SAHA NOFO FINAL - 20200429.pdf

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 19.600

Tunisia Supporting Anti-Corruption in Healthcare Administration

(SAHA)

Opportunity Number: SFOP0006619

Key Information:

NEA‐Grants@state.gov

Funding Opportunity Synopsis

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) and the United States Embassy in Tunisia, Assistance Unit announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to promote good governance in Tunisia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) by improving transparency and management in public hospitals and the medicinal supply chain. This opportunity aims to advance U.S. foreign policy by supporting Tunisian government institutions to become more transparent, accountable, and responsive to citizens, especially in the context of future epidemics and public health emergencies.

NEA/AC and the Embassy Tunis Assistance Unit seek proposals that:

1. Enhance the tracking system for the medicinal supply chain through the acquisition, adaptation, and implementation of a transparent electronic platform that manages the flow of pharmaceutical products from importation and/or production to arrival at hospitals;

2. Strengthen the MoH’s regulatory framework to promote good governance and transparency in the health sector; and,

3. Upgrade the national network of training structures for the MoH to improve the implementation of good governance in public hospitals.

A successful project will result in more transparent and effective systems at the MoH, leading to a decrease in corruption and improved governance including a tracking system for the medicinal supply chain, improved quality of service in public hospitals, and better preparedness and response to public health crises.

Applications will be accepted only from organizations that have previously operated in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region or have personnel who have previously worked in Tunisia and can demonstrate the ability to work with the MoH.

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 Tunisia. Please note: Applications that focus on activities in countries and territories other than Tunisia 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 Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance to groups and individuals striving to bring about positive change in the Middle East-North Africa region. The

Assistance Coordination Office works in 20 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.

Background Information about the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia The United States Embassy in Tunisia (Embassy Tunis) remains a committed partner to Tunisia by working with its government, private sector, and civil society as they lay the foundation for the country’s future. Since 2011, the United States has supported Tunisia’s democratic transition with economic, security, and governance assistance. U.S. support focuses on strengthening the Tunisian business climate to support the growth of enterprises, jobs, and bilateral trade as well as fostering inclusive governance and human rights protections.

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APPENDICES (Posted with NOFO)

FUI.

The Bure United S in Tunisi hospitals

Applicati MENA r

This prog supportin responsiv objective rights and

A. PROB

The dete the needs

COVID-

ambition With Tun healthcar Internatio corruptio the great main dep Corrupt disbursem A reliab delivered emergenc

Despite t plan for e inefficien governm regulatio absenteei Organiza health pr debate id

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d anti-corrup

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eriorating Tu s of its citize 19 epidemi ns are corrup nisians cons re sector, t onal Republ on at Tunisia test risk ide partment res actors are ments to see le, transpar d to patient cies.

the MoH’s ra epidemic dis ncies and fre ment’s ability ns have led ism persist.

ation, organi rofessionals, dentified mul more, human ealth emerg

PPORTUN

Eastern Affa sy in Tunisi y of Health (M dicinal supp accepted on an demonstr esponds to th government

s. It falls un assistance a ption record

TEMENT

unisian publ ens, a weakn

c. Three ke tion concern sistently list the MoH n ican Institut an hospitals ntified resid sponsible for able to ta k bribes or m rent medicin ts in a time apid respons seases, it rep equent turnov to deliver se to condition In March 20 zed a partici as well as th ltiple regulat resources w gencies spec

NITY DES

airs’ Office o a, Assistanc MoH) by im ly chain.

nly from orga ate the abilit he U.S. Gove institutions nder the miss and engagem ic health sy ness that has ey issues c ns, a poor reg ing corrupti needs assist te survey fou . According des at the D r granting ap ake advanta manipulate p nal supply ely and aff se to the COV ports that ma ver at the mi ervices to cit ns in which b 019, the Prim ipatory deba he Prime Mi tory gaps in within the Mo ifically, and

