FY20 - DOS - Mission Pak - IO - NOFO - Supporting Citizen Journalists.pdf

Department of State – Embassy of the United States in Islamabad, Pakistan

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Program Office: Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Islamabad

Funding Opportunity Title: Supporting Citizen Journalists

Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement

Funding Opportunity Number: SCAISB-20-AW-006-04012020

Deadline for Applications: Monday, May 18, 2020 (11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern time)

CFDA Number: 19.501 - Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and

Pakistan

CONTACT INFORMATION

1. For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-

518-4726.

2. For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact the Mission Pakistan

Public Affairs Grants Management Team at PakistanGrants@state.gov.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All application materials must be submitted electronically through

Grants.gov. Applications materials submitted via other means such as email will not be accepted.

Authorization to submit proposals through www.grants.gov is a multi-step process that requires prior successful registration with four separate sites: DUNS, NCAGE, SAM, and www.grants.gov. Please begin the registration process with each one immediately to ensure that the process is completed well in advance of the NOFO application deadline. The entire registration process can require up to six weeks for the registration to be validated and confirmed.

See Section D: Submission Requirements for further details.

Due to the volume of applicants and inquiries, Public Affairs Section (PAS) does not accept letters of intent, concept papers, or requests for meetings or phone calls prior to application.

mailto:PakistanGrants@state.gov http://www.grants.gov/ https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

CONTENTS

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Executive Summary:

Background:

Project Objectives:

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Technical Requirements

Security

Monitoring & Evaluation

Application Deadline

Submission Requirements

Risk Analysis Management

E. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

H. OTHER INFORMATION

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Executive Summary:

The Information Office (IO) in the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the Embassy of the United

States of America in Islamabad, Pakistan (hereafter referred to as “IO Islamabad”), is pleased to announce a competition for an assistance award through the Public Diplomacy Grants program.

U.S. Embassy Islamabad invites eligible organizations (see Eligibility Requirements) to submit proposals that provide training to citizen journalists through the award program specified in this

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Program activities will take place in the major cities of

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The program aims to expand the digital media skills and capacity of citizen journalists, working to build and support an open, democratic, and prosperous society in AJK and GB. The proposals should conceptualize how the training program will equip citizen journalists to fill the gaps in information in areas with poor infrastructure, lack of access to technology and traditional media sources, and limited economies.

The program will aim to equip budding citizen journalists with the broad-based journalism skills needed to report accurately and ethically. The target audiences of this program are citizen journalists or startups using personal websites, blogs, microblogs, YouTube Channels, or social media. Proposals have a funding floor of $25,000 and a funding ceiling of $100,000. Proposals should cover a one-year period of performance and clearly outline all training activities in the major cities of AJK and GB. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity for a complete list of requirements.

Background:

IO Islamabad’s programs are a key component of U.S. Government Public Diplomacy efforts in

Pakistan, creating valuable opportunities for the Mission to engage key audiences, as well as lasting professional, educational, and personal opportunities for Pakistani program participants.

Proposals funded under this award will further one or more of the U.S. Mission to Pakistan’s following public diplomacy goals:

1. Strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Pakistan through shared information, experiences, exchanges, and/or expertise.

2. Strengthen civil society and local organizations to build long-term, self-sustaining relationships and linkages between U.S. and Pakistani organizations, including capacity building support for

Pakistani organizations.

3. Promote community cohesion through positive messages and inclusive perspectives that increase social tolerance and counter extremist narratives.

Project Goal:

The project’s goal is to increase the journalistic capacity and opportunities for 20 citizen journalists in AJK and 20 in GB. The grantee will organize at least four training workshops lasting three days each in two cities in AJK and two cities in GB. Workshops should focus on online citizen journalism, including the usage of mobile phones and other available modern tools for production of news content and commentary, investigative journalism, and media ethics. Over the period of twelve months, the grantee will also train citizen journalists on monetizing their skills through new media, including how to launch a digital media outlet, attracting advertisers, and developing a brand and audience. Training activities may be conducted in English and Urdu, depending on citizen journalists’ preference and abilities. Training by American experts should also be included.

