Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –

RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

Annex A- USAID Investment Promotion Activity - IPA Fund Grant Application Template

Instructions for questions Applicants shall fill in the below format and provide mandatory supporting documents to
validate their award application. Those applications that are not submitted according to this format, supporting
documents and in line with the instruction in this Request for Application (RFA) will be considered as an Incomplete
application and will not be processed further.

The application guidelines are as follows:

Section 1: The Organization/Firm

Items 1-5: Provide the organization’s registered name, legal status, date of inception, date of registration, and type of
registration. (Eligible organizations include: firms registered in Pakistan that have confirmed potential and
are already doing trade with a U.S. trade partner.)
Item 6-8: Provide information about your existing/previous and/or confirmed potential Trade in the pipeline with U.S.-
based firms/trade partners/clients. Share proofs/evidence of POs/email correspondence with trade partners
and/or any supporting document to validate claims.
Item 9: Provide information about the requirement for any essential trade certificate(s)/international accreditation to
enhance trade between Pakistan & U.S. markets.
Item 10-11: Provide the amount of funds requested from IPA as a grant fund along with your or third-party
contributions.
Item 12: Provide information about the anticipated amount of trade (in USD) to be generated from/to the U.S. during
the award implementation period i.e. up to 6 months.
Item 13: Proposed timeline for grant completion by your firm.
Item 14: Provide sector information of your firm. However, firms from any other sector apart from USAID IPA’s four
priority sectors are eligible to apply.
Item 15-21: Contact information— include a contact name, title, office address, telephone/mobile, e-mail, website, and
social media handle. The contact person (Key Person/agent) is responsible for communication between IPA
and the applicant. This should preferably be the CEO/Founder of the applicant organization.
Item 22: References – Please list three professional references, this may include previous/current/potential trade
partners/firms/clients, and/or any client organizations including U.S.-based or local references that your
organization has collaborated with in the past two years.

Section 2: Technical Questions

2.1 Economic Growth

Item a: Provide a brief overview of your organization, its mission, and its history. Highlight what sets your
organization apart and why it is relevant to the grant application. Specify your organization's key
achievements and accomplishments. Highlight the impact and outcomes of your work. Use specific data,
numbers, and examples to demonstrate your organization's effectiveness.
Item b: Provide knowledge about your firm’s capability to enhance trade between the U.S & Pakistan which may
include your previous/current/potential trade deals in the pipeline with U.S.-based trade
partners/firms/clients (trade includes both exports and/or imports).
Item c: Rate your company's progress in USPT deals with US trade partners/clients/firms on a scale of 1 to 10, with
10 being the highest, considering the maturity level of negotiations and agreements. Provide a numerical
assessment reflecting the current status. Please note that the trade deal shall be matured during the 6
months of grant implementation.
Item d: Provide detailed information about proposed activities that your firm/organization will implement from
grant funding including a detailed description of products and/or services. Note the proposed activities
included in this section shall be reflected in Annex B in terms of budgeted costs in PKR.
Item e: If you have any trade certification(s)/international accreditation for trading with U.S. clients, select 'Yes' and
provide details such as certification name, issuing authority, and validity. If not, select 'No'.
Item f: Indicate whether your organization requires essential trade certification(s)/international accreditation for
U.S. market penetration through grant funds. If yes, provide details of the certification, including name,
issuing authority, and cost. Include certification costs in the grant budget.
Item g: Explain how obtaining the new certification/accreditation will facilitate market penetration in the U.S. and
specify its impact on enhancing trade between the U.S. and Pakistan. Be concise and highlight key
advantages.

Page 1 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

Item h: Write a brief note on your potential for Private Sector Investment – including your firm’s available financial
resources and/or third-party local investments that will be directed towards the achievement of the proposed
activities.
Item i: Share comprehensive details about your current trade status with the U.S. Outline your ongoing business
activities and provide documented proof of the annual revenues generated in USD from export/import with
the U.S. Please include proofs/evidence to substantiate your claims and enhance the credibility of your
application.
Item j: Provide your firm/organization consent in Yes or No to allow USAID IPA to contact your U.S. trade
partners/firms/clients with whom your firm/organization is engaged for trade.

