Q&A - Nigeria VMS Program - 01.05.2020.docx

CSO Village Monitoring Systems: Early Warning and Early Response in Northern Nigeria NOFO Questions and Answers -- January 5, 2021

Submission Due Date: Monday, January 25, 2021, 11:59:59PM via SAMS Domestic or grants.gov

Q1: Could an organization leverage its own complementary technology systems or other existing platforms in response to this NOFO?

A1: CSO is open to creative applications of existing technology and other platforms. Please focus on the purpose of the NOFO, which is for Early Warning/Early Response (EW/ER) activities on the ground. Innovative use of technology and/or platforms are welcome, but must complement field elements. The alerting functionality will be handled in a separate contract and proposals to use technology or platforms of that nature alone would not meet the needs outlined in the NOFO.

Q2: Is the focus of this program on implementation or laying the groundwork to back the technology? Could CSO clarify how the imagery and reporting will work with EW/ER activities on the ground and how the implementer will receive the imagery?

A2: CSO has a separate contract for the imagery and alerting part of this program. When preparing proposals, implementers should assume that they have access to imagery and/or alerts within 24 to 48 hours of attacks on civilians. Implementers will then be responsible for determining to whom and how the alerts are directed on the ground to mitigate or prevent further attacks.

Imagery and alerts will cover the entirety of each of the identified four states; however, CSO does not expect implementers to use the entirety of the information. Implementers may propose working with a smaller number of LGAs, but must propose work with at least one LGA in each of the four states.

Q3: Do you have established points of entry with local security forces?

A3: No, CSO is seeking this in a proposal. CSO seeks to understand how EW/ER networks integrate with other groups, such as local security forces, community networks, etc.

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

Q4: What is the long term goal of this program?

A4: The goal of this program is to reduce violence against civilians in at-risk areas of northern Nigeria by enhancing early warning and early response efforts and disrupting cycles of large scale violence.

CSO has observed that attacks tend to be clustered in space and time. With timely information about initial attacks, it may be possible to prevent violence from spreading over space and time. Additionally, this program seeks to further document and verify attacks. If more and better information is collected about an initial attack, it may be possible to start identifying patterns and ultimately prevent future attacks.

Q5: Is program budget set in stone?

A5: CSO does not have additional funding for this program at this time. Proposed budgets should not exceed the total ceiling amount of $320,938. CSO envisions this program as a starting point to localize efforts in each of the identified states. Implementers do not need to work with all LGAs in each of the four states but should propose work with at least one LGA in each state.

Q6: Does CSO expect the implementer to channel imagery and information into EW systems in each LGA? Or is the implementer responsible for acting on the information and imagery received?

A6: The later. The implementer should establish or expand a presence on the ground and mechanisms for using the information from the satellite imagery. CSO welcomes creative approaches. This could include building new networks with new organizations and/or actors, or expanding or improving the connections, tools, and presence of existing networks, organizations, and/or actors.

Q7: The NOFO lists the period of performance as 24 months. Could an applicant propose a different period of performance?

A7: CSO envisions this program to run for 24 months with two distinct parts. The first part will require the implementer to structure and build the capacity of early response networks. Additionally, the first part will involve close coordination with the contracted satellite imagery group to refine imagery and alerts. The second part will operationalize the imagery and alert systems by pushing alerts to community members and EW/ER groups for action.

CSO may extend the award’s period of performance contingent on CSO priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approval, and funding availability.