A reasonable gender balance in the selection of citizen journalists for the workshops is required.

Project Objectives:

This project must achieve the above goal through at least three objectives:

Objective 1: To increase the technical and professional capacity of AJK and GB citizen journalists.

Objective 2: To create new and strengthen existing networks of Pakistan’s citizen journalists

Objective 3: Reduce barriers to growth for social media startups and entrepreneurial ventures in the field of digital journalism

Participants and Audiences:

Each of the four workshops will train a minimum of ten (10) citizen journalists, selected by the grantee and IO Islamabad, based on applications received in response to a public announcement on social media platforms of the grantee and Embassy Islamabad. A total of forty (40) citizen journalists hailing and working from AJK and GB will be involved. Two workshops will be organized in the AJK region, i.e. one in Muzaffarabad and one Mirpur, for citizen journalists based in and working from AJK. Two workshops will be organized in the GB region, i.e. Gilgit and

Skardu, for citizen journalists based in and working from GB. The grantee will ensure a reasonable gender balance in the selection of the citizen journalists. The grantee must solicit applications from potential participants with letters of intent noting their area/s of interest, ideas, present work, and journalistic endeavors. Target age for participants is 18 to 30 years, with a maximum age of

45. Participants are subject to final approval by the U.S. Embassy Islamabad.

Grantee Responsibilities:

The grantee will be responsible for all logistics, including venue selection and rental, recruitment of expert journalists to serve as instructors and mentors for the workshops, program (which should include follow-up activities), program materials, social media and technical support. The grantee will also cover lodging, meals, airfare, honoraria, visas and in-country transportation for American participant. The grantee will also be responsible for following up after each of the four workshops and report to Embassy Islamabad on the workshops’ impact and outcomes.

All proposals should:

Address how the project will contribute to one or more of the objectives listed above;

Enumerate specific outputs and outcomes to be achieved by the end of the grant period, using the Monitoring & Evaluation Performance Management Plan (PMP) [Attachment 3];

Describe involvement of American participants, expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s;

Clearly specify the audiences to be reached and the geographic locations of program activities. Programs proposed in multiple locations should explain how that will be accomplished. The grantee must demonstrate capacity to implement activities in locations and with audiences proposed;

Describe how elements of the project will have a multiplier effect or be sustainable beyond the life of the grant;

Include a traditional and/or social media plan for marketing or advertising program activities and outcomes;

Demonstrate competency to manage all financial and oversight aspects of the project, including participant costs and transparent arrangements of sub-grant relationships with partner organizations, if applicable.

The Public Affairs Section will not support the following activities or expenses under this funding opportunity:

The purchase of space or buildings in support of program activities;

Development projects;

Construction projects;

Individual travel to conferences;

Scholarships to support educational opportunities or study for individuals*;

Completion of activities begun with other funds;

Fundraising or fund development projects;

Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to an individual or single party in electoral campaigns;

Political party or lobbying activities in support of political parties;

Projects that support specific religious activities;

Cash prizes for competitions.

*Individuals interested in educational exchange or study opportunities in the United States should visit the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan website at:

http://www.usefpakistan.org/ for more information on available programs.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Anticipated Award Amount

The award floor is twenty-five thousand dollars $25,000; the award ceiling is one hundred thousand dollars $100,000.00

The U.S. Embassy Islamabad Public Affairs Section reserves the right to award less or more than the amount of funds described in the absence of worthy applications or under such other circumstances as they may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. government.

Duration of Award All award activities should be completed within 12 months from the award start date.

Project and Budget Periods

Projects generally must be completed within the specified duration. The Public Affairs Section will consider applications for continuation awards funded under these awards 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.

