CSO NOFO - Colombia Local Peace Councils.docx

CSO NOFO – Supporting Colombia’s Local Peace Councils

United States Department of State Notice Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007152 Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY OVERVIEW

Catalog of Federal Domestic

This funding opportunity is posted on SAMS Domestic and may be amended. Answers to questions from potential applicants will be posted as an attachment to this NOFO. Applicants should regularly check the websites for the most recent information pertaining to this NOFO. Department of State bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with electronic submissions Incomplete application packages will not be considered. E-mailed, faxed or mailed documents will NOT be considered.

Applicants must provide a Unique Entity Identifier, or Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS), when submitting application in response to this NOFO.

SAM.gov registration (www.sam.gov) is required. Applicants that do not have a valid DUNS number and completed www.sam.gov registration will NOT be eligible for consideration.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package has been received in SAMS Domestic in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Individual e-mailed or faxed documents will not be considered.

The decision for the final eligibility and award determination rests with the Grants Officer.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CSO’s mission is to anticipate, prevent, and respond to conflict that undermines U.S. national interests. The bureau implements this mission in two complementary ways: through data-driven analysis and forward deploying stabilization advisors to conflict zones. The objective is to inform U.S. strategy, policy, and programs on conflict prevention and stabilization.

CSO announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for programs addressing the following peace accord implementation dynamics in Colombia.

Pending availability of funds and satisfactory performance, including compliance with the award’s terms and conditions, CSO may consider adding funds to the award. CSO intends to support one (1) award as a result of this NOFO.

Department of State reserves the right to fund any or none of the proposals submitted and reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase the budget in accordance with the needs of the project and the availability of funds.

The Federal award signed by the State Department Grants Officer is the only authorizing document.

This NOFO consists of the Overview and Executive Summary, plus the following sections:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Colombia has taken important steps to expand state presence throughout the country consistent with the 2016 Peace Accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). As of August 2019, an independent monitoring organization found that 73 percent of the Accord’s commitments (421 of 578) have been initiated or completed, with particular success in disarming former FARC combatants. Peace accord implementation in rural areas remains a challenge. Remote regions are disconnected from state services and are vulnerable to violence and recruitment by non-state armed groups (NSAGs). To address these challenges, the Colombian government created local peace councils to promote peace building initiatives, reconciliation, and coexistence in historically conflict-affected communities. Still, local councils lack capacity, resources, and coordination with regional and national-level institutions. Additionally, U.S. government efforts to enhance state presence in former conflict areas largely focus on security, law enforcement, and economic support.

PROJECT GOAL

The purpose of this program is to support Colombia’s efforts to enhance state presence in conflict-affected rural areas, consistent with the 2016 Peace Accord with the FARC. It aims to strengthen the capacity of local governments and enhance interagency collaboration with other local and national government institutions. Greater governance capacity at the local level is expected to build community-level resilience and confidence in the peace process, diminish opportunities for non-state armed groups to recruit vulnerable populations, and mitigate political instability.

The program supports the U.S. National Security Strategy, which directs the United States to “catalyze regional efforts to build security and prosperity through strong diplomatic engagement.” It recognizes Colombia as a leading regional security partner in Latin America, and the need to affirm this partnership and reinforce Colombia’s ability to cement peace throughout its territory. This support is particularly important as Colombia addresses increasing challenges, to include the influx of 1.8 million Venezuelans and persistent narco-trafficking threats. Helping to increase state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected rural areas will serve U.S. national security objectives.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES

Objective 1: Increase capacity of local peace councils to organize, plan, and implement programs and policies consistent with the peace accord.

Activities include but are not limited to:

· Support local peace councils to conduct weekly meetings to identify gaps in current policy, discuss community priorities and events, and assess ways to address them.

· Provide technical assistance to local peace councils on meeting specific implementation needs of their local communities;

· Increase participation of vulnerable youth through supporting local peace council’s constituent engagement programs and public consultations;

· Support local peace council’s micro-financing of quick impact projects to build political will, community cohesion, and address stabilization needs of vulnerable populations.

Objective 2: Enhance connectivity between local government institutions and Colombian regional and national government institutions.

