72060821RFA00001, Religious and Ethnic Minorities Activity.pdf

NOFO 72060821RFA00001

Religious and Ethnic Minorities Activity (REMA)

Issue Date: February 22, 2021 Questions Due: March 1st, 2021, 12pm Noon (Morocco Time) Closing Date & Time: March 22, 2021, 12pm Noon (Morocco Time)

Subject: USAID/Morocco Notice of Funding Opportunity Number:

72060821RFA00001

Program/Opportunity Title: Religious and Ethnic Minorities Activity (REMA)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 98.001

To: All Interested Respondents/Parties:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Morocco (USAID/Morocco) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Religious and Ethnic Minorities Activity (REMA).

USAID intends to make an award to the responsible applicant whose application best meets the objectives of this funding opportunity based on the merit review criteria described in this NOFO subject to a risk assessment. Eligible parties interested in applying are encouraged to read this NOFO thoroughly to understand the type of program sought, application submission requirements and selection process. While one award is anticipated as a result of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

Subject to funds availability, the anticipated funding for the USAID/Morocco REMA is $3 million over a three-year period. Final authority for assistance awards resides with the USAID/ Morocco Agreement Officer.

To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all information as required in this NOFO and meet eligibility standards in Section C of this NOFO. This funding opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov, and may be amended. Potential applicants should regularly check the website to ensure they have the latest information pertaining to this notice of funding opportunity. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the entire NOFO has been received from the internet in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. If you have difficulty registering on www.grants.gov or accessing the NOFO, please contact the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 or via email at support@grants.gov for technical assistance.

USAID may not award to an applicant unless the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifiers and System for Award Management (SAM) requirements detailed in Section D .

The registration process may take many weeks to complete. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to begin registration early in the process.

Please send any questions to the point(s) of contact identified in Section D. The deadline for questions is shown above. Responses to questions received prior to the deadline will be furnished to all potential applicants through an amendment to this notice posted on www.grants.gov .

Issuance of this notice of funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in preparation or submission of comments/suggestions or an application. Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant’s expense.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Zachary Clarke Regional Agreement Officer USAID/Morocco

Zachary C Clarke (affiliate)

Digitally signed by Zachary C Clarke (affiliate) Date: 2021.02.12 16:53:27 +01'00'

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abbreviations and Acronyms ……………………………………………………….…………

Section A – Program Description………………………………………………….…………….. 5

Section B – Award Information…………...………………………………..…….………..…….13

Section C – Eligibility Information…………………………………...…………….…………...15

Section D – Application and Submission Information………………..………………………

Section E – Application Review Information………………………………..…………………..39

Section F – Award and Administration Information………………………………..…………...43

Section G – Agency Contacts……………………………………………………………………55

Section H – Other Information……………………………………………………….………….56

Section I – Annexes…………………………………….……………..….……………………...57

Annex 1…………………...……………….……….……………..….…………………..57

Annex 2…………………………..……….…………………………….…....…………..60

Annex 3……………………………..…………………….…………….………………..62

Annex 4………………………………………………….…………….…………..….….63

Annex 5………………………………………………….…………….…………..….….64

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

ADS Automated Directive Services AO Agreement Officer AOR Agreement Officer Representative BEO Bureau Environmental Officer CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CFR Code of Federal Regulations CRM Climate Risk Management DDL Development Data Library DEC Development Exchange Clearinghouse DUNS Data Universal Numbering System GDO General Development Office GLAAS Global Acquisition and Assistance System GOM: Government of Morocco IR Intermediate Result LOC Letter of Credit M/B/IO Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Office M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning MTDC Modified Total Direct Costs NGO Non-Governmental Organization NICRA Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity PAD Project Appraisal Design PIEE Programmatic Initial Environmental Examination PPI Past Performance Information REMA Religious Ethnic Minorities Activity RFA Request for Applications SAM System for Award Management TIN Taxpayer Identification Number U.S. United States USAID United States Agency for International Development

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SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This funding opportunity is authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) of 1961, as amended. For US organizations the resulting award will be subject to 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, and USAID’s supplement, 2 CFR 700, as well as the additional requirements found in Section F. For non-US organizations the resulting award will be subject to the Standard Provisions for Non-US Non-governmental Organizations found in ADS 303 and the requirements found in Section F.

I. ACTIVITY TITLE

Religious and Ethnic Minorities Activity (REMA)

II. ACTIVITY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of this activity is to promote religious tolerance and community efforts that preserve cultural heritage sites of religious and ethnic minorities in Morocco through two overarching objectives:

Objective 1: Enhance Religious and Cultural Preservation, Learning, and Social Cohesion.