Cost Sharing

Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.

http://www.usefpakistan.org/

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants

Eligibility is open to international and Pakistan-based non-profit organizations. Organizations may sub-award or sub-contract with other entities, but only one non-profit organization can be the prime recipient of the award. Pakistan government entities are not eligible to apply. For-profit entities are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award under this NOFO. When sub-awarding or sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. The applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission (e.g. proof of 501(c) (3) status, Pakistan NGO license). Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered for an award. Individuals are not eligible for an award under this NOFO. U.S.-based or registered organizations should provide proof of registration to operate in Pakistan or have a documented agreement with a partner organization registered to operate in Pakistan. Please refer to Section D for funding restrictions.

Other Eligibility Requirements

There is one project described in this NOFO. Organizations may not submit more than one proposal per project. Any organization that submits more than one proposal per project will be considered ineligible for funding.

To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering

System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must also have a valid registration on www.SAM.gov, and a valid NCAGE code. Please see Section D for information on how to obtain these registrations.

Previous federal award recipients who are not/were not in compliance with the terms of their financial and program reporting requirements are ineligible to apply. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they comply with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of

Management and Budget guidance and requirements. Those organizations found to be in non-compliance may be found ineligible for funding or designated high risk if selected for funding.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Technical Requirements

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.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Please ensure:

1. The application satisfies all requirements listed in this funding opportunity.

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

3. All documents are in English.

4. All budgets are in U.S. dollars.

5. All pages are numbered.

6. All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper.

http://www.sam.gov/

7. All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

8. All applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required forms.

When submitting a proposal, applicants are required to include the following documents and information from Sections 1–4 below, as applicable:

Section 1—Organization Information

A. Application Summary Coversheet: Applicants must complete and submit the form provided (Attachment 1).

B. Applicant Organizational Information Sheet: Applicants must complete and submit the form provided (Attachment 2). An authorized signature by the applicant must be provided on this form.

C. Proof of Registration: A copy of the organization’s registration should be provided with the proposal application. U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their

IRS determination letter. Pakistan-based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization.

Section 2—Technical Proposal

Applicants must submit a complete narrative proposal in a format of your choice. The proposal shall not exceed twelve (12) pages. Refer to the evaluation criteria in Section E below for further detail about what makes a strong proposal. All proposals must address the following areas:

Organizational Description and Capacity

Project Justification, Sustainability, and Impact

Project Goals, Objectives and Activities

Implementation Timeline

Security (see note below)

Monitoring and Evaluation (see note below)

Security

The safety and security of all participants and activities under this project are the sole responsibility of the award recipient. Due to the security climate in Pakistan, we require all proposals to include a security package to accompany appropriate programmatic elements within their proposal. The security package must include but is not limited to: secure transportation; lodging, and emergency accountability and evacuation for any non-Pakistani personnel living or working in Pakistan, as well as a copy of your organization’s security operational procedures for high-risk environments. Reasonable costs for necessary security are allowable expenses and should be included in the proposed budget. If a security company is engaged and funded under the award, it must be registered by the Government of Pakistan to operate in Pakistan. We require award recipients to notify the Public Affairs Section in advance when U.S. citizens are traveling to

Pakistan.

U.S. citizens who travel to Pakistan are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State's Smart

Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) available at: https://step.state.gov/step/. Enrollment enables citizens to receive security-related messages from the Embassy and makes it easier for us to locate you in an emergency. The Embassy also recommends that all travelers review the State

Department's travel website at travel.state.gov for the Worldwide Caution, Travel

Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Pakistan Country Specific Information.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Proposals must include a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Management Plan

(PMP). Attachment 3 of this funding opportunity contains a template that should be used to fulfill this requirement. The M&E PMP shows how applicants intend to measure and demonstrate progress towards the project’s objectives and goals.

The selected applicant(s) will be required to submit an approved M&E PMP before an award is signed. The selected applicant will be required to work with PAS Monitoring and Evaluation

Specialist to ensure the M&E PMP achieves an expected level of expertise and meets PAS objectives.