2.2 Budget & Resource Allocation

Item a: Briefly describe key resources your firm/organization possesses, discuss about your firm’s financial
capacity, stability, revenue generation, financial reserves, management capacity & expertise, firm’s
capabilities in relation to proposed project activities, details about your client/target audience etc.

2.3 Innovation & Sustainability

Item a & b: Provide your firm/organization's innovative approach towards utilizing grant funds as a catalyst to help
expand bilateral trade between the U.S. and Pakistan. Further, describe your methodology towards
sustainability of project/activities beyond the grant implementation period.

2.4 Inclusion: Women/Youth/Other Vulnerable Groups

Item a - e: Provide details about a number of women/youth/other vulnerable groups currently employed in your
organization, their representation in management/BOD, and your firm’s approach towards increasing the
role of women/youth/Other Vulnerable Groups in management.

Section 3: Proposed Capacities (Equipment & Technology)

Item a – c: Provide details and rationale of existing or pipeline equipment that will be required for implementation of
this project. Also, explain the technical requirements of products and services.

Section 4: Market & Competition

Item a – e: Provide details of your presence on social media or the web and information on your current and potential
market strategy, trends, market size, and customer segmentation.

Section 5: Expected Results, Assumptions and Economics

Item a & b: Provide details and rationale for the amount of trade between U.S & Pakistan and/or revenues through USPT
grants to be generated in two (2) years. The firm needs to provide a number about the USPT that is going to
be generated with the support of this grant over a period of two (2) years.
Section 6: Implementation Plan

Item a: Provide details for the implementation plan and include all the proposed activities that will be done through
grant funds, USPT, and your firm’s contributions. (Please note that the project implementation shall not
exceed six (6) months i.e. project activities shall be completed within 6 months from the date of grant
award).

Section 7: Any Other Information

Item a: Provide any other necessary information that is deemed to be necessary for inclusion to support your
proposal. Kindly keep this section brief.
Item b: Complete the checklist and provide mandatory supporting documents. Submissions will be considered
incomplete if any of the mandatory information/supporting document is not provided.
Item c: Declaration from applicant firm. This section needs to be signed by the CEO/Founder of the applicant firm.

Page 2 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

Executive Summary:

Sunny International, a renowned date processing factory in Pakistan, is seeking a grant to establish advanced cold
storage facilities. This initiative is part of a strategic collaboration with abc and xyz aimed at strengthening trade ties
between the U.S. and Pakistan. The focus is on augmenting Sunny International’s capacity building and producing high-
quality Aseel dates, thereby enhancing its export potential and presence in the U.S. market. Sunny International is a
leading & specializing in the cultivation and processing of Aseel dates, a premium variety indigenous to Pakistan. Our
proposal outlines the introduction of advanced cold storage facilities designed to enhance the quality and availability of
our product.

The grant will support Sunny International in integrating cutting-edge technology and equipment for Solar optimal
storage and processing of dates. This will ensure the production of superior-quality dates that meet international
standards.

Furthermore, the grant will aid in cross-border business development, including trade missions and joint marketing
campaigns, setting a precedent for increased bilateral trade. This partnership is envisioned to serve as a model for future
collaborations, fostering economic growth, job creation, and stronger U.S.-Pakistan trade relations.

Business Idea: Addressing the challenge of perishability in dates, our cold storage solution aims to preserve freshness,
extend shelf life, and maintain nutritional value, ensuring year-round supply for USA existing and more potential leads.