Objective 2: Support Initiatives that Promote Tolerance, Interfaith Dialogue, and Multiculturalism.

USAID/Morocco is seeking to support focused, innovative, and realistic approaches that would lead to the achievement of those objectives.

III. BACKGROUND

In recent years, Morocco has emerged as a regional leader in interfaith dialogue. The Government of Morocco (GOM) is taking concrete steps to engage Moroccan and international stakeholders in initiatives that promote tolerance and facilitate intercultural and interfaith dialogue. The GOM recognizes that the country’s rich historical pluralism, tolerance, and protection of religious minorities are key pillars of Morocco’s unique national identity. The preservation of the historic and cultural heritage of these groups supports the country’s social fabric as a whole.

The 2011 Constitution of the Kingdom of Morocco1 celebrates the shared heritage of its diverse citizenry and the central role that all communities have played in creating Morocco’s unique social makeup:

“A sovereign Muslim State, attached to its national unity and to its territorial integrity, the Kingdom of Morocco intends to preserve, in its plentitude and its diversity, its one and indivisible national identity. Its unity is forged by the convergence of its Arab-Islamic, Amazigh and Saharan-Hassanic components, nourished and enriched by its African, Andalusian, Hebraic and

1 https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011.pdf

Mediterranean influences. The preeminence accorded to the Muslim religion in the national reference is consistent with the attachment of the Moroccan people to the values of openness, of moderation, of tolerance and of dialog for mutual understanding between all the cultures and the civilizations of the world.”

The globalized world in which we all live has resulted in not only global migrations of citizens in search of better economic opportunities elsewhere, but also the influence of intolerant narratives on populations that previously enjoyed amicable and collaborative relationships. This has resulted in many citizens of Morocco emigrating and establishing their lives outside of the Kingdom, particularly minority groups. Some retain religious, cultural, civic and property links with Morocco, but many do not. A result of these trends has been a significant shift in the demographics in the Kingdom, where most of Morocco’s Jewish community now lives outside the Kingdom. Those that remain are concentrated primarily in large urban centers and no longer have an appreciable presence in rural and smaller urban areas. So where many Moroccans previously lived and interacted closely with someone of another faith, today’s Moroccan youth may have little to no experience with someone in their community from a different religious background.

In addition to the diversity that once characterized Morocco’s past, migration has also brought new communities that have established longer-term residency in the kingdom. Christian and other religious communities of many ethno-linguistic cultural groups, particularly from sub- Saharan Africa, driven by economic or educational opportunities, now make Morocco their home, even if not permanently. These communities too, however, are largely concentrated in urban centers and do not necessarily have the same degree of integration as earlier minority religious communities. Morocco has long been and continues to host communities from other countries that have resided in the Kingdom and created distinct short and long-term religious and ethnic communities. This too is an important part of the Moroccan story of tolerance and coexistence.

It is in the spirit of these broader U.S. and Moroccan Government efforts that USAID/Morocco seeks to support programming around the preservation of REM in the Kingdom.

IV. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The goal of this activity is to support grassroots local initiatives to celebrate and preserve Morocco’s unique social heritage of peaceful coexistence. Activities may include work to refurbish or rehabilitate important sites, such as former houses of worship, cemeteries, and other institutions or locations of cultural and historical importance and must focus on promoting community efforts to preserve those cultural heritage sites of religious and ethnic minorities in Morocco. Activities that promote religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue are similarly encouraged but should aim to engage broadly within and between communities at all levels, including among youth, and taking into consideration employability as a means to increase the long-term interest in and sustainability of the religious and cultural preservation efforts.

The focus of this activity is on integrated work to increase familiarity with contributions of diverse communities to Moroccan history, particularly those outlined in the preamble to the Moroccan constitution, but also the historical interactions with Christian residents for short or long periods in the country. A core principle of this activity is that efforts to be funded should not benefit one community; this is a project for Morocco and all Moroccan citizens and residents.

In order to best leverage local knowledge, develop local capacity and ensure local ownership and sustainability, applicants will be required to demonstrate how they will engage with local partner organizations, including working with them as sub-partners.

