Highlights of FCDO’s pipeline for the next 3 years

Following an analysis of the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s commercial pipeline earlier this year, Devex has dived into FCDO’s newly released commercial pipeline for the third quarter of 2021 to look into its planned programs for the next three years. Though information such as dates, budgets, and other opportunity details are still to be confirmed and can change over time at the department’s discretion, as of early August, the pipeline had a total of 35 opportunities worth £1 billion ($1.4 billion) to be procured in the coming months. A Conflict, Stability and Security Fund — or CSSF — governance project in Jordan was also adjusted and moved from 2019 to the 2020 list. From the opportunities listed, 75% of the total forecasted budget was for non-development-related opportunities such as logistics, event venues, accommodation, and transportation services. Among these was a £440 million contract for card expenditures by FCDO over the next four years. An FCDO spokesperson said the “figure is so high” because it represents an estimate of the combined card expenditure of three government bodies — FCDO, including overseas missions; FCDO Services; and the Department for Work and Pensions — over four years. Payment cards are an alternative method to credit cards for purchasing diplomatic and essential supplies, such as office equipment, the spokesman said. The remaining opportunities — worth a total of £249 million — were directed at global aid under CSSF and the World Programmes umbrella, which includes World Aid, World Diplomatic Services, and World International Relations. What’s new with FCDO’s commercial pipeline? Two new opportunities under CSSF are under the Africa directorate business area, worth a total of £7.5 million — both for monitoring and evaluation in western and eastern Africa. The others are £6 million for technical assistance for peace processes in Sudan and South Sudan, and £5.5 million for monitoring and evaluation services in the Western Balkans. Forecasted procurements under the World Aid program amounted to £206.8 million. The biggest one, worth £75 million, aims to improve rural resilience in Nigeria and will be accomplished through direct procurement. Other large opportunities include a £26.5 million opportunity that targets job-creating sectors in Tanzania and a £25 million project for women's political empowerment through digital governance. FCDO also plans to spend £65 million for the establishment of a resource center that aims to improve taxation, public financial management, and fiscal management in low- and middle-income countries. Other smaller contracts under the same program are a £4.3 million project under the South Asia and Afghanistan directorate, verification services in Tanzania worth £1 million, and fund management services in Nigeria for £10 million. The Lake Chad Basin Support Framework in Nigeria is worth £8.5 million, while the Women to Women Security program in Somalia — worth £2.8 million — tops off the opportunities under the World Programmes. The scope of both projects under the African directorate have yet to be determined. Will Worley contributed reporting to this article. Try out Devex Pro Funding today with a free 5-day trial, and explore funding opportunities from over 850+ sources in addition to our analysis and news content.