Civil Society and Governance Syria NOFO (corrected).pdf

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

Office of Assistance Coordination

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 19.601

Supporting Local Governance and Civil Society in Syria Opportunity Number: SFOP0005916

Key Information:

Announcement Type: New

Date Opened: 5/23/2019

Deadline for Questions: 6/12/2019

Application Deadline: 8/2/2019

Expected Date of Notification: 8/23/2019

Federal Agency Contact: NEA-Grants@state.gov

Funding Opportunity Synopsis

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to advance the following U.S.

Government policy objectives in Syria:

• Ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and counter violent extremism, including other extremist groups in Syria;

• Achieve a political solution to the Syrian conflict under the auspices of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254; and,

• End the presence of Iranian forces and proxies in Syria.

The Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) aims to advance these policy objectives by supporting the following assistance objectives:

• Strengthen responsive and credible governance and civil society entities to capably serve and represent communities liberated from ISIS.

• Advance a political solution to the Syrian conflict under the auspices of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254; and,

• Counter extremism and disinformation perpetuated by Iranian forces, designated terrorist organizations, and other malign actors through support for local governance actors and civil society organizations.

Applicants may elect to submit proposals for a combined governance and civil society program or focus proposals on one or more of the assistance objectives above. Assistance to local Syrian partners who share U.S. goals in Syria continues to be an essential component of the U.S.

strategy in Syria. Since 2011, numerous local governance entities and hundreds of Syrian civil society organizations (CSOs) proliferated in territory outside regime control and abroad. Local governance and Syrian civil society continue to grow organically, but support from international donors remains essential to sustain wide-ranging and impactful programming. To date, local governance entities and CSOs have played a leading role in advancing political dialogue, challenging the agendas of the Syrian regime and extremist groups, and responding to community essential service and livelihood needs, among other functions. In northeast Syria, these efforts have proved essential to restoring local stability in areas liberated from ISIS, though much more work is required. Given constant changes in conditions on the ground in Syria, NEA/AC seeks to maintain a flexible assistance approach that responds to evolving needs.

Eligible Countries and Territories:

In this announcement, we seek to support projects in Syria. Please note: Applications that focus on activities in countries and territories other than those listed will NOT be considered.

All applications must be submitted in English. Applicants may submit only one application per organization. Complete information on how applicants can submit proposals for this opportunity can be found in Section VI below.

Background Information about NEA/AC: NEA/AC offers 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, 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.

Table of Contents

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

PROBLEM STATEMENT

MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS

AWARD INFORMATION

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

APPLICATION FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

FUNDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

ADMINSTRATION INFORMATION

AWARD NOTICES

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

TRAVEL NOTIFICATIONS

APPLICANT VETTING AS A CONDITION OF AWARD

BRANDING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTEES

UEI NUMBER REQUIREMENT FOR SUB AWARDEES

SUB AWARDEE REPORTING REQUIREMENT

AGENCY CONTACTS

DISCLAIMER

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1— Budget Sample Template and Budget Narrative Guidance

APPENDIX 2—Logic Model/ Results Monitoring Plan Template

APPENDIX 3— Application Guidance

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

In Syria, the Office of Assistance Coordination in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA/AC) of the Department of State aims to implement relevant assistance activities to advance U.S.

policy objectives for Syria:

• Strengthen responsive and credible governance and civil society entities to capably serve and represent communities liberated from ISIS.

• Advance a political solution to the Syrian conflict under the auspices of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254; and,

• Counter extremism and disinformation perpetuated by Iranian forces, designated terrorist organizations, and other malign actors through support for local governance actors and civil society organizations.

Applicants may elect to submit proposals for a combined governance and civil society program or focus proposals on one or more of the assistance objectives above. NEA/AC seeks proposals to carry out targeted assistance projects in partnership with local governance entities and CSOs to: strengthen organizational capacity, support essential service provision, promote community recovery and social cohesion, and counter extremism. Proposals should present options for promoting a Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations, to possibly include strengthening national opposition actors to participate in the UN-led political process and building linkages between national opposition negotiating bodies and Syrian communities.

Applicants must incorporate plans on how their proposals will be de-conflicted with ongoing civilian assistance efforts implemented by other United States Government (USG) entities and international donors. In particular, all applicants must take into consideration that award activities will be coordinated through USG assistance platforms, particularly the Syria Transition Assistance Response Team (START) in Turkey. Each applicant must present a plan on how it will be flexible and responsive to time-sensitive requirements as well as monitor and evaluate activities inside Syria. Applicants should consider the context of Syria’s dynamic and challenging operating environment in their proposals, especially in terms of program implementation and monitoring. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to conduct baseline and needs assessments of potential Syrian beneficiaries. The award mechanism will be a cooperative agreement, with substantial involvement from NEA/AC in the grantee’s implementation of this program. As such, NEA/AC’s DC and field staff will work closely with the grantee and provide direction regarding planned beneficiaries of assistance, including but not limited to the selection of beneficiary organizations and scope of programming.

