ARLINGTON, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced a call for initial proposals for gas sector-related projects from project sponsors or U.S. companies working with project sponsors in emerging markets. These entities are invited to submit an initial concept paper (not to exceed five pages) on projects related to gas infrastructure development to USTDA no later than Monday, January 28, 2019 at 12:00pm Eastern Time to be considered for funding.
The call for proposals builds on the success of the inaugural year of the U.S. Gas Infrastructure Exports Initiative, launched by USTDA and U.S. industry in November 2017. In the first year of the Initiative, USTDA generated over $1.5 billion in U.S. exports and funded thirteen gas-related activities in over 20 countries. The Agency also hosted 107 gas-sector decision-makers from emerging markets to learn about U.S. equipment, technologies, services, and best practices that can support their gas infrastructure development goals. One African delegate said, “All of the [U.S.] companies were open to showing their capabilities, and the information I received will contribute to the policies that we adopt for both regional and localized power generation.”
USTDA will continue building on its success in the gas sector with this latest call for project proposals.
The proposal should include a brief description of the project’s size and status, including project location, economic fundamentals, equipment and technology requirements, legal and regulatory considerations, and the purpose and amount of USTDA funding requested. The proposal should also outline the sponsor’s experience, potential options for financing, risks the project faces, and estimated potential for U.S. content in the project’s implementation.
Proposals can involve upstream, midstream, and downstream components of the gas industry, including:
- Gas Exploration
- Refining
- LNG Infrastructure
- Pipelines and Storage
- Transportation
- Gas-Fired Power
- Emissions Reduction Technologies
Eligibility Criteria
USTDA accepts proposals to support traditional energy project development in low and middle-income countries around the world. Teams comprised of qualifying U.S. businesses and eligible entities from the public or private sectors may submit proposals wherever the U.S. business meets USTDA’s nationality requirements. See USTDA’s Guidelines for Sole Source Project Proposals for more details. Eligible entities who intend to engage a U.S. business but have not yet selected one may also submit proposals. If selected for funding, USTDA will assist these entities in identifying a U.S. business to conduct a mutually agreed-upon scope of work. Interested entities are welcome to use USTDA’s General Funding Request Guidelines for project proposals.
Evaluation Criteria
USTDA will employ the following criteria, among others, to evaluate proposals and make programming decisions:
- Potential for U.S. exports: USTDA’s goal is to create export opportunities for U.S. companies in the United States. Proposals will be evaluated based in part on the potential that projects represent export opportunities for U.S. manufacturers and service providers.
- Potential for financing and implementation: Proposals will be evaluated to determine the potential of projects to attract financing and, subsequently reach implementation. Offerors are expected to demonstrate how USTDA’s grant capital will attract public and private investment, and lead to new infrastructure capacity.
- Potential for development impact: USTDA supports efforts to build adequate energy infrastructure and utilize natural gas resources by expanding energy generation, increasing access to electricity, and modernizing existing infrastructure to increase efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
- Strength of the offeror: USTDA will consider the credentials of the host country project sponsor and, where applicable, the expertise of the U.S. firm.
Prospective offerors may pose questions to USTDA at: gasinitiative@ustda.gov. Five-page proposals that are responsive to the evaluation criteria may be submitted to this address no later than Monday, January 28, 2019 at 12:00pm Eastern Time to be included in this call for proposals.
About the U.S. Gas Infrastructure Exports Initiative
Launched in November 2017 in partnership with LNG Allies, the 27th World Gas Conference, and the Chamber’s Global Energy Institute, the U.S. Gas Infrastructure Exports Initiative’s objective is to connect American companies to export opportunities across the gas value chain in emerging economies. The Initiative aims to advance gas infrastructure in partner countries by connecting project sponsors to cutting-edge U.S. technologies, equipment, and solutions.