BER_NOFO_FY21_002.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING

OPPORTUNITY

BER-NOFO-FY21-002

February 2021 U.S. Em bassy Berlin, Public Affairs

UNCLASSIFIED

The U.S. Embassy Berlin, Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce an open competition for funding through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The projects to be funded will encourage youth to consider the transatlantic relationship and reimagine it for the future.

This NOFO outlines PAS!s funding priorities, strategic focus, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Pending the availability of funds, it is U.S. Embassy Berlin!s intent to award cooperative agreements for successful proposals proposing activities costing no more than $15,000 over the course of one year or less, depending upon the successful completion of goals.

A. Program Description The U.S.-German transatlantic relationship has been a cornerstone of stability and prosperity for nearly a century. It was built on shared values such as democratic freedom, rule of law, and self-determination, to name just a few. However, today’s youth have little personal, lived experience with the conditions, dynamics, and issues that forged this critical bilateral relationship. In addition, today’s youth expects any relationship to address issues they find pressing such as climate change, environmental justice, diversity, jobs, and quality of life. Engaging young German audiences on the meaning, importance, and shared values underpinning German-American friendship, and how they impact issues important to youth, is an important endeavor in securing our collective future.

With this funding opportunity, the Embassy is supporting projects designed to engage youth audiences in Germany on the role and significance of the past and present-day transatlantic relationship, and seek ways to invigorate the German- American partnership for decades to come. A successful program will prompt youth to re-envision and redefine the values, goals, and institutional ties of our shared relationship, finding relevance is the issues important to them. Eligible projects may feature a wide range of formats, including, but not limited to workshops, (virtual) speaker events and panel discussions, conferences, and people-to-people exchanges. Projects should prioritize designing inclusive, engaging, and interactive programs above all, encouraging youth to critically assess the current state of the transatlantic relationship, and enable them to define their expectations and hopes for its future. Participants should be drawn from diverse backgrounds, ideally also involving teenagers who have had little prior contact with the United States, transatlantic-, or political youth organizations.

Through program involvement, participating youth will (1) learn about and reflect on the shared values and mutual ties between Germany and the United States, (2) critically interrogate the status quo of our relations, and based on this analysis (3) articulate a vision for the coming years of our shared path based on issues important to them. Whenever possible and requested, the Embassy will aim to provide opportunities for hands-on experiences through briefings with diplomats and participation in Public Affairs programs for project participants.

The successful applicant (from hereon implementer) will be tasked to design program formats and a project curriculum to the aforementioned specifications, identify and recruit participants, and define and measure indicators of project quality.

There are no specific requirements for format, audience, program structure, specific materials to be distributed, or policy issues to be addressed. Innovative approaches are encouraged. Methodologically, implementers must prioritize engaging and interactive approaches over frontal instruction.

The implementer should engage in these activities strategically and with a clear and concise theory of change in mind.

The Embassy will give special consideration to applicants demonstrating a clear effort to identify particularly worthwhile (sub)audiences and program sites. Sustainable project designs seeking to maximize project impact beyond the period of performance are highly appreciated.

2. Program Objectives

Put the future of the transatlantic relationship back on the map

This funding opportunity is seeking projects fortifying the transatlantic relationship by:

• encouraging the younger generation to actively explore the history and long mutual ties of our shared relationship, but more importantly

• enabling participants to assess our bond’s substance and value in today’s political and geopolitical environment;

• encouraging them to define their own key issues, requirements and criteria for the partnership’s success for the future;

• and in the process conveying the benefits of a pluralistic model of political participation that encourages dialogue, different viewpoints, innovation, and discursive, rules-based dispute resolution models

Generate Insights and Measure Success

The Embassy expects the project to produce actionable insights on the demographics and attitudinal profiles of participants as well as data about the project!s effectiveness.

3. Participants and Audiences

The applicant may define audiences for the proposed project based on a sound theory of change, as long as they fit the age profile between 13 and 26 years old.

4. Implementer Responsibilities

The implementer will:

• design a varied project for the target audience to the specifications outlined;

• define and recruit project participants and organize, host, and lead program sessions

• measure and evaluate project effectiveness throughout the project’s lifecycle

B. Federal Award Information

1. Award Information

2. Funding Instrument Type

Cooperative Agreement.

In a cooperative agreement, the U.S. Embassy is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. U.S. Embassy activities and responsibilities for the program to be funded may include preparing and hosting programs in the Embassy for project participants and, if necessary, providing guidance and materials to implementers for program design.