Applicants must have experience implementing programs in conflict environments, including experience working on Syria, and should demonstrate they are able to secure all necessary legal paperwork and German government permissions to manage activities out of Berlin, Germany where other USG Syria stabilization implementing partners are based. Likewise, the applicant should demonstrate its understanding of and ability to obtain all necessary legal paperwork and Turkish government permissions to manage activities out of Turkey should the need to do so arise during the course of the award. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to deliver cash into Syria, provide technical assistance and training inside of Syria, manage stabilization programs in complex environments, produce analytical research on conflict dynamics, and manage monitoring and evaluation.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Decades of authoritarian rule and restrictions on political and social life outside of state-sanctioned activity severely hindered the growth and development of independent Syrian civil society and responsive local governance. In 2011 civil demonstrations and action protesting the Syrian regime catalyzed the growth of independent and overt civil society actors and organizations, particularly in Syrian territory outside the regime’s control and among expatriate Syrian communities in neighboring countries. Concurrently, as opposition and other actors wrested political and military control from the Assad regime, local, regional, and national governance entities emerged to administer services and preserve order, among other functions.

Seven years of brutal conflict in Syria has brought enormous suffering and challenges to Syrian civilians including: mass displacement due to violence by the regime and other armed actors;

gross human rights violations and politically motivated detentions and killings; the emergence of extremist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates; fragmented opposition governance and military structures; acute shortages of basic needs such as food and shelter; and a collapse of essential service infrastructure and economic opportunities, among others.

NEA/AC seeks applications which focus on one or more of the following areas:

1) Northeast Syria: As areas in Aleppo, Hassakeh, Raqqa, and Deir al-Zour governorates were liberated from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Syrian civilians have struggled to return to their homes and rebuild their lives. The dearth of essential services and employment opportunities in communities recently liberated from ISIS impedes internally displaced person and refugee returns and creates a power vacuum for ISIS and other extremist groups to rebuild networks. To address these vulnerabilities, since 2016 NEA/AC has worked with local governance entities and CSOs to refurbish and maintain essential services and foster conditions for basic economic revival in targeted communities. Where civil society and responsive local governance was dormant or non-existent under ISIS, NEA/AC has supported its revitalization by providing operational support for specific activities (through cash subgrants) and capacity building support.

Illustrative activities supported to date include: community beautification and ISIS graffiti removal initiatives, rubble removal, emergency first responders, waste management, canal rehabilitation, electricity repair, rehabilitation of irrigation pumping stations, vocational training, and repairs to drinking water and sanitation networks.

NEA/AC seeks applications that build on and advance ongoing USG work with local governance entities and CSOs to restore immediate essential services in areas liberated from ISIS and to build the capacity of local councils to maintain these services as well as respond to emerging needs in the community. This should include cash subawards to local governance and civil society partners in northeast Syria to rehabilitate and deliver essential services. Applicants should also propose innovative approaches to increase sustainability of such initiatives to possibly include training and coaching, assistance with strategic planning, and revenue generation and fee collection, among other activities. For civil society partners, NEA/AC seeks to provide targeted capacity building and support for networking, coalitions, and initiatives to foster productive relationships with local authorities for the civil society sector more broadly. Further, applicants should address promoting capable, representative, responsive, and credible governance by incorporating opportunities to strengthen linkages between governance partners and local communities to possibly include participatory methods of essential service provision, community outreach, and strengthening the role of women, youth, ethnic, and religious minorities in governance. Proposals should further demonstrate capacity to tailor support for governance and basic services to redress, where possible, community grievances and local conflict. Finally, applications should also plan to support civil society functions, such as advocating on behalf of citizens, civic education, countering extremism, and peacebuilding.

2) Opposition-Held Syria: NEA/AC has supported both essential service delivery and traditional civil society work in Idlib and western Aleppo aimed at undercutting the influence of extremist groups such as Ha’it Tahrir as-Sham (HTS) and its associates.

Applicants should be prepared to support civil society and other independent actors in northwest Syria or other opposition-controlled areas to undertake activities in ways that support moderate voices and undercut the extremism of HTS. NEA/AC does not envision supporting service delivery under this award in northwest Syria.

3) Regime-Held Syria: The Syrian regime controls the country’s major population and economic centers and is likely to seek to expand its control into additional areas of Syria.