The key components to the PMP are as follows:

1. Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative: Applicants should describe how they intend to monitor and evaluate the activities of their award and collect data that tracks award performance. In addition, the applicant should describe any M&E processes, including key personnel, management structure (where M&E fits into the overall program’s staff structure), technology, and as well provide a brief budget narrative explaining any line item expenditures for M&E listed in the program’s budget.

2. Monitoring and Evaluation Datasheet: The applicant must include their proposed activities and their expected outputs and outcomes as well as the goals and objectives as written in the NOFO. The datasheet’s purpose is to explicitly illustrate how a project’s activities lead to tangible results (such as increased beneficiary skills, knowledge, or attitudes) that ultimately address a PAS objective. For more information, please see

Attachment 3.1: Instructions.

Section 3—Budget

A. Budget and Budget Detail: Applicants must submit a detailed budget and budget narrative justification utilizing the template provided with the funding opportunity

(Attachment 4). Line item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail.

Personnel salaries should include the level of effort and the rate of pay, which should cover the percentage of time each staff member will dedicate to grant-based activities. If your organization is charging an indirect cost rate, you must apply it to the modified total budget costs (MTDC), refer to 2CFR§200.68. Budgets that are not in the provided format will not be considered. Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars.

B. Audit Requirements: Please note the audit requirements for Department of State awards in the Standard Terms and Conditions https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm and 2CFR200, Subpart F – Audit Requirements. The cost of the required audits may be https://step.state.gov/step/ http://travel.state.gov/ http://travel.state.gov/ https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-caution.html https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/pakistan.html https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm%20and%202CFR200 https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm%20and%202CFR200 charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organization’s established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget.

C. Visa Fees: Include all visa application and related fees in your budget as applicable.

Please note DS-2019s for post-funded programs must be submitted directly by the award recipient. If you anticipate your program will include the DS-2019 visa processing, your organization must be a registered Designated Sponsoring Organization. For more information go to: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/become-a-sponsor/

Section 4—Key Personnel and Project Partners

A. Key Personnel: A résumé, not to exceed one page in length, must be included for the proposed key staff persons, such as the Project Director and Finance Officer, as well as any speakers or trainers (if applicable). If an individual for this type of position has not been identified, the applicant may submit a 1-page position description, identifying the qualifications and skills required for that position, in lieu of a résumé.

B. Project Partners: Letters of support should be included for sub-recipients or other partners. The letters must identify the type of relationship to be entered into (formal or informal), the roles and responsibilities of each partner in relation to the proposed project activities, and the expected result of the partnership. The individual letters cannot exceed

1 page in length.

Section 5—Standard Form 424 Family

All submissions must include the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance (Attachment 5) and the SF-424A Budget Information—Non-Construction (Attachment 5). These forms and the instructions for completing them are available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html under the heading “SF-424 Family.” The SF-424B is required only for those applicants who have not registered in SAM.gov or recertified their registration in SAM.gov since February 2, 2019 and completed the online representations and certifications. An authorized signature by the applicant must be provided on this form.

Please note:

1. Other items NOT required/requested for submission, but which may be requested if your application is approved for funding include:

a. Copies of an organization or program audit within the last two (2) years

b. Copies of relevant human resources, financial, or procurement policies

c. Copies of other relevant organizational policies or documentation that would help the Department determine your organization’s capacity to manage a federal grant award overseas.

2. The Embassy reserves the right to request any additional programmatic and/or financial information regarding the proposal.

Applications are accepted in English only, and final grant agreements will be concluded in English.

Application Deadline

Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of this opportunity; however, all submission must be received by Monday, May 18, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/become-a-sponsor/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html

U.S. Eastern Daylight Time. For the purposes of determining if an award is submitted on time, officials will utilize the timestamp provided by Grants.gov.

This deadline is firm. If organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above, their application will not be considered for funding and will be considered ineligible.

Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit all application materials electronically through Grants.gov.

Authorization to submit proposals through www.grants.gov is a multi-step process that requires prior successful registration with four separate sites: DUNS, NCAGE, SAM, and www.grants.gov. Please begin the registration process with each one immediately to ensure that the process is completed well in advance of the NOFO application deadline. The entire registration process can require up to six weeks for the registration to be validated and confirmed.

