Catalyzing Job Creation for Women in Cybersecurity NOFO .pdf

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination

Assistance Listings Number: 19.500

Catalyzing Job Creation for Women in Cybersecurity

Opportunity Number: DFOP0014020

Key Information:

Announcement Type: New

Date Opened: April 29, 2024 Deadline for Questions May 25, 2024

Application Deadline: June 21, 2024

Expected Date of Notification: September 30, 2024

Federal Agency Contact: NEA-Grants@state.gov mailto:NEA-Grants@state.gov

Funding Opportunity Synopsis

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) seeks to elevate a key untapped labor market to address increasing threats in cyberspace: Women. Women’s inclusion in cybersecurity addresses two challenges in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region: 1) greater capacity for the private sector to combat cyber threats, and 2) increased job opportunities for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) who face logistical and societal constraints to employment. Enhancing the MENA region’s private sector cybersecurity capacity supports the U.S. government’s goal to foster inclusive economic growth and increase women’s participation in STEM-related fields.

Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) projected an over 50 percent increase in GDP in the MENA region when women are employed at the same rate as men. Specifically, employment parity would increase Egypt and Jordan’s GDP by over 60 percent, Lebanon’s GDP by over 50 percent, and Saudi Arabia’s by over 30 percent. NEA/AC will seek to partner with a global tech organization or company that has access to a broad network of tech companies to train, mentor, and place STEM-educated women into cybersecurity jobs, creating a pipeline of women cyber professionals. The objectives are to 1) improve women’s representation in STEM jobs; 2) improve gender equity by increasing women's access to formal employment through skill building; 3) demonstrate the important role of female leadership in improving the security of their institutions in the public and private sector, and in STEM fields; and 4) improve the cybersecurity performance of businesses in the region.

All applications must be submitted in English. Complete information on how applicants can submit proposals for this opportunity can be found in Section VI below.

Applicants should read this NOFO in its entirety before writing their proposal and should refer to the full Evaluation Criteria provided in Section VII while drafting all materials.

Eligible Countries and Territories

In this announcement, we seek to support projects in one or more of the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. It is possible that the selected grantee may be directed to expand activities and/or programming to other countries in the MENA region. Phase one of the project will include the eligible countries listed above, and – pending availability of funds – a potential phase two may expand the reach and scope of this program. An expanded scope may include women’s roles and meaningful engagement in the larger digital ecosystem (e.g. data protection), cyber and digital policy and reform, emerging technologies, and how these sectors intersect with pressing challenges like climate change and climate security. Please note: Applications that focus on phase one activities in countries and territories other than those listed above will NOT be considered.

Background Information about NEA/AC

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) offers Federal assistance to groups and individuals striving to bring about positive change in the MENA region.

NEA/AC works in 19 countries and territories, partnering with governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), community leaders, youth and women activists and private sector groups to advance their efforts. Competitively selected projects aim to foster participatory governance, economic reform, and educational advancement in response to local interest and needs.

NEA/AC is committed to advancing equity and support for minority and marginalized populations. All programs should consider strategies for expanding the pool of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries to afford opportunities for as diverse and inclusive a population as is feasible to bring perspectives based on religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, and age to implementation of the program.

Table of Contents

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROBLEM STATEMENT

B. ACHIEVABLE OBJECTIVES

C. PROJECT DESIGN

D. GENDER AND SOCIAL INCLUSION INTEGRATION

E. DEFINITIONS

MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS

AWARD INFORMATION

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

C. ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

B. APPLICATION FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

C. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

D. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

FUNDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

A. AWARDS TO COMMERCIAL FIRMS OR FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

B. AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

C. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL FUNDING REGULATIONS AND DOS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

A. APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

C. TRAVEL NOTIFICATIONS

D. APPLICANT VETTING AS A CONDITION OF AWARD

E. BRANDING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTEES

F. UEI NUMBER REQUIREMENT FOR SUB AWARDEES

G. SUB AWARDEE REPORTING REQUIREMENT

AGENCY CONTACTS

DISCLAIMER

APPENDICES (Posted with NOFO)

APPENDIX 1— Budget Sample Template and Budget Narrative Guidance APPENDIX 2— Logic Model Template APPENDIX 3— Application Guidance

APPENDIX 4 – Results Monitoring Plan Template APPENDIX 5 – List of Suggested Standard Indicators APPENDIX 6 – Gender Analysis Guiding Questions

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs’ Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) seeks proposals to strengthen partnerships with the private and tech sector in order to enhance the NEA region’s cybersecurity capacity and digital resilience to combat cyber threats and create job opportunities for STEM-educated women. Since 2017, NEA/AC has been increasing its focus on creating concrete and substantial partnerships with the private sector to create innovative and impactful solutions to catalyze job creation in the MENA region.