Meanwhile, Damascus refuses to take meaningful steps towards a political transition under UNSCR 2254 and relies on Russian and Iranian-backed militias to undergird its security. Further, the Syrian regime continues to foreclose space in the public sphere for civil society to function independent of the state, Baath Party, and foreign-backed militias. State-sanctioned “civil society” manifests itself primarily in the form of the Syria Trust for Development and various humanitarian organizations that fail to meaningfully hold the regime accountable. Department of State and USAID assistance deliberately targets areas outside Syrian regime control in favor of supporting territory nominally under opposition control or recently liberated from ISIS. Nevertheless, opportunities may exist for applicants to pilot support for community initiatives and activists inside regime-held territory to hold the regime accountable to the government’s human rights obligations and commitments. Given the high risk and inhospitable operating environment, the applicant should describe opportunities to discretely support such efforts and articulate security measures that may be adopted to mitigate risks to beneficiaries and prevent assistance from benefitting the Syrian regime.

4) Political Process Support: NEA/AC seeks applications supporting the engagement of Syrians – independent actors, civil society, citizens, and local and national opposition bodies - in the political process under UNSCR 2254. A Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations in Geneva, as called for in UNSCR 2254, remains the sole pathway towards resolving the Syrian conflict. Previously NEA/AC supported

Syria’s national-level opposition participation at UN-convened international negotiations to advance a political solution to the conflict. Such assistance included expert legal and technical assistance to develop knowledge, skills, and capacity to effectively engage in negotiations and improve their ability to successfully respond to and represent constituent interests in developing a peaceful political resolution to the conflict in Syria. NEA/AC assistance further sought to strengthen the credibility and responsiveness of national opposition actors to negotiate on behalf of the Syrian people through support for outreach and engagement to Syrian civil society and citizens inside Syria and the diaspora.

Following the formation of Constitutional Committees, NEA/AC anticipates support for the constructive participation and engagement of civilian opposition actors endeavoring to reform the Syrian Constitution and achieve a political transition. Applicants should articulate ways to provide direct support to opposition leaders to participate at UN-convened negotiations and constitutional committees as well as to facilitate national opposition engagement with Syrian constituents among the diaspora community and inside Syria.

PROJECT DESIGN:

NEA/AC invites proposals from applicants with experience implementing governance, stabilization, and civil society programming in Syria. Successful proposals should describe a clear theory of change integrating all project objectives into a coherent and convincing whole that advances U.S. Syria assistance objectives and complements related programs. Applicants should also articulate approaches to identifying appropriate partners and relevant activities to advance project objectives. Additionally, proposals should explain a logical approach to delivering organizational capacity building support to local governance and civil society entities based in Syria. NEA/AC welcomes evidence-based approaches to achieving project objectives.

Applicants should consider how to foster productive relationships between local governance entities and CSOs. Additionally, NEA/AC requires that all activities fully address gender considerations, ensuring that both men and women benefit from support and that gender awareness is built in to all project activities. This should be documented by a gender analysis that identifies relevant gender gaps and ways the activity will address those gaps. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing relevant gender gaps will enhance the program’s goals and objectives.

Support Local Governance Subaward Activities Assistance may include but is not limited to subgrants and fixed amount awards to established and emerging local governance entities in order to:

• Rehabilitate essential service infrastructure in sectors such as rubble removal, drinking water, sanitation, electricity, and irrigation to address community needs in areas liberated from ISIS;

• Support local governance actors to broaden their inclusivity and representation to better serve constituents with a particular emphasis on minority groups;

• Implementation of specific, quick-impact projects, strategically designed to bolster the transparency and capacity of local governance structures, especially to provide an alternative to extremist groups. Projects should focus on improving the responsiveness of local governance actors to citizens’ needs and the inclusive, equitable delivery of essential services;

• Development of local council revenue-generating activities emphasizing long-term sustainability; and

• Improve organizational capacity, structure and effectiveness.

Support Civil Society Cash Subaward Support for Activities Assistance may include but is not limited to subgrants and fixed amount awards to established and emerging CSOs to:

• Rehabilitate essential service infrastructure in sectors such as rubble removal, drinking water, sanitation, electricity, and irrigation to address community needs in areas liberated from ISIS;

• Restore livelihoods and restore the conditions for economic activity in areas liberated from ISIS;

• Support moderate voices and counter the extremist ideology and influence of ISIS, HTS, and Iranian-backed proxies.