Broadly, interventions should work towards achieving the following objectives:

A. Objective 1: Promote the Preservation of Religious and Cultural Heritage and Social Cohesion

The focus of interventions that include preservation or rehabilitation of buildings or artifacts should be on the preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage, including memories and experiences, as well as the preservation of structures. This can include immediate-term preservation efforts, albeit through processes that engage the broader majority community through shared Moroccan history and identity. Restoration of buildings and sites, particularly cemeteries, can quickly overwhelm resources and require long-term investments that only community and potentially local public investment can sustain. Restoration should only be done as part of a broader educational and community engagement effort in order to promote local ownership and commitment to sustainability.

Expected results:

● Community ownership and appreciation of the shared heritage promoted.

● Preservation and restoration of tangible and intangible Moroccan religious and cultural heritage advanced.

● Long-term interest in and sustainability of the religious and cultural preservation efforts are increased.

B. Objective 2: Support Initiatives that Promote Tolerance, Interfaith Dialogue, and Multiculturalism

As Moroccan diversity becomes more siloed, opportunities to engage with other cultural and religious groups are diminished. Therefore, it is increasingly important to bring diverse social groups together to have opportunities to learn about each other's common values and unique heritages. USAID/Morocco recognizes the need for innovative approaches to sustainably (including economically) preserve heritage while enhancing opportunities for multicultural education for the public. Sustainable partnerships founded on shared values are essential for successful programs. The focus of interventions under this objective should be on supporting locally led initiatives that contribute to advancing tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and multiculturalism.

Expected Results:

● Locally led initiatives that contribute to advancing tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and multiculturalism sustainably implemented.

● Intercultural and interreligious dialogue promoted.

● Sustainable interfaith and intercultural initiatives and partnerships established.

Note: If construction is included in this award then it will be in accordance with ADS 303.3.30 Limitation on Construction under Assistance.

“Construction” for purposes of this policy means: construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging and excavation) of buildings, structures, or other real property and includes, without limitation, improvements, renovation, alteration and refurbishment. The term includes, without limitation, roads, power plants, buildings, bridges, water treatment facilities, and vertical structures.

V. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

STRUCTURAL CHANGE

To the extent feasible, in undertaking the above, applicants will engage communities broadly in ways that build up community ownership of the efforts so that they will be sustained beyond the conclusion of the USAID-funded activity. In order to more holistically address these issues, USAID/Morocco encourages work with relevant governmental and non-governmental institutions, including efforts to work with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, etc.

ENGAGEMENT OF DIASPORAS

Citizenship and residency in the 21st century are not binary. Applicants may explore opportunities to bring members of the Moroccan diaspora into collaborative relationships with compatriots in Morocco. Efforts between communities within Morocco and those in the diaspora could also contribute to improved relations between communities in which the diaspora reside. Applicants may consider how programming is also linked to more directly address these broader bridging dynamics through the engagement of the Moroccan diaspora, particularly in ways that support the sustainability of efforts.

VI. CONCEPTUAL APPROACH AND LINKAGES

A. Conceptual Approach

This overarching approach aims to increase confidence of REM populations in public-serving institutions, while decreasing their vulnerabilities to social, economic, and political marginalization by promoting stronger citizen-to-citizen relations and citizen-to-state relations.

Applicants must provide a clear description of the overall objectives, the results to be achieved, the resources and steps required to meet them in an identifiable period of time, and benchmark measures of progress towards achievement by addressing the following:

● Sustainability: Sustainability is central to the objectives and design of this activity.

The applicant must identify the elements of sustainability considered essential to achieve the activity goal and describe how sustainability objectives will be integrated and how benefits and results will continue beyond the life of the program. In addition, proposed activities must promote, strengthen and be supported by sustainable local organizations that champion sound concepts, innovative practices and changes beyond the life of the award through targeting key people and seeking social and institutional change.

USAID/Morocco encourages supporting local organizations and working with new partners to build their capacity to manage the U.S. Government awards.

● Gender Equality and Female Empowerment: USAID/Morocco is dedicated to gender equality, the empowerment and protection of women and girls as key factors for achieving our broader development and humanitarian objectives. USAID/Morocco is also committed to adhering to USAID ADS Chapters 201 & 205 and USAID’s Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy2 requirements, which focus on integration of gender equality and female empowerment in all stages of the program cycle. The applicant must assess gender gaps and identify programming opportunities that are essential to promoting gender equal access to, participation in and benefits from services / technical assistance that will be provided under proposed activities.

