The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is seeking Proposals for Pacific Island Strategic Infrastructure Initiative.
Mission: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
Sectors
The following examples are meant to be illustrative. If you have a question about a specific project and whether it fits within the sector information shown, please contact USTDA in advance of submitting a proposal.
Clean Energy: USTDA promotes clean and renewable power generation, including green hydrogen; solar minigrids and distributed renewable energy resources; energy storage through hydrogen fuel cells, batteries and other storage strategies; smart grid for electricity transmission and distribution; energy efficiency and demand-side management; electrification and emissions reduction in industrial applications; and advanced clean energy technologies that are commercially deployed.
Transportation: USTDA supports the development of rail, port, mass transit, electric vehicle and aviation infrastructure. USTDA promotes mobility, safety and security in the transportation sector by enhancing rail, port and flight safety and security; navigation services; port, railway and airport development and expansion; route development; and transportation system capacity.
Digital Infrastructure: USTDA promotes the deployment of secure, connected digital infrastructure including internet and fiber access network expansion, last mile connectivity, satellites, smart city development, and cybersecurity.
Healthcare Infrastructure: USTDA supports the development and expansion of healthcare systems, including hospital development, electronic medical records, telemedicine and mobile health, oncology care, and pharmaceutical distribution.
USTDA’s Tools
USTDA achieves its mission by funding feasibility studies, technical assistance and pilot projects that integrate U.S. private sector innovation into infrastructure projects at the critical early stages when design choices and technology options are determined. The Agency also connects overseas project sponsors with U.S. partners through its reverse trade missions, industry conferences, expert workshops and training.
In carrying out its mission, USTDA places particular emphasis on vital economic sectors including clean energy, transportation, digital, and healthcare infrastructure.
Funding Information
Project size: USTDA supports large-scale infrastructure projects. While there is no formal minimum or maximum for project size, projects generally are in the US$10 million — $250 million capital expenditure range. Initial proposals shall describe the anticipated size of the project.
Eligibility Criteria
USTDA accepts proposals to support infrastructure projects in the following Pacific Island countries:
Fiji
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Niue
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Please direct any country eligibility questions to USTDA prior to submitting an initial proposal.
Teams comprised of qualifying U.S. businesses and eligible Pacific Islands project sponsors from the public or private sectors may submit proposals.
Eligible Pacific Island project sponsors may also submit proposals, provided the sponsor intends to engage a U.S. business for the project preparation, but has not yet selected a business partner. If selected for funding, USTDA will assist these project sponsors to identify a U.S. business to conduct a mutually agreed scope of work.
For reference, USTDA’s Document Center contains agreement templates, due diligence forms, template guidelines, and the Agency’s nationality, source and origin requirements.
The availability of USTDA grant funds in a given country may be subject to limitations, based on the country’s level of income, U.S. government restrictions on foreign assistance and other related policy considerations. Please note that USTDA grant funds may not be used to purchase equipment or software subscription services.