• Support inclusive peacebuilding and community reconciliation to enhance social cohesion in non-regime controlled areas, with a special emphasis on inclusion of minority groups;

• Foster ties between civil society and political leaders to enhance accountability and information-sharing in support of improved transparency;

• Encourage media outreach, advocacy campaigns, and, to the extent possible, public engagement to raise and discuss matters of community concern and to positively influence transitional governing authorities;

• Support coalitions of civil society organizations across ethnic/communal/religious lines, with particular attention to the inclusion of women, youth and marginalized populations to develop sustainable partnerships to advance defined goals;

• Effectively represent citizen constituents to engage in the in political transition process;

• Develop civil society organizational capacity and effectiveness;

• Enhance the technical capacity of Syrian civil society to implement activities support by the program;

Support Political Transition Process Assistance may include but is not limited to subawards, stipends and operational costs, and technical assistance to individuals engaged in the political negotiation process:

• Provide technical support to the Syrian political opposition to engage in the Constitutional Committee process and other diplomatic efforts in support of

UNSCR 2254;

• Provide financial and technical support, including operational costs and stipends for selected individuals advancing the political transition process; and

• Enhance the organizational capacity of Syrian political opposition bodies engaged in the political transition process.

Monitoring & Evaluation; Lessons Learned; Research

• Successful applicants will work with the NEA/AC program and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to build flexible and effective methods for monitoring and evaluating ongoing and completed program activities to ensure program interventions achieve targeted outputs and evaluate outcomes. Applicants should address how programs will incorporate best practices for lessons learned to enhance overall effectiveness of program activities and remains iterative.

• Rapidly changing conditions in Syria present ongoing challenges to programs and partners and require vigilant observations and monitoring of local conditions, conflict dynamics, security, and access. Additionally, programs must prove able to identify potential local partners based on assessments of partners, capacity, and fit to program.

Applicants should present scalable options for conducting research to enhance, compliment, and monitor program activities.

MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS

Successful applicants will work with the NEA/AC program and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) teams to create a plan based on the proposed logic model/theory of change 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.

AWARD INFORMATION

Funding Mechanism Type: Cooperative Agreement

Estimated Number of Awards: 1-3

Estimated Total Program Funding: $75 million

Estimated Award Ceiling: $75 million

Estimated Award Floor: $5 million

Cost-Sharing or Matching: Encouraged; NOT Required

Estimated Length of Project Period: Up to 36 months

Contingent on the availability of funds, approximately $75 million for approximately 1-3 awards will be award through this announcement. If selected to receive an award, an applicant will be awarded funds for up to three years, depending on the activities proposed. The estimated start date for this project is January 1, 2020. 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 in subsequent fiscal years, NEA/AC may extend this grant for additional time, not to exceed a three year total project period.

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 Examples of NEA/AC responsibilities for a cooperative agreement may include:

a) Department of State’s concurrence with the Recipient’s Work Plan. This includes prior approval by the Grants Officer of all travel details (destination, number of participants, number of trips), to be submitted when not included in an approved Work Plan. The Recipient will consult with the Grants Officer to ensure that all proposed travel is documented accordingly and that sufficient funds exist in the budget for such activities.

b) The Recipient will coordinate award activities closely with other DOS implementing partners, as directed by NEA. Specifically, under NEA’s lead, the Recipient will coordinate civil society and governance activities with other NEA implementing partner(s) in order to promote complementarity between these efforts. The Recipient will be expected to meet frequently with other NEA implementing partners as well as NEA staff in order to: develop coordinated activity plans; share information and assessments of local dynamics and organizations; and, discuss lessons learned, needs and project proposals. NEA will lead coordination efforts, but the Recipient will be responsible for taking initiative and playing a constructive role.

c) Department of State concurrence on the location of any activities to be held in a third country. This includes activities which are already included in an approved Work Plan. The Recipient must notify the Grants Officer at least 30 days prior to any activities.

d) Collaboration with the Department of State in areas which the Department of State’s technical knowledge would benefit the Recipient’s successful accomplishment of stated program objectives.

e) Subawards: DOS will assume the lead in identifying areas of opportunity and introducing potential programming partners to the recipient. This does not preclude the recipient itself from identifying concepts and groups for support; however, DOS will have final approval of all sub-recipients.

Each subaward package must include a proposal narrative, budget and budget justification, monitoring and evaluation plan, risk assessment, risk mitigation plan, vetting requirements, and branding requirements, and subaward agreement template for the proposed project. The Recipient is responsible for submitting each subaward package to the Grants Officer for approval. Subaward activities may not occur until the Grants Officer has approved the package in writing and vetting has been completed for all identified personnel in accordance with Section 15(b) below.