● Local Solutions and Partnerships: USAID/Morocco encourages applications from partnerships or consortia, including arrangements whereby local organizations are included in the implementation of the activities. In this context, partnerships are defined as a negotiated arrangement among organizations that provides for a substantive, collaborative role for each of the partners in the planning and implementation of the program. Applicants intending to represent a coalition of providers should be prepared to provide, if requested, a signed partnership agreement stating:

○ an intent to commit or receive resources from the prospective partner(s) contingent upon receipt of funds;

○ how the partnership arrangement advances the objectives of the program;

○ supporting documentation identifying the resources, experience, and expertise of the partner(s);

○ evidence that the partner(s) has been involved in the planning of the program;

and clarification of the role of the partner(s) in the implementation of the program, evaluation, and sustainability and financial relationships.

● Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA): USAID’s Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) approach ensures that USAID/Morocco’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) works as a living strategy, providing guidance and reference points not only for implementation, but also for learning and course correction as needed.

The Implementing Partner is encouraged to conduct a periodic analysis of results, the enabling environment, context, and key assumptions. This analysis will ensure that the recipient is responding to and implementing within the constraints and opportunities that may influence the ultimate success of the activity. The Implementing Partner will facilitate an innovative learning approach from Morocco’s contextual dynamics and stakeholder engagement. This will enable the activity to evolve implementation to achieve results. To complement the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (ME&L) functions, the

2 USAID, “Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy” (2020), available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USAID_GenderEquality_Policy_MT_WEB_single_508.pdf

Implementing Partner will continuously review progress and challenges, integrate lessons learned, and adapt interventions accordingly. The recipient is encouraged to invest in capacity strengthening in CLA for local actors to achieve results. The implementer should be familiar with the CLA approach outlined on the USAID Learning Lab (http://usaidlearninglab.org/) and incorporate a CLA approach or plan into the MEL Plan, described below.

● Evaluation: If USAID decides to conduct an evaluation of this activity, the evaluation will be performed by a third-party contractor. Data and baseline information gathered by the recipient as part of their MEL Plan will be used to facilitate the evaluation to be conducted at the midpoint and/or in the final year of the activity. The Recipient will be expected to cooperate with and provide information to the external evaluation team throughout the life of the activity.

● Institutional and Geographic Considerations

a. Institutional Considerations: “Institutions” include governmental and non-governmental structures that communities interact with in pursuit of their goals such as the commune, local government, the region council, schools, religious establishments, and civil society organizations.

b. Potential Government of Morocco Partners include:

- Wilayas and Prefectures

- Rabita Al Mohammadia of Oulemas

- National Initiative for Human Development (INDH)

- Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture

- Ministry of Tourism

- National Archives of Morocco

- National Museum Foundation

c. Suggested Geographic Considerations: The following are the suggested geographic considerations for initial planning and application purposes; this geographic scope may be expanded in the future:

- Marrakech-Safi region

- Fes-Meknes region

- Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region

- Beni Mellal-Khenifra region

- Draa-Tafilalet region

- Note that suggested geographic considerations are for initial planning and application purposes; this scope may be expanded in the future.

● Do No Harm Considerations: Throughout the application, the Applicant must reflect thoughtful consideration of any risks that may result by bringing together individuals and groups around sometimes sensitive topics and provide sufficient explanation of how appropriate safeguards will be put in place to avoid intensifying the tensions or creating harmful situations for participants. Do No Harm should not be an isolated discussion in the application but be addressed holistically throughout all sections.

Any program being implemented will become part of the context and thus, the impact of planned activities must be analyzed vis-à-vis how they will affect the environment. It is not satisfactory to simply indicate the program will “Do No Harm”; more thoughtful analysis and specific examples are necessary. The applicant must explain how the proposed program will not exacerbate tensions and explain how the Applicant will mitigate against any risks to do harm and ensure individuals or communities will not be placed at greater risk as a consequence of the program.

B. Linkages The successful Full Application will also align closely with the broader priorities of USAID/W, USAID/Morocco, and the Government of Morocco including the following strategies and priorities:

USAID/Morocco Strategy (CDCS): The Religious and Ethnic Minority Activity (REMA) will directly contribute to USAID/Morocco’s Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2020-2025. This activity will support IR.3: Community resilience strengthened, and Sub-IR 3.3: Religious and cultural tolerance initiatives promoted.

Government of Morocco National Strategy: The activity will reinforce the Government of Morocco's efforts to preserve the kingdom’s religious and cultural heritage, bridge religious divides, and uphold the rights of religious minorities. The applicant will seek collaboration and partnership with various Government of Morocco (GoM) religious and ethnic minorities initiatives. To ensure sustainability, partnerships could include the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, National Archives of Morocco, the Rabita Mohammedia for Religious Councils.

