarantee a future solicitation or an award?

No. USAID explicitly notes that responding does not create any obligation for the U.S. Government to release a later solicitation, fund an activity, or make an award.

5) Will USAID reimburse the cost of preparing an RFI response?

No. USAID states it will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing and submitting an RFI response.

6) Who issued the RFI and what is the reference number?

The RFI was issued by USAID/Central Asia. The reference number provided is RFI No. 72011520R00004.

7) When was the RFI issued and when were responses due?

The RFI was issued on September 29, 2020. Responses were due on October 14, 2020 at 10:00 AM Almaty time.

8) How were responses submitted?

Responses were submitted by email to the USAID/Central Asia contacts listed in the notice.

9) What program is this proposed activity building on?

The proposed activity is intended as a follow-on to the earlier "Turkmenistan Enriching Youth for Tomorrow" project, which provided life planning, economic knowledge, and business skills training for youth ages 15 to 25.

10) Who is the intended target group for the new activity?

The new effort would continue focusing on Turkmenistani youth ages 15 to 25.

11) What is the main emphasis of the proposed new activity?

The emphasis is on employability fundamentals aligned with a modern labor market, aimed at helping youth secure gainful employment.

12) What core skills does USAID highlight for youth to gain?

USAID highlights foundational coping skills, critical and logical thinking, and improved familiarity with information and digital technology.

13) Why does USAID say this activity is needed?

USAID frames the need around persistent youth unemployment (citing World Bank youth unemployment data) and systemic mismatches between what education and training systems provide and what the economy and private sector need.

14) What other barriers does USAID mention that affect youth employment in Turkmenistan?

USAID notes additional barriers such as limited recognition or accreditation of international degrees, which can prevent students who studied abroad from translating education into local employment. The RFI links these issues to "brain drain" and weaker private-sector competitiveness internationally.

15) What demographic context does USAID highlight?

USAID notes that about 40 percent of the population is under 25, creating urgency to equip youth with 21st-century skills so that their economic and social potential is not lost.

16) What are the main topic areas USAID asked about in the RFI?

USAID grouped questions into two main areas: (1) skills development, and (2) partnerships and local institutional capacity building.

17) What kinds of skills development inputs was USAID seeking?

USAID asked respondents to identify geographic considerations and constraints affecting implementation and targeting in Turkmenistan, and to highlight specific gaps in skills development worth investing in.

18) What did USAID ask about the disconnect between training and hiring?

USAID asked respondents to explain why there is a disconnect between current training offerings and private-sector hiring needs, and to describe short-term and mid-term employment opportunities for youth.

19) What role do IT and digital skills play in this RFI?

IT and digital skills are a significant focus. USAID requested examples of youth-focused interventions that have proven successful in Turkmenistan or similar contexts, and asked how USAID could support short- or long-term IT certification pathways that lead to internationally recognized credentials.

20) What kinds of certifications does USAID reference as examples?

USAID references CISCO- or ORACLE-type programs as examples of IT certification pathways leading to internationally recognized credentials for secondary school graduates.

21) What did USAID ask about apprenticeships and work-based learning?

USAID asked what apprenticeship options currently exist in Turkmenistan, whether they can be strengthened across public and private sectors, and what gaps exist in current models. USAID also invited ideas for other work-based learning opportunities that could be introduced.

22) How does the RFI address inclusion of marginalized or vulnerable youth?

Inclusion is a major theme. USAID asked respondents to propose approaches to ensure marginalized and vulnerable youth are meaningfully included, identify which groups may face the biggest barriers in Turkmenistan, and share inclusion strategies from Turkmenistan or similar political and economic environments.

23) What partnership recommendations was USAID seeking?

USAID requested recommendations for national, regional, and local institutions that could be effective partners, including any geographic considerations tied to those institutions.

24) What did USAID ask about working with higher education institutions?

USAID asked how to collaborate with higher education institutions beyond the typical "career guidance and growth centers" model, and what specific skills development areas could be built within or alongside universities and institutes.

25) What does the RFI suggest about building local delivery capacity?

USAID asked how to build the ability of rural, peri-urban, and urban organizations and small businesses to deliver skills training, entrepreneurship training, and mentorship to youth. This signals interest in strengthening local delivery capacity rather than relying only on external implementers.

26) What did USAID ask about unions?

USAID asked which Turkmenistani unions might be relevant partners in workforce development, why partnering with them could be useful, and what political or operational challenges might arise from such collaboration.

27) Did respondents have to answer every question in the RFI?

No. USAID stated that respondents did not need to answer every question.

28) What were the formatting and length requirements for RFI responses?

Responses could be no more than four pages total, including any annexes or attachments.

29) What information was USAID expecting respondents to include in their submission?

Submissions were expected to include identifying information such as the reference number, date, affiliation/organization, business address, and a representative name and email, followed by a short technical narrative responding to selected questions and offering recommendations.

30) Will USAID provide feedback on RFI submissions?

No. USAID stated it would confirm receipt electronically but would not provide feedback.

31) Will responses to the RFI be made public?

No. USAID stated it will not make responses public.

32) What type of future award does USAID reference, if the activity moves forward?

The notice indicates the input may inform the design of a future cooperative agreement-funded activity.

33) Does the RFI mention a possible budget amount for a future activity?

Yes. The notice references an anticipated single award and a ceiling figure of $3,750,000, while reiterating that the RFI itself makes no commitment to issue an award.