The Recipient and its sub-grantees must comply with all relevant laws and regulations regarding United States Government (USG) vetting requirements including, but not limited to, the sanctions set forth in the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act and Executive Orders 13315, 13224, 13382, and 13338.

f) Activity Sheets: The Recipient will provide Activity Sheets for each specialized activity taking place under this award. Each individual Activity Sheet package must include: needs assessment, activity background, justification/ explanation of activities based on program objectives, sole source justification (if applicable), description/ demographics of activity beneficiaries, budget, monitoring and evaluation plan, risk assessment and mitigation measures, vetting requirements, branding requirements and an activity timeline. The Recipient is responsible for submitting each Activity Sheet package to the Grants Officer for approval. Activities may not occur until the Grants Officer has approved the package in writing and vetting has been completed for all activity 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.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include:

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

o For-profit organizations;

o Private institutions of higher education;

o Public or state institutions of higher education;

o Public international organizations;

NEA/AC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of 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.

Prime Applicant To be considered for funding under this opportunity, applicants shall:

• Have demonstrable previous experience working in Syria. This should be addressed within the project narrative section of the application.

• Meet ALL of the registration requirements listed in Section F below.

• Meet any requirements listed as MANDATORY in Section G, Additional Eligibility

Considerations, below.

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). This applies to BOTH prime applicants and any local partners receiving federally funded sub-awards. 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), and annual revenue.

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

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

To create a new account, please follow the steps below:

Go to http://www.sam.gov.

Select Create User Account, and then select Create an Account on the left-hand side of the screen under Individual Account Details. Organizations must have a UEI number and a CAGE number (US Domestic Organizations) or a NCAGE number (Foreign Organizations), to create an account.

Complete and submit the online form. If the applying organization already has the necessary information on hand (see the SAM User Guide), the online form takes approximately one hour to complete, depending upon the size and complexity of the applying entity. Because of the different steps in the process, it might take anywhere from three to fourteen business days to complete the process of creating an account with the system.

For help with SAM.gov, please visit their support page at https://www.fsd.gov or contact them at: 001-334-206-7828.

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 is NOT an evaluation criteria of this NOFO.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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 state. 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.

A.1. Required Documents

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

Applicants must complete all three 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 outlines below regarding application materials, applicants are strongly encourage 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 3. Applicants are strong 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. 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 instruction, can be found in Appendix 1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review Appendix 1 before preparing their 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 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.

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. This section 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.

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 the 10% de minimis must provide a copy of their Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). This item will not be counted toward any page limits.

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. Below are examples of some additional documents an applicant may wish to submit.

1. Letters of Agreement or Letters of Intent: Applicants proposing partner organizations and/or government bodies should include Letters of Intent or Letters of Agreement from their proposed partners.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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.

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 A.1 and A.2 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.

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Applicants must submit their application electronically using SAMS Domestic. The system requires that the applying organization have an account with the system, a UEI number, and SAM.gov account as detailed in B.3 above. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have an active account and will be able to submit its application. NEA/AC is not in a position to grant 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.

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.

Users will receive an activation email entitled “Verify Your Grants Account Registration;” click the activation link within the email to receive a username and password.

SAMS Domestic has Quick Tours available to educate users about the system. These documents can be found on the Support tab upon logging into the system.

SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

Applications must be time stamped before 17:00:00 eastern time (ET) on 8/2/2019 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. Applicants are encouraged to submit an application far enough in advance of the deadline so it can alert NEA/AC (nea-grants@state.gov) of any technical difficulties and allow sufficient time to resolve difficulties before the deadline. Although NEA/AC will work with applicants to resolve technical issues, it is not in a position to grant exceptions to the submission requirements outlined in this announcement.

FUNDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND OTHER

CONSIDERATIONS

1. 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.

2. 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 http://gao.gov/assets/590/587281.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.

3. 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 and 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600 as applicable.

APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

Achievable Objectives (20 points) 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.

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

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.

• Timeliness: Demonstration of the applicant’s ability to meet the project objectives in a timely manner with minimal delay or disruption in services.

• Partnerships and Buy-ins: The applicant addresses how the project will engage or obtain support from relevant stakeholders and identifies local partners.

• 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.

Organizational Capacity (20 points)

• The applicant demonstrates experience (e.g., has previously worked and/or has established contacts/partners) in Syria.

• The applicant demonstrates its ability to start project activities quickly after award, thereby minimizing gaps in service.

• The applicant demonstrates an institutional record of successful programs in the content area proposed.

• 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 proposed partners.

Staff and Position Specifications (10 points)

• Pre-identified key staff members, including volunteers, demonstrate experience working in the country/territory/region proposed 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 demonstrates that the project will be adequately but efficiently staffed, avoiding…