3. Program Performance Period

Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation agreements funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

C. Eligibility Information The following activities and costs are not covered under this announcement:

Length of performance period Up to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated Up to 5

Award amounts Up to $25,000

Total available funding $100,000

Type of funding FY 2021 Smith-Mundt PD Funds

Anticipated program start date 2021

Funding Opportunity Title Reimagining the Transatlantic Relationship

Funding Opportunity Number: BER-NOFO-FY21-002

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.040

CFDA Title: Public Diplomacy Programs

Program: N/A

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement

Announcement Date: 02/12/2021

Deadline for Submission of Proposals: 04/13/2021

Agency Contacts: Stefan Koehler | koehlers@state.gov | +49 (30) 8305-2112 Izaak Martin | martinih@state.gov | +49 (30) 8305-2547

This notice is subject to availability of funding mailto:koehlers@state.gov mailto:martinih@state.gov

• Social welfare projects;

• Paying to complete activities begun with other funds (however, new activities that build from lessons learned as the result of an earlier project are acceptable);

• Activities that appear partisan or that support individual or party electoral campaigns;

• One-time events, such as stand-alone conferences and one-off round tables (however, a series of workshops within a larger programmatic concept is acceptable);

• Medical research and clinical studies;

• Cultural presentations, cultural research, cultural clubs, or festivals, etc.

1. Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations with multiyear experience in planning and conducting activities outlined in their project proposals.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Applicants are not required to include third party funding, but partnering for co-sponsorship will be welcomed.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Proposals should address succinctly, but completely, the elements described below and must follow all format requirements.

1.1 Content of Application

Please ensure:

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

• All documents are in English

• All pages are numbered

1.2 Mandatory Application Forms

This limited solicitation does not require mandatory application forms. Please provide a meaningful narrative proposal and a cost breakdown.

1.3 Summary Page

Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

1.4 Proposal

The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

• Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact.

• Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.

• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed

• Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

• Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

• Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.

• Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

• Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program.

What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?

• Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.

• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?

• Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

1.5 Budget Justification Narrative

Please describe each of the budget expenses in detail.

1.6 Attachments

• 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program

• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner

• If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file.

• Official permission letters, if required for program activities

2. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations:

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), "Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge:

• Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number)

• NCAGE/CAGE code https://sam.gov

• www.SAM.gov registration

Step 1: Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously)

DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet.

If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http:// fedgov.dnb.com/webform

NCAGE application: Application page here: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

Instructions for the NCAGE application process:

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

For NCAGE help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423 For NCAGE help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766 Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE code.

Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than April 13th, 2021

4. Submission Form

Applicants must submit their applications electronically by email to KoehlerS@state.gov and MartinIH@state.gov

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:

1.1 Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Program Objectives

Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program!s objectives and plan.

1.2 Institution's Record/Ability

Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of comparable successful projects, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for cooperative agreements.

1.3 Cost-effectiveness/Cost-sharing

The overhead and administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All items should be necessary and appropriate.

2. Review and Selection Process

2.1 Grants Review Panel

A PAS Grants Review Panel will evaluate all eligible applications in an impartial merit evaluation in accordance with DoS best practices. Panelists will be impartial and objective and possess sufficient expertise and knowledge of the program to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%252525252520Instructions%252525252520for%252525252520NSPA%252525252520NCAGE.pdf mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil https://www.sam.gov evaluate the applications for their value, quality, and likelihood of success. The Grants Officer (GO) who will be assigned to execute the award will not be a voting member of the panel.

Panelists are moreover expected to avoid conflicts of interest that would compromise their ability to objectively handle their responsibilities. PAS will make all efforts to identify potential conflict of interest early in the competitive process. PAS will require each panel member to sign a conflict of interest form once the applicant organizations are known, and prior to the panel review meeting. If a panelist becomes aware of a situation that may give the appearance of a conflict of interest, the panelist must immediately disclose the matter to the official responsible for the review.

2.2 Notifications

Successful applicants will be notified in writing informing the applicant about the conditional selection for funding pending the GO!s review and evaluation of risk, and pending the availability of Federal funds. PAS may request a revised application or budget, but may not request any changes that would fall outside of the scope of the original Notice of Funding Opportunity.

PAS will wait to inform unsuccessful applicants until after the federal award is issued, but within 30 days of issuance.

Applicants deemed ineligible will be informed as soon as the initial screening is complete. Upon request, unsuccessful applicants will be given a verbal-debrief explanation for the reason(s) for disapproval of the application. There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. The unsuccessful applications will be maintained with the Department!s official records disposition schedule.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

The cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email.

The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding.

Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this letter does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S.

government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

2. Payment Method

Recipients will receive funds via electronic funds transfer (EFT). These funds cannot be used to pay for alcoholic beverages. Any questions concerning the propriety of any particular expenditure from these grant funds should be referred to the grants officer (GO), ACAO Izaak Martin.

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include:

2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.statebuy.state.gov/fa/pages/home.aspx https://www.statebuy.state.gov/fa/pages/home.aspx

4. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. There will be at least one interim reporting deadline as well as a final report.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts If you have any questions about the application process, please contact:

H. Disclaimer Issuance of this Request for Proposals 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 proposals. Further, the Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the Department of State.

Stefan Koehler Strategic Content Coordination Assistant KoehlerS@state.gov +49 (30) 8305-2112

Izaak H. Martin Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer MartinIH@state.gov +49 (30) 8305-2547 mailto:KoehlerS@state.gov mailto:KoehlerS@state.gov