CLM - NOFO FY2024, Final.docx

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

UNITED STATES EMBASSY Kinshasa

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

This is the announcement of notice of funding opportunity:

NOFO Title: PEPFAR DRC Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Program

NOFO Number: AFPCO-24-01

Federal Assistance Listing/Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.029

Type of Award: Grant

Total Funding: $500,000 USD

Award Ceiling: $100,000 USD

Award Floor: $50,000 USD

Funding Type: Global Health Funds

Anticipated Number of Awards: Up to 5 awards

Period of Performance: 6 months to 12 months

Type of Solicitation: Open Competition

Eligibility Category: Local Community-based organizations and other civil society groups which are legally registered in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including organizations which focus on key populations (KP), people living with HIV (PLHIV), youth and adolescents including children and other HIV-affected groups.

Questions Deadline: 23:59 DRC, Kinshasa time on January10, 2024 Orientation meeting: From 10:30 - 12-30 DRC, Kinshasa time on January 18, 2024; the meeting details provided under section D (Application and submission information)

Application Deadline: 12:30 DRC, Kinshasa time on Monday February 09, 2024 Anticipated Award Signing: March 2024

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa - Democratic Republic of Congo through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Coordination Office (PCO) is pleased to announce an open Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for organizations to submit applications that support Community - led Monitoring (CLM) activities, to be implemented in close collaboration with local Community-based organizations and other civil society groups, networks of key populations (KP), people living with HIV (PLHIV), youth and adolescents including children and other HIV-affected groups.

The CLM program will be implemented in the three PEPFAR provinces including Kinshasa, Haut-Katanga and Lualaba.

Community-led monitoring or CLM is a routinized process initiated and implemented by local HIV-positive and HIV-affected communities, community-based organizations and other civil society groups that identifies HIV service delivery successes, diagnoses problems, uses quantitative and qualitative data to overcome barriers and ensure that HIV service beneficiaries receive optimal client-centered services.

The intention of CLM is for local community leadership to get inputs from recipients and providers of HIV services, including key populations and underserved groups, in a routine and systematic manner and translate their findings into action and change in collaboration with host governments and health systems.

CLM is a tool within the community engagement process, a strategic collaboration of multiple partnerships within a designated geographic location. CLM leverages community engagement to empower community members to identify successes, diagnose problems, use data-driven approaches to overcome barriers, and ensure beneficiaries receive optimal client-centered services in a productive, collaborative, respectful, and solutions-oriented manner. This community-driven approach to addressing health challenges often evolves into advocacy, whether driven by the individual, community, organizations, or institutions.

The CLM program is funded through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The goal of PEPFAR in DRC is to support efforts to achieve HIV epidemic control through implementation of evidence-based interventions to drive progress in HIV prevention, care and treatment and ultimately, save lives.

Through the PEPFAR Coordination Office, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa administers this Community grants program and is seeking proposals from registered local Community-based organizations and other civil society groups, networks of key populations (KP), people living with HIV (PLHIV), youth and adolescents including children and other HIV-affected groups, or community entities that gather quantitative and qualitative data about HIV services and whose mission and activities focuses on HIV programming.

CLM plays key role to ensuring availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and delivery of timely and quality HIV care and services. CLM will raise public awareness on the rights of PLHIV, KP groups, youth and adolescents and other affected communities, will empower beneficiaries and affected communities to speak out, to increase health literacy, to expand engagement with health service providers, to support demand creation, on one hand; and on the other hand, CLM will hold decisions makers accountable for executing changes to improve HIV service delivery.

CLM data will be collected using standardized tools and synthesized through a variety of methods that reveal insights from communities about problems and solutions to health and HIV service delivery at: the facility, community, sub-national and national levels. Thus, CLM data builds evidence on what works well, what is not working and what needs to be improved, with suggestions for targeted action to improve outcomes.

Monitoring data should reflect an ‘added value’ and not duplicate collection of routine data already available to PEPFAR, through its standard reporting. ‘Added value’ monitoring data includes, but not limited to information from beneficiaries about their experience with the health facility, information about barriers and enablers to access and retention in services etc.

CLM mechanisms must be routine to ensure follow up and continuous improvement for sustainability.

Results from CLM will be shared with all the stakeholders including host governments, health systems, PEPFAR implementing partners and the PEPFAR team on a regular and systematic basis (monthly, quarterly, and annually), for informing decisions, to improve time and quality service delivery.

A.1 Background

PEPFAR DRC recognizes the importance of engaging with communities in the development and implementation of its HIV programming. As a result, since September 2021, a group of five local organizations were identified to develop and implement CLM activities in the three PEPFAR supported provinces, which include Haut-Katanga, Lualaba and Kinshasa. The current NOFO gives additional opportunity to CSOs in the same geographic zones, to gather information on what is and is not working and then to create plans to remediate challenges and leverage best practices.

This CLM process will enable civil society organizations (CSOs), local partners, community members, and facility-based healthcare workers to collaboratively identify, understand, and address barriers to optimal service delivery and success. To be successful, CLM will take into consideration the needs of the affected groups, at least sixty percent (60%) of the beneficiaries should come from PLHIV, KP, adolescents, and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) groups.

