Opportunity Information: Apply for 72049220 OEDGRFI 00003
The Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy (SPEED) opportunity is a USAID/Philippines Request for Information (RFI) meant to gather input from stakeholders on a draft program concept for a new activity focused on helping Philippine small and medium enterprises (SMEs) participate more effectively in the digital economy. Rather than soliciting bids or applications, USAID is using this RFI to collect comments, suggestions, and practical improvements that can strengthen the eventual program design. The responses are intended to help USAID refine a formal design document so it is clear, high-impact, coordinated with other donor and USAID initiatives, and aligned with both USAID and Government of the Philippines priorities. USAID also signals that additional stakeholder consultations may happen as the concept is revised.
At its core, SPEED is designed to make it easier for Philippine SMEs to engage in digital commerce in a way that is safe, reliable, and competitive. The concept recognizes that many SMEs face barriers to digital adoption, including limited capacity to choose and implement appropriate technologies, gaps in digital payments access and usage, and friction between online selling platforms and real-world delivery and distribution systems. SPEED aims to address those constraints so SMEs can adopt digital tools confidently, transact digitally, and fulfill online orders efficiently, which collectively helps them expand markets and improve resilience in a rapidly digitizing economy.
The draft concept outlines three main focus areas. First, SPEED would work to improve SMEs capacity to innovate and adopt technology solutions that are safe, reliable, and affordable. This implies support that may include building knowledge and skills, improving awareness of cybersecurity and digital risk management, and helping firms select and implement tools that fit their needs and budgets. Second, the activity would seek to expand the use of electronic payment systems and other financial technology (FinTech) innovations. This focus is geared toward increasing the practical uptake of digital payments for day-to-day business transactions, which can reduce reliance on cash, improve transaction efficiency, and open pathways to additional financial services. Third, SPEED would aim to improve integration between e-commerce platforms and logistics supply chains, tackling one of the biggest pain points in online selling: getting products to customers reliably and cost-effectively through better coordination among platforms, couriers, warehousing, and related logistics services.
From an implementation standpoint, USAID indicates the activity is expected to run for up to five years, subject to the availability of funds. The listing provides an anticipated award ceiling of up to USD 20,000,000 and suggests a single expected award, although the final structure could change depending on the final design and procurement decisions. The opportunity is categorized under business and commerce, and eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity can respond to the RFI, with the understanding that any extra eligibility details would be clarified in the full notice text.
A key point is that this is not a funding competition at this stage. The RFI is explicitly for planning and information-gathering purposes only and does not function as a request for proposals or a call for grant applications. Any responses submitted cannot be treated as proposals, and the U.S. Government will not use RFI responses to form a binding agreement. Participation is voluntary, and respondents are responsible for any costs they incur in preparing and submitting feedback. The notice was created on July 13, 2020, with an original closing date of July 24, 2020, reflecting a short window intended to quickly collect stakeholder input to inform the program design process.Apply for 72049220 OEDGRFI 00003
- The Agency for International Development, Philippines USAID-Manila in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy (SPEED)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 13, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 24, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy (SPEED) - USAID/Philippines RFI
1) What is the SPEED opportunity?
SPEED (Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy) is a USAID/Philippines Request for Information (RFI) that seeks stakeholder input on a draft program concept. It is intended to help USAID refine and strengthen the design of a future activity focused on helping Philippine small and medium enterprises (SMEs) participate more effectively in the digital economy.
2) Is SPEED a grant or funding competition right now?
No. At this stage, SPEED is not a request for proposals and not a call for grant applications. USAID is using an RFI specifically to collect comments, suggestions, and practical improvements to the draft concept. Responses are for planning and information-gathering only and cannot be treated as proposals.
3) What is USAID trying to accomplish by issuing this RFI?
USAID is gathering feedback to improve the eventual formal program design document so that the future activity is clear, high-impact, coordinated with other donor and USAID initiatives, and aligned with USAID and Government of the Philippines priorities. The RFI also signals that additional stakeholder consultations may occur as the concept is revised.