Activities include but are not limited to:

· Assess current nature of ties between national (including National Peace Council), regional, and local institutions;

· Organize forums that bring together national, regional, and local institutions, civil society groups, international experts, and other key stakeholders to discuss community priorities;

· Support communication tools and public affairs initiatives to highlight successes of local peace councils and amplify government messaging (e.g. employ official state language of “Peace with Legality” in messaging campaigns, and consider use of government logos).

PROJECT CONSIDERATIONS

CSO will support up to 50 priority local peace councils selected through the criteria indicated below (see Selection of Local Peace Councils). The program will also monitor control communities (e.g. similar communities that do not receive a CSO intervention) to document program impact, measure effectiveness, and provide comparative perspective throughout the life of the program.

CSO may extend the award for up to 36 months, contingent on CSO priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approval, and funding availability. A work plan for this extended period may include:

a. Year Two - The program will expand to support up to 100 local peace councils and continue all monitoring and evaluation activities.

b. Year Three - The program will expand to support up to 125 local peace councils. In this final year, the program will focus on increasing sustainability, to include preparations to hand-off program functions to Colombian institutions where appropriate. The program will continue monitoring and evaluation activities.

Beneficiaries of Support: This program is intended to support the capacity and operations of Colombia’s local peace councils. Local peace councils are advisory entities for municipal government, established by Law 434 of 1998 and modified by the Ministry of Interior Decree 885 of 2017, as part of the implementation of the Colombian Final Peace Accord. Councils are led by the local mayor, and their creation must be approved by the Municipal Council. Their purpose is to promote peacebuilding initiatives, interagency collaboration strategies, and mechanisms for reconciliation. As of April 2020, there are 528 active councils. Local peace councils have generated spaces for participation by diverse actors, building trust between local authorities and civil society, advancing state presence, and accelerating accord implementation. However, they lack technical capacity, resources, and coordination with regional and national-level institutions.

Selection of Local Peace Councils: CSO and its implementing partner will identify priority local peace councils from among the existing 528 councils throughout the country, both in and outside the Development Programs with a Territorial Focus (PDETs). PDETs are stabilization and development priority areas identified by the comprehensive rural reform chapter of the 2016 peace accords and located largely in remote areas with limited state presence. Selection criteria will be based on a data-driven methodology and in consultation with regional experts at the State Department and the Colombian government. Criteria may include: 1) local level government capacity and political will; 2) risk of backsliding in implementation; 3) Colombian government prioritization; 4) presence of communities willing to engage regional and national-level actors; 5) the presence of FARC-affiliated individuals (and other FTO and SDGT groups) in local peace councils; and 6) the presence of other U.S. government and international programming.

Coordination and Partnerships: Implementing partners will coordinate with Colombian government partners, including the Office of the High Commissioner of Peace, which provides limited technical and financial support to local peace councils, as well as the Office of the High Commission for Stabilization and Ministry of Interior. The selected implementer(s) will also work closely with other U.S. government implementers working in the same geographical area, including USAID. Additional partners may include the UN, Catholic Church Caritas, and international partners – including members of the CSO-led Stabilization Leaders Forum and other donors working in Colombia on Peace Accord implementation – to assure complementarity of efforts.

Women, Peace, and Security: Per the U.S. Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Strategy (2019) and WPS Act of 2017, the United States is committed to 1) advancing the meaningful participation of women in efforts to prevent and resolve conflict, and counter terrorism; and 2) promoting the protection of women and girls before, during, and after conflict, which is critical to the long-term stability of countries and regions. The Strategy also commits that U.S. government programs should improve outcomes in gender equality and the empowerment of women.

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

CSO expects to award one (1) cooperative agreement based on this NOFO and in an amount not to exceed the total ceiling amount of $681,375.00. The period of performance is 12 months with an anticipated start date of September 30, 2020. CSO may extend the award contingent on CSO priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approval, and funding availability.

The U.S. government may make award on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint.