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of Assistanc e Unit seek p mproving tran anizations th ty to work w ernment prio to become m sion’s Integr ment result in stem suffers s become ev complicating gulatory fram ion as one o ance to ad und that 15% g to a study

Directorate o pproval to s age of the procurement chain is es fordable fash

VID-19 outb any of its reg inisterial lev tizens and co bribery, fraud me Ministry, ate on the hea inister and th the health se oH are deple d governanc

N e Coordinati proposals th nsparency an hat have prev with the MoH ority to adva more transpa rated Countr n improveme s from poor ver more app g the health mework, and of their top ddress the i % of respond y by Grandes of Pharmacy ell imported opaque sy t processes to ssential to e hion, partic break and qu gulations are vel, ultimatel ounter corru d, problemat , together wi alth sector, i he then-actin ector that rem eted, restrict ce issues mo ion (NEA/A hat promote g nd managem viously oper H.

ance U.S. for arent, accoun ry Strategy (I ents to Tunis r governance parent in ligh h sector’s g d weak capa concerns, p issue. A dents person s Ecoles de y and Medic d drugs and ystem gove o benefit dis ensure that cularly durin uick updatin outdated du ly constraini uption. Thes tic procurem ith the Worl involving mo ng Minister o main unaddr ting its capac ore broadly.

AC) and the good govern ment in publi rated in the reign policy ntable, and ICS) sub-sia’s human e, failing to ht of the ong good govern acity among articularly i December nally experie Communica cines (DPM) medical dev erning medi shonest supp medication ng public h g of its respo ue to bureauc ing the se outdated ments, and d Health ore than 400 of Health. T ressed.

city to respo . The MoH nance ic by meet going nance staff.

in the enced ation, ), the vices.

icinal pliers.

s are health onse cratic

The ond to H has approximately 85,000 employees throughout the country, divided among university doctors, physicians, pharmacists, paramedical staff, administrative staff, engineers, technicians, and other workers. Yearly, between 2,000 and 3,000 employees retire in the public healthcare sector without being replaced because of a government policy to reduce the total number of employees working in the public sector. Many recently graduated doctors and physicians’ assistants seek employment outside the country. In addition, highly skilled doctors and employees are leaving public hospitals in search of opportunities in the private sector. Meanwhile, those who remain on staff are ill- prepared to consistently implement procedures that are in line with good governance standards. The lack of a reliable roster of qualified staff significantly hinders the MoH’s ability to respond to the health needs of Tunisians, a gap that has been further exposed and exacerbated during the COVID-19 epidemic.

B. ACHIEVABLE OBJECTIVES

A successful project will result in:

1. An enhanced tracking system for the medicinal supply chain through the acquisition, adaptation, and implementation of a transparent electronic platform that manages the flow of pharmaceutical products from importation and/or production to arrival at hospitals;

2. A more effective regulatory framework for the MoH to promote good governance and transparency in the health sector; and

3. An upgraded national network of training structures for the MoH to improve the implementation of good governance in public hospitals.

C. PROJECT DESIGN

This solicitation invites applications in support of good governance in Tunisia’s health sector to improve the transparent management and delivery of services. The selected applicant must work closely with the MoH.

This notice identifies three Priority Areas. Successful applicants will address each Priority Area and all of the activities deemed required.

Electronic Medicinal Tracking Platform (Priority Area 1): In order to bolster the Tunisian health system’s capacity to effectively deliver products to citizens and reduce the illicit misdirection of pharmaceuticals, the MoH must enhance its tracking system for the medicinal supply chain. The first priority area therefore focuses on the acquisition and implementation of a transparent, electronic platform to manage, monitor, and report the inventory of medicinal products at each stage in the supply chain, from importation to arrival at hospitals, with a focus on better linking the MoH with the central pharmacy. As part of this platform, there should be a component that allows select hospitals to track the delivery of pharmaceuticals to patients. As this is a pilot project, additional hospitals may be included in the future based on project results and pending availability of additional funds. Successful applicants shall develop additional activities, but those listed below are required:

a. Assessment of current medicinal supply chain and tracking system, with particular attention on how distribution is managed during public health emergencies;

b. Acquisition, adaptation, and management of an electronic tracking platform to manage the inventory and logistical flow of pharmaceutical products at each stage, from importation and/or production to arrival at hospitals across the country (the platform should include an additional component as well that tracks the delivery to patients when necessary);

c. Capacity building sessions for MoH staff and development of institutional resources to allow the MoH to manage the platform independently after the end of the project; and

d. Review of the MoH’s regulatory framework to ensure laws/procedures enforce the mandate and governance of the tracking system (in coordination with Priority Area 2).

Regulatory Framework (Priority Area 2): The MoH requires an updated regulatory framework and streamlined procedures in order to address inefficiencies that restrict their ability to deliver essential services to citizens and create opportunities for corrupt practices within the public health sector. Therefore, the second priority area seeks to promote the adoption of laws, decrees, and procedures that fill regulatory gaps that have allowed illicit activities to persist and make it easier to provide services to the public, particularly in response to health emergencies such as COVID-19. Successful applicants shall develop additional activities, but those listed below are required:

a. Provide expertise and lead a consultative process to empower the MoH to identify, update, and draft key regulations related to good governance including those on managing and tracking the medicinal supply chain, the training certification process, and preparing and responding to public health crises; and

b. Support the MoH with the implementation of key regulations once they are adopted or created.

National Training Structures (Priority Area 3): In order for the MoH to properly address the corruption concerns it faces, it must be equipped with staff that are properly trained to execute good governance procedures. The third priority area focuses on upgrading the MoH’s national training structures to ensure they have a roster of prepared and available staff to consistently manage and implement efficient processes in public health institutions. This includes strengthening staff capacities and their responses to the many technical dimensions and various stages of an epidemic. Successful applicants shall develop additional activities, but those listed below are required:

a. Establish an e-learning platform and video-conference infrastructure to enable health care practitioners to exchange knowledge without missing workdays due to travel to Tunis;

b. Upgrade the training materials in the seventeen (17) MoH training schools around the country to better focus on best practices in good governance and accountability, including emergency preparedness and response;

c. Put in place mandatory certification and re-certification systems for health professionals (in coordination with Priority Area 2); and

d. Develop a coordination mechanism in collaboration with the MoH to create synergy between the e-learning platform and the training schools.

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.

Key Deliverables:

To clearly assess successful execution and completion of proposed projects, results should achieve the following:

An online platform that tracks the medicinal supply chain from importation and/or production to arrival at hospitals across the country and in some cases patients;

A 20% reduction in illegal diversion of pharmaceuticals within the MoH;

An enhanced regulatory framework for the MoH that fills legal and procedural gaps that have allowed corrupt actors to thrive;

An upgraded national network of the MoH training structures, including a distance learning platform and modernized training schools; and A health crisis management procedural manual that includes response plans to epidemic based on lessons learnt during the COVID-19 crisis.

D. GENDER INTEGRATION

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

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

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

Have demonstrable previous experience working in the MENA region Have demonstrable previous experience working with government ministries and partners on good governance issues Have demonstrable previous experience working with government ministries and partners on electronic solutions Have demonstrable experience strengthening institutional crisis preparedness and response Meet ALL of the registration requirements listed below Meet the requirements of the government of Tunisia to conduct programmatic activities within the country Meet any requirements listed as MANDATORY in Additional Eligibility Considerations, below

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, currently referred to as a DUNS 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

The UEI number is a nine-digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc.

(D&B) to uniquely identify business entities.

All applicants must have a UEI number. To obtain a UEI number, please follow the steps below:

Go to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/pages/CCRSearch.jsp.

Select the country or territory where your organization is physically located. Complete and submit the form. Organizations will need to provide basic information, including physical and mailing addresses, name and title of the chief executive, primary Standard Industrial Code (SIC) (https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sic_manual.html), and annual revenue.

