FY20 Mongolia CPC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).docx

U.S. Department of State Notice of Funding Opportunity

FULL TEXT OF NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) is pleased to announce an open competition for projects to combat child trafficking in Mongolia under a new Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership (hereinafter the CPC Partnership). A CPC Partnership is a multi-year plan, developed jointly by the United States and another government, which includes targeted anti-trafficking assistance to organizations to implement elements of the plan. The total funding available under this Notice of Funding Opportunity is up to $5,000,000 (USD). The anticipated start date for the award(s) is October 1, 2020. All selected proposals will be funded pending the availability of FY 2019 appropriated funds.

Proposals must be submitted via SAMS Domestic (https://mygrants.service-now.com/grants) by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on June 2, 2020 to be eligible for consideration. If an organization has technical issues submitting a proposal near the deadline, the only way its late application will be accepted is if it opens a ticket with the help desk to fix the problem prior to the deadline. A ticket with the help desk is opened by calling 1-(888)-313-4567 or logging a ticket through the ILMS Self Service Portal (https://afsitsm.service-now.com/ilms/home). To be competitive under this funding opportunity, applicants must be fully responsive to all instructions in this document.

Applicants who experience COVID-19 related issues that prevent them from submitting an application via SAMS must reach out to JTIP grants mailbox email (JTIPGrants@state.gov) before the deadline to work with staff on alternative submission solutions.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 USC §7101 et seq.), as amended (TVPA), established the TIP Office in the U.S. Department of State. The TIP Office leads the United States’ global engagement on the fight against human trafficking and seeks partnerships with foreign governments, civil society organizations, and multilateral organizations to combat modern slavery through the “3P” paradigm: prosecuting traffickers through victim-centered law enforcement, protecting trafficking victims through proactive identification and comprehensive, trauma-informed care, and preventing trafficking in persons. TIP Office programs combat human trafficking – a crime involving the exploitation of someone for the purposes of compelled labor or a commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Forms of human trafficking include sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, forced labor, bonded labor (also called debt bondage), domestic servitude, forced criminality, forced child labor, and the unlawful recruitment or use of child soldiers.

The U.S. government defines “trafficking in persons” as:

· Sex Trafficking – when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person to engage in a commercial sex act or when a trafficker causes a child who has not attained 18 years of age to engage in a commercial sex act.

· Forced Labor – when a trafficker recruits, harbors, transports, provides, or obtains a person for labor or services by using force, fraud, or coercion.

Trafficking in persons does not require the movement of a person. Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), and generally consistent with the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol), individuals may be trafficking victims regardless of whether they once consented, they participated in unlawful acts their traffickers compelled them to commit, someone transported them into the exploitative situation, or they were simply born into a state of servitude. The TIP Office will not support projects that use alternate definitions of trafficking.

The TVPA requires that the Department of State submit to Congress an annual report assessing the efforts of governments to address trafficking in persons. The annual TIP Report is the primary tool for the Department’s engagement with other governments on human trafficking and informs U.S. policy and assistance priorities to combat this crime. The 2019 TIP Report is available at: https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report-2019/.

Since 2000, when the United Nations adopted the Palermo Protocol and the United States enacted the TVPA, 175 countries have become party to the Protocol. In addition, more than 160 countries have passed anti-trafficking laws, and many countries have established specialized law enforcement units, set up trafficking victim assistance mechanisms, and launched public awareness campaigns. Nonetheless, the number of victims identified and assisted, and the number of traffickers investigated, prosecuted, and convicted remain low relative to the size of the crime; and governments face continued challenges in effectively implementing new anti-trafficking legal and policy frameworks.

The TIP Office works to address these challenges through diplomatic engagement and its foreign assistance programs. Information on U.S. government anti-trafficking efforts is available at https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-to-monitor-and-combat-trafficking-in-persons-2/ and a summary of international programs currently funded by the TIP Office is available at https://www.state.gov/tip-office-project-descriptions/.

The U.S. signed CPC Partnerships with the Government of Ghana in June 2015, the Government of the Philippines in April 2017, the Government of Peru in June 2017, and the Government of Jamaica in May 2018. Information on these CPC Partnerships is available at https://www.state.gov/child-protection-compact-partnerships/.