A. PROBLEM STATEMENT

Companies in the MENA region face high cybersecurity risks, which have economic and security implications. The Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) market for the Middle East is expected to reach more than $31 billion by 2030, according to Frost & Sullivan, demonstrating a clear need and intent to address the dramatic rise in targeted cyberattacks in the region. Oil and gas industries in the region have become prime targets for many Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) groups and other malicious actors around the world due to their growing economies and increasing digitization. As outlined in IBM’s 2023 study, the Middle East's cybersecurity incidents have surged to a record average of $8.07 million per data breach, up from 2022 average of $7.46 million and notably higher than the global average of $4.45 million per incident. This places the Middle East second only to the United States among the regions with the highest average cost per data breach (IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023).

While MENA companies acknowledge that they must invest in cybersecurity to remain competitive in the global market – over half of respondents to the 2022 Price Waterhouse Cooper survey of 3,602 MENA business and IT executives predicted a rise in cyber spending. Of these, 31 percent predicted a rise of 10 percent or more and a quarter of companies cited the lack of personnel as one of the biggest obstacles to security. Globally, the cybersecurity workforce gap has more than doubled the regular workforce https://www.securityhq.com/reports/cost-of-a-data-breach-report-2023/ gap with a 26.2 percent year-over-year increase, making it a profession in dire need of more people. The cybersecurity firm Trellix reported in May 2023 that two-thirds of Chief Information Security Officers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia believe their organizations lack the right people and processes to be cyber resilient, despite their high global cybersecurity maturity index rankings. Countries around the world, especially in the MENA region, seek to provide cyber upskilling to better prepare their workforce for competitive careers in cybersecurity.

Meanwhile, the Boston Consulting Group rated the MENA region as a world leader in K-12 STEM programs for girls and highlighted that more than half of university STEM graduates are women. Over 90 percent of female STEM undergraduates in MENA would consider pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, higher than any other region around the world. However, the region suffers from the “MENA Paradox” despite the fact that women are equally, or more educated than their male counterparts, women represent less than 20 percent of the labor market. In addition to legal and cultural barriers, commonly cited reasons for this paradox include harassment at work, lack of employment protections or maternity leave provisions, and cultural expectations around care-giving responsibilities. Employers that provide flexibility and safer work environments, including remote work opportunities, can address these gaps while minimizing long-term barriers.

B. ACHIEVABLE OBJECTIVES

The MENA region has the unique feature of a highly STEM-educated and untapped female labor force that is primed to face this challenge.

Cybersecurity jobs offer the opportunity to address specific cultural barriers that women face around family and safety, given the ability to work remotely and in private spaces while challenging the narrative of a male-dominated sector as women become leaders in cybersecurity (in the long term). The MENA region is a uniquely STEM focused female population, which out of all the regions, is most aware and interested in cybersecurity jobs; however, the results don’t necessarily reflect the demand.

A successful project will result in:

1. Women with STEM backgrounds in the MENA region gain an increased knowledge of cybersecurity skills and thereby increase the talent applicant pool.

2. Women with cyber skills and training are placed in permanent and full-time cybersecurity jobs with public and private sector companies.

C. PROJECT DESIGN

This solicitation invites applications in support of improving women’s employment in the cybersecurity sector in the MENA region.

Funds are available to support projects with the potential to promote this objective through activities that will: 1) improve women’s representation in STEM jobs; 2) improve gender equity by increasing women's access to formal employment through skill building; 3) demonstrate the important role of female leadership in improving the security of their institutions in the public and private sector, and in STEM fields; 4) improve the cyber security performance of businesses in the region.

Project activities can include but are not limited to:

A. Bring a network of corporations who will provide jobs openings to the newly trained cyber women professionals at the conclusion of the program.

B. Identify gaps, strengths, and weaknesses in each country based on cyber security best practices, which will inform the curriculum. Conduct a landscape analysis to identify skills of participants.

