2019 Question & answer.pdf

2019 CARSI Small Grant Question & Answer List

1. Is this grant funding opportunity only for registered NGOs?

The grant opportunity is open to U.S. Non-profit/non-governmental organizations

(NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based NGOs, institutions of higher education, and public international organizations (PIOs); Belizean NGOs are strongly encouraged to apply.

2. What is the grant award amount and is it in US or Belize Dollars?

Proposals should be for an amount between $200,000 and $400,000 and the funds are in US Dollars.

3. Will financial statements be needed?

Organizations are required to submit copies of their most recent audit reports

4. I have a DUNS registration but it is for my company. Do I need a new registration for my NGO?

If the company and NGO are two different entities then you will need a new DUNS

Number and SAM registration

5. Where can we find the evaluation scorecard?

Applications are evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which will be carried out by a designated Review Panel. This criteria can be found on page 27 of the NOFO.

6. Are Farmer Cooperatives eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligibility depends on the documentation provided regarding the legal status of the Cooperative as a non-profit entity.

7. Is there a break down available of allowable direct and indirect costs?

Please refer to the Budget guidelines, which form a part of the NOFO documentation package for information regarding direct and indirect costs. Additional information can be found in the 2 CFR 200 at https://ecfr.io/Title-02/sp2.1.200.e.

8. Currently I have not been able to obtain DUNS.

https://ecfr.io/Title-02/sp2.1.200.e

Please visit the link to apply for a DUNS number. If you have issues with the DUNS site please contact their help address. It does take a while to receive your DUNS. Please be patient and try to work their system. http://www.dnb.com/get-a-duns-number.html -

9. Cost sharing is not required. (page 22) but Applicants must follow cost-sharing or matching policy as stipulated in 2 CFR 200.306.” Applicants may offer cost share, however, cost share will not be considered or factored in when proposals are reviewed.” (page 28) But further down that same page under the section “Cost Evaluation”, it notes that “Applications that maximize direct activity costs including cost sharing and that minimize administrative costs are encouraged.” So this seems a bit contradictory in the sense that cost sharing is not required and will not be considered or factored in for review purposes yet it says that applications that include cost sharing is encouraged. Can you clarify?

While Cost Sharing is not required, it is welcomed should an organization be able to secure counterpart funds. Proposals will not be evaluated based on whether or not cost share is included. However, in the event Cost Share is included within the project budget, the organization will be expected to adhere to Cost Sharing policies as per 2 CFR 200.306.

10. Why does the notice say we cannot fund military or law enforcement? Please explain.

The funding authority for these funds does not include direct support or other such benefit for military or law enforcement agencies. Funds must fit under the objectives from the NOFO and in alignment with the governance objective of the U.S. Strategy for Central America. There are other U.S. account authorities appropriate for law enforcement training.

11. Is an established partnership with government agencies required?

It is not a disqualifier but it depends on how well the grant justifies the achievement of the required project objectives/outcomes.

12. What are some examples of capacity building activities for civil servants?

Capacity building includes training and technical assistance, which would aid in addressing key issues related to regulation or management to improve service delivery.

13. What are the required documents to fulfil the eligibility requirements? Do we need to prove that we are eligible?

All application requirements and documents are listed on the NOFO. Per the NOFO, applicants must complete forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B. Applicants may find links to these forms here, or on the application package under the grants.gov notice https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=Belmopan. Applicants http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=Belmopan must also submit a cover sheet, table of contents, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget narrative, line-item budget, and additional attachments. Please refer to the NOFO for additional details.

14. Can Cane Farmer Associations qualify as nonprofit organizations?

That depends on the legal status of the Association; if the entity is not a profit based organization/association and legally registered.

15. How long does a non-profit need to be in existence to qualify? Can a start-up non-profit qualify?

A start-up non-profit can qualify as long as the applicant meets all eligibility requirements. The evaluation panel will take the organization’s experience handling past grants into consideration. We encourage every organization that meets the eligibility requirement with a valid DUNS number to submit a proposal.

16. Can you share a webpage where we can get more information?

Please visit the Embassy website for additional information or Facebook page.

17. Do you need to have a nonprofit partner in Belize or is USA nonprofit status enough?

Having a non-profit partner in Belize is not required but is beneficial. Applicants eligible to apply include those listed in the NOFO, including: U.S. Non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based NGOs, institutions of higher education, and public international organizations (PIOs); and Belizean NGOs.

18. Are religious organizations eligible if they have non-profit in USA

Yes, they would be eligible

19. Can organizations collaborate to work together? Do project partners need DUNS and SAM numbers?

Yes, organizations can collaborate and only the organization applying for the grant needs a valid DUNS and SAM registration.

20. I know you do not give grants to government agencies but can our organization pay government agencies to do special training programs. For example if we need to license enforcers for fisheries.

No, government agencies cannot be paid from these grants

21. Define construction

Construction would include ordinary or normal alterations, restoration or rehabilitation such as any work that modifies buildings and/or grounds. This includes but is not limited to adding, replacing, modifying, relocating, removing, or painting doors, walls, windows, flooring or the alterations of ceilings, adding on to or dividing existing space or work on any building utility system.

22. Will grant funding be issued in entirety or parts?

The funds are typically issued in installments as costs are incurred. (i.e., multiple tranches).

23. Please explain and clarify NICRA

A NICRA is a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. The purpose of an indirect cost rate agreement is to publish the reimbursement rates negotiated between the federal government and a grantee organization which reflects the indirect costs (e.g. facilities and administrative costs) and fringe benefits expenses incurred by the organization in the conduct of federal programs. Organizations may negotiate an NICRA with their cognizant federal agency, which is the federal agency that provides the majority of the organization’s federal funding. Inquiries and questions should be sent to AQM- NICRA@state.gov

24. Is the NOFO opportunity only portioned in Belize?

The project must benefit Belize.

25. The deadline for the CARSI grants is too tight. Can you please extend the deadline for the submission of applications to late summer?

The Notice of Funding Opportunity was issued on our website, Facebook page and www.grants.gov on April 15. The deadline cannot be extended, as we must allow time for the selection process if funds are to be awarded by September 30, 2019.

Below is a link to the Facebook Q&A live video, which might be helpful:

https://www.facebook.com/usembassybelize/videos/1362105373942928/ mailto:AQM-NICRA@state.gov mailto:AQM-NICRA@state.gov http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.facebook.com/usembassybelize/videos/1362105373942928/