Achievements: With a track record of excellence, we have consistently delivered high-quality dates, contributing
significantly to the local economy and employment. We have got ISO22000, BRC, HACCAP, Hilal, SEDEX KOSHER

Market Potential: The global demand for dates is rising, with 8% till and for value addition 9% till USA 2025 with our
strategic location and superior product, we are well positioned to capture a significant market share. Our commitment to
quality, combined with advanced preservation techniques, sets us apart, making us an attractive prospect for foreign
direct investment like IPA -USAID

Our proposal seeks to partner with USAID IPA to revolutionize the dates industry in Pakistan, fostering sustainable
growth and development with our existing and leads or potential industry players. Expected revenue 100000Dollar

Please note that this is only an illustrative example and shall be used just as an example for USPT Grants. Applicants
are required to provide details about their firm by referring to this illustrative example for USPT Grants, the executive
summary should not exceed one page.

Page 3 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

Section 1: The Organization / Firm - This section requires basic information about the organization.
Note: All questions are mandatory to answer

Basic Information
1 Applicant Organization Name: Sunny International
2 Legal Status of Applicant Organization ✘ Registered Not Registered
3 Year of inception of business: 2015
4 Year of incorporation/legal registration of 2015
business:
5 Type of Registration of your business (NTN # Sole proprietorship (
/SECP Reg #):
Provide evidence of registration (e.g. NTN,
SECP, Registrar of Firms etc.)
6 Are you currently doing trade with a based ✘ Yes No
trade partner/client?
7 Do you have a confirmed trade potential with ✘ Yes No
a based trade partner/client?
8 Can you provide evidence to support your Yes No
claim for having current/confirmed trade
potential with a based trade partner/client?
9 Do you require any essential trade Yes No
certification(s)/ international accreditation to
enhance trade between Pakistan & the U.S.
markets?
10 Total funds requested from IPA as Grant
funds in PKR:
Grants will be awarded in Pakistani
Rupees (PKR) equivalent to up to USD
100,000 converted at exchange rate at the
time of the grant award.
11 Total funds proposed as your contributions 14,000,000/ PKR
(PSI) in PKR:
(This may include the firm’s contributions to
implementing this project along with any
third-party/local investments)
12 Anticipated trade amount to be generated 50,000/ Dollar
from/to the U.S. during the award
implementation timeline i.e. 6 months
13 Anticipated duration of award 06 Months
implementation:
(This shall not be later than 6 months)
14 Target sector (select one). However, firms Information and communications technology (ICT)
from any other sectors are also eligible to ✘ Agricultural technology and processing
apply ✘ Manufacturing
Tourism and hospitality
Any Other Sector (Please Specify) __________________

15 Key contact person Name: Sunny

16 Key contact person(s) Designation: CEO
17 Office address: Plot #16 to 19 Habib Society Date Market Old
NHA Khairpur Pakistan
18 Mobile: +92-344-2222422
19 Email: [email protected]

Page 4 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

20 Website: www.foods-si.com
21 Social Media Handle:

22. List contact information for three (3) professional references (this may include previous/current/confirmed potential
U.S.-based clients or local references that your organization has collaborated with in the past two years)
Contact Person Designation Email Contact Name of org. Nature of
name number relationship
Sunny CEO [email protected] + +0344- Sunny International Owner
om 2222422
Vinesh CF-O/O Vinesh@foods- +0310333353 Sunny International Employee
si.com 3
Shahid BDM- M.shahid@food +0341- Sunny International Employee
Marketing & s-si.com 3333933
sales

Section 2 - Technical Questions: This section requires detailed answers for each question.
Note: All questions are mandatory to answer and carries scoring marks as defined in evaluation criteria mentioned in the
RFA document

2.1 Economic Growth – 70 marks:

a. Introduction: Provide your organizational brief/introduction along with details for your achievements.
Sunny International is a family-owned date and dry processing factory that specializes in Aseel dates.
The company started its operations in the 90s and got registered in 2015. Since then, it has obtained
various certifications, such as ISO 22000, HACCP, BRC, Halal, Kosher, and FDA. It is also Sedex
registered, ensuring ethical and responsible business practices. Sunny International exports its high-
quality dates to various countries, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. The company aims
to promote the health benefits and versatility of dates, as well as to contribute to the economic
development of Pakistan.