C. Conduct an assessment of supply and demand sides of the cybersecurity labor market. The assessment could cover the following: (1) a survey of employment opportunities for cybersecurity professionals in the region, (2) analysis of the gender gap in employment in the field of cybersecurity, (3) the perceived threat and the financial loss attributable to cybersecurity attacks and digital resilience in the region.

D. Build curriculum, individualized courses, and coaching plans based on cybersecurity best practices, participants’ goals and interests, as well as the realities and needs of the MENA cybersecurity market. This would include a placement plan with network of companies.

Project beneficiaries shall include:

1. Women in STEM programs (undergraduate and graduate) with an interest in cybersecurity or ICT careers.

2. Women who graduated with STEM degrees but do not work in those fields (either unemployed or working in different fields).

The following activities and costs are NOT ALLOWED under this announcement:

• Exchange activities with other countries or territories;

• Social welfare projects;

• Paying to complete activities begun with other funds;

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

• Academic or analytical research (if not necessary as part of a larger project);

• One-time events, such as stand-alone conferences and one-off round tables;

• Medical and psychological research and clinical studies;

• Projects of a commercial or profit-making nature;

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

• Entertainment costs (e.g., receptions, social activities, ceremonies, alcoholic beverages, guided tours).

NOTE: Applications that include any of these activities or costs above may be eliminated at the Technical Eligibility Review stage and will not advance to the Merit Review Panel.

D. GENDER AND SOCIAL INCLUSION INTEGRATION

NEA/AC requires that all activities fully address intersectional gender and inclusion considerations, ensuring that women of diverse backgrounds1 benefit from support to the extent feasible, and that gender and inclusion awareness is a built-in component of project activities. This should be documented through gender and social inclusion analysis in the project narrative that identifies any relevant gender and inclusion gaps and ways the proposed activities will address those gaps. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing relevant gender and inclusion gaps will enhance the project’s goals and objectives. Applicants who are unfamiliar with integrating gender in foreign assistance programing should view the training video located here:

https://encompassworld.com/elearningfiles/DOS/DOS_Gender_Integration_ E-Course/story_html5.html

E. DEFINITIONS

The following are definitions of activities accepted under this announcement:

Cybersecurity:

The term “Cybersecurity” means the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users via ransomware; or interrupting normal business processes.

Diversity:

The term “diversity” means the practice of including the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of a community.

Inclusion:

1 Consideration of diversity of race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.

https://encompassworld.com/elearningfiles/DOS/DOS_Gender_Integration_E-Course/story_html5.html https://encompassworld.com/elearningfiles/DOS/DOS_Gender_Integration_E-Course/story_html5.html

The term “inclusion” means the recognition, appreciation, and use of the talents and skills of persons of all backgrounds.

Equity:

The term “equity” seeks to close existing gaps by providing more opportunities to marginalized or underserved populations, including people of color, religious or ethnic minorities, LGBTQI+ persons, persons with disabilities, persons who live in rural areas, and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

Underserved communities:

The term “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of “equity”.

MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS

Applicants shall provide a Logic Model and a Theory of Change statement to demonstrate how the proposed project (including activities, the project design, and the surrounding context) will achieve the stated objectives, with particular attention to how your approach will reach individuals of diverse backgrounds relevant to your specific context. The Logic Model and Theory of Change statements can be generated using the template in Appendix 2.

Applicants shall also provide an illustrative Results Monitoring Plan (RMP) to describe how the proposed project will capture and measure data that demonstrates progress toward achieving the specific objectives of the proposed project. This includes any disaggregation of indicators relevant to the specific sub-populations you intend to serve. The RMP may also include project-specific sub-objectives. Please see Appendix 4 for the RMP template. Please see Section VI below for more information.

Successful applicants will work with the NEA/AC program and Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) teams to create a Results Monitoring Plan

(RMP) based on the proposed Logic Model to measure qualitative and quantitative indicators as part of the award negotiations process. The successful applicants will be responsible for collecting data against these indicators – which will be monitored throughout the period of performance of the award to gauge necessary modifications to the project’s design – and assess the results of the project’s success in meeting expected outcomes.

All projects funded as a result of this NOFO will be required to complete a final evaluation of the project at the end of the period of performance with support from the NEA/AC M&E team.

A list of suggested U.S. Department of State standard development indicators for foreign assistance that are applicable to this award is provided in Appendix 5. While not all of the suggested standard indicators will be applicable to the proposed project, the use of standard indicators GNDR-8 and PS.4.4-1 is encouraged. NEA/AC’s MEL team will work with the successful applicant on finalizing indicators as part of a RMP that will be utilized for the negotiated award.

