20240728 CPIF NOFO ECON.docx

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Embassy Belgrade, Economic Section Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title: Building Capacity in the Western Balkans to Understand and Promote Responsible Trade and Investment Funding Opportunity Number: SRB10024FO-07 Deadline for Applications: August 28, 2024 Assistance Listing Number: 19.900 Total Amount Available: $500,000

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Belgrade, announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project that will establish a network of researchers, analysts, business leaders, and/or journalists in the Western Balkans, who promote responsible trade and foreign direct investment. This includes considerations for stewardship of the environment, development of human capital, advancement of long-term prosperity built on a market- and rule of law-based system, and engagement with Euro-Atlantic commercial and analytical partners. This network of diversified stakeholders will investigate the current effects of trade and FDI on economic growth in the six Western Balkan states (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), evaluate free trade agreements, promote Euro-Atlantic trade, and create mechanisms to maintain this network to promote economic reform that interests key stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, and academia.

Please follow all instructions below.

A.1 Background The six Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – can be considered small, open economies that have varying degrees of reliance on trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) for growth.

The qualities that allow a country to trade and to attract FDI, however, do not always promote long-term prosperity. Economic reforms aimed at (i) improving resource allocation by eliminating market-distorting policies, (ii) minimizing the regulatory burden on business, (iii) reducing FDI volatility by increasing political and economic stability, and (iv) removing natural resource dependence by diversifying the economy can benefit the Western Balkan countries and induce growth in the long run. Moreover, continued integration with Euro-Atlantic commercial and academic institutions, including through trade and investment, often can enhance long-term prosperity in the Western Balkans.

A.2 Goals The first goal of this project is to establish a network of researchers, analysts, business leaders, and/or journalists in the Western Balkans, who promote Euro-Atlantic trade, responsible foreign direct investment, stewardship of the environment, development of human capital, long-term prosperity built on a market- and rule of law-based system, and engagement with Euro-Atlantic commercial and analytical partners. This network of diversified stakeholders will investigate the current effects of trade and FDI on economic growth in the six West Balkan states and promote Euro-Atlantic integration through a trade and investment forum as well as through public discourse.

A second goal is to create mechanisms to maintain this network, which will promote economic reforms that interest key stakeholders, including the government of Serbia, the Serbian civil society and private sector, in addition to the Serbian academic society.

A.3 Expected Results Illustrative examples of anticipated program outcomes include:

· Publicly accessible information on the current effect of free trade agreements and FDI on economic growth in the six West Balkan states. In particular, this should emphasize the positive impacts of Euro-Atlantic trade and investment in the Western Balkans,

· A significant trade and investment forum to promote Euro-Atlantic commercial relations with the Western Balkans,

· Greater public awareness of and expert attention to the environmental effects of FDI,

· Greater public awareness of and expert attention to FDI’s effects on human capital, for example the creation of jobs overall as well as the creation of high-level, high-wage employment in leadership and management positions of foreign-owned companies in the Western Balkans,

· Development and/or implementation of local, national, or European Union-led strategies to mitigate risks associated with existing FDI in infrastructure, mining, auto and battery production sectors. These risks might include the potential for exploitation of cheap labor and resources and the risk of cultural clashes and political instability.

A.4 Main Activities Illustrative examples of program activities include:

· Development of a public trade and FDI portal and creation of a mechanism to ensure it continues beyond the two-year program of the grant,

· Organizing and hosting a trade and investment forum in the Western Balkans and creation of a mechanism to ensure the forum has long-lasting spillover effects, commercial, political, and/or analytical,

· Articles and op-eds published in local languages and/or English discussing trade and FDI and emphasizing, when possible, the positive impact of Euro-Atlantic investment and trade,

· Roundtable discussions in covered countries, organized by local partners, to publicize findings and galvanize responses.

A.5 Performance Indicators The project should aim to have an impact that leads to measurable increases in public awareness of trade and FDI, increased public attention regarding the positive impacts of EU and transatlantic commercial ties and investment, and evidence of continuing networking on relevant issues in the Western Balkan region. A catalog of the number of media stories with such an emphasis could be an indicator of success. New and widely publicized data regarding positive impact of Euro-Atlantic trade and investment on job creation, especially high-wage managerial positions, would be another indicator as would an increase in such job creation, though the latter would take several years to produce. In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, programs should implement strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veteran’s status. Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible. All programs should be non-discriminatory, and implementers should include strategies for nondiscrimination of individuals/ organizations/beneficiaries based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.

Priority Region: Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia)

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: Up to 36 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 Award amount: $500,000 Total available funding: $500,000 Type of Solicitation: Open Competition Type of Funding: FY23/24 AEECA Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: Your project should start no earlier than October 1, 2024, and no later than September 30, 2025.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Program Performance Period: Proposed program activities should be completed in 36 months or less. (This includes the time for assessment and evaluation, as well as the drafting of the final report.)

The Department of State may entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants: The following entities, from one of the six Western Balkan countries or from the United States, are eligible to apply:

· Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks, business associations, universities, and civil society/non-governmental organizations

Individuals may not apply for this program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching.

Cost sharing is allowed but not required and will not impact funding decisions.

While filling out the application, you will be required to tell us whether you are also receiving funding from other donors for your project. Please be aware, however, that you must be able to carry out all the activities described in your application with the funding you receive, even if the contributions from other donors or other funding sources fail to materialize.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements.

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

If an applicant has already received a grant from the U.S. Embassy the grant period for the new project will overlap with the existing one, or if an organization has submitted more than one project proposal, please use section “y” in the application form to explain how you will manage more than one project and describe your capacity to do so.

4. Funding Restrictions.

You may NOT apply for this grant if your project:

This funding opportunity aims to support specific projects with objectives which can be achieved within a set timeframe. We will not accept applications which are aimed more broadly at supporting your organization’s usual or typical daily activities and operations. Those will be deemed technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding by the review committee.

For this particular NOFO, grant funding can be used to cover the cost of international travel as an essential part of the project.

As a general rule, participants or audiences should not be charged for taking part in any the U.S. Embassy Belgrade-funded activity. If you envisage that your project activity will not be free for some reason, please contact the U.S. Embassy Belgrade while you are in the process of completing the application to see whether that could be allowed. Depending on the funding source, the U.S. Embassy Belgrade might be able to support your project, but only if you can demonstrate how the revenue generated will be used to support the larger objectives and explain that your organization will profit from the modest entrance fee.

See also “Guidelines for Budget Justification” under Section H below for more information on budget items.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Requesting the Application Package

Application forms required below are available at https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/ and www.grants.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Please ensure that:

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

• All documents are in English

• All budgets are in U.S. dollars

• All pages are numbered

• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 or A4 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

a. SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)

b. SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

c. SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) if the applicant is an organization whose registration in SAM.gov is still pending.

d. the U.S. Embassy Belgrade Grant Application Form for Fiscal Year 2024. Note: Detailed directions for filling out the grant application are included with the form.

e. Budget Justification Narrative (Excel Spreadsheet): After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use the Excel spreadsheet template to describe and explain each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

f. Attachments

• 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program

• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner, if applicable.

• Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

• Proof of SAM registration. If you still have not completed SAM.gov registration, a screenshot from SAM.gov reflecting that you have started the process.

Please follow all the instructions when filling out the Application Form.

3.Required Registrations:

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

· Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

· Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

· Please note that as of November 2022 and February 2022 respectively, organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code or CAGE code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove a CAGE or NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain a CAGE or NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if:

· An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.

· For an applicant, if the Federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a Federal award. In these instances, Federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the Federal award date.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than August 28, 2024.

5. Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted by email to BLGECON@state.gov.

If the U.S. Embassy Belgrade does not receive a complete project proposal at the above address by the deadline, it will be considered technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.

• Quality of the project proposal. The proposal is well-developed, clear, and innovative. It offers a creative approach and/or solutions to deal with the stated problem or challenge, focused on specific audiences or participants, with an approach that is likely to achieve results and have an impact. The application includes sufficient details that spell out exactly what the project activities will entail, and how and when elements will be carried out, with a reasonable implementation timeline and clear milestones provided. Appropriate partners, if applicable, have been identified and have agreed to take part in the activity. (40 points)

• Organizational capacity and (if applicable) record on previous grants. The individual or organization submitting this application has the qualifications, skills, talent, drive, and/or demonstrated ability, perhaps with the assistance of an identified partner organization or contractor, to carry out the grant activities (outputs) with the participants, which will provide a good chance of achieving the goals and objectives laid out in the proposal. Applicant has sufficient internal controls in place to monitor activities, track spending, etc. If the applicant has received a grant (or grants) in the past from the U.S. Embassy or others, those were carried out in line with the project proposal[s], reports were filed in a timely manner, etc. (20 points)

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan. The project has a clearly identified, S.M.A.R.T. objectives (in addition to outputs), with a good approach to measure the impact of the grant activity on target audiences and/or to bring about some change. (S.M.A.R.T. stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.) The proposal outlines in sufficient detail how activities will be monitored or tracked. The applicant also has a plan for how to measure or evaluate impact or results, giving the organization the ability to explain in a report or what has changed as a result of the project, where the project succeeded, where it might have fallen short, and to discuss lessons learned. (15 points)

• Support of Underserved Communities. The proposal should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation. (5 points)

• Budget. The figures, narrative, and justification are complete and reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget accounts for all necessary expenses and the justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable and realistic in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. (20 points)

• Potential for Multiplier Effect/Longer-term Impact/Sustainability. The proposal includes a discussion of the follow-on impact of the funded activity even after the end of the program through the multiplier effect or through expected follow-on activities by the applicant and/or partners and/or primary or secondary audiences. (Up to 10 points extra)

2. Review and Selection Process

A grants review committee will evaluate all eligible applications. You may be asked to submit additional information and/or a revised budget. Please also be aware that, depending on the availability of funding, the U.S. Embassy Belgrade might be able to fund only part of the budget you have requested.

3. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov (formerly, FAPIIS)

For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold over the period of performance (see §200.01 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants that:

i. The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the U.S. government designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

ii. An applicant, at its option, may review and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. Currently, federal agencies create integrity records in the integrity module of the Contractor Performance Assessment and Reporting System (CPARS) and these records are visible as responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov;

iii. The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.206 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

The U.S. Embassy Belgrade anticipates that final funding decisions will be made by September 13, 2024.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

The award will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Payment Method: The U.S. Embassy Belgrade will discuss payment method and frequency with you before issuance of the award.

2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements:

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

· 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

· 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

· 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

· 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

· 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

· 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

· U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

· Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 85 FR 49506 on August 13, 2020, particularly on:

· Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),

· Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 115—232) (2 CFR part 200.216),

· Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),

· Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and

· Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants.

The support of underserved communities will be part of the review criteria for this opportunity. Therefore, proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

3. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.

The final report must be submitted no later than 120 days after the project end date.

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation. In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: BLGECON@state.gov.

H. OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.