See Section D: Submission Requirements for further details.

Organizations must obtain the following:

UEI (DUNS);

NCAGE code;

SAM registration, and AOR (Authorized Organization Representative) registration on www.grants.gov.

Thorough instructions on the application process are available at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCA

GE.pdf for the DUNS number application, NCAGE number application, and registration with

SAM and at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html for registration with www.grants.gov as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726.

Please note: Only www.grants.gov, DUNS, NCAGE, and SAM can assist with technical questions or problems applicants may experience during the registration process. Please refer to the contact information for these organizations listed in Section G of this NOFO and on the organization registration page of www.grants.gov.

Step 1:

Apply for an UEI (DUNS) and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously):

Step 1a:

UEI (DUNS) application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System

(DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet, if your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do;jsessionid=81407B1F03F2BDB123D

D47D19158B75F.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do;jsessionid=81407B1F03F2BDB123DD47D19158B75F http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do;jsessionid=81407B1F03F2BDB123DD47D19158B75F http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

Step 1b:

NCAGE application: Application page here (but need to click magnifying glass and then scroll down to click new registration) https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

Instructions for the NCAGE application process:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20N

CAGE.pdf

For help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423

For help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766

Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE code. After receiving the

NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM by logging onto: https://www.SAM.gov/

Step 2:

Once DUNS and NCAGE are obtained, continue to SAM registration. www.SAM.gov

Step 3:

Once SAM registration is confirmed, continue to Grants.gov organization registration http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html organizations must maintain an active SAM registration (www.SAM.gov) with current information at all times during which they have an active Federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

How to Submit an Application via Grants.gov Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), you can create individual instances of a workspace.

For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

Special Characters in Submissions

Grants.gov does not accept all UTF-8 special characters in file attachment names. Applicants are able to enter all special characters from the UTF-8 character set when submitting applications and information to Grants.gov. However, if the grantor's system is not yet compatible with these special characters, the grantor system may produce garbled or missing text in the application. As a result, the application may be rejected.

Review the application instructions provided by the award-making agency for their attachment restrictions. You should also review the instructions on the form you are completing.

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil https://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

If there are no special restrictions for file names identified by the agency or in the form, then the file name restrictions are as follows:

Please limit file names to 50 or fewer characters

Do not attach any documents with the same name. All attachments should have a unique name.

Please use only the following UTF-8 characters when naming your attachments: A-Z, a-z, 0-

9, underscore, hyphen, space, period, parenthesis, curly braces, square brackets, ampersand, tilde, exclamation point, comma, semi colon, apostrophe, at sign, number sign, dollar sign, percent sign, plus sign, and equal sign. Attachments that do not follow this rule may cause the entire application to be rejected or cause issues during processing.

Risk Analysis Management

To qualify for final consideration, certain applicants must undertake the Risk Analysis

Management (RAM) vetting process by providing Risk Analysis Information (RAI) about their

“key individuals” (i.e., individuals with the ability to control applicant organizations’ funds), including “key individuals” from selected sub-recipients. Please note: these individuals could be different from the key personnel listed in the section 4 of required documents. The purpose of vetting potential contractors and grantees is to reduce the risk that foreign assistance funding is provided to terrorists or their supporters. Potential grantees will be notified separately if RAI is required. Applicants submit key individuals’ RAI by completing the Risk Analysis Information

Form, DS-4184, through the secure web portal at https://ramportal.state.gov. The DS-4184 requests the following RAI for each key individual: Full Name; Aliases; Gender; Birth Place;

Birthdate; Home/Work Addresses; Phone Numbers; Employer; Professional Title; Email

Addresses; Skype ID (if included, email address is also required); Numbers from All Official IDs

(e.g., passports, ID cards, etc.); Nationalities; and Social Security Number (if U.S. person).