Linkages to USAID Learning: The applicant will use lessons learned from previous/ongoing USAID activities to inform implementation. The following are relevant documents and links:

● Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index MENA: Civil society organization report (Morocco starting on page 47s).

● 2019 International Religious Freedom Report: State Department annual report on religious freedom (Morocco).

● USAID and Religious Freedom on USAID’s website.

VII. Award Administration

The authorizing legislation for this award is the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and it will be subject to 2 CFR 700 and 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, for US organizations, or the USAID ADS 303 Standard Provisions, for non-US organizations.

Note: The term “program” as used in 2 CFR 200 and this NOFO is typically considered by USAID to be an Activity supporting one or more Project(s) pursuant to specific Development Objectives.

Please see 2 CFR 700 for the USAID specific definitions of the terms “Activity” and “Project” as used in the USAID context for purposes of planning, design, and implementation of USAID development assistance.

[END OF SECTION A]

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated

Subject to the availability of funding and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID/Morocco intends to provide $3,000,000 in total USAID funding and anticipates supporting one (1) Cooperative Agreement over the course of three (3) years pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity.

2. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Awards

The period of performance anticipated herein is three (3) years . The estimated start date will be upon the signature of the award, anticipated for on or about September 30, 2021.

3. Substantial Involvement

Consistent with § 200.24 Cooperative Agreement and the USAID Automated Directive Services (ADS) 303.3.11 Substantial Involvement and Cooperative Agreements, USAID/Morocco anticipates having substantial involvement throughout the implementation of this Religious Ethnic Minorities Activity Cooperative Agreement.

The Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) at USAID/Morocco will substantially be involved in the Cooperative Agreement.

The Agreement Officer (AO) may delegate the approval listed in the items below to the AOR, except for authority to change the program description, the period of performance, the approved budget, and key personnel that require AO approval.

USAID’s substantial involvement in the program will extend to:

1. Approval of Annual Implementation Plans (workplans);

2. Approval of the detailed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (MEL Plan);

3. Approval of Key Personnel and any changes in Key Personnel; and

4. Approval of the Recipient’s subawards managed through the award.

4. Title to Property

Property title under the resultant agreement shall vest with the recipient in accordance with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.310-316, or the Standard Provision titled “Title to and Use of Property (December 2014),” as applicable.

5. Authorized Geographic Code

The geographic code for this program is 937 (the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source) for the procurement of commodities and services, per ADS 310.3.1.1.

6. Nature of the Relationship between USAID and the Recipient

The principal purpose of the relationship with the Recipient and under the subject program is to transfer funds to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation of the Religious and Ethnic Minority Activity which is authorized by Federal statute.

The successful Recipient will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the program objectives and the efficient and effective administration of the award through the application of sound management practices. The Recipient will assume responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The Recipient, using its own unique combination of staff, facilities, and experience, has the primary responsibility for employing whatever form of sound organization and management techniques may be necessary in order to assure proper and efficient administration of the resulting award.

7. Other Information

Award will be made to a responsible Applicant(s) whose Full Application best meets the requirements of this NOFO and the selection criteria contained herein. Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a Full Application. In addition, final award of any resultant award cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal USAID procedures. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, the potential applicant is hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. The Application is submitted at the risk of the Applicant; should circumstances prevent an Award from being made, all preparation and submission costs are at the Applicant's expense.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted.

The Applicant must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S.

Government standards, laws, and regulations. The successful Applicant(s) will be subject to a positive risk assessment by the Agreement Officer (AO).

A positive risk assessment means that the applicant possesses or has the ability to obtain the necessary management competence to plan and carry out the assistance program to be funded, and that the applicant will practice mutually agreed upon methods of accountability for funds and other assets provided by USAID.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

There is no cost sharing requirement anticipated under this award.

3. Fee/Profit

While for-profit firms may participate, pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400(g), it is USAID policy not to award Fee/Profit to prime recipients and subrecipients under assistance instruments. However, while Fee/Profit is not allowed for sub-awards, the prohibition does not apply when the recipient acquires goods and services in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 -326, “Procurement Standards.”

Forgone profit does not qualify as cost-share.

[END OF SECTION C]

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SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Agency Point of Contact

Only the Agreement Officer is authorized to make commitments on behalf of USAID. The Agreement Officer is listed below:

Mr. Zachary Clarke Regional Agreement Officer

USAID/MERP

zclarke@usaid.gov

The Point of Contact (POC) for information on this NOFO is:

Ms. Salya Yacoubi Supervisory Acquisition & Assistance Specialist USAID/Morocco syacoubi@usaid.gov

The above contact information is only for informational purposes. The NOFO itself and any subsequent amendments can be found at www.grants.gov. All applications must be submitted according to instructions contained in this NOFO.