Cooperative Agreement: This cooperative agreement will include substantial involvement by CSO. For example, CSO will work closely with successful applicants to advise on revisions to the theory-of-change (TOC), design, indicators, and data collection instruments, working to ensure an approach that benefits the wider conflict community. Additionally, CSO seeks to ensure that qualitative and quantitative information from the program is shared with CSO in ways that can feed into the broader analysis of conflict dynamics at subnational, national, and regional levels. As a result, CSO will work with the recipient to develop a documentation and reporting plan that meets those needs.

Due to political sensitivities in Colombia, including the presence and involvement of FARC-affiliated individuals in peace accord implementation processes, any change to the scope or purpose of activities in the statement of work, to bring in other organizations to assist with activities or to engage with media will require prior approval from CSO, in consultation with U.S. Embassy Bogota and other relevant State Department offices, and with Host Nation authorities as appropriate. CSO also expects to assist with the development of in-country partners who would be interested and capable of continuing this effort beyond the duration of the cooperative agreement.

Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government. CSO reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase application budgets in accordance with available program resources. In the event of an award, CSO reserves the right to terminate the agreement in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions. Specifically, an award may be terminated if the Recipient is not meeting the objectives of the program or if the program no longer is consistent with the national security or foreign policy interest of the United States.

All applicants should be familiar with OMB Circular 2 CFR Part 200.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Applicant must have acute awareness of conflict-related sensitivities in Colombia, through prior work in Colombia or through thematic expertise. Applicants are encouraged to partner with relevant organizations with the ability to execute such programming throughout Colombia.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for more information and complete instructions on how to apply to this NOFO, including information on proposal’s content and formatting. Please use both the PSI and the NOFO to ensure that the proposal submission is in full compliance with the requirements. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in the NOFO and PSI will NOT be considered.

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

The following activities and costs are not covered under this announcement:

ESF Restrictions: This award will be funded from money appropriated under the “Economic Support Fund” (ESF) heading in the Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, 2019 (Div. F, P.L. 116-6). ESF is available for foreign assistance supporting economic or political stability. ESF may not be used for military or paramilitary purposes. Given restrictions under Section 660 of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA), ESF assistance may be provided to police and law enforcement forces only under certain limited circumstances. Note that any activities under this award involving foreign security force units will be subject to vetting in accordance with Section 620M of the FAA, also known as the Leahy law.

ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS

FARC-Related Restrictions: CSO anticipates that this program may operate in communities with potential FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) presence. The FARC (including the FARC political party) is a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). U.S. law generally prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with or for the benefit of SDGTs and the knowing provision of material support to FTOs. This program must comply with all applicable laws. CSO may require changes to implementer proposed activities and/or implementation of additional controls and risk mitigation measures.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Executive Summary is a succinct one-page summary containing information that the applicant believes best represents its proposed program and includes:

· the target locations;

· the program’s goal, objectives, and expected results;

· the total amount of funding requested;

· a brief description of the program’s approach and methodology, as well as how the program is innovative, sustainable, and will have a demonstrated impact; and,

· the name and contact information for the program’s main point of contact.

PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

The Proposal Narrative is a key part of the application. The Proposal Narrative (not to exceed ten pages, single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font in Microsoft Word, at least one-inch margins) should be organized into the following five components:

Approach and Methodology:

· Conflict/Context Analysis: Successful applications under this funding opportunity will describe an approach based on a context and conflict analysis that leads to a concrete program change hypothesis. In this section, please provide background on the conflict/context in which the proposed program will be operating.

· Gender Analysis of Conflict: Proposals should include a gender analysis addressing how the proposed activities in the program are reflective of, and will account for and/or utilize, the role gender[footnoteRef:1] norms play in peace accord implementation in Colombia. The gender analysis should be submitted with the proposal, and address how gender norms interact with other factors to drive or mitigate conflict, the differential impact of conflict and violence on women and girls, and how masculinity/femininity could be challenged or enhanced to promote peace. Include the actual, potential, and/or perceived roles women and girls play in perpetuating or mitigating conflict and violence. Refer to the CSO Gender Analysis of Conflict guidance for sample questions to be addressed in this section. [1: CSO defines ‘gender’ as the socially constructed set of roles, rights, responsibilities, entitlements, and behaviors associated with being a woman or a man in a society.]

