Land O’Lakes Request for Applications (RFA) Number LINQ-RFA 002

LINQ is seeking Concept Notes from agri-business enterprises in Lebanon that are looking to grow and innovate. Applicants are invited to propose activities that help take their business to the next level, through adopting new investments that increase production and energy efficiency, improve food product quality and safety, introduce innovative products, facilitate access to new markets, or revamp product design or packaging.  Interested businesses must commit to invest a minimum of 50% cost-share value of the total investment requested from LINQ, to demonstrate their commitment to the objectives of the project.

Application instructions

This RFA invites business applicants to develop a Concept Note that provides a basic outline of their business plan for growth. The required Concept Note format is included as Attachment A in the attached full document.

The Concept Note format consists of two sections:

1. Applicant’s Current Business Organization
2. Description of Investment Opportunity – a written description of the business idea, the target market, the goals and objectives, the strategy followed, the intended outcomes/results, the list of activities to reach these outcomes, their duration, and the budget estimates including co-financing provided by the business and the investment requested from LINQ.

In addition, the following supporting documents must be submitted with the Concept Note:

• Business Registration.
• Audited income statement for the past two years

Applicants may attach additional information or data that will substantiate and strengthen the application and Concept Note for the proposed business venture.

LINQ is accepting Concept Note Applications on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to submit concept notes as early as possible. Applications submitted after the closing date of September 10th, 2019, will not be considered.

For those concepts that meet the evaluation criteria above, LINQ team will schedule a visit to the business location and proposed project site(s).

On or before September 30th, 2019, LINQ will inform all applicants whether their Concept Note has been pre-selected or not.

Concept Note Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate and score all complete Concept Notes, received by the Closing Date of the RFA.

• Potential Impact
• Viability and Sustainability
• Feasibility
• Additionality
• Women’s inclusion and promotion
• Employment creation

LINQ does not guarantee that a Concept Note or Application will be funded until a final written approval is issued by USAID.  Land O’Lakes reserves the right to fund any or none of the submissions. Any investment or expenditure made by a prospective business partner prior to official execution of a USAID LINQ grant agreement is solely and entirely at the investor's own risk.