In order to maintain a fair and transparent funding opportunity, USAID maintains strict guidelines on who within USAID may be contacted regarding applications or questions about the opportunity. Applicants may only contact USAID via the email address provided in this NOFO. Failure to comply with the USAID points of contact guidance mandated in the NOFO may disqualify the Applicant(s).

2. Questions and Answers

Questions and requests for clarification regarding this NOFO should be submitted by email to syacoubi@usaid.gov with a copy to usaidmoroccocontracts@usaid.gov no later than the date and time indicated on the cover letter. The subject line must read “Religious Ethnic Minorities Activity 72060821RFA00001”.

Any information given to a prospective Applicant concerning this NOFO will be furnished promptly to all other prospective Applicants as an amendment to this NOFO on www.grants.gov, if that information is necessary in submitting applications or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective Applicant. Please check www.grants.gov for any amendments.

3. Applicants responsiveness:

All applications received by the closing date and time will be reviewed for responsiveness to the specifications outlined in these guidelines and the application format. Section E:

Application Review Information addresses technical merit review criteria. Applicants must review, understand, and comply with all aspects of this NOFO. Failure to do so may lead to the disqualification of an application. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary documentation is complete and received on time.

The application received by the submission deadline will be reviewed for responsiveness to the NOFO and the application format. No addition or modifications will be accepted after the submission date. PDF documents are the preferred file format, though MS Word documents will be accepted, if necessary.

4. Content and Form of Application Submission:

In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, which implements the Paperwork Reduction Act, USAID requires an electronic submission of the application.

The Application must be submitted as two separate documents:

(a) Technical Application (with attachments); and

(b) Cost/Business Application.

This subsection addresses general content requirements applying to the full application.

Please see subsections 6 and 7, below, for information on the content specific to the Technical and Business (Cost) applications. The Technical application must address technical aspects only while the Business (Cost) Application must present the costs, and address risk and other related issues.

Both the Technical and Business Applications must include a cover page containing the following information:

● Name of the organization(s) submitting the application;

● Identification and signature of the primary contact person (by name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone number and email address) and the identification of the alternate contact person (by name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone number and email address);

● Activity name;

● Notice of Funding Opportunity number;

● Name of any proposed sub-recipients or partnerships if applicable (identify if any of the organizations are local organizations, per USAID’s definition of ‘local entity’ under ADS 303.)

Any erasures or other changes to the application must be initiated by the person signing the application. The Application signed by an agent on behalf of the Applicant must be accompanied by evidence of that agent’s authority, unless that evidence has been previously furnished to the issuing office.

Applicants may choose to submit a cover letter in addition to the cover pages, but it will serve only as a transmittal letter to the Agreement Officer. The cover letter will not be reviewed as part of the merit review criteria.

Applications must comply with the following:

● USAID will not review any pages in excess of the page limits noted in the subsequent sections. Please ensure that applications comply with the page limitations.

● Written in English.

● Use standard 8 ½” x 11”, single sided, single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1” margins, left justification and headers and/or footers on each page including consecutive page numbers, date of submission, and applicant’s name.

● A 10-point font can be used for graphs and charts. Tables, however, must comply with the 12-point Times New Roman requirement.

● Submitted via Microsoft Word or PDF formats, except budget files which must be submitted in Microsoft Excel.

● The estimated start date identified in Section B of this RFA must be used in the cost application.

● The technical application must be a searchable and editable Word or PDF format as appropriate.

● The Cost/Business must include an Excel spreadsheet with all cells unlocked and no hidden formulas or sheets and a budget narrative in PDF format. A PDF version of the Excel spreadsheet may be submitted in addition to the Excel version at the applicant’s discretion, however, the official cost application submission is the unlocked Excel version.

5. Application Submission Procedures

The Application must be submitted electronically to Salya Yacoubi, syacoubi@usaid.gov, with a cc: to usaidmoroccocontracts@usaid.gov. The deadline for Full Application submission is Monday, March 22, 2021 at 12pm noon (Morocco Time)

The Complete application received by the submission deadline will be reviewed by a Selection Committee. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary documentation is complete and received on time. Applications received after the deadline or which do not adhere to the required format will be deemed non-responsive and will not be reviewed.