· Program Goal and Objectives: In this section, please fully explain the program’s goal and objectives. The overarching goal statement should be visionary in nature, and outline what the overall activities and objectives should be building towards. It is important that the program goal aligns with (CSO/Department/U.S. government) policy. The objectives of the program should describe where you expect to be by the end of your program. The objectives should be measurable, results-focused, and achievable in within the timeframe of the program.

· Activities: All activities should be clearly developed and sufficiently detailed to understand the resource and time requirements, and how they contribute to the objectives and goal. Please identify: target areas for activities; target participant groups or selection criteria for participants; how the program will engage relevant stakeholders, including women; and local partners as appropriate, among other pertinent details. If partners are included, the narrative should clearly describe the division of labor between the direct applicant and partners.

· Theory of Change: Provide a theory of change for your program that elaborates explicit causal connections between the program’s activities, key intermediate outcomes, objectives, and the long-term goal. Generally, this should involve a chain of “if…then…because…” statements, or something similar. The program theory of change should apply and contextualize any relevant general theory about how this type of intervention works, and how to avoid negative outcomes. It should specify any key assumptions about the context (including relevant gender dynamics), the program design, or companion interventions that are required for success. It should cogently establish that the activities can reasonably be expected to be sufficient in kind, amount and timing with the resources applied, in this context. In addition, briefly explain how the program theory of change interacts with the broader system of conflict interventions by the U.S. government and others. A useful resource for guidance on developing theories of change is USAID’s Theories and Indicators of Change (THINC).

· Integration of Target Groups: It is likely that you will identify groups of individuals who may require special considerations as you develop your program. Please address how you will incorporate the needs of these target groups in your planned activities. Depending on the context, these groups may include populations at-risk of marginalization or exploitation, such as women, ethnic and/or religious minorities, persons with disabilities, or youth.

Implementation Plan

· Resources, Key Steps and Timeline for Activities (including sequential logic): Describe the proposed activities and how they will achieve the objectives and goal of this program. In doing so, this section should demonstrate how the proposed activities build upon one another and are logically sequenced to achieve the desired outcomes, based on the proposed approach and methodology. The application must identify and address gaps in current responses to the conflict (as identified in the context and conflict analysis), including any gender dynamics that currently, or have the potential to, exacerbate or mitigate conflict (as identified in the gender analysis). The applicant must submit an illustrative first year activity plan, which sets out a realistic outline of tasks and deliverables, anticipated time frames, challenges, opportunities and due dates, and persons responsible for achieving each task. This narrative description will be complemented by a Gantt chart in the Additional Attachments.

· Do No Harm: List any significant risks of harm to implementers, participants, beneficiaries or their communities, or of exacerbating conflict or creating new conflicts, which may result from this program. Based on your gender analysis, include specific risks to women and girls. Consider how resources or skills provided might be misused, create grievances among non-recipients, or cause key actors to react in harmful ways. Explain how these risks will be minimized.

· Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): U.S. government partners are responsible for ensuring that comprehensive protection measures are in place for preventing and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse of persons of concern and that allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by Recipient staff are reported to CSO in a timely manner. Applicants should submit any relevant code of conduct(s) and/or reporting guidelines for allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse.

· Local Engagement and Sustainability: Strong proposals will describe strategies to sustain the outcomes beyond CSO funding and contribute to building the capacity of communities to address their own concerns in the future. This might be done through sub-grants to local organizations, although that is not a requirement; capacity-building and sustainment can be achieved indirectly as well. This section must also demonstrate a clear understanding of the role that local organizations and institutions are playing or can play in conflict mitigation and peacebuilding. The conflict analysis and the program design should reflect local perspectives and explain how the program will engage with local partners, including women-led organizations, throughout its lifecycle. The proposal should describe how the applicant will work with local entities to build their organizational and technical capacities, and/or relationships to mitigate conflict. Applicants may submit signed Letters of Intent from organizations that will participate in the program. Letters of Intent should address the willingness of partner organizations to participate in the effort, and the understanding all parties have as to their unique roles and responsibilities in terms of the proposed program. In cases where an applicant (i.e., non-local) was not able to partner with a local organization or institution, does not consider it feasible to do so, or does not consider it in the program’s best interest, the applicant must clearly explain the rationale.