For technical difficulties in obtaining this number, please contact D&B at: govt@dnb.com.

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A.1. Required Documents

Federal Assistance Application Forms (SF-424, SF424a, and SF-424b)

Applicants must complete each of these forms online to be considered for funding. The SF-424B is only required for those applicants who a) have not registered in SAM.gov or b) have not recertified their registration in SAM.gov since February 2, 2019.

If an organization has an active registration in SAM.gov that was either created or updated on or after 2/2/2019, then the applicant does NOT need to submit the SF-424B because their registration or recertification will have included the necessary information.

Guidance on how to complete the SF-424 and SF424a is provided in Appendix III. 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 15 pages. More details on preparing the Project Narrative are provided in Appendix III. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review Appendix III before preparing their Narrative.

Option Years Project Narrative:

The Option Years Narrative describes the efforts the applicant would propose to undertake during the option year period(s) of up to two years (for up to a total four-year project period) in order to meet the objectives, priorities, and goals outlined in the funding description section of this NOFO. This section may not exceed three (3) pages

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 Option Years Budget: A detailed budget for the initial project period is required, and a notional budget and brief budget narrative for option year funding up to two (2) additional years for up to an additional one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000).

Key staff members must be clearly identified in both the detailed budget and budget narrative documents.

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

Applicants shall provide a logic model or theory of change to demonstrate how the proposed project (including activities, the project design, and the surrounding context) will achieve the stated objectives. The logic model or theory of change statements can be generated using the template in Appendix II. 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.

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.

3. Key staff members must also be clearly identified in both the detailed budget and budget narrative documents.

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.

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 implement 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.

Letters of Agreement or Letters of Intent: Applicants must include Letters of Intent or Letters of Agreement from the MoH and any other proposed partners.

A.2. Optional Documents Applicants may submit additional documents for consideration with their application. These documents are not required and there is a 10-page limit for this section of the application. Some examples of additional documents an applicant may wish to submit include but are not limited to organizational chart, organogram etc.

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 12-point, Times New Roman. All application documents must be single spaced, with all margins (left, right, top, and bottom) of at least one inch each. Also, 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, SF-424a, and SF-424b) 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 either Grants.gov OR SAMS Domestic. Both systems require 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. Applicants must select one of these systems to submit their application; do not submit an application through both systems. NEA/AC is not in a position to grant exceptions to these requirements.

Grants.gov

Grants.gov is a single portal for applicants to find and apply to U.S. government funding opportunities. Creating an account with this system is a five-step process: 1) obtain a UEI number; 2) create an account with the System for Award Management; 3) create a profile, including username and password; 4) obtain Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) authorization; and 5) track AOR status. This process can take 10 business days or longer, even if all the steps are completed in a timely manner. To create an account, go to www.grants.gov and click on the “Register” link, located at the top, right-hand side of the page.

SAMS Domestic

SAMS Domestic 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 http://mygrants.service-now.com, and click the “create an account” hyperlink, located above the user name prompt. Users will be directed to a page entitled “User Registration Request;” complete the online form and click the “Submit” button.

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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 any local partners; the applicant demonstrates an understanding of the issues the MoH faces.

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 Considerations: The applicant includes gender analysis in the project narrative that identifies relevant gender gaps and ways the proposed activities will address those gaps. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing relevant gender gaps will enhance the program’s goals and objectives and how the project will benefit both men and women.

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 (30 points)

The applicant demonstrates experience (e.g., has previously worked and/or has established contacts/partners) in the MENA region, Tunisia in particular The applicant demonstrates an institutional record of successful programs in good governance, anti-corruption, and administrative reform The applicant and/or partners demonstrates an institutional record of successful programs implementing online government platforms, especially those that track medicinal supply chains or similar technical systems

The applicant and/or partners demonstrates experience working in the health sector, especially in the MENA region

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 the MoH and any proposed partners.

Staff and Position Specifications (15 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.

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.

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