CLM can support and enhance program activities in each technical area of HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support. This includes but is not limited to HIV testing and counseling (HTC), PMTCT, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), etc. The CLM process helps communities and supporting organizations look beyond apparent symptoms of a problem, such as adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) not accessing facility services, and determine other possible causes (e.g., a lack of youth-friendly services, etc).

Key deliverables include but are not limited to:

· Implement interventions to capture HIV patient’s satisfaction with HIV-related services and understand enablers and barriers to access and retention in HIV prevention, care and treatment services.

· Implement interventions to identify gaps in HIV-related community health literacy or client awareness of health services to improve knowledge, use, and access.

· Implement interventions to detect issues of stigma, discrimination, and coercion and providing solutions.

· Create a platform for community-led analysis and co-created solutions to improve health responses.

· Make actionable recommendations to all stakeholders to improve client care in their provinces.

· Track the implementation of the recommendations.

· Make available Community-led monitoring findings (while ensuring safety and confidentiality) for use by all stakeholders.

· Ensure that monitoring data reflects an ‘added value’ and not duplicate collection of routine data already available to PEPFAR through its standard reporting. ‘Added value’ monitoring data includes information from beneficiaries about their experience with the health facility, information about barriers and enablers to access and retention in services etc.

· Ensure that CLM mechanisms are routine for follow up and continuous improvement for sustainability. The program seeks to encourage affected communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future.

A.2 Goals

The focus is on getting input from recipients of HIV services including key populations, youth and adolescents, other HIV-affected groups, and underserved groups, in a routine and systematic manner that will translate into action and change.

· Objective 1: To capture patient’s feedback (perception and satisfaction) on services available to them in HIV prevention, care, and treatment at the health facility and in the community.

· Objective 2: To identify strengths, gaps, stigma, and discrimination in service delivery, and provide input to develop indicators to assess services.

· Objective 3: To raise community awareness on their interests and individual responsibilities to have in place sustainable community-led monitoring approach.

· Objective 4: To monitor the quality health system service delivery.

· Objective 5: To advocate for change and action planning.

A.3 Expected Results

Specific results may include the following:

· Increased number of HIV patients speak out and take leadership in identifying strengths, gaps, stigma, and discrimination in service delivery, the uptake of HIV services and retaining HIV patients in treatment.

· Increased number of affected communities gather information on services available to them, health literacy, engagement with health service delivery, demand creation, and accountability from the health system to improve quality of services.

· Increased community awareness and resilience to undertake similar activities on their own in a sustainable manner.

· Improved the quality-of-service delivery within the health facilities.

· Recommendations have been made for service delivery improvement.

A.4 Main Activities

To achieve the goals and expected results, the project should include the following:

· Collect quantitative and qualitative data at the facility and community level on the availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability and on quality of health and HIV services using standardized indicators developed by PEPFAR.

· Analyze and consolidate patient’s feedback into actionable activities to address deficiencies in quality service delivery.

· Disseminate findings and engage with key decision-makers.

· Manage activities on stigmatization and discrimination to help the affected communities to break out of clandestineness.

· Facilitate group discussions with clients and community members to promote knowledge about available HIV services (health literacy and demand creation).

· Develop and implement client surveys and interviews.

· When and where feasible, investigate select aspects of patient reports on service quality and availability i.e. stockouts, disruption of key services, provider behaviors (stigma and discrimination), delay in viral load results to beneficiaries, etc.

· Facilitate engagement (meetings) between community leadership and service providers to discuss the quality of and access to existing services based on feedback from clients.

· Oversee community engagement (advocacy activities) with decision makers (local and national authorities, facilities, and program managers, PEPFAR leadership) to address key policies and practices to reduce stigma and discrimination and protect the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, including key populations.

· Report adverse events encountered to stakeholders (PEPFAR implementing partners).

· Participate in CLM stakeholder meetings to review data, propose advocacy action plans, and participate in follow-up activities or resolutions.

· Build relationships and trust with other stakeholders (Ministry of Health, local/regional health authorities, religious or cultural organizations, PEPFAR, multilateral organizations).

To achieve the goals and expected results, the project should include the following activities:

· Track the implementation of the recommendations.

· Make available Community-led monitoring findings as accessible as possible (while ensuring safety and confidentiality) for use by all stakeholders.

· Make actionable recommendations to PEPFAR, and the government to improve client care in their provinces.

A.5 Performance Indicators

All projects should aim to have impact that encourages affected communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future.

Competitive proposals must demonstrate the applicant’s ability to address the project objectives and goals as identified above and all applicants MUST report on the following indicators:

AREA# 1 : PREVENTION

AREA#2: CARE and TREATMENT

AREA#3: VIRAL LOAD (VL)

AREA#4: STIGMA, DISCRIMINATION & ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

AREA#5: CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Organizations can submit one application in response to the NOFO. If more than one application is submitted by an organization, only the first application received will be reviewed for eligibility and funding.

The U.S. Government may: (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept more than one application, and (c) waive irregularities in applications received.

The U.S. Government may make award(s) based on initial applications received, without discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. The U.S. Government reserves the right to enter discussions with one or more applicants in order to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the project description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

Length of performance period: 6 months to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: up to 5 Award amounts: Awards may range up to US Dollars $100,000.00 Total available funding: $500,000.00 USD Type of Funding: FY2024/COP23 Funds