C. U.S-MONGOLIA CPC PARTNERSHIP AWARD COMPETITION

The Government of the United States and the Government of Mongolia signed a CPC Partnership on April 2, 2020 to jointly support enhanced and more effective efforts to address child trafficking in Mongolia over four years. Both governments share concerns about the lasting psychological, physical, and developmental consequences of sex trafficking and forced labor for child victims, the increasing reports of commercial sexual exploitation of Mongolian children, and the recognized risks associated with children’s increasing use of the internet. Improving efforts to address all forms of child trafficking in Mongolia requires a concerted and well-coordinated response.

Children in Mongolia are subjected to both sex and labor trafficking. Child sex trafficking may occur in massage parlors, illegal brothels, hotels, bars, and karaoke clubs, sometimes through the permissive facilitation of local police. Child labor trafficking may take the form of domestic servitude, forced begging, herding, construction, artisanal mining, or forced child labor in agriculture. Traffickers sometimes use drugs, fraudulent social networking, online job opportunities, or English language programs to lure Mongolian victims into sex trafficking. Most sex trafficking of Mongolian victims from rural and poor economic areas occurs in Ulaanbaatar, provincial centers, and border areas.

The TIP Office will fund one or more organizations to work collaboratively in Mongolia in a manner that builds on the strong foundation of the Mongolian government’s anti-trafficking efforts to achieve improved, sustainable policies and practices that ensure effective interagency coordination and collaboration on child trafficking protection and prosecution efforts, hold perpetrators of child trafficking criminally accountable, provide comprehensive protective services for child victims, and prevent child trafficking from occurring in Mongolia. The U.S.-Mongolia CPC Partnership will serve as the framework for the governments of the U.S. and Mongolia to work collaboratively and cooperatively over four years to achieve the CPC Partnership’s purpose and objectives.

The TIP Office will provide up to $5 million in U.S. foreign assistance to one or more organization(s) to support implementation of the CPC Partnership activities. Applicants are encouraged to review the U.S.-Mongolia CPC Partnership, including Annexes A, B, and C. Annex B, the Implementation Plan, outlines activities that implementing partners who are selected by the TIP Office through this competitive funding opportunity will perform in support of the four CPC objectives. Please also review closely the programming objectives and activities listed below for guidance on specific activities; these are consistent with the TIP Office-supported activities in Appendix B.

The proposed project activities should be focused in Ulaanbaatar; applicants are encouraged to consider the Songinokhairkhan, Bayanzurkh, Chingeltei, Bayangol and Sukhbaatar districts. Projects may range from 36-44 months in duration and are expected to conclude at least by the end of this CPC Partnership in April 2024.

Applicants may only submit one proposal. Each program objective below identifies a “not to exceed” funding amount that applicants should strive to meet as mentioned in the CPC Partnership Programming Objectives and Activities section below. The TIP Office will consider proposals with deviations from these amounts only with strong justification.

The TIP Office recognizes the importance and added value of partnerships and collaborative efforts in anti-trafficking work. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that reflect partnerships among organizations and are expected to work collaboratively with relevant Mongolian government ministries and local authorities to coordinate with related activities supported by other donors.

Applicants are expected to submit proposals that reflect an understanding of and utilize trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches to anti-trafficking activities.

· A trauma-informed approach includes an understanding of the vulnerabilities and experiences of trauma survivors, including the prevalence and the physical, social, and emotional impact of trauma. This approach recognizes signs of trauma in individuals and the professionals who help them and responds by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, practices, and settings. Trauma-informed approaches place a priority on restoring the survivor’s feelings of safety, choice, and control. Programs, services, agencies, and communities can be trauma-informed.

· A victim-centered approach includes placing the crime victim’s priorities, needs, and interests at the center of the work with the victim; providing nonjudgmental assistance, with an emphasis on client self-determination, where appropriate, and assisting victims in making informed choices; ensuring that restoring victims’ feelings of safety and security is a priority and safeguarding against policies and practices that may inadvertently re-traumatize victims; ensuring that victims’ rights, voices, and perspectives are incorporated when developing and implementing system- and community-based efforts that impact crime victims.

CPC Partnership Programming Objectives and Activities The CPC Partnership programming priorities for Mongolia are listed below. Applicants should propose implementing activities that clearly support accomplishment of the CPC Partnership objectives and related activities in the implementation plan. Applicants must address at least one activity under each chosen objective, but proposals that address multiple listed activities will be viewed favorably. Applicants should propose to implement only objectives and activities for which they or their sub-grantees listed on the applications have demonstrated relevant experience.

The four programming objectives of this CPC Partnership pertain to all forms of child sex trafficking and forced child labor.

Proposed activities related to training should articulate plans to be specific to the Mongolian context and focused on creating sustained change.