AWARD INFORMATION

Funding Mechanism Type: Cooperative Agreement

Estimated Number of Awards: 1-2

Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,000,000

Estimated Award Ceiling: $1,000,000

Estimated Award Floor: $500,000

Cost-Sharing or Matching: Required

Estimated Length of Project Period: 24 months

Contingent on the availability of funds, approximately $1,000,000 in Economic Support Funds for approximately one to two awards will be awarded through this announcement. If selected to receive an award, an applicant will be awarded funds for up to 24 months, depending on the activities and countries proposed. The estimated start date for this project is October 1, 2024

NEA/AC reserves the right to award more or less than the estimated program funding and reserves the right to award funding under this announcement for a period of up to two years after the announcement’s close date.

This request for full applications does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of the U.S. government to make any awards, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.

Non-Competing Continuation

Continuation grants funded under these awards, beyond the initial budget period, will be contingent upon the availability of funds; grantee’s progress in meeting grant requirements, including timely submission of required reports and compliance with all terms and conditions of the award; timely submission of a request for additional funding; and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Department of State.

Pending successful implementation of this project for the initial estimated length of time as indicated above, and pending the availability of funds, NEA/AC may extend this grant for additional time, not to exceed a 5-year total project period. Please note that this NOFO requires that applicants submit additional budget materials to plan for potential out-years of non-competing continuations. See Section VI Application and Submission Information for more details.

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

NEA/AC shall be involved in the program and management performance of these cooperative agreements through consultation and technical collaboration on specified program activities.

NEA/AC responsibilities:

• Collaboration in establishing annual project objectives and approval of a work plan;

• Collaboration in assessing progress and identifying issues that might affect the success of the project;

• Review and approval of any training materials;

• Collaboration on proposed partners and/or technical assistance;

• Approval of the selection criteria of beneficiaries;

• Approval of the selected participants, private sector companies, or any other partners/project’ beneficiaries.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

All applicants will be screened by NEA/AC to determine whether they meet all of the program eligibility requirements detailed below.

NOTE: Applications that do not demonstrate that they meet all of the eligibility requirements in Section A and Section B will not advance past the Technical Eligibility Review stage and may be deemed ineligible for funding under this announcement. Nothing can be added to an application once the competition deadline has passed.

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include:

- U.S. or foreign o non-profit organizations;

o For-profit organizations;

o Private technology companies;

o Private institutions of higher education;

o Public or state institutions of higher education;

o Public international organizations;

o Small businesses with function and regional experience in the areas of cybersecurity in the MENA region.

NEA/AC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all its programs and activities. NEA/AC welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. We encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.

NEA/AC strongly encourages applications from organizations headquartered in the Middle East and North Africa region. International non-governmental organizations with principal bases of operations outside the Middle East and North Africa are also encouraged to apply, but the percentage of total budget spent in the region through local partners may be among the elements of evaluation for this competition.

A.1. Prime Applicant

To be considered for funding under this opportunity, applicants SHALL:

• Have demonstrable previous experience working in the MENA region.

This should be addressed within the project narrative section of your application.

• Have substantive and meaningful experience working in the field of cybersecurity.

• Have demonstrable previous experience working with inclusive and diverse populations. This should be addressed within the project narrative section of your application.

• Demonstrate the ability to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) through a diverse project team inclusive of benefiting country/countries nationals with previous experience managing programming in the region reflected at all levels of project management.

• Meet ALL of the registration requirements listed below.

• Meet any requirements listed as MANDATORY in Additional Eligibility Considerations, below.

Additionally, applicants should:

• Demonstrate the ability to bring relationships/partnerships with MENA-based private tech companies and premier U.S. private sector entities to ensure that all project activities can be implemented effectively and efficiently.

• Demonstrate the capacity to operate an assistance management project of multiple and diverse activities across the MENA region.

• Demonstrate the ability to accomplish the required activities with minimal full-time staffing.

• Demonstrate familiarity with cybersecurity applicable to programming.

• Demonstrate experience in conducting monitoring and evaluation to document and assess short- and long-term outcomes of proposed projects.

A.2. Local Partners

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit projects that include partnerships with local organizations that would work together on specific programmatic objectives or priorities and that utilize local expertise. In particular, NEA/AC strongly encourages applicants not based in the MENA region to partner with local organizations.

B. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

To apply for NEA/AC (Federal) funding, organizations, whether based in or outside the U.S., must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and an active account with the System for Award Management (SAM). Applicants who do not meet all registration requirements are NOT eligible for funding under the opportunity.

UEI Number

All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number.

Entities must register in SAM.gov and will be assigned their Unique Entity ID (SAM) within SAM.gov. Entities will no longer obtain or use a UEI (DUNS) for entity registration or reporting.

System for Award Management (SAM)

SAM is a U.S. government wide registry of vendors doing business with the Federal government and requires annual renewal. The system centralizes information about grant applicants/recipients and provides a central location for grant applicants/recipients to change organizational information.

Further, each applicant must maintain an active account, with current information, while its application is under consideration for funding. To keep an active SAM.gov account, an applicant must renew it at least once each year. If an organization’s account expires, the organization cannot submit a grant application until it is renewed.

To create a new SAM account, go to https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

For help with SAM.gov, please visit their support page at https://www.fsd.gov or contact them at: 866-606-8220 (U.S.) or +1-334-206- 7828 (international).

Note: Obtaining an active SAM.gov registration may take 12 - 15 business days to complete the process of creating an account in the system.

C. ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

Cost-Sharing or Matching There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition.

However, NEA/AC encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

Cost-sharing or matching is an evaluation criteria of this NOFO.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

All applications must include the application components detailed below.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Applicants may submit only one application. Please refer to Section B below for additional submissions guidance and requirements.

NOTE: Applications that do not include all the required documentation described in Section 1 below will not advance past the Technical Eligibility Review stage. Further, applications that exceed the allowable page limits will not be reviewed by the review panel. Applicants may not add any materials to an application once it has been submitted and the competition deadline has passed.

Federal Assistance Application Forms (SF-424 and SF424a)

Applicants must complete each of these forms online to be considered for funding.

Guidance on how to complete the SF-424 and SF424a is provided in Appendix 3. NOTE: In addition to following all guidance outlined below regarding application materials, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Application Evaluation Criteria section of this NOFO closely as they prepare their proposal. The Evaluation Criteria section is the rubric by which each application will be scored.

Project Narrative

The Project Narrative describes the efforts the applicant will undertake to address the priorities and goals of this announcement. It may be no longer than 20 pages. More details on preparing the Project Narrative are provided in Appendix 3. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review Appendix 3 before preparing their Narrative.

Budget & Budget Narrative Submission

Applicants must provide the following three elements as part of their budget submission:

• Summary Budget

• Detailed Line Item Budget

• Budget Narrative

There is no page limit for this section of an application. A sample fillable template can be found in Appendix 1. This template includes three tabs:

The first tab includes written guidance on preparing the Budget Narrative.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to create their Budget Narrative in Word and submit as either a Word Doc or PDF file. Please note that the Budget Narrative should include designations of who is considered Key Personnel for this project. As defined in the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions (for assistance awards, Key Personnel means, “…key professional and supervisory personnel; i.e., the members of the professional staff in a program supervisory position engaged for or assigned to duties under the award.” The second tab has the template for the Summary Budget. This tab will auto-fill as you complete the Detailed Line Item Budget, which can be found on the third tab. The third tab is where you can fill in the template for the Detailed Line Item Budget as stated above. NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as provided in the template, and to submit summary and detailed line item budgets in Excel form, and the Budget Narrative as either a PDF or Word file. If the applicant does not use the template, the applicant must ensure that their submission includes all elements outlined in the sample. The template, which includes more detailed instructions, can be found in Appendix 1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review Appendix 1 before preparing their Budget and Budget Narrative.

Logic Model and Theory of Change Statement

Applicants shall provide a Logic Model and Theory of Change statement to demonstrate how the proposed project (including activities, the project design, and the surrounding context) will achieve the stated objectives, with particular attention to how your approach will reach individuals of diverse backgrounds relevant to your specific context. A Theory of Change statement describes how and why a program is expected to achieve its stated outcomes using if-then-because language. If submitted, findings from the Gender & Inclusion Analysis (see A.2. Optional Documents) should be clearly addressed in the program design and Logic Model. The Logic Model and Theory of Change statements can be generated using the template in Appendix 2. NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as found in the sample. If the applicant does not use the template, the applicant must ensure that their submission includes all elements outlined in the sample. This section may be no longer than 3 pages.