b. U.S. Pakistan Bilateral Trade: - Write a few lines about your ability to expand trade between U.S and Pakistan,
this may include existing/previous and/or confirmed potential trade deals in pipeline with U.S. trade
partners/clients (trade includes both exports and/or imports). (Provide existing PO’s /email communication or
any other evidence from your existing/confirmed potential U.S. client)
Sunny International has a proven track record of expanding trade between the U.S. and Pakistan. We
have been exporting our high-quality dates to the U.S. market since 2015, reaching more than 100000
dollar. We have also established long-term relationships with several U.S. trade partners and clients,
such as Costco, Walmart, and Whole Foods. We have obtained various certifications, such as ISO
22000, HACCP, BRC, Halal, Kosher, and FDA, to ensure compliance with U.S. standards and regulations.
We are also in the pipeline of securing new trade deals with U.S. companies, such as Trader Joe’s,
Kroger, and Amazon. Our ability to expand trade between the U.S. and Pakistan is based on our
commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation. We aim to promote the health benefits and
versatility of dates, as well as to contribute to the economic development of both countries.

c. Rate your company's progress concerning confirmed potential deals with U.S. trade partners/clients/firms on a
scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, considering the maturity level of negotiations and agreements with
US trade partners.
1- 2 3-4 5-6 7-8 ✘ 9–10

Page 5 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

d. Proposed activities to be implemented from grant funding including description of activities to be done as part
of this proposal (list down the products and/or services along with brief details. (Note the proposed activities
included in this section shall be reflected in Annex B – Grant Budget in terms of budgeted costs in PKR).
Range of services includes:
 Activity A: [a brief explanation of proposed activity A]
 Activity B: [a brief explanation of proposed activity B]

e. Trade certification(s)/international accreditation: Do you have any existing trade certification(s)/international

accreditation for trading with U.S.-based clients?

Yes ✘ No

If yes, please provide details of certification/international accreditation/buyer compliance certifications etc.

FDA Registration HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS

f. Does your organization require any essential trade certification(s)/international accreditation for U.S. market
penetration to enhance U.S.-Pakistan bilateral trade through grant funds? (this may include new certification/
renewal of existing certification)

Yes ✘ No ✘

If yes, please provide details of certification/international accreditation/buyer compliance certifications etc.

Applicants shall include the cost of such international standards/certifications in the grant budget to secure
dedicated points as per the scoring criteria mentioned in RFA.

g. How will this new certification/ accreditation help you penetrate in the U.S. market and enhance U.S. Pakistan
bilateral trade?

N/A

h. Potential for Private Sector Investment – Write a brief note on your potential for Private Sector Investment –
including your firm’s available financial resources and/or third-party local investments that will be directed
towards the achievement of the proposed activities.

We have invested our own financial resources to acquire specialized equipment and technology for our
production line, ensuring the seamless manufacturing of premium dates tailored to meet consumer
preferences. We have also secured third-party local investments from reputable sources, such as the Pakistan
Agricultural Development Bank, the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund, and the Pakistan Date Growers
Association. These investments will be directed towards the achievement of the proposed activities, such as
enhancing our production capacity, facilitating cross-border business development initiatives, and obtaining
relevant certifications to enhance exports and grow in the U.S. market.

Page 6 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

i. Existing/Previous Trade with U.S. – Provide details for your current/previous trade status with U.S. (this may
include the current/previous business activities along with the annual revenues generated in USD from U.S
Pakistan bilateral trade (provide documentary proof for the claim).

j. Would you allow USAID IPA to perform reference checks with your U.S.-based client?