After you have sent your application electronically, immediately check your own email outbox to confirm that the attachments you intended to send were indeed sent. If you discover an error in your transmission, please send the material again and note in the subject line of the email or indicate in the file name if submitted via grants.gov that it is a "corrected" submission. Do not send the same email more than once unless there has been a change, and if so, please note that it is a "corrected" email. The applicant should retain for their records one (1) copy of the application and all enclosures which accompany it.

USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with electronic submissions.

If it is necessary to send an application in multiple emails, please indicate in the subject line of the email whether the email relates to the Technical or Business Application, and the desired sequence of multiple emails (if more than one is sent) and of attachments (e.g.

"No. 1 of 4", etc.). For example, if your Business Application is being sent in two emails, the first email should have a subject line which says: "Organization Name – Religious and Ethnic Minorities NOFO 72060821RFA00001 – Business Application, Part 1 of 2".

Our preference is that the Technical Application and the Business Application each be submitted as single email attachments.

USAID will send confirmation emails when the electronic files are successfully received.

If no email confirmation has been provided, then the electronic materials were not received.

Applicants are reminded that email is NOT instantaneous, and in some cases delays of several hours occur from transmission to receipt. Therefore, applicants are requested to send the application in sufficient time ahead of the deadline. For this NOFO, the initial point of entry to the government infrastructure is the USAID mail server.

There may be a problem with the receipt of *.zip files due to anti-virus software. Therefore, applicants are discouraged from sending files in this format as USAID/Morocco cannot guarantee their acceptance by the internet server.

6. Technical Application Format

The Technical Application will be the most important factor for consideration in selection for award of the proposed Cooperative Agreement. The technical application should be specific, complete, and presented concisely. The application must demonstrate the applicant's capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals of this program.

The application should take into account the requirements of the program and merit review criteria found in this RFA.

The Technical Narrative portion of the Application (sections e) through g) below) shall not exceed 25 pages (excluding the authorized annexes). The application must be written in English, using Microsoft Word, Times New Roman, 12-point font on standard 8 1/2" x 11" paper (210 mm by 297mm paper), single spaced, each page numbered consecutively, and no less than 1” margins on all sides. Footnotes, charts, and tables will be included in the page limit requirement. A 10-point font can be used for graphs and charts. Tables, however, must comply with the 12-point Times New Roman requirement.

The cover page, table of contents, acronyms list, executive summary, and annexes are not subject to the above page limitation. Anything beyond 25 pages will NOT be read or evaluated.

The format of the technical application must follow the outline and order specified below.

a) Cover Page (1 page): (not included in page limitations) Please see instructions in subsection 4 above for the information to include in the cover page.

b) Table of Contents (not included in page limitations) This page shall list all sections of the Technical Application with page numbers and attachments.

c) Acronyms List (not included in page limitations) This page shall include the list of acronyms used in the Technical Application.

d) Executive Summary: (not included in page limitations; must not exceed 2 pages) Please provide a concise summary of the Applicant’s program description, program methodology, and expected results.

e) Technical Approach

The Technical Approach Section should include information sufficient to evaluate the application under the Technical Approach Criterion.

The Technical Approach Section should include a clear description of the overall objectives, the results to be achieved, the resources and steps required to meet them in an identifiable period of time, and benchmark measures of progress towards achievement by addressing the following:

i. Contextual Analysis: Identify the impediments to understanding as they relate to the Applicant’s proposed activities, and should include an assessment of gender dynamics as applicable. The application will describe the specific communities to be engaged and the historical, cultural and social importance of the issue, event or site around which programming will be built.

ii. Program Hypothesis Explain the programmatic logic at the activity level that underlies and informs the programmatic approach taken in the application.

The program hypothesis will describe the anticipated causal link between the proposed activities and their intended impact on the problems identified in the context analysis. Programs are generally stronger when they have a single or few complementary clear and focused program hypotheses that guide their overall implementation and that address specific elements of the social dynamics. Applicants must provide a succinct program hypothesis that does not exceed five lines.

iii. Activities: Provide a detailed description of proposed activities, target audiences and expected results. Proposed interventions will employ an approach that increases broad support for preserving Morocco’s shared pluralistic heritage in order to reach common goals or solve shared issues.

Activities will not focus solely on minority groups, but rather seek to engage other elements of Moroccan society. Applicants must describe what activities will contribute to achieving the programmatic goals as described in the program hypothesis.

iv. Sustainability: USAID seeks applications that demonstrate impact that lasts beyond the life of the program. In addition, proposed activities must promote, strengthen and be supported by sustainable local organizations that champion sound concepts, innovative practices and changes beyond the life of the award through targeting key people and seeking social and institutional change.