Institutional Capabilities and Past Performance

· Organization: Provide a description of the applicant organization – including its general purpose, goals, annual budget (including funding sources), and major past and current activities and programs undertaken.

· Relevant Programmatic and Thematic Experience: Applications should demonstrate the ability to develop and implement programs of the kind outlined in this proposal. Previous experience designing and implementing similar programs is highly desirable and should be detailed and documented in the application. Applicants should demonstrate how organizational resources, capabilities, and experience, and lessons learned from literature on this type of endeavor, will enable the applicant to achieve the grant’s stated objectives.

· Regional/Country Experience: Applicants should specify relevant experience in the country(ies) identified in the proposal, or in similar situations in other countries. Applicants should be able to legally operate in the country where they propose to work. Identify in-country partners; the successful applicant will already have in place at least one partnership with regional institutions and/or organizations. Specify the expertise that each partner brings.

· Key Personnel: Applications should highlight key staff, their positions, percentage of time devoted to this program, and management structure for the program. The resumes of key personnel should highlight relevant educational and field experience and be included as an appendix (see additional attachments below). The person(s) principally responsible for M&E design and technical oversight should be included. The resumes should be no more than two pages and should all follow a consistent format. The applicant should also clarify roles for local partners and staff.

Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:

· CSO considers monitoring to be essential for responsible program management. Successful applicants will submit a draft monitoring plan within 15 days of award notification. After CSO review, a final monitoring plan must be submitted within 30 days of the award notification.

· For the purposes of the application, please submit a notional logic model/PMP (use template provided). This must include notional indicators at each of the following levels: objective, intermediate outcome, and output. Provide an explanation if data will not be disaggregated by sex. Describe how any risks of harm listed above will be monitored. In addition, use this section to describe the applicant’s approach to monitoring and evaluation and why this approach is appropriate for this program and context. This may include the type of data you may collect (qualitative and/or quantitative). If possible, include applicable State Department standard gender indicators (see attachment). Describe the timing of data collection and analysis and how this information will inform midstream program management decision-making.

· For this program, CSO requires an independent external baseline assessment to be conducted in Year 1 that must be included in the budget. Please describe the resources needed to implement your M&E plan and to address baseline assessment requirements in your budget.

ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS AND BUDGET COMPONENTS

Additional attachments listed below, budget components, and the SF-424s are not part of the proposal narrative and do not count as part of the 10-page limit for the proposal narrative. Applicants must use the templates provide, where applicable.

Additional Attachments:

· Logic Model/PMP: The logic model/PMP should include theories of change; goal and objectives; activities; output and outcome indicators; data collection tools; key definitions and risks and assumptions. Please use the Logic Model/PMP template provided.

· Timeline/Schedule of Activities: The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities, evaluation efforts, and program closeout (not to exceed one [1] page). Please use the GANTT chart template provided.

· Key Personnel/Roles and Responsibilities: Please indicate the roles and responsibilities of key program personnel and provide short CVs or biographies that highlight relevant professional experience (not to exceed two [2] pages each).

· Past Performance References (minimum of 3): When past performance information is present, applicants shall furnish award numbers and other details with contact information for no more than three similar programs funded over the past three years by the State Department, or any other government entity or third party source. The details shall include the following: name of the organization or agency which funded the program(s), award number, point of contact’s name, mailing address, email address and phone number, and the overall dollar value of the program. The applicant must include information on any problems encountered, and the applicant’s corrective action(s). Applicants must not provide general information on their performance. Applicants may describe any quality awards or certificates that indicate exceptional capacity to conduct the program described in this NOFO. Please use the PPR template provided.

· External Factor Risk Contingency Planning: CSO requires the applicant to develop a contingency plan that addresses assumptions and external factors about the proposed project implementation. The contingency plan should outline how the implementer will mitigate risks and threats to project implementation. One important element to address is the risk activities may involve transactions with or the provision of material support or benefits to the FARC (including the FARC political party) or its members or supporters. The contingency plan may identify other sources of risk and demonstrate a plan to mitigate each one.