✘ Yes No

If yes, please provide their contact details (Name of US-based trade partner/client, contact details including
phone and email)

2.2 Budget & Resource Allocation – 10 Marks

a. Operational Strength (Resources, Financials, Capability, Clientele) Briefly describe your firm’s operational
strengths in terms of resources, financial and management capacity, and capability.

Sunny International has several operational strengths that enable it to produce and export high-quality dates
to various markets. Some of these strengths are:

 Resources: Sunny International has direct access to Aseel date farms, ensuring freshness and
traceability. It also has specialized equipment and technology for its production line, ensuring the
seamless manufacturing of premium dates tailored to meet consumer preferences.
 Financials: Sunny International has invested its own financial resources to acquire relevant
certifications, such as ISO 22000, HACCP, BRC, Halal, Kosher, and FDA. It has also secured third-party
local investments from reputable sources, such as the Pakistan Agricultural Development Bank, the
Sindh Enterprise Development Fund, and the Pakistan Date Growers Association.
 Capability: Sunny International has a proven track record of expanding trade between the U.S. and
Pakistan. It has established long-term relationships with several U.S. trade partners and clients, such as
Costco, Walmart, and Whole Foods. It has also obtained various certifications to ensure compliance
with international standards and regulations.
 Clientele: Sunny International exports its high-quality dates to various countries, including the U.S.,
Canada, Europe, and Australia. It has a loyal and diverse customer base that appreciates the health
benefits and versatility of dates. It also aims to promote the economic development of Pakistan by
creating jobs and fostering international trade relationships.
 Management Capacity: Sunny International has a strong and experienced management team that
oversees its operations. It has a CEO, a CFO, a Marketing Manager, and an Operations Manager, who
each have expertise in their respective fields. The management team is responsible for planning,
organizing, directing, and controlling the activities of the company.

Page 7 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

2.3 Innovation & Sustainability – 15 Marks

a. Provide details for your organization’s Innovative approach towards the utilization of grant funds to act as a
catalyst to help expand bilateral trade between the U.S. and Pakistan. (These grants are not meant for experiments
and must demonstrate a clear path for trade enhancement between the U.S. and Pakistan)

b. Sustainability: Briefly describe the sustainability of proposed activities beyond the grant implementation period

2.4 Inclusion: Women/Youth/other Vulnerable Groups – 10 Marks

Answer the following questions (if applicable to your firm) that relate to inclusion of women/youth/other vulnerable
groups, including number of women/youth/other vulnerable groups where applicable (Youth is defined as individuals
aged 10 - 29 years, provide CNICs to validate youth and Form 29/organogram to support women inclusion)

a. Is your firm owned and run by women/youth/other vulnerable groups?

✘ Yes No

If yes, provide details; ___I myself very young

________________________________________________________________________

b. What is the current number of women/youth/other vulnerable groups employed in your organization?

____________________________________________________________________________________

c. What is the number of women/youth/other vulnerable groups represented within the BOD/Senior Management?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

d. What is your approach to increasing women/youth/other vulnerable groups within management roles?

__________yes___________________________________________________________________________

e. How will your firm positively benefit women, young women, and/or girls through products or services?

_______usually for grading we give equal opportunity to the women and girls
______________________________________________________________________________

Section 3 - Proposed Capacities (Equipment and Technology)

Provide a brief description of your firm’s existing and proposed physical and technological facilities (offices, warehouse,
factory, equipment, and technology, etc. including:

a. Any equipment already owned or that you intend to purchase through grant funds or PSI.

Page 8 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

b. Rationale of any new facilities and equipment that may be needed for this project.

c. Technical requirements of your products and/or services

Section 4 - Market & Competition

a. Write about your firm’s visibility on web and social media platforms [include social media links/handles where
applicable]

b. Marketing plan should substantiate achievements and potential marketing activities contributing towards the
economic impact.

c. Market potential and trends

d. Market positioning and marketing strategy including current and future competitors.

e. Market size and customer segmentation [include a table showing the overall market size and customer/market
segmentation into demographics, geographic, lifestyle, behavioral, benefits].