Interagency Coordination and Collaboration Objective: Improve interagency coordination and collaboration of child trafficking investigation, prosecution, protection, and prevention efforts by establishing and maintaining an operational MDTF under the National Sub-Council on Trafficking in Persons.

Activities to support this objective:

Proposed activities not to exceed $1.5 million USD Working closely with relevant Mongolian agencies,

· Work with Mongolia’s Multidisciplinary Task Force (MDTF) to identify and respond to technical assistance and training needs; provide coordination support, including logistics and supplies for MDTF meetings

· Work with the TIP Office to identify an experienced Human Trafficking Task Force and Children’s Advocacy Center operating in the U.S. to provide mentorship for Mongolia’s MDTF; organize at least one international exchange trip between MDTF members and the U.S. for on-site learning and relationship building in year one of the Partnership by supporting travel, logistics, agenda setting, and meeting coordination

· Provide technical assistance in the establishment of the MDTF as needed; support MDTF mentorship through video conferences and additional exchange visits during the Partnership; support the development of MDTF protocols and a sustainability plan in coordination with MDTF members

· Work with participating agencies to coordinate investigation, prosecution, and protection activities under the MDTF; provide specialized training, follow-up mentoring, and other support for MDTF members in collaboration with the U.S.-based Task Force

· Provide technical assistance to the MDTF in the establishment of procedures for collecting, sharing, analyzing and reporting statistical data; provide technical assistance to the National Sub-Council on Trafficking in Persons to develop a plan to assess the effectiveness of MDTF operations and CPC Partnership implementation

Prosecution Objective: Improve the quality of victim-centered investigations and prosecutions with the goal of increasing the number of effective prosecutions and convictions of child trafficking cases.

Activities to support this objective:

Proposed activities not to exceed $1.2 million USD Working closely with relevant Mongolian government agencies,

· Provide training to MDTF members and other representatives of MDTF ministries, as appropriate, on topics including advanced investigation and prosecution of child trafficking cases, conducting interviews with potential child victims, use of child friendly spaces, intelligence gathering, surveillance, evidence collection, victim-centered practices during law enforcement operations, coordination of victims services through criminal justice proceedings, and techniques that reduce trauma for child victims/witnesses during trials; provide technical assistance and furnishings and supplies as needed to support the development of a multidisciplinary child-friendly space for interviewing child victims; work with MDTF members to promote coordinated, comprehensive care to child trafficking victims; assess existing SOPs and, with input from MDTF members, coordinate development and/or strengthening of SOPs for participating agencies; train relevant agencies in SOP implementation

· Provide technical assistance to the National Police Agency (NPA) and Family, Child, and Youth Development Agency (FCYDA) as needed for budget formulation and resource advocacy

· Provide expert consultation to NPA, Witness and Victim Protection Division (WVPD) and the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) regarding current best practices and assist them to develop and implement improved policies and practices for prosecutions and court proceedings that reduce the trauma for child victims who serve as witnesses, such as the use of pre-recorded testimony, live video technology, special programs that prepare child witnesses for court, court accompaniment by child advocates, and separate waiting areas; assist the Government of Mongolia, as appropriate, to increase the availability of victim services staff (such as providing supplemental staff through partnerships with civil society and/or NPA and FCYDA to increase resources dedicated to these activities)

· Work with participating agencies to assess gaps in existing data collection systems and create plans to address gaps as needed

· Provide training, including training of trainers, on cyber-facilitated human trafficking investigation and prosecution, with an emphasis on child trafficking cases

Protection Objective: Strengthen Mongolia and civil society capacity to identify victims of child trafficking and to provide comprehensive specialized services to victims of child sex trafficking and forced child labor.

Activities to support this objective:

Proposed activities not to exceed $1.5 million USD Working closely with relevant Mongolian government agencies,

· Assess existing victim identification and referral procedures and identify gaps in design or implementation that limit effectiveness; assist participating agencies to develop or strengthen existing identification procedures and referral mechanisms, including for immediate referral of victims to receive comprehensive care; provide training on victim identification and referral procedures to participating agencies and civil society, assess effectiveness of this training, work to institutionalize the training, and provide follow-up support as needed

· Provide training and technical assistance and other resources, including shelter refurbishments and capacity building of staff on shelter management, service provision, trauma-informed care, and reintegration, to FCYDA and a selected NGO on the operation of a specialized residential shelter

· Train social workers and mental health professionals from FCYDA and its NGO partners, and from NPA WVPD on specialized psychological counseling techniques, such as art therapy, and on techniques to provide emotional support for child trafficking victims throughout legal proceedings; provide mentorship after training

· Work with MLSP and FCYDA to assess existing services, create a plan for capacity building, and provide training for designated personnel such as Child Protection Officers and relevant civil society partners on case management, trauma-informed care, reintegration, and specialized needs of child trafficking victims

· Work with FCYDA to assess gaps in existing data collection systems and create a plan to address the gaps as needed

Prevention Objective: Increase efforts to prevent child sex trafficking and forced child labor through school, community, and online mechanisms that educate relevant stakeholders of the risks and indicators of child trafficking and increase the capacity of public officials, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to take appropriate action.