Results Monitoring Plan (RMP)

Applicants shall provide an illustrative Results Monitoring Plan (RMP). The RMP can be generated using the template in Appendix 4. NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as found in the sample. If the applicant does not use the template, the applicant must ensure that their submission includes all elements outlined in the sample. The RMP shall be submitted as a separate document and has no page limit.

Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis

The gender and social inclusion analysis (not to exceed three pages, preferably as a Word Document) provides a concise analysis of relevant gender norms, equity and equality for underserved communities and marginalized populations, power relations, and conflict dynamics in target countries. Potential domains of analysis include institutional practices and barriers, cultural norms, gender roles, access to and control over assets and resources, and patterns of decision-making. Applicants should briefly explain how they have integrated findings from their analysis into project design and/or other proposal documents, including a plan for regularly reviewing and updating the gender and social inclusion analysis with local partners/beneficiaries, and making any necessary adjustments to program implementation. A set of guiding questions can be found in Appendix 6.

Project Timeline

Applicants must provide an overall breakdown of the order and timeframe in which all project activities will take place. This item should provide a macro snapshot of what will take place from beginning to end of the project.

Applicants must ensure that the timeline of activities/events corresponds with details provided in the Project Narrative and Logic Model / Theory of Change. This section may not exceed 2 pages.

Job Descriptions / Biographical Info for Key Personnel Positions

For each position designated as key personnel for this project, applicants must provide the following:

1. If the position is already filled: Provide brief biographical information summarizing the person’s qualifications, as well as a brief description of the roles or responsibilities pertaining to this project.

OR

2. If the person to fill a key position has not yet been hired: Provide a brief summary of the job description, which should include a description of the roles and responsibilities pertaining to this project, as well as a description of qualifications of eligible candidates.

NOTE: If an applicant is proposing sub grant partner(s) as part of their project design, Key Personnel/Positions of the sub grantee must also be included. This section of the application may not exceed 5 pages.

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

Applicants proposing indirect costs in the Budget greater than a 10% de minimis rate must provide a copy of their Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). This item will not be counted toward any page limits.

Letters of Agreement or Letters of Intent

Applicants proposing partner organizations and/or government bodies shall include Letters of Intent or Letters of Agreement from their proposed partners that illustrate the strength of their partnerships and the network of corporations the applicant is bringing to the project.

Organizational Chart

The organizational chart outlines the clear lines of responsibility and authority in the applicant organization to include budgeted level of effort listed by each person.

Sustainability Plan

The sustainability plan outlines how the proposed project will be sustained beyond the initial award period. More information on preparing the Sustainability Plan is provided in Appendix 3. Sustainability Plans may not exceed 2 pages.

Security, Risk Mitigation, & Contingency Planning Summary

This item should provide detail regarding the applicant’s intended due diligence to assess and mitigate risks, and put in place adequate security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of project staff, participants, and partners, if applicable. This should include specific actions by the applicant to ensure risks are adequately and routinely assessed, and that security measures are commensurate with operational concerns specific to the locale. The applicant should also include a contingency plan that highlights potential challenges and limitations to project implementation in the operating environment and propose contingency plans should program activities be impacted. Please note that this section should not be limited to physical security and risk but should cover any applicable factors relevant to the given operating environment. This section may not exceed 5 pages.

NOTE: Applicants must adhere to all maximum allowed page counts.

Applications that exceed any of the allowable page limits will not advance past the Technical Eligibility Review stage.

B. APPLICATION FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

The required font is 15-point, Calibri. All application documents must be single spaced, with all margins (left, right, top, and bottom) of at least one inch each. These settings do not apply if using provided templates.

Applicants should ensure all pages in the application package are numbered consecutively and meet the page limit requirements outlined in Section VI above. The Standard Forms 424 (SF-424 and SF-424a) are excluded from the page numbering.

It is strongly recommended that applicants submit grant applications using Microsoft Office. If applicants do not have access to Microsoft Office products, Adobe PDF files may be submitted.

C. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Applicants must submit their application electronically using MyGrants.

Applications will NOT be accepted from grants.gov. MyGrants requires that the applying organization have an account with the system and both require a UEI number and SAM.gov account as detailed in Section V. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have an active account and will be able to submit its application. There are no exceptions to these requirements.

The application process is not complete until the applicant receives notification that its application has been validated and forwarded to the granting agency (NEA/AC). Please allow sufficient time for entering the application into these systems. It is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor its application to ensure that it is successfully received and validated.