· Data Collection and Reporting Plan: Describe how you will collect and share both qualitative and quantitative information from various sources, through your research, activities, and/or monitoring efforts.

· Include a PDF file copy of your organization’s most recent program (A-133 /2 CFR 200) audit, if applicable. If not, please include a copy of your most recent independent audit, if available.

· NICRA/Indirect Cost Rate: If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), the most recently approved NICRA must be included as a .pdf file. If your proposal involves implementing partners charging indirect costs, please submit the applicable NICRA also as a .pdf file. Per 2 CFR 200.414, applicants that do not have a NICRA may elect to charge a de minimis rate of up to 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely.

· NOTE: DOS retains the right to request additional documentation for items not specified in this NOFO or the PSI.

Budget Components:

· Budget Appropriateness: Budgeted items are necessary and sufficient to the achievement of the goal, objectives, activities and program monitoring as presented in the proposal. This should consist of both an Excel budget breakdown and a budget narrative attached as an annex. The budget narrative must include clear, substantive explanations for each line-item and how the amounts were derived, as well as the source and description of all cost-share offered. Refer to the Excel Budget Template for guidance on compiling a budget and associated budget narrative. Please use the Budget template provide.

· Cost-effectiveness: The Department of State must determine that the costs paid for this award are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed program activities. This will consist of a review of the Budget to determine if the overall costs are realistic for the work to be performed, if the costs reflect the applicant’s understanding of the allowable cost principles established by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 2 CFR 200 (OMB Circular A-122), and if the costs are consistent with the program narrative. Programs should seek to produce innovative and cost-effective outcomes that reach more beneficiaries. As per Section C2 of 2 CFR 200, cost-share is not required, but funding contributed by the applicant and other partners shows a commitment to the success of the program. Applicants may incorporate cost-share through leveraging existing programs, partnering, and/or providing in-kind goods and services.

V. APPLICATION EVALUATION AND SCORING

The U.S. government may issue an award resulting from this NOFO to the responsible applicant whose application is the most responsive to the goals and objectives set forth in this NOFO. The U.S. government may (a) reject any or all applications, and/or (b) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

The U.S. government may make an award on the basis of initial applications received without discussion or negotiations. Therefore, applications should contain the applicant’s best terms from a cost and technical standpoint.

U.S. government also reserves the right, but is not obliged, to enter into discussions with an applicant in order to obtain clarification, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the program’s description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

Applicants should note that the following criteria will serve as a standard against which all applications will be evaluated. Department of State will issue an award to the applicant whose proposal represents the best value to the U.S. Government on the basis of technical merit, efficient use of USG funds, and satisfactory organizational capacity. In addition, each application will be evaluated and scored on the Proposal Components using a 100-point scale by a peer review committee of Department of State.

CSO will conduct a merit review of all eligible applications as outlined in this NOFO. Applications will be reviewed by an independent review panel consisting of qualified representatives from other DoS bureaus, offices, and Posts. Final approval resides with the CSO relevant programming office and the Grants Officer.

The point value for each section outlined below indicates its relative importance in the application review process. Evaluation values are based on five components related to the proposal narrative and other attachments, as well as two budgetary components.

Based on eligible applications that are responsive to the requirements outlined above, the review panel will use the following criteria when rating proposals:

Quality of Program Idea Total Possible = 25 points

· Responsive to the solicitation and appropriate in the country context (10 points)

· Clearly states theory of change (5)

· Establishes direct connection between proposed activities and the desired results (5)

· Exhibits originality, prioritizes innovation, but is feasible (5) Program Planning / Ability to Achieve Objectives Total Possible = 30 points

· Includes a clear articulation of how the proposed program activities contribute to the overall program objectives (5)

· Activities are developed and detailed. Objectives are clear, specific, attainable, measurable results-focused and placed in a reasonable time frame (4)

· Addresses need for flexibility and ability to adapt (4)

· Provides a comprehensive quarterly work plan for program activities (3)