Activities to support this objective:

Proposed activities not to exceed $800,000 USD Working closely with relevant Mongolian government agencies,

· Provide technical assistance to participating agencies on strategies and activities to support greater community education and outreach; assess related activities and outreach effectiveness, revise materials and techniques as needed, and promote sustained use of effective outreach model in coordination with MDTF

· Provide technical assistance, as necessary, to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection on potential legal remedies to permit unannounced inspections; provide training and technical assistance to labor inspectors on identifying and responding to forced child labor after unannounced inspections are authorized

· Provide technical assistance on timely strategies for the closing of entertainment establishments, including massage parlors, where child victims of trafficking are exploited

CPC Partnership Competition Overview Any funds awarded under this funding opportunity will be provided through a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement provides for substantial involvement between the agency, in this case the TIP Office, and the award recipient during the award’s period of performance. Substantial involvement by the TIP Office in this award will include the approval of all sub-award recipients and key personnel provided with funding awarded under this funding opportunity. Other examples of substantial involvement by the TIP Office could include, but are not limited to, reviewing and approving project materials, training curricula, proposed consultants, and evaluation plans. All draft and final products submitted for review must be translated into English.

D. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The TIP Office encourages applications from the following entities:

· U.S.-Based and Foreign-based Non-Profit

· For-Profit Organization

· Institution of Higher Education

· Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

· Public International Organization (PIO)

Please note, for-profit organizations are not permitted to generate profits from grant-funded activities. While foreign governments are not eligible to apply, governments may be beneficiaries of programs provided that funding does not pay salaries of government agency personnel and that such assistance is not restricted by U.S. law or policy.

Applicants for this funding opportunity may partner with other organizations in submitting full proposal(s). All such applications must clearly identify the lead applicant, and the applicant may designate one or more partner organizations as sub-recipients. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, a partner organization is any organization that would receive sub-award funding from a successful applicant to help the applicant organization implement anti-trafficking projects. All mandatory terms and conditions for a successful applicant also apply to any sub-awards awarded.

The eligibility requirements for applying for funds under this funding opportunity do not restrict applicants from receiving other sources of funding from the U.S. government, including funding from other bureaus within the Department of State. However, the applicant must identify related U.S. government programming.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing, cost matching, and cost participation are not required to carry out the program described in this announcement. However, voluntary cost share may be proposed. Applicants proposing cost share must read the instructions below regarding budget documents that are required to be submitted under this announcement. Applicants should list the cost share amount in the designated sections in the SF-424 forms.

As described in the U.S.-Mongolia CPC Partnership Section IV and Appendix B, the Implementation Plan, the Government of Mongolia has committed to make addressing human trafficking a higher priority within its budgetary and resource allocation processes going forward. This would include support for anti-trafficking activities in fulfillment of the CPC Partnership’s objectives and activities, expanded support for shelters and other direct services for child victims of human trafficking, and the necessary equipment for investigations and victim protection. In addition, Mongolian agencies and prosecutors participating in the CPC Partnership have committed to increase the number of law enforcement, prosecutor, social welfare, mental health, and labor inspection personnel designated to prioritize child trafficking and to work collaboratively on victim-centered investigation and prosecution of child trafficking cases. The National Sub-Council on Trafficking in Persons will work with prosecutors, police, and child protection officers to establish, provide support for, and maintain an operational Multidisciplinary Task Force (MDTF) focused on interagency coordination in the identification and protection of child trafficking victims and the investigation and prosecution of child trafficking crimes. Participating agencies and prosecutors will also cooperate with the implementing partners to support the objectives and activities.

E. APPLICATION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package

All proposals must be submitted via SAMS Domestic by 5:00p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on June 2, 2020. The TIP Office will NOT accept proposals or updated documents submitted by any other method, including email, fax, the postal system, delivery companies, couriers, or U.S. embassies. Applicants may submit only one application.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process and to submit the application in advance of the deadline. This will aid in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application deadline. No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps to submit applications on SAMS Domestic.

Applications Submitted Through SAMS Domestic

Organizations using SAMS Domestic for the first time must register on the SAMS Domestic site to create a New Applicant account as soon as possible. This application step must be completed before an application can be submitted.

To register with SAMS Domestic, follow the “create an account” link and complete the “SAMS Domestic User Registration Request” application form. Users will receive an email requesting account verification. This verification step must be completed before an application can be submitted. Please contact JTIPGrants@state.gov after the account has been created to ensure the account is associated with the correct organization. Electronic applications submitted via SAMS Domestic must contain completed SF-424 online forms and documents specified in this funding opportunity.

To upload the full proposal, go to SAMS Domestic, select “Apply, then Funding Opportunities,” and select the “Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Programs” funding opportunity. Select the “Apply Here” button, enter the applicant organization’s information, and click Save. Complete each section of the application in the corresponding section of the Additional Documents to Be Submitted Tab: Online Standard Forms (SF-424, SF-424 A, SF-424 B) and Project Narrative.

Note: Please ensure that you select the box, “allow anyone in my organization to edit this proposal”, to ensure members of your organization have access to edit this proposal.

For assistance with SAMS Domestic please contact the ILMS Support Desk at 1-888-313-4567 (toll free for international callers) or submit a ticket using the ILMS Self Service Portal. Customer Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note, support hours may change on Federal holidays. Please direct questions regarding the process of uploading applications to Customer Support. Technical difficulties not resolved by the Support Desk by the time of submission must be fully documented and reported to the TIP Office at JTIPGrants@state.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 each of the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Content of Application Please ensure:

· The proposal addresses the objectives and activities of this funding opportunity.

· All documents are written in the English language.

· All text is black-colored, 12 point, Times New Roman font.

· All budgets are in U.S. dollars.

· All documents must have one-inch margins.

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

· All Microsoft Word documents should have 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. Applicants must use the provided template for the project narrative. These requirements have been locked in the provided template. Submission of PDF files will not be accepted and will result in automatic failure of the technical review.

Required Sections – Overview

· Microsoft Word Document (No PDF files) Section 3 Monitoring and Evaluation Table

· Microsoft Word Document or Microsoft Excel (No PDF files) Section 4 Timeline

· Microsoft Word Document or Microsoft Excel (No PDF files) Section 5 Summary Budget, Line-Item Budget and Budget Narrative

· Microsoft Word Document or Microsoft Excel (No PDF files)

· Resumes may be no longer than 5 pages, including charts, graphs, logos, and images.

* Required only if Applicable

Note: Applicants must use the TIP Office templates for the project narrative, M&E Table, timeline, summary budget, and CPIs, which are part of the Additional Information to Be Submitted by the Applicant Tab.

Required Sections – Details

Section 1 – Online Forms: Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B and LLL Complete the SF-424 and SF-424A as described in the instructions provided through SAMS Domestic. Please note, the SF-424B is now 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. In addition, the following information may be helpful when completing the SF-424. Please see the provided Annex for further instructions on filling out these forms, located under the “Information for Applicants” tab in SAMS Domestic.

SF-424: Complete all fields except where noted as “Leave Blank” below.

1. Type of Submission: Application

2. Type of Application: New

3. Date Received: This will be assigned automatically.

4. Applicant Identifier: Leave blank.

5a. Federal Entity Identifier: Leave blank.

5b. Federal Award Identifier: Leave blank.

6. Date Received by State: Leave blank. This will be assigned automatically.

7. State Application Identified: Leave blank. This will be assigned automatically.

8a. Enter the legal name of the applicant organization. Do NOT list abbreviations or acronyms unless they are part of the organization’s legal name.

8b. Employer/Taxpayer ID Number: Non-U.S. organizations enter 44-4444444 8c. Enter organizational Unique Entity Identifier number (UEI). Organizations can request a UEI number at: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Enter “0000000000” for organizations that do not yet have a UEI number.

8d. Enter the headquarters address of the applicant 8e. Enter the name of the primary organizational unit (and department or division) that will undertake the assistance activity as applicable.

8f. Enter the name, title, and all contact information of the person to be contacted on matters involving this application.

9. Select an applicant type (type of organization)

10. Enter: Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

11. Enter: 19.019. This should be automatically entered.

12. Enter the Funding Opportunity Number and title. This number will already be entered on electronic applications.

13. Enter the Competition Identification Number and title. This number will already be entered on electronic applications.

14. Areas Affected by Project: Enter country or region.

15. Enter the title of proposed project: Enter project title.

16. (16a) Congressional districts of Applicant: Applicants based in the U.S. should enter congressional district. Foreign applicants should enter “90.” 16(b) All applicants should enter “90.”

17. Enter start date February 1, 2020 and projected end date.

18. (18a) Enter the amount requested for the project described in the full proposal under “Federal”; (18b) enter any cost-share under “Applicant.” If not proposing cost-share, enter zeros.

19. Select “c. Program is not covered by E.O 12372.”

20. Select the appropriate box. If the answer is “yes” to this question, provide an explanation.

21. Enter the name, title, and all contact information of the individual authorized to sign for the application on behalf of the applicant organization.

SF-424A –Applicants often say this form is confusing. Please review the detailed instructions below BEFORE completing this form online.

Section A - Budget Summary – Complete Tab 1

a. Enter: Anti-Trafficking Program (This is the only grant program that needs to be entered). Click Save to refresh the page.

b. Click the Anti-Trafficking Program link and enter: 19.019.

c-d. Leave these fields blank.

e. Enter the amount of federal funds requested for this project.

f. Enter the amount of any other funds the applicant will receive towards this project.

g. The total cost of this project will automatically be calculated. Click Save & Return

Section B - Budget Categories – Complete Tab 2 – Enter total project costs in each category in Column 1 as described below. In Column 5 the form should automatically show the sum. Columns 2, 3, and 4 leave blank.

a-h. Click into each category to enter the amount for each object class category (Include cost sharing).

i. Enter the sum of 6a-6h.

j. Enter any indirect charges.

k. Enter the sum of 6i and 6j.

Program Income. Enter any program income that will be earned as a result of the project. If none, leave this section blank.

Section C - Non-Federal Resources – Complete Tab 3 – (Only complete this section if the proposal includes funds from other sources)

1. Click into Anti-Trafficking Program.

2. Enter cost share amount in the Applicant field, if applicable.

3. Leave the State field blank.

4. Enter the amount of any other funding sources for this project.

5. The total amount for all non-federal resources should automatically be calculated.

Section D - Forecasted Cash Needs – Complete Tab 4

1. In the first column, enter the total amount of federal funds requested for the project. Forecasted cash needs by quarter are not required.

2. In the first column, enter the total amount of non-federal funds you expect to expend during the project. Please list total cost share in this column. Forecasted cash needs by quarter are not required.

3. The form should automatically calculate the sum. Forecasted cash needs by quarter are not required.

Section E - Budget Estimates of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of the Project – Complete Tab 5

1. Click Anti-Trafficking Program.

2. Enter the amount of federal funds to be expended in year one of the project. Click Save.

3. Enter the amount of federal funds to be expended in year two of the project (if applicable).

4. Enter the amount of federal funds to be expended in year three of the project (if applicable).

Section F - Other Budget Information – Complete Tab 6

1. Enter: Direct Charges – Leave Blank.

2. Enter: Indirect Charges – If Indirect Charges are shown in Tab 2 (Budget Categories), enter the type of Indirect Rate used (Provisional, Predetermined, Final, or Fixed).

3. Enter any comments.

SF-424B

This form must be signed online in SAMS Domestic. Please note, the SF-424B is now 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.

SF-LLL

If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions.

Section 2 – Project Narrative Applicants are required to use the provided project narrative template, and text should be entered directly into the template. Project narratives must be submitted as Word documents. PDF versions of the project narrative will not be accepted and will result in failure of the technical review.

A. Key Information and Brief Project Summary

The project narrative must list the following key information at the beginning of the narrative:

· Country or countries that the project will benefit

· Project Title

· Name of applicant organization

· Name and email address of point of contact for the application (This should be the same contact that is listed on the SF-424 in 8f).

· Funding amount requested in U.S. dollars. If applicants include a cost share it should also be in U.S. dollars. No other figures are requested at this time.

· Project duration in months.

· 3P Percentage Breakdown (Ex. 25% Prevention, 35% Protection, and 40% Prosecution).

The remaining area of this section will make up the foundation of the project narrative. Please note that project narratives should be no more than 24,000 characters (approximately 8 pages), including spaces, and submitted in 12-point Times New Roman font. The provided template has been set to these requirements. The content of applications should include:

· Brief description of the applicant organization and partner(s), previous work in the country or region where project would be performed, previous work to combat human trafficking and other similar crimes, and the applicant’s current and prospective funding for related projects in the region or country, if applicable. The project narrative should clearly demonstrate the organization’s record and capacity, including previous grant management experience. A general organizational history is not required.

· Description of how the project meets at least one of the TIP Office’s country / region specific programming objectives described in this announcement.

· Project description, including goals and objectives, intended beneficiaries, and duration.

· Note: A goal is a brief statement of what the project hopes to accomplish. An objective is a statement that describes the intended results or incremental changes that a project intends to achieve by implementing specific activities. Strong objectives are detailed, contain clear statements of change expected as a result of the project, and are “SMART,” i.e., Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound. Activities are the tasks or actions that a project undertakes to accomplish specific objectives. Activities should be linked to the achievement of specific objectives. Applicants must describe how they will ensure that their project adheres to the highest ethical standards.

· Project outcomes, deliverables, and performance indicators. The summary should also explain how the work would relate to recent and ongoing efforts of existing anti-trafficking activities for the affected country. The statement should also briefly describe how the project would meet the need by addressing the human trafficking problems in the country identified in the programming objectives.

· This section should identify where activities will be performed and outline the roles of key personnel in the project. It should also address how the results of the project will be sustained upon its completion, identify local partners and their roles in implementing project activities, and address how the project will be coordinated with activities funded by other donors.

B. Monitoring and Evaluation/Analysis and Reporting

Applicants should include a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan with an explicit theory of change that shows the causal relationship between project activities and results[footnoteRef:2]. The plan should also describe how the outputs and outcomes identified in the Monitoring and Evaluation table will be monitored. Applicants should also specifically address: [2: “A theory of change is a brief statement that ties your logic framework together by summarizing why, based on available evidence and consideration of other possible paths, and the changes described in your logic framework that are expected to occur.” (Program Design and Performance Management Toolkit, Managing for Results 2013).]

· The learning questions for this project and how you plan to answer them through monitoring and/or evaluation;

· The resources (financial, technical, human) you need to ensure high quality monitoring and/or evaluation data; and,

· An explanation of how outcomes will be sustained at the end of the project.

Applicants should budget a sufficient amount for M&E expenses (recommended minimum of 2%). M&E expenses may include project monitoring activities, such as funds to implement and analyze results from a survey after a project activity, host focus groups, interview key informants, observe project activities, gather data, etc. M&E expenses could also be used to fund a project evaluation that is either implemented by an internal or external evaluator. Applicants planning a formal evaluation should describe when it will be conducted during the period of performance, who will conduct it (external/third party or not), the methodology to be used, and how the main evaluation audiences will use the findings. A formal evaluation is not required.

In addition, applicants selected for funding must be willing to have their projects independently evaluated; in this case applicant monitoring and evaluation of project performance will still be required. If a project is selected for an evaluation independent of the project, the TIP Office will put forth additional funding for this evaluation.

C. Key Personnel

Key personnel are individuals with primary responsibilities for implementing the strategy outlined in the technical approach. In this section, applicants should separately:

· Identify and outline the roles and responsibilities of key personnel working on the project.

· This may include, but is not limited to, hiring staff, drafting materials, scheduling meetings, coordinating trainings, drafting awareness materials, etc.

· List the qualifications required for each of the key personnel working on the project.

· This may include, but is not limited to, prior experience in the country, experience working on human trafficking programs, experience with M&E, an understanding of anti-trafficking policies, etc.

· Provide resumes for key personnel already selected to work on the proposed project.

· If the key personnel selected to work on the proposed project will also be working on another TIP Office project that is already being funded, please provide the time commitments for both the existing project and proposed project.

D. Organizational Capacity & Partnerships

Organizations must demonstrate how their resources, capabilities, and qualifications enable them to achieve the proposed goals and objectives in their proposal. Applicants should describe their relevant programming experience and human trafficking expertise, if any. Applicants should highlight the experience and expertise of any individual members of the organization’s leadership team who will not be designated key personnel and how they will support accomplishment of program goals and objectives.

Applicants may partner with other organizations in submitting proposals. Each application must clearly identify the applicant, and the applicant may designate one or more partner organizations as sub-recipients. If an applicant applies for an award under this funding opportunity with partner organizations, this section must demonstrate a partnership approach that clearly delineates the respective roles and responsibilities of the applicant and of each partner. Applicants should submit a copy of any signed partnership agreements. All letters of partnership from intended sub-recipients must be submitted in English. Other letters of endorsement may be submitted in a foreign language with an informal English translation.

Section 3 – Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Table

Applicants must provide, as a separate attachment, a Monitoring & Evaluation Table in Times New Roman font, no smaller than 12 point. A Monitoring & Evaluation Table demonstrates the causal relationship between the project goals and objectives and the activities undertaken to achieve them. Applicants should include and clearly define output and outcome indicators. Applicants must set targets for each indicator (and in Common Performance Indicators). With TIP Office approval, recipients will be able to revise indicators and targets during project implementation, when relevant. Output indicators measure the direct products or services derived from completion of the activities proposed in the technical approach. Outcome indicators demonstrate the results a project intends to achieve (e.g., enhancements to victim services, quality of legislation drafted, effectiveness of training materials developed, etc.). The required format and a sample Monitoring and Evaluation Table are included in the Additional Documents to be Submitted section on SAMS Domestic. The approved Monitoring & Evaluation Table will be used to measure performance of projects chosen by the TIP Office for award. Applicants should be realistic in their selection of indicators.

Section 4 – Timeline

Applicants must provide a timeline in the form of a Gantt chart to demonstrate the relationship between planned activities such as marshalling other donor resources, conducting open and competitive competitions for grant funding, and conducting timely implementation of sub-awards. The Additional Documents to be Submitted Section includes a timeline template. The timeline must be submitted in 12-point Times New Roman font.

Applicants who choose to use the attached template may need to make adjustments to tailor the listed duration and number of listed activities to match those of proposed projects:

· Applicants should rename “Project Title” and “Organization Name.”

· Applicants should rename “Activity 1,” “Activity 2,” etc., as needed to match the proposed project activities and listed the individual responsible for each activity.

· Applicants should fill in the proposed start dates for each activity in Column B, and fill in the columns to reflect the amount of time to be spent on the activity.

Section 5 – Summary Budget, Line-Item Budget, and Budget Narrative

Applicants must submit a summary budget, line-item budget, and budget narrative. The budget must specify the total amount of funding requested, must specify the amount spent per year, and must be in U.S. dollars. All three budget formats must be submitted in separate excel documents to be considered for funding. Each budget document should be submitted using 12-point Times New Roman font. If your application has voluntary cost share, please be sure to list it in the appropriate columns as demonstrated below.

A. Budget Summary by Project Year

Provide a summary budget showing totals for the categories listed below for each year of the project. A sample template is below:

1. Personnel

2. Fringe Benefits

3. Travel

4. Equipment

5. Supplies

6. Contractual

7. Construction

8. Other Direct Costs

9. Total Direct Costs (lines 1-8)

10. Indirect Costs

11. Total Costs (lines 9-10)

B. Line-Item Budget

A breakdown or spreadsheet showing costs in each of the budget categories listed below, with detailed calculations showing estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar detail per project year. The budget spreadsheet must be presented using 12-point Times New Roman font. Any cost-share presented must be broken down according to line items.

Personnel - For each staff person, provide information such as job title, time commitment to the project as a percentage of full-time equivalent, annual salary (or wage rate), and salary from grant funds.

Fringe Benefits - Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs for employees, including health insurance, FICA, retirement insurance, and taxes. List fringe benefit costs separately from salary costs and explain how benefits are computed for each category of employee.

Travel - Identify staff and participant travel, including international airfare, in-country travel, domestic travel in the U.S., and per diem/maintenance (includes lodging, meals, and incidentals for both participant and staff travel). Rates of maximum allowance for U.S. and foreign travel are available at www.fedtravel.com. Per diem rates may not exceed the published USG allowance rates, but applicants may use lower per diem rates.

Equipment - For each type of equipment requested, describe the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, and the total cost. Equipment is defined as tangible property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per item.

Supplies - List items separately using unit costs (and the percentage of each unit cost being charged to the grant) for items such as photocopying, postage, telephone/fax, printing, and office supplies.

Contractual - Provide the costs of all contracts for services and goods, except for those that belong under other categories (such as equipment, supplies, construction, etc.). For each sub-award or contract known at the time of application, provide a detailed line-item breakdown explaining specific costs and services. If consultants will be used in the grant, provide all costs related to their activities, including travel and per diem costs.

Construction - Construction costs are defined as non-major costs for rearrangement and alteration or reconversion or renovation of facilities. This includes normal alterations to modify any buildings or grounds, such as replacing doors or painting. Please refer to the funding restrictions on construction under Section 5 “Funding Restrictions”.

Other Direct Costs - (These will vary depending on the nature of the grant.) - Provide computations for all other costs. These costs, where applicable and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, professional services,…