MyGrants

MyGrants is a comprehensive grants management system that allows applicants to apply for, manage, and report on the use of U.S. government funds for multiple programs, accessed online at mygrants.service-now.com.

To create an account, go to https://mygrantsdev.servicenowservices.com/mygrants, and click the “Create an Account” hyperlink, located under the “New User?” prompt and click the “Create a MyGrants Applicant/ Grantee Account” button.

MyGrants has Quick Tours available to educate users about the system.

These documents can be found on the Support tab upon logging into the system.

D. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

Applications must be time stamped before 17:00:00 eastern time (ET) on June 21, 2024. There will be no grace period, and any application not received by the application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not advance to be reviewed. Each applicant is encouraged to submit an application far enough in advance of the deadline so that the applicant can alert NEA/AC (nea-grants@state.gov) of any technical difficulties and allow sufficient time to resolve difficulties before the deadline. Although https://mygrantsdev.servicenowservices.com/mygrants

NEA/AC will work with applicants to resolve technical issues, there are no exceptions to the submission requirements outlined in this announcement.

FUNDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND OTHER

CONSIDERATIONS

A. AWARDS TO COMMERCIAL FIRMS OR FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

The Department of State prohibits profit under its assistance awards to commercial organizations. No funds will be paid as profit to any recipient that is a commercial organization. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR Part 31. Program income earned by the recipient may be:

• added to the total of the amount of this award, including the required cost sharing or matching, and use it to further eligible project objectives;

• used to meet the Recipient’s cost sharing or matching requirement;

• OR deducted from the total project or program allowable cost in determining the net allowable costs on which the federal share of costs is based.

B. AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

Domestic and foreign organizations that expend $750,000 or more in a fiscal year in federal assistance must perform an independent, recipient-contracted Single Audit or Program Specific Audit. (Program-specific Audit means an audit of one Federal award program. Single Audit means an audit which includes both the entity’s financial statements and the Federal Awards to be conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). The audits must be independently and professionally executed in accordance with GAGAS either prescribed by a government’s Supreme Audit Institution with auditing standards approved by the Comptroller General of the United States, or the host country’s laws or adopted by the host country’s public accountants or associations of public accountants, together with generally accepted international auditing standards. However, foreign entity audits consistent with International Standards for Auditing or other auditing standards are acceptable with the Grants Officer’s approval. More information can be found at https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/693136.pdf

For sub-non-Federal entities expending $750,000 or more in Department of State award funding during their fiscal year, Department of State standard audit provisions require that Prime non-Federal entities certify that audits of sub-non-Federal entities are performed annually and according to the standards described above. The cost of audits required under this policy may be charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organizations established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget.

C. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL FUNDING REGULATIONS AND

DOS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Payment of funds awarded under this Notice of Funding Opportunity will not be disbursed until the DOS has been assured that the Recipient’s financial management system will provide effective control over and accountability for all Federal funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600 as applicable. Awards issued under this NOFO are subject to the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions (https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/U.S.-Department-of- State-Standard-Terms-and-Conditions-10-21-2020-508.pdf) and 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600 as applicable.

APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

A. APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA

Achievable Objectives (30 points) https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/693136.pdf

Each of the project objectives listed above (in Section I) are clearly addressed.

• Impact and Effectiveness: The applicant describes the project’s potential contribution to solving the problem addressed in the problem statement and achieving results.

• Timeframe: The applicant describes realistic results to be accomplished within the timeframe of the proposed award.

• Beneficiaries: The applicant clearly identifies the anticipated beneficiaries and explains how the project’s objectives will positively affect them.

• Milestones: The applicant provides realistic milestones to indicate progress toward goals and objectives as described in the program announcement.

• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning: The applicant explains how monitoring, evaluation and learning activities will be carried out throughout the award’s period of performance and who will be responsible for them.

• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning: The applicant includes a final evaluation of the project at the completion of the award.

Project Design (40 points)

The applicant clearly describes how each proposed project activity will address each of the objectives outlined in the requested priority area above (Section I).

• Responsiveness to NOFO: Explain how the proposed activities respond to the objectives listed in the NOFO.

• Rationale: To justify how the proposed activities will achieve the above objectives in this context.

• Project Management: Clear description of how the project will be managed in terms of initiation, planning, implementation, and closing.

• Partnerships and Buy-ins: The applicant addresses how the project will engage or obtain support from relevant stakeholders and identifies local partners in order to bring a network of corporations who will provide jobs openings to the newly trained cyber women professionals at the conclusion of the program.

• Feasibility: The applicant proposes activities that are feasible, and are also practical, and/or experiential in nature to encourage innovation.

• Beneficiaries Selection Criteria and Process: The applicant explains how participants will be selected (e.g., criteria for selection, selection process).

• Duplication: The applicant acknowledges if activities similar to those proposed are already taking, or have taken place previously, and provides an explanation as to how proposed new activities will not duplicate or merely add to existing/recent activities.

• Contingency Plan: The applicant articulates programming assumptions and potential challenges to project implementation and proposes contingency plans.

• Division of Labor: The application describes the division of labor among the applicant and any partners.

• Marginalized Populations: The applicant identifies and addresses support for marginalized populations in all proposed activities and objectives and provides specific means for their inclusion.

• Gender and Inclusion Considerations: The applicant includes gender and inclusion analysis in the project narrative that identifies relevant gender and inclusion gaps and ways the proposed activities will address those gaps. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing relevant gender and inclusion gaps will enhance the program’s goals and objectives and how the project will benefit individuals of all genders and diverse backgrounds.

• Logic Model and Theory of Change: The applicant details how the proposed Logic Model and Theory of Change statement clearly links project activities, outputs, and outcomes to objectives. If applicable, findings from the Gender and Inclusion Analysis are clearly addressed within the program design.

• Results Monitoring Plan (RMP): The applicant details how they intend to monitor project progress towards outputs, outcomes, and objectives. Indicators include relevant disaggregation to monitor program implementation for diverse populations.

• Program Logic: Is it theoretically sound? Do all elements of the logic model fit together showing plausible pathways to achieving project outcomes? Have all the key assumptions been identified and their potential influences described? Are the risks to implementation (external factors) fully accounted for and described?

Organizational Capacity (20 points)

• The applicant demonstrates experience (e.g., has previously worked and/or has established contacts/partners) in the proposed country/territory/region.

• The applicant demonstrates an institutional record of successful programs in the content area proposed (e.g., local government skills training).

• The applicant demonstrates experience working equitably with individuals of all genders and diverse backgrounds.

• The applicant demonstrates capacity for responsible fiscal management of donor funding (e.g., successful management of a previous sub-award or grant).

• The applicant demonstrates the ability to meet monitoring and evaluation requirements.

• The applicant has adequate staffing and demonstrates the capacity to manage the proposed project.

• The applicant includes letters of intent/commitment/agreement from any proposed partners.

• The applicant demonstrates its ability to secure jobs for women enrolled in the program.

Staff and Position Specifications (10 points)

• Pre-identified key staff members, including volunteers, demonstrate experience working in the country/territory/region proposed, in the proposed content area, and with participants from that area (e.g., language skills, cultural understanding).

• A description of the roles of each person or position on the project – whether staff, partner, consultant, or volunteer – demonstrating that the project will be sufficiently staffed but will avoid redundancy or duplication of effort.

• A job description, including hiring criteria, is provided for each open key position.

• Applicant and/or partner staff have relevant language competencies.

• The applicant convincingly details how it will incorporate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) principles in its approach to staffing.

Budget & Budget Narrative (Acceptable or Not Acceptable)

• The costs proposed are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results, which are clearly explained in the budget narrative.

• The budget provides details of calculations, including estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated.

• The preponderance of the budget is spent on supporting the project participants/activities in country.

• The budget includes costs dedicated to management, monitoring, and evaluation, and any costs needed for further gender analysis and for addressing gender gaps.

• Adequate travel costs are proposed.

• Additional sources (cost-share or matching) for project funding are proposed, as well as an explanation of how those additional sources will be used.

• The budget demonstrates a reasonable cost per participant.

• The budget accounts for monitoring and evaluation costs.

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

NEA/AC is committed to ensuring a competitive and standardized process for awarding funding. Applications will be screened initially in a Technical Eligibility Review stage to determine whether applicants meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Section V and have submitted all required documents outlined in Section VI. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not advance beyond the Technical Eligibility Review stage and will be deemed ineligible for funding under this NOFO.

NEA/AC reserves the right to have all applications deemed to be technically eligible undergo a Subject Matter Expert (SME) review prior to the Merit Review Panel. Applications that do not pass SME review will not proceed to the Merit Review Panel.

All applications that proceed to the Merit Review Panel will be evaluated by U.S.