· Describes the division of labor among the direct applicant, any partners, and any potential sub-grantees; addresses how the program will engage or obtain support from relevant stakeholders; and identifies local partners where appropriate (3)

· Includes contingency plans for potential difficulties in executing the original work plan (3)

· Demonstrates an institutional record of successful programs in the target country or content area (4)

· Provides a thoughtful and appropriately detailed Gender Analysis of Conflict, and the identified dynamics are considered and integrated across activities and monitoring indicators (4) Cost Effectiveness Total Possible = 15 points

· Explains and justifies overhead and administration costs of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria. (5)

· All budget items and associated costs are reasonable, clearly explained, directly linked to program objectives and demonstrate efficient use of U.S. Government funds (10)

· Note: Cost share is not required. Applicants may offer cost share, but cost share will not be considered or factored in when proposals are reviewed.

Program Monitoring and Evaluation Total Possible = 20 points The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan includes:

· Explains how monitoring and evaluation will be carried out and who will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation activities (5)

· Robust M&E framework includes output- and outcome-based performance indicators for each program objective with baselines and (yearly and cumulative) targets; data collection tools; data sources; types of data disaggregation, including by sex, if applicable; and frequency of monitoring and evaluation (15) Multiplier Effect / Sustainability of Impact Total Possible = 10 points

· Clearly delineates how elements of the program will have a multiplier effect (5)

· Clearly delineates how impact will be sustainable beyond the life of the grant (5)

VI. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION:

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Department of State to issue an award nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Furthermore, award cannot be issued until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal DOS procedures. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant’s expense.

Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400 g, it is U.S. Department of State policy not to award profit under assistance instruments.

2 CFR §200.501 requires domestic/US non-federal entities that expend $750,000, or more, in federal assistance during organization’s fiscal year to have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. In addition, the entity must report the collected audit data elements on the form SF-SAC and submit it to the FAC. Any findings such as material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, or material noncompliance are reported on the SF-SAC.

The Federal award signed by the Grants Officer is the only authorizing document.

Reporting Requirements Recipients will, at a minimum, be required to submit Quarterly Progress Reports and Quarterly Financial Reports (SF-425) describing key activities undertaken during the preceding month towards accomplishment of the stated objectives. Progress Reports include a narrative report and a monitoring report. These reports will compare actual to planned performance and indicate the progress made in accomplishing each assistance award task/goal noted in the grant agreement and will contain analysis and summary of findings, both quantitative and qualitative, for key indicators and/or milestones. Financial Reports will provide a means of monitoring expenditures and comparing costs incurred with progress. In difficult environments, CSO may require additional reporting and briefings in order to monitor program developments. Applicants should account for this in their M&E staffing plans.

NOTE: It is Department of State policy that English is the official language of all documents. If reports or any supporting documents are provided in both English and a foreign language, it must be stated in each version that the English language version is the controlling version.

U.S. dollar is the controlling currency.

Mandatory Disclosures (2 CFR 200.113) The non-federal entity or applicant for a federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. Non-federal entities that have received a Federal award including the term and condition outlined in Appendix XII of the 2 CFR 200 – Award Terms and Conditions for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters – are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM (www.sam.gov). Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in §200.338 Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment.

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) A federal awarding agency, prior to making a federal award, will review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). Applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through www.sam.gov. 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.

Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

Other Information Applicant organizations must demonstrate adherence to equal opportunity employment practices and commitment to non-discrimination with respect to beneficiaries. Non-discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation. Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with or support to individuals or organizations associated with terrorism.

Proposals that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization or narcotics trafficker, including elected members of government, will NOT be considered. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards/sub-contracts issued under this award.

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Any prospective applicant desiring an explanation or interpretation of this NOFO must request it in writing by the deadline for questions specified in the cover letter to allow a reply to reach all prospective applicants before the submission of their applications. Any information given to a prospective applicant concerning this NOFO will be furnished promptly to all other prospective applicants as a Questions and Answers attachment to this NOFO, if that information is necessary in submitting applications or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective applicants.

Any questions concerning this NOFO must be submitted in writing by email to:

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) c/o Patrick Morgan MorganPJ1@state.gov

(202) 472-8574

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED