APS 72051921APS00001 - Addendum 3 - El Salvador Crime and Violence Prevention.pdf

El Salvador Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Annual Program

Statement (APS) No.: 72051921APS00001- Addendum 3

Issuance Date: June 25, 2021

Deadline for Questions: July 12, 2021, 17:00 local El Salvador time

Closing Date: April 19, 2022

Concept Paper Submission Closing Dates:

First Round: August 10, 2021, 17:00 local El Salvador time

Second Round: To be determined

Subject: El Salvador Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Annual Program

Statement (APS) No.: 72051921APS00001

Program Title: El Salvador Crime and Violence Prevention - Addendum 3

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 98.001, Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas

Pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, the United States Government, as represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), USAID/El Salvador, is announcing the Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum to the USAID/El Salvador Country

Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Annual Program Statement (APS), hereafter known as the

CDCS APS.

Through this Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum, USAID/El Salvador aims to expand and amplify the Agency’s work in DO.1 Security Increased for Likely Migrants. This Addendum disseminates information to prospective Applicants so they may develop and submit Concept Papers in response and ultimately to be considered for USAID/El Salvador funding. This Addendum describes and provides:

● The type of activities for which Concept Papers will be considered;

● Available funding, process and requirements for submitting Concept Papers and Full

Applications;

● The Criteria for evaluating Concept Papers; and

● Refers prospective Applicants to relevant documentation and resources.

Issuance of this Addendum does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of the U.S.

Government to make an award, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a Concept Paper or Application(s). The actual number of assistance awards, if any, is subject to the availability of funds, as well as the viability of eventual full Applications received.

Based on the submitted Concept Paper(s), USAID/El Salvador will determine whether to request a Full

Application from an eligible organization. To be competitive under this Addendum to the CDCS APS, Concept Papers and Full Applications must be fully responsive to all directions under the CDCS APS except when specifically noted otherwise in this Addendum.

It is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the entire CDCS APS and Addendum Opportunity has been downloaded from www.grants.gov and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting https://www.usaid.gov/ from transmission or conversion process. If you have difficulty accessing the CDCS APS, please contact the grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726, or via email at support@grants.gov for technical assistance.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Kerry West

Agreement Officer

Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance

USAID/El Salvador mailto:support@grants.gov

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

CALL FOR CONCEPT PAPERS

El Salvador Crime and Violence Prevention

Addendum No. 3

UNDER EXISTING

USAID/El Salvador Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS)

Annual Program Statement (APS)

No.: 72051921APS00001

PLEASE NOTE: This is an Addendum to an existing announcement. All interested organizations should carefully review both the Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum AND the full announcement, which can be found here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332969. Important information contained in the full worldwide announcement is not repeated in the Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum.

This activity is authorized in accordance with Part 1 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

Through the Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum to the USAID/El Salvador Country

Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Annual Program Statement (APS) No.:

72051921APS00001, USAID/El Salvador seeks to advance real and perceived security in El Salvador through innovative or already proven approaches in primary prevention (benefiting youth and at-risk communities to address root causes of violence before it occurs), secondary prevention (benefiting youth on the cusp of delinquent behavior), and tertiary prevention (benefiting self-reported gang-involved or court-involved youth).

Subject to the availability of funds, USAID/El Salvador anticipates investing approximately $50,000,000 in this area and supporting one or multiple awards. USAID/El Salvador reserves the right to fund any or none of the Concept Papers submitted under this addendum and is not obligated to make any awards.

Unless otherwise stated herein, all terms and conditions of the CDCS APS apply

(https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332969).

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332969

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS 6

SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 6

1. Background 6

2. Objectives/Purpose/Development Results 7

3. Coordination and Complementarity 8

4. Programmatic Focus 9

5. Geographic Focus 10

6. Cross Cutting Principles 11

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 13

1. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated 13

2. Nature of the Relationship between USAID and the Successful Recipient 14

3. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Award 14

4. Type of Instrument 14

5. Applicable Facts & Rationale for Instrument Selection 15

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 15

1. Eligible Applicants 15

2. Cost Sharing or Matching 17

3. How to Work with USAID 17

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 17

1. Agency Point of Contact 17

2. Concept Paper Instructions 18

3. Content and Format of Concept Paper Submission 18

4. Application Process 18

SECTION E: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 19

1. Evaluation of Concept Papers 19

2. Merit Review Criteria and Considerations 19

SECTION F: FEDERAL AWARD AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 20

1. Federal Award Notices 20

2. Type of Award 20

3. Substantial Involvement 21

4. Reporting Requirements 21

5. Additional Information on Award Administration 21

SECTION G: FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S) 21

SECTION H: OTHER INFORMATION 22

Attachment 1 - Mandatory Concept Paper Template 23

Attachment 2 - Eligibility Certification Form 25

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ADS: Automated Directives Systems

AO: Agreement Officer

AOR: Agreement Officer Representative

APS: Annual Program Statement

CDCS: Country Development Cooperation Strategy

CLA: Collaborating, learning and adapting

CSO: Civil Society Organization

DO: Development Objective

DOC: Development Outreach and Communications

GBV: Gender-Based Violence

GOES: Government of El Salvador

J2SR: Journey to Self-Reliance

LEP: Locally Established Partner

NPI: New Partnership Initiative

NOFO: Notice of Funding Opportunity

RFA: Request for Application(s)

SGBV: Sexual and Gender Based Violence

USG: United States Government

IR: Intermediary Result

SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

USAID/El Salvador is issuing this Addendum pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) of 1961, as amended. Any potential resulting award(s) will be subject to 2 CFR 700 and 2 CFR 200 – Uniform

Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and USAID’s

Standard Provisions for U.S and Non-U.S. Based organizations per ADS 303.

1. Background

USAID/El Salvador’s goal for its 2020-2025 CDCS is: Reduce the Drivers of Irregular Migration by

Fostering a More Self-Reliant El Salvador: Secure, Prosperous and Well-Governed. USAID/El Salvador will remain focused on stemming the flow of irregular migration to the United States by addressing the root causes that drive Salvadorans north, and, thereby, building the country’s self-reliance. In order to reach this goal, USAID/El Salvador prioritizes working in Increasing Security for Likely Migrants (DO

1).

One of the three core thematic areas of USAID/El Salvador’s security programming (under DO 1) is preventing crime. USAID/El Salvador’s security programming will strive to improve real and perceived citizen security1 within targeted urban hubs. For this activity, USAID, and industry, defines violence prevention as reducing the vulnerabilities of youth to gang recruitment. Reliable data show that both victims and perpetrators are mostly youth. The International Crisis Group estimates that gangs are

1 This indicator will measure the extent to which prevention activities in targeted communities have directly enhanced the perception of personal safety of citizens. Perception will be measured through surveys on how secure or unsecure citizens feel.

Questions to measure this perception will be developed so they can be included in the baseline and evaluation survey.

responsible for at least 50 percent of murders. By investing in violence prevention, this will decrease the real and perceived insecurity for likely migrants.

El Salvador’s insecurity affects nearly all elements of the economy and society. As the International

Crisis Group points out, “Over the years, grim living conditions and grinding levels of violence, with around 29 per cent of the country’s 6.7 million inhabitants living in poverty, have pushed hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans to flee either within the country or abroad. Almost 90,000 Salvadorans – or 1.3 per cent of the country’s population – were detained at the southern border of the United States between

October 2018 and September 2019.” Accordingly, a top USG objective is to increase the real and perceived security in the country so that Salvadorans feel safe and rooted in their communities.

Among the most urgent challenges is addressing violence perpetrated by criminal gangs, most notably

MS-13 and two factions of the 18th Street gang. As mentioned above, gangs are responsible for at least 50 percent of murders and have a total 60,000 active members (although the membership tally may go up by as many as 400,000 people if collaborators and close relatives are included). Gang members far outnumber the 25,000 police and 13,000 military officers deployed in law enforcement.

Gang related violence affects everyone. Women who flee communities besieged by criminal groups are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, particularly girls and adolescent women who are coerced into being the “woman” of the leader or of several members of the gang. Older women are not excluded; the criminal groups believe that when elders become slaves of the gang, the whole family group comes with them. To address the issues of crime prevention and Gender Based Violence (GBV), USAID/El Salvador will coordinate with our standalone GBV activity, as well as other related-USG interventions (including those from the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agency), in order to maximize the impact of our investments.

Youth recruitment is also a factor that generates immediate flight. Children and adolescents, of both genders, are recruited as lookouts to later become guardians and leaders in certain areas, achieving promotion through criminal acts that grant them status within the gang. In response to the violence perpetrated by the gangs, the security forces of the state have increased the repressive measures against young boys and men. For this reason, violence prevention seeks to reduce the vulnerabilities of youth to gang recruitment.

History and experience show that police and military actions alone cannot solve the complex cycle of gang violence, and that critically, robust violence prevention efforts must complement law enforcement initiatives, which are the focus of other USG interventions. The Government of El Salvador’s Plan

Control Territorial explicitly recognizes this by prioritizing violence prevention activities alongside enforcement efforts.

2. Objectives/Purpose/Development Results

As referenced above, in collaboration with other USG entities, the GOES, CSOs, and other donors, USAID violence prevention programming aims to reduce the vulnerabilities of youth to gang recruitment.

Gang violence represents at least 50 percent of homicides and contributes to other gang related crimes, which drives migration. Therefore, success in this area will ultimately be measured by improvements in real and perceived citizen security and reductions in homicides. This activity will focus on primary, secondary and tertiary violence prevention interventions. The anticipated results will contribute to the new CDCS’s DO 1, “Security Increased for Likely Migrants,” more specifically to IR 1.1, “Crime

Reduced in Targeted Communities.”

At the individual activity level, results will be measured by reducing risk profiles and behaviors of targeted youth populations. Lower activity level matrices might include the following:

Illustrative performance indicators at the activity level

Primary prevention

● Number of local action plans on youth and security developed and implemented with USG support

● Number/percentage of people with improved social norming around violence-accepting beliefs

● Number of youth participating in programs to reduce violence risk factors

Secondary Prevention

● Number/percentage of at-risk youth who express an ability to deflect a life of crime

● Number/percentage of youth with improved behaviors, often tied to impulse control

● Number of parents/caregivers participating in psychosocial parenting programs.

Tertiary Prevention

● Number of youth already engaged in criminal or violent behavior participating in cognitive behavioral programs

● Number/percentage of youth already engaged in criminal or violent behavior with reduced violent behavior

● Percentage of reduction of recidivism rates in youth previously engage in crime or violent behaviors

Cross-cutting

● Number of partnerships established with public institutions, private sector, and/or civil society organizations in support of crime and violence prevention programs

● Number of violence prevention strategies, policy reforms and/or laws drafted and promoted for approval with USG assistance.

In addition to concept papers related to the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary prevention methodologies targeting youth at risk of joining gangs, we are particularly looking for innovative approaches that can be piloted and scaled to reduce some specific crimes. Those targeted areas include extortion, crime on or around public transportation, and sexual and gender-based violence (S/GBV) and those which will improve citizen perceptions of physical security related to these crimes and types of violence.

3. Coordination and Complementarity

USAID’s investments in security improvements in El Salvador rely on a whole-of-government approach, including coordinating closely with the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law

Enforcement, and the Department of Justice. Investments are also predicated on establishing effective and durable partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and/or the government, to advance collective goals and ensure sustainability. Crime and Violence Prevention Concept Papers are encouraged to plan for collaboration with other USAID/El Salvador activities and USG agencies. Additionally, collaboration with the private sector, CSOs, and the GOES are highly encouraged.

USAID will seek to build upon earlier investments and earlier successful pilot efforts. For example, the now expired USAID Crime and Violence Prevention Project (CVPP)2 implemented several interventions in the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention field. This included: refurbishing public spaces for youth (primary prevention), counseling for youth at a secondary level of risk informed by the Youth

Services Eligibility Tool (secondary prevention), the deployment of street outreach workers to intervene and prevent likely incidents of community and gang violence (secondary prevention), as well as reinsertion and rehabilitation for individuals previously in conflict with the law and gangs, through trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (tertiary prevention). Learning from these approaches has shown quantifiable impacts elsewhere, and initial piloting in El Salvador in recent years demonstrated that adapted approaches were possible and showed potential to contribute to reduction in risk factors of the highest risk youths, directly preventing violent crime, and assisting past offenders to rehabilitate. The examples listed above can be built upon, however USAID is also looking for new innovative approaches.

Testing and evaluation may be conducted by an external third party during the implementation of selected activities. Evidence of successful methodologies can be found in the links below.

● Does Violence Interruption Work?

● What Works in Reducing Community Violence: A Meta-review and Field Study for the Northern

Triangle

● What Works to Prevent Lethal Youth Violence in the LAC Region: A Global Review of the

Research

4. Programmatic Focus

USAID/El Salvador anticipates that ultimately the Crime and Violence Prevention Activity will contribute to USAID’s Mission and objectives through successful achievement of one or more of the following outcomes and focal areas:

Activities supported and funded under this APS are expected to advance the first “P” --prevention of crime and violence. Violence prevention requires specific approaches that target the factors that place youth at risk for, or help protect them from, violence. These factors exist at the individual level; within the youth’s family and peer group; in the local community where the youth live and go to school; and in the larger city or country. Interventions for this activity will be informed by a Positive Youth Development (PYD)3 approach, as outlined in the PYD framework.4 To effectively and sustainably prevent violence, risk factors must be reduced while resiliency and protective factors are strengthened. USAID seeks to support innovative or already proven approaches in one or more areas of primary prevention (benefiting at-risk youth in urban hub communities writ large), secondary prevention (youth on the cusp of delinquent behavior), 2 Please see following link for overview: https://www.usaid.gov/documents/1862/usaid-crime-and-violence-prevention-project 3 “Positive youth development” (PYD) engages youth along with their families, communities and/or governments so that youth are empowered to reach their full potential. PYD approaches build skills, assets and competencies; foster healthy relationships; strengthen the environment; and transform systems.” USAID supports the use of this definition across Agency implementation."

4 https://www.youthpower.org/positive-youth-development http://www.stat.ucla.edu/~frederic/papers/brantingham2.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/USAID-2016-What-Works-in-Reducing-Community-Violence-Final-Report.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/USAID-2016-What-Works-in-Reducing-Community-Violence-Final-Report.pdf https://www.eccnetwork.net/sites/default/files/media/file/Evidence-Mapping-Report-508.pdf https://www.eccnetwork.net/sites/default/files/media/file/Evidence-Mapping-Report-508.pdf and tertiary prevention (self-reported gang-involved or court-involved youth). Evidence has shown that the most effective way to prevent homicide and other violent crime requires a focus on individuals with the greatest connection to violence, either at the secondary or tertiary level of risk. Based on the available data, those individuals with the greatest connection to violence are youth both as victims and perpetrators. Further descriptions of these categories are the following:

● Primary Prevention: Primary prevention strategies are ones that try to address the root causes of violence in youths before it occurs. Some illustrative activities may include: rehabilitation of public spaces, after-school programs for youth, behavior-change communication tools, anti-bullying programs, vocational training, etc. Primary prevention interventions of this activity can build upon previous best practices and successful approaches, as listed above, however, USAID welcomes innovative methodologies. Evidence on the impact of primary prevention on actual violence outcomes indicates that targeting high-risk youths and communities, and implementing integrated approaches with secondary and tertiary activities, are critical.

● Secondary Prevention: Secondary prevention strategies target youth at highest risk for perpetrating or being victimized by violence. Secondary prevention strategies target a specific subset of youth at heightened, or highest, risk. Illustrative activities may include: psycho-social services, trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy, violence interruption through community peace workers, etc. These interventions may take place in youth centers, schools, or family-based settings. Unlike more universal programs under primary prevention, secondary interventions often require initial risk assessments for beneficiaries to participate. Applicants proposing to implement secondary prevention strategies should be prepared to demonstrate the capacity to utilize a risk assessment tool that is replicable, uses empirically supported risk factors, is reliable, and culturally appropriate. Examples of this include the LA based Youth Services Eligibility Tool

(YSET), which was used by the previously mentioned CVPP.

● Tertiary prevention: Tertiary prevention aims to rehabilitate and reinsert perpetrators of violence, that include former gang members and youth in conflict with the law. USAID is seeking applications in this area that focus on the youth who have previously engaged in such violent behavior. This target population is likely to have experienced high rates of violent victimization and exposure to traumatic experiences. Illustrative activities may include trauma-informed psycho-social services, addictions treatment, educational programs, vocational training, entrepreneurship training, etc. Again, applicants can build upon earlier USAID interventions, as well as other USAID and USG -informed activities or present new tertiary prevention methodologies.

Knowledge and Evidence: USAID seeks to build upon earlier investments (including pilot activities) that have proven successful, while also supporting new and innovative solutions that can be tested and evaluated for effectiveness. A byproduct of these efforts to reduce violence, and by documenting the results, should result in a body of evidence on crime and violence prevention which will inform future activity design, as well as decision-making for local and national policymakers with evidence-based crime and violence solutions.

5. Geographic Focus

All activities should take place within the ‘urban hubs’ of metropolitan Santa Ana, San Salvador, and San

Miguel. These areas account for 61 percent of the total population, 71 percent of gross domestic product, 64 percent of reported homicides, and more than 50 percent of illegal immigration and internal displacement. USAID is seeking interventions, based in the urban hubs, that are evidenced-based and that document the best practices in crime and violence prevention programming. Interventions should be concentrated at the community level based on the best data available. Specific activity locations should be chosen in consultation with other stakeholders, including other USG programs working in the same geography, and should align with GOES priority locations in order to advance a place-based strategy approach.

6. Cross Cutting Principles

Coordination

USAID is seeking concepts that include coordination and collaboration opportunities between implementing partners to integrate the urban hubs, technical needs, and cross-cutting CDCS objectives and priorities in the following areas:

● Private Sector Engagement,

● Partnering with and building the capacity of local partners,

● Partner coordination and collaboration in the three urban hubs, and

● GOES collaboration, leadership and improving public perceptions of government.

As coordination and collaboration around these efforts is incumbent for all actors, USAID seeks applications describing how they will integrate coordination and collaboration into their programming. In particular, applicants must detail how they will create activity synergies, align results, and prepare reporting. USAID is seeking concepts which outline how they will leverage potential collaboration, take advantage of opportunities, and resolve crime and violence challenges.

Coordination, Learning & Adapting (CLA)

USAID is seeking applications that demonstrate/embrace USAID/El Salvador’s commitment to a multifaceted CLA approach to development. The CLA approach is based on the understanding that (1) development efforts yield more effective results if they are coordinated and collaborative; (2) test promising, new approaches in a continuous, yet also rapid, targeted search for generating improvements and efficiencies; and (3) build on what works and eliminate what does not. CLA also takes into account programmatic learning and shifts generated by the activity, as well as those adopted by the activity from external learning sources. USAID requests applications with a strong focus on adaptive management techniques. CLA relies on these techniques and are expressed through staffing skills, structure and culture, business processes, and stakeholder engagement. These techniques will be particularly important in the implementation of the proposed activity, in order to track and adjust to the opportunities and to operationally integrate with other activities working in related efforts. As a result, USAID is seeking applicants who incorporate a CLA approach tailored to the needs and opportunities of the proposed activity or activities.

Please refer to Section A of the CDCS APS for further information on Shared Responsibility and CLA that applies to this Addendum.

Communication Strategy

Communications and public perception are critical to the achievement of USAID/El Salvador’s development objectives to improve security, increase prosperity, and strengthen democratic governance.

Together with our partners, GOES and the communities in which we work, USAID promotes an increased level of hope for Salvadorans to live a good life at home, measured by improvements in educational and economic opportunities, security, and government. USAID is seeking activities (or concepts) that will contribute to this shared objective. Each application will provide a communications strategy demonstrating how the partner and activity will utilize communications to achieve results and how the activity will contribute to higher level objectives of increased hope and improved public perceptions. USAID El Salvador’s Development Outreach and Communications Team will regularly coordinate with communications leads to align efforts, refine local hub messaging and national campaigns, and encourage partners’ continued understanding and development of communications products that prioritize CDCS communication goals.

New Partnerships Initiative (NPI)

USAID/El Salvador highly supports NPI and welcomes qualified partners that would comply with this

Initiative under this Addendum.

USAID/El Salvador strongly encourages local and locally established organizations to submit concept papers. We will favorably evaluate international applicants that form alliances with qualified local partners to the greatest extent possible, including management plans that identify a local partner responsible for an objective(s) of the activity. Capacity assessments and the strengthening of local organizations should be a component when necessary. USAID seeks efforts that will build and strengthen the capacity of local organizations to provide responsive and quality services for victims, to address the long-term sustainability of programming.

The goal of the NPI is to increase USAID’s development impact by elevating local leadership, fostering creativity and innovation, and mobilizing resources across the Agency’s programs.

The NPI initiative will advance this goal by diversifying its partner base and changing how the Agency partners, based on three key principles:

1. Elevating Local Leadership. The Agency will:

o Work through local actors and systems;

o Engage traditional partners in strengthening local capacity; and o Identify partnerships with new and underutilized locally established partners

(LEP) with deep roots in-country.

2. Fostering Creativity and Innovation. The Agency will partner with new, underutilized, and non-traditional non-profit and private sector organizations to take advantage of the full marketplace of ideas for strengthening sustainable development.

3. Mobilizing Resources. The Agency will work with organizations that are able to leverage their own private and other non-USG funding to achieve and scale development outcomes.

Please refer to Section A.4 and Section C.2 of the CDCS APS and Section C of this Addendum for further information on NPI.

Promoting Long Term Sustainable Development

USAID/El Salvador seeks to work with local institutions, including engaging private sector actors, and the GOES to support locally sustained crime and violence prevention efforts.

USAID programming to support citizen security will increase El Salvador’s governmental and non-governmental capacity to increase local sustainability to reduce specific crimes and violence in targeted areas and will improve citizen perceptions of physical security related to homicide, extortion, crime on-or-around public transportation, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Creating diverse partnerships from the very beginning enables USAID to help El Salvador strengthen local capacities, create violence prevention efforts, and support GOES policy in this environment in a way that is sustainable. Worldwide, this approach fosters stable, resilient, and prosperous countries that are more sustainably developed, and prioritizes enduring partnerships. Applicants should detail the ways in which they seek to build diverse partnerships in their concept paper to promote long term sustainable development.

Private Sector Engagement

In El Salvador, there is an important need to strengthen not only the GOES, but non-governmental actors, like local organizations and the private sector, to respond to crime and violence within the most vulnerable urban hubs. El Salvador’s insecurity affects nearly all elements of the economy and society, despite recent improvements. Insecurity is a key contributing factor to the slow economic growth in the region thus creating a vicious cycle. The economy is unable to create a sufficient number of quality jobs to employ those seeking work, leading to underemployment and a poverty rate that remains above 25 percent - and causing some to turn to gangs and criminal activity, perpetuating the crime and violence environment. Because businesses have a direct incentive to see crime and violence issues addressed, there is potential for USAID activities in this area to engage the private sector to advance the objectives of this activity. In embracing enterprise-driven development, USAID recognizes the value of engaging the private sector in development to help shape solutions that achieve sustained impact and can carry forward long after USAID’s support has ended. USAID is seeking interventions that engage the private sector to foster long term sustainability.

Environmental Considerations

The selected Recipients must comply with all required laws and regulations pertaining to labor and environment in El Salvador or the countries where the activity will be implemented.

Please refer to Section A.4 and A.5 of the CDCS APS for further information on cross-cutting policies and Agency Initiatives.

END OF SECTION A

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Issuance of this Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of questions, comments, suggestions, Concept Papers, and/or Full

Application. Applicants submit Concept Papers/Applications at their own risk, and all preparation and submission costs are at their expense.

1. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated

USAID/El Salvador anticipates awarding multiple awards under this Crime and Violence Prevention

Addendum to the CDCS APS. The actual number of assistance awards, if any, under this Addendum is subject to the availability of funds and the interests and requirements of USAID/El Salvador, as well as the viability of eventual Applications received. Subject to funding availability, USAID/El Salvador intends to provide up to $50 million in total USAID funding to support activities focused on Crime and

Violence Prevention in El Salvador. Actual funding amounts and length of awards are subject to availability of funds, award type, and activity proposed.

Awards pursuant to this addendum may result in a variety of assistance instruments outlined in ADS

303.3.24 and ADS 303.3.25 such as:

a) Grants and Cooperative Agreements, including renewal awards which allow to adapt within the five-year maximum period of performance to changing contexts, lessons learned during implementation and allowing scalability of pilot activities;

b) Simplified grants for small awards on a cost reimbursement basis may be appropriate for new local organizations that propose innovative solutions;

c) Fixed Amount Awards which allow payments upon the successful completion of milestones and may represent less administrative burden to new partners.

2. Nature of the Relationship between USAID and the Successful Recipient

The principal purpose of the relationship with the Recipient is to transfer funds to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation of the 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.

3. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Award

The period of performance of individual awards may vary. The performance period for each award may range from one to five years.

RENEWALS: Awards made under this addendum may be eligible for annual renewals providing a possibility of a subsequent award to receive additional support for the project for succeeding periods, activities, or milestones if so determined by USAID. The overall period of the cooperative agreement, including all renewals, will not exceed the five (5) year period of performance of the award under this addendum. USAID will inform the awardee at least 4 months before the end of the period of performance of the initial award if the said awardee is eligible to apply for a renewal award. The recipient will submit a renewal request at least 3 months prior to the end date.

Funding of any renewal period or expansion of activities is contingent on the following:

• Availability of funds;

• Satisfactory progress towards meeting the award objectives;

• Submittal of required reports; and

• Compliance with the terms and conditions of the award, including the conditions for renewal.

If informed by USAID, the Awardee will submit a detailed annual work plan for the renewal period along with a detailed budget to be considered for the renewal opportunity.

Any renewals are at the sole discretion of USAID.

4. Type of Instrument

USAID has a number of assistance award types to choose from when providing funds to successful

Applicants. The type of award and terms and conditions included therein is based upon recipient organization type, programmatic factors, and other due-diligence matters (including responsibility determinations). The types of awards are defined in Section F of the CDCS APS.

USAID reserves the right to make or not to make awards through this APS Addendum. The actual number of assistance awards, if any, under this APS Addendum is subject to the availability of funds, the interests and requirements of USAID, and the viability of applications received. There is no pre-defined minimum or maximum number of partners or partnerships USAID will support through this APS

Addendum. However, USAID will not provide funds under this Addendum for products and services that it would otherwise purchase through a contract. If USAID identifies opportunities to strengthen or fund a

Concept Paper or application by connecting it with other USAID mechanisms, other potential funders, and/or external partners, USAID may make that Concept Paper or application available internally or externally for appropriate consideration.

5. Applicable Facts & Rationale for Instrument Selection

USAID/El Salvador prioritizes working in Increasing Security for Likely Migrants (DO1). USAID/El

Salvador’s goal for this 2020-2025 CDCS is: Reduce the Drivers of Irregular Migration by Fostering a

More Self-Reliant El Salvador: Secure, Prosperous and Well-Governed. USAID/El Salvador will remain focused on stemming the flow of irregular migration to the United States by addressing the root causes that drive Salvadorans north, and, thereby, building the country’s self-reliance.

One of the three core thematic areas of USAID/El Salvador’s security programming (under DO 1) is preventing crime. USAID/El Salvador’s security programming will strive to improve real and perceived citizen security within targeted urban hubs. For this activity, USAID and industry define violence prevention as reducing the vulnerabilities of youth to gang recruitment. Reliable data show that both victims and perpetrators are mostly youth. The International Crisis Group estimates that gangs are responsible for at least 50 percent of murders. By investing in violence prevention, this will decrease the real and perceived insecurity for likely migrants.

To achieve this, USAID is seeking to use a cooperative agreement to transfer financial and/or in-kind assistance to eligible recipient organizations to support on-going efforts to prevent crime and violence in targeted areas. This enables recipient organizations to provide substantive experience to increase real and perceived security in the country, so the population feels safe and rooted in their communities while reducing risk factors that drive vulnerable populations to migrate.

END OF SECTION B

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligibility is unrestricted. This Addendum is open to all entities that meet the eligibility criteria set forth in Section C of the CDCS APS.

USAID/El Salvador highly supports NPI and welcomes partners that would comply with this Initiative.

NPI defines “Implementing Partners” as U.S. and non-U.S. non-governmental organizations that can design and implement assistance activities outside the United States. New Partnerships Initiative Key

Definitions | U.S. Agency for International Development (usaid.gov).

https://www.usaid.gov/npi/npi-key-definitions https://www.usaid.gov/npi/npi-key-definitions

USAID/El Salvador strongly encourages a partnership approach that leverages the required technical expertise of a variety of diverse partners needed to achieve the activity objectives. If any qualified organization is unable to technically respond to the entire activity, then we encourage these organizations to submit a concept paper to achieve an objective of the activity or pursue an alliance with another organization.

What is a “New” Partnership?

A “new” or “underutilized” partner is an organization that has received less than $25 million cumulatively in direct or indirect awards from USAID over the past five (5) years.

What are the basic requirements of an NPI partnership?

In addition to aligning with the specific development objectives and requirements in this Addendum, NPI partnership proposals must reflect one (1) of the following four (4) forms:

a. Direct awards to new and underutilized organizations that are local entities in El Salvador or countries for which the Applicant is applying (if and when regional activities are solicited);

b. Direct awards to new and underutilized organizations that are LEPs in El Salvador or countries (if regional activities are authorized) for which the Applicant is applying;

c. Sub-awards to new or underutilized partners via prime awardees that serve in a limited mentorship role;

OR

d. Direct awards to partners underutilized with respect to opportunities to leverage private / non-U.S.

Government funding.

Please refer to Section C.2 of the CDCS APS for further information on NPI’s forms of engagement and

Transition Awards.

All Implementing Partners must be legally registered entities under applicable law and eligible under the relevant laws to receive funding from a foreign source. Individuals, unregistered, or informal organizations are not eligible to be Implementing Partners.

All eligible interested organizations are restricted to submitting only one Concept Paper as the Prime

Applicant. If more than one Concept Paper is received with the same Prime Applicant, USAID will seek written clarification from the relevant entity regarding which Concept Paper should be considered for review. If clarification is not resolved within five (5) business days, all Concept Papers submitted by the

Applicant will be deemed ineligible.

Note: Please note that Applicants can serve as sub-awardees or supporting partners on multiple

Concept Papers.

Prime Applicants must not require exclusivity agreements with proposed alliance members, sub-partners, or key individuals.

USAID may not make an award to an Applicant until the Applicant has complied with all applicable

DUNS and SAM registrations as detailed in Section H of the CDCS APS and, if an Applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time USAID is ready to make an award, USAID may determine that the Applicant is not qualified to receive an award and may use that determination as a basis for making an award to another Applicant. USAID reserves the right to make no award under this

Addendum at any stage of the process. The registration process may take many weeks to complete.

Therefore, applicants are encouraged to begin registration early in the process.

Applicants must comply with applicable local laws, including taxation laws. USAID advises prospective

Applicants to consult local counsel on these issues in the Concept Paper phase.

Responsibility Determination:

The successful applicant(s) will be subject to a responsibility determination assessment and potentially a pre-award survey. The Recipient must be a responsible entity. The AO may determine a pre-award survey is required to conduct an examination that will determine whether the prospective recipient has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with the terms and conditions of the award. Depending on the result of the risk assessment, the AO will decide to execute the award, not execute the award, or award with “specific conditions” (2 CFR 200.208).

Please refer to Section C of the CDCS APS for additional information on eligibility requirements that apply to this Addendum, which includes guidance on Concept Papers/Applications with Proprietary Data.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

USAID/El Salvador has established a suggested recipient cost share from five percent (5%) to fifteen percent (15%) of projected award amount for each award. Such funds may be provided directly by the recipient; other multilateral, bilateral, and foundation donors; host governments; and local organizations, communities and private businesses that contribute financially and in-kind to the implementation of activities at the country level. This may include contribution of staff level of effort, office space or other facilities or equipment which may be used for the program, provided by the recipient. For guidance on cost sharing in grants and cooperative agreements see 2 CFR 200.306.

Proposed cost share, if provided, will be reviewed for compliance with the standards set forth in 2 CFR

200.306, 2 CFR 700.10, and the Standard Provision "Cost Sharing (Matching)" for U.S. entities, or the

Standard Provision "Cost Share" for non-U.S. entities.

3. How to Work with USAID

More information on how to work with USAID may be found at https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/get-grant-or-contract/trainings-how-work-usaid. Information is also available in Spanish.

END OF SECTION C

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Agency Point of Contact

Any questions regarding this Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum must be submitted to Ms.

Beatriz Chinchilla, at bchinchilla@usaid.gov, no later than the closing date for questions specified in the cover page of this Addendum.

If an award is made, the Agreement Officer (AO) will appoint an Agreement Officer’s Representative

(AOR) at that time to provide technical and administrative oversight of the specific award during implementation.

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/get-grant-or-contract/trainings-how-work-usaid https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/get-grant-or-contract/trainings-how-work-usaid mailto:bchinchilla@usaid.gov

2. Concept Paper Instructions

Applicants are required to follow the Application and Submission Information instructions set forth in

Section D.3 of this Addendum and submit Concept Papers using the Concept Paper Template in

Attachment 1 of this Addendum. The Eligibility Certification Form in Attachment 2 must also be completed and submitted, if applicable.

3. Content and Format of Concept Paper Submission

Applicants should submit only the information and materials requested, and in the format specified in

Attachment 1 of this Addendum. Concept Papers MUST be written in the English language and submitted electronically via e-mail in a Microsoft Word document (*.docx) and in PDF format (to include any required signatures).

● Concept Papers shall not exceed five (5) pages, using 1” page margins with 12-point font.

● Clarity and specificity are important, as is ensuring that the narrative in the Concept Paper addresses the points outlined in this Addendum used to review the Concept Paper. During the merit-review process, USAID may reject funding those Concept Papers that are vague or merely restate language found in this Addendum.

USAID will not accept Concept Papers that are more than five (5) pages in length (not including the cover page or supporting information submitted as annexes).

The Concept Paper (including any supporting information) must be submitted to: bchinchilla@usaid.gov.

Concept Papers must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered. Please indicate in the e-mail subject line “Concept Paper Submission/Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum” when submitting the Concept Paper.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any concept papers that do not follow the above instructions will be disqualified and not be reviewed.

4. Application Process

Section D.2 of the CDCS APS outlines two examples of the phased processes that may be considered to review concept papers received under this Addendum. USAID/El Salvador will determine the review process to follow depending on the activity proposed and the needs of the Mission.

USAID/El Salvador may notify potential Applicants of changes to the requirements or in the review-process timeline, etc. through a written amendment to this Addendum, via www.grants.gov.

Please refer to Section D of the CDCS APS for further instructions on Critical Requirements Prior to

Award, Funding Restrictions, and Conflict of Interest that apply to this Addendum.

END OF SECTION D

SECTION E: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Evaluation of Concept Papers

Once a Concept Paper has been submitted in response to this Addendum, USAID/El Salvador will conduct a review of the Concept Paper as stated in Section E of the CDCS APS and as follows:

A. Mandatory Compliance with the three Critical requirements specified in Section C.1 of the

CDCS APS. USAID will review compliance with these three critical elements for a “yes” or “no” compliance. If a Concept Paper does not comply with all three critical requirements, the Concept

Paper will be rejected and excluded from the process.

B. Merit Review Criteria: If Applicants meet the three mandatory requirements listed in Section

C.1 of the CDCS APS, the concept paper will be evaluated in accordance with the merit review criteria specified in Section E.2 below.

If a Concept Paper does not meet the objectives of this Addendum and receives inadequate ratings against the merit-review criteria specified in Section E.2 below, then USAID will reject the Concept Paper and the process ends for that Applicant(s).

Conversely, USAID/El Salvador may invite a subset of the most highly qualified concept paper applicants to engage further in a round of co-creation discussions or oral presentations depending on the needs of the

Mission.

C. Request for full Application: USAID/El Salvador will only request full applications from applicants invited to continue in the application process. If USAID/El Salvador decides to continue with the proposed activities and if Applicants successfully comply with the requirements to reach this stage of the process, USAID/El Salvador will request a full application from the apparent successful applicant(s). Applications will be evaluated in accordance with the merit review criteria incorporated in the RFA.

2. Merit Review Criteria and Considerations

USAID/El Salvador will use the following criteria to evaluate Concept Papers in response to this Crime and Violence Prevention Addendum. Any Concept Paper submitted in response to this Addendum should propose an approach that satisfies these criteria and exhibits the characteristics set forth below.

Review/evaluation of Concept Papers which…