4) Who is the activity intended to help?
The draft concept is focused on Philippine small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with the goal of helping them engage in digital commerce in ways that are safe, reliable, and competitive.
5) What SME challenges does SPEED aim to address?
The concept highlights several barriers that SMEs commonly face in digital adoption, including limited capacity to choose and implement appropriate technologies, gaps in access to and usage of digital payments, and friction between online selling platforms and real-world delivery and distribution systems. SPEED is designed to reduce these constraints so SMEs can adopt digital tools with confidence, transact digitally, and fulfill online orders efficiently.
6) What are the main focus areas described in the draft concept?
The draft concept outlines three primary focus areas:
- Improving SME capacity to innovate and adopt technology solutions that are safe, reliable, and affordable.
- Expanding the use of electronic payment systems and other financial technology (FinTech) innovations.
- Improving integration between e-commerce platforms and logistics supply chains to support reliable and cost-effective fulfillment.
7) What does "improving SMEs capacity to innovate and adopt technology" mean in this concept?
In the draft concept, this includes helping SMEs build knowledge and skills, improving awareness of cybersecurity and digital risk management, and supporting firms in selecting and implementing technology tools that fit their needs and budgets. The emphasis is on solutions that are safe, reliable, and affordable.
8) How does SPEED plan to address digital payments and FinTech?
The concept includes a focus on expanding the use of electronic payment systems and other FinTech innovations. The intent is to increase practical uptake of digital payments for everyday business transactions, reduce reliance on cash, improve transaction efficiency, and create pathways to additional financial services.
9) Why is logistics integration included as a focus area?
The draft concept treats fulfillment as a major pain point in online selling. SPEED aims to improve integration between e-commerce platforms and logistics supply chains by strengthening coordination among platforms, couriers, warehousing, and related logistics services so products can reach customers reliably and cost-effectively.
10) How long is the SPEED activity expected to run?
USAID indicates the activity is expected to run for up to five years, subject to the availability of funds.
11) What is the anticipated funding level mentioned in the notice?
The listing includes an anticipated award ceiling of up to USD 20,000,000. This figure is presented as part of the planning outlook for a potential future award and does not mean funding is currently available through the RFI.
12) How many awards does USAID expect to make?
The listing suggests a single expected award; however, it also notes that the final structure could change depending on the final design and procurement decisions.
13) What type of opportunity category is SPEED listed under?
The opportunity is categorized under business and commerce.
14) Who is eligible to respond to this RFI?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity can respond to the RFI. Any additional eligibility details would be clarified in the full notice text.
15) Can an RFI response be used to create an agreement with the U.S. Government?
No. The notice specifies that responses submitted under the RFI cannot be treated as proposals, and the U.S. Government will not use RFI responses to form a binding agreement.
16) Is participation required, and who pays the costs of responding?
Participation is voluntary. Respondents are responsible for any costs they incur in preparing and submitting their feedback.
17) What are the key dates provided for this RFI?
The notice was created on July 13, 2020, and the original closing date was July 24, 2020. The dates reflect a short window intended to quickly collect stakeholder input to inform the program design process.
18) What will USAID do with the information submitted through the RFI?
USAID intends to use the responses to refine a formal design document so the eventual program is better defined, higher impact, coordinated with other donor and USAID initiatives, and aligned with USAID and Government of the Philippines priorities. The notice also indicates that further stakeholder consultations may happen as the concept is revised.
19) Does submitting feedback increase chances of receiving future funding?
The provided information does not state that submitting an RFI response affects future eligibility or selection. The RFI is described as planning and information-gathering only, not a competitive application process.
20) What does "subject to the availability of funds" mean in this context?
It means the anticipated duration (up to five years) and any future award or activity implementation depend on whether funds are available. The RFI itself does not provide funding.
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