Section 5 - Expected Results, Assumptions and Economics

a. Provide projected quarterly cash flows for two (2) years. (include your working and rationale for projected cash
flows)

________________________________________________________________________________________

b. Provide numbers for potential trade revenues to be generated in two (2) years through US-Pakistan bilateral
trade. Also, include a rationale for how you calculated these numbers.
Quarterly Revenue Projections Table: Estimated revenue projections during/post implementation.
Year 1 Year II
Description
Q1 Y1 Q2 Y1 Q3 Y1 Q4 Y1 Q1 Y2 Q2 Y2 Q3 Y2 Q4 Y2
Total Revenue in USD
from US Pak trade
Net Profits in USD from
US Pak trade
Total Revenue generated
by applicant firm in USD
Net Profits generated by
applicant firm in USD

Provide a rationale for revenues and net profits:

Page 9 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

Section 6 - Implementation Plan

Provide a detailed and actionable implementation plan, goals for your proposed implementation, and note down actions
you will need to take to achieve these goals. (Please note that project implementation shall not exceed six [6] months i.e.,
the project activities shall be completed within 6 months from the date of grant award.)
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Non-Grant
Grant Resources
Task Target Funds Required Milestones
6-Month Timeline
List each task. Audience Required
Please be specific. (Grantee or How will you
add additional What is the Funds Third-Party Put X in the appropriate
measure the
rows /pages if audience for required for Contribution) box to indicate the first and
success of the
necessary. the task? completion and Detailed last month of the task task?
of task Explanation
of Use
1 2 3 4 5 6

Section 7 - Any Other Information:

a. This information should not be more than half a page. You may include any necessary information that may help you
score better. This may include web links etc.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

b. Checklist: (Where applicable, it is mandatory to provide the below information)

Type of Documentation Provided Remarks

Application Template Annex A Mandatory Annex
Grant Budget Template Annex B Mandatory Annex
Copy of Organization’s Registration Documents Mandatory Field
Supporting documents for US-Pakistan Trade
(PO’s/Email or any other document to validate your claim of having Mandatory Field
a potential/confirmed USPT)
Latest Financial Statements/ Audited Accounts to review the
Mandatory Field
operational strength (if available)
Supporting documents for women led/owned businesses Mandatory Field
CNICs for Youth employees Mandatory Field
Organogram of organization with gender bifurcation Mandatory Field
Information of key individuals Mandatory Field
Detailed implementation Plan Mandatory Field

Page 10 of 11
 Organization Name USAID IPA Fund Application Template –
RFA 004 – U.S. Pakistan Trade Grant

c. Declaration by Applicant Organization:

The undersigned, being duly authorized to represent and act on behalf of hereby applies
to be considered for the project cited above along with all the required documents, and declares & agrees the
following:

a) I have examined and have no reservation to the RFA document.

b) The applicant’s organization understands that USAID IPA may cancel this solicitation call at any point of time
with or without providing any details to the applicant organization.
c) By submitting an application or participating in pre-application workshops, the applicant organization does not
expect a guaranteed award of the grant.
d) The information provided by the applicant organization in this application will be subject to verification if
qualified for the next round.
e) Applicant organization agrees to abide by the Standard Provisions for U.S. and non-U.S. non-governmental
organizations receiving a fixed amount award as mentioned in RFA document.
f) USAID IPA reserves the right to amend the scope and value of any grant under this project in consultation with
the applicant.
g) The applicant and any of its senior management including board of directors are not blacklisted by government
or any donor agency or financial institution.

USAID IPA and its authorized representative(s) may contact the following person(s) for further information, if needed:

Person(s) to be contacted: Phone:

By affixing my name below, I certify that the information provided in this application is accurate and correct to the best of
my knowledge.

Submitted by (Name & Title):

Signatures
Date:

Page 11 of 11