Questions about the DS-4184 form may be emailed to RAM@state.gov. Failure to submit information when requested, or failure to pass vetting, may be grounds for rejecting your proposal.

Given the volume of applications, review may take up to 90 days, and we are unable to individually confirm receipt of proposals.

Address to Request Application Package

This funding opportunity and any amendments can be found at www.grants.gov (search by

Opportunity Number). If you require special accommodation to access any information contained in this announcement, please contact Mission Pakistan Public Affairs Grants Management Team at email: PakistanGrants@state.gov.

E. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

Each technically eligible application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated based on the criteria detailed below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success. The criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Applications will be reviewed based on their fullness, coherence, clarity, and attention to detail.

Past performance on grants awarded by the U.S. Department of State, other United States government, or international donor agencies may also be considered. The proposal submitted by your organization should comply with the requirements of 2 CFR 200 relevant to your organization and the activities of your proposal.

PAS reviews all proposals for eligibility. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance of

Federal and Public Diplomacy regulations and guidelines and may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final technical authority for assistance awards resides with the Department’s Grants Division A/OPE.

All submissions are screened for technical eligibility. If a submission is missing any required forms/documents listed in section D, it will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed by the grants review committee.

Proposals will be approved based on an evaluation of how the proposal meets the solicitation review criteria, U.S. foreign policy objectives, the priority needs of the Public Affairs Section, and availability of funding. A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all technically eligible proposals.

Review criteria will include:

1. Project Justification, Sustainability, and Impact on U.S. Public Diplomacy Goals (30 points) – The project is likely to provide maximum impact in furthering the broader U.S. Public

Diplomacy policy goals. The proposal contains a compelling justification that demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the environment in Pakistan and cites specific factors creating/influencing the need for the proposed project. The proposal has a sound theory of change to address the stated need. Elements of the project will have a multiplier effect and be sustainable beyond the life of the grant. A good multiplier effect may include but is not limited to, plans to build lasting networks for direct and indirect beneficiaries, follow-on training and mentoring, and continued use of project deliverables. Sustainability may include demonstrating capacity-building results, a plan to generate revenue, or interest and support from the private sector.

2. Planning and Feasibility (25 points) – The project plan is well developed, with sufficient detail about how activities will be carried out. The proposal specifies target audiences, participant recruitment, and geographic areas of implementation. The proposal outlines clear, achievable objectives. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The project scope is appropriate and clearly defined.

3. Organization’s Record and Capacity (15 points) – The organization has expertise in the subject area and demonstrates the ability to perform the proposed activities. The organization demonstrates capacity for successful planning and responsible fiscal management. Applicants who have received grant funds previously have been compliant with applicable rules and regulations.

Where partners are described, the applicant details each partner’s respective role and provides curriculum vitae (CVs) for persons responsible for the project and financial administration.

Proposed personnel, institutional resources, and partners are adequate and appropriate.

4. Cost-Effectiveness (20 points) – The budget and narrative justification are sufficiently detailed.

Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. The results and proposed outcomes justify the total cost of the project. Budget items are reasonable, allowable, and allocable.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation (10 points) – M&E points will be considered based on two subsets of criteria: (1) Technical M&E; and (2) Use of key M&E components in the narrative. Specifically, scoring will be based on the following:

Technical M&E: The grantee completed a draft of the M&E PMP (Attachments 3 & 3.1).

This document is only intended to be in draft form as it will be finalized during negotiation and updated throughout the program. In addition, this document is a tool to help grantees formulate their programs in line with a theory of change.

Program Design: Does the proposed program address a problem, identify a target audience, and is there a clear theory of change on how the program will address that problem, stating in some form “If these activities are completed, then these outcomes will result in…”

Learning: If the proposal is from a prior grantee, the proposal should discuss how the grantee has adapted, improved or otherwise modified previous iterations of the program based on learning from previous experience/past performance. If this is a new grantee or new project, the proposal should demonstrate that the applicant used research, community feedback, prior experience or other evidence to direct program design.

Projects should demonstrate the capacity for engaging in performance management. Expenses directly associated with monitoring and evaluation are considered allowable.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Federal Award Notices

The successful applicant will be notified via email that its proposal has been selected to move forward in the review process; this email IS NOT an authorization to begin performance. The

Notice of Federal Award, signed by the grants officer (or equivalent), is the authorizing document.

It shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The Grants Officer is the Government Official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement

Executive to write, award, and administer grants and cooperative agreements. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the Recipient through email transmission. The recipient may only incur obligations against the award beginning on the start date outlined in the DS-1909 award document that has been signed by the Grants Officer.

Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified via email.

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. The U.S. government also reserves the right to make an award above the award ceiling.

Terms and Conditions

Recipients will be held to the applicable terms and conditions found at https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/. It is the Recipient’s responsibility to ensure they comply with all applicable terms, conditions, and OMB guidance and requirements. Those organizations found to be in non-compliance may be found ineligible for funding or designated high risk.

2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Costs Principles, and Audit

Requirements for Federal Awards

All applicants must adhere to the regulations found in 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative

Requirements, Costs Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Branding Requirements

As a condition of receipt of a grant award, all materials produced pursuant to the award, including training materials, materials for recipients or materials to communicate or promote with foreign audiences a program, event, project, or some other activity under an agreement, including but not limited to invitations to events, press materials, and backdrops, podium signs, etc. must be marked appropriately with the standard, rectangular U.S. flag in a size and prominence equal to (or greater than) any other logo or identity. Note: Exceptions to the branding requirement are allowable under certain conditions. If an applicant is notified that their award has been chosen for funding, the

Grants Officer will determine, in consultation with the applicant, if an exception is applicable.

Evaluation

In line with the Department of State’s Evaluation Policy, U.S. Embassy Islamabad’s Public Affairs

Section may include this award in its program evaluation efforts. When applicable and feasible, the

Recipient shall cooperate with the Grants Officer (GO), Grants Officer Representative (GOR), and

Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist’s requests to contribute data on specific performance measures and indicators; consider GO and GOR input on design and methodology of Recipient-led evaluation efforts; provide any evaluation reports produced under the award to the GO and GOR for review;

incorporate the project into any third-party evaluations that PAS may initiate.

Reporting Requirements

Recipients are required to submit quarterly (calendar year) program progress and financial reports throughout the project period. Progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. Final certified programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days after the close of the project period.

First Quarter (January 1 – March 31): Report due by April 30

Second Quarter (April 1 – June 30): Report due by July 30

Third Quarter (July 1 – September 30): Report due by October 30

Fourth Quarter (October 1 – December 31): Report due by January 30

All reports are to be submitted electronically.

Awardees that are deemed to be high-risk may be required to submit more extensive and frequent reports until their high-risk designation has been removed.

https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl

The Awardee must also provide the Embassy on an annual basis an inventory of all the U.S.

government-provided equipment using the SF428 form.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

Questions regarding the administrative and programmatic aspects of this funding opportunity may be directed to the Mission Pakistan Public Affairs Grants Management Team at

PakistanGrants@state.gov. For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov

Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726. To inquire about the process for obtaining a Negotiated

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) contact Donald Hunter at HunterDS@state.gov.

H. OTHER INFORMATION

Disclaimers

The Federal government is not obligated to make any Federal award as a result of the announcement. 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. The U.S. government also reserves the right to make an award in excess of the award ceiling.

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

This NOFO is subject to funds availability. Awards may be granted only if appropriated funds are allocated to the United States Embassy in Islamabad by Department of State central budget authorities.

Copyrights and Proprietary Information

If any of the information contained in your application is proprietary, please note in the footer of the appropriate pages that the information is Confidential – Proprietary. Applicants should also note what parts of the application, program, concept, etc. are covered by copyright(s), trademark(s), or any other intellectual property rights and provide copies of the relevant documentation to support these copyrights.

mailto:HunterDS@state.gov