USAID encourages supporting local organizations and working with new partners to build their capacity to manage U.S. Government awards.

The “Technical Approach” will form the basis of the “Program Description” that will be incorporated into any eventual cooperative agreement. Therefore, the applicant must write the Technical Approach from the perspective of the agreement; that, the Technical Approach will say things such as, “REMA will…” or “[organization name] will..., as opposed to “we will…” (i.e., do not use “we” in the Technical Approach).

In addition to the information authorized in this Section, the following annexes are authorized:

⮚ Draft First-year Implementation Plan; and ⮚ Draft Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan.

Please refer to the annexes section h below for additional information.

f) Management Approach and Staffing Plan The Management Approach and Staffing Plan Section should include information sufficient to properly evaluate the application under the Management Approach and Staffing Plan Criterion.

This section should describe organizational structure(s) and how individual projects/activities will be managed and staffed. This should include detail about both administrative and technical aspects of the management approach, as well as the specific role(s) of each organization contributing to the proposed activities.

The proposed staffing plan should be in line with and adequate to the technical and management approaches proposed by the applicant. The plan should include proposed key personnel roles and responsibilities with a description of their specific duties and qualifications. It should also include non-key personnel that will be part of the team.

The Key Personnel positions and basic expectations for each position under this Award are provided below.

Chief of Party (COP): Estimated Level of Effort: full-time employee Description:

● The COP will serve as the main point of contact for USAID for the REMA Activity in Morocco, responsible for accomplishing the major goals and objectives of the project.

● The COP provides vision, leadership, direction, guidance, management, and oversight of the programmatic operations and implementing team of national and international staff, consultants, and volunteers.

● The COP represents REMA in Morocco with all partners, regulatory bodies, other agencies, community and civic organizations, donors and supporters, visitors, and the general public. The COP keenly understands the collective past and present experiences of religious and ethnic minority groups in Morocco, and as such oversees the participatory design and implementation of REMA to be entirely respectful of their traditions and to promote an environment that invites sincere and enduring collaboration.

● S/he will serve as the Contractor’s primary representative for all agreement-related issues, concerns, or problems.

Required Qualifications:

● Master’s Degree (or higher) in an appropriate interdisciplinary subject such as economics, education, management, business administration or related fields with a minimum of eight (8) years of managerial and operational experience or a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant experience is highly desired;

● Business proficiency, written and spoken, in English and French (Arabic is a plus). Professional working proficiency (Level 3) as defined by the International Language Roundtable (http://www.govtilr.org/) is acceptable.

Full professional proficiency (Level 4) is preferred;

● Demonstrated experience in managing programs with a technical scope similar to the RFA;

● Track record of successfully implementing large-scale development and interfaith projects to completion, particularly involving Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities;

● Close familiarity with the requirements of data gathering procedures that integrate local citizens and residents and their interactive dialogue in order to develop oral histories;

● Experience in supporting the creation of narrative presentations of cultural history in different formats, securing cultural preservation and public access, and designing and facilitating engaging workshops for the diversity of Moroccan society;

● A keen understanding based on experience of Moroccan public administrative systems and the process of securing partnership agreements and activity authorizations at the different administrative tiers;

● Extensive experience in public speaking - in English, as well as in Arabic or French - in diverse forums, such as with youth and at education centers that service people of all ages, public policy and government representatives, multicultural settings, and with business community and civil society members;

● A willingness to travel and visit community groups and project areas in different parts of Morocco, and internationally as needed to share the REMA experience at conferences and with government officials and among others with the intent to promote partnerships and replication.

Program Coordinator/Deputy Chief of Party (D/COP): Estimated Level of Effort: full-time employee Description:

● The Program coordinator will act as a deputy to the Chief of Party, supporting the COP in the provision of leadership and oversight.

● S/he will provide technical and contractual management to the USAID-funded Religious and Ethnic Minorities Activity (REMA) in Morocco, ensuring that proposed interventions are planned and executed with quality, accountability, and measurable impact.

● Sh/e will also engage in various community and external relations and will coordinate activities that result in enhanced visibility of the program on the local, national, and international levels.

● Other key responsibilities include: oversee program reporting and monitoring; quality control and compliance; maintain cooperative relationships with local partners and beneficiary community representatives; ensure effective program finance and administration; and supervise and mentor program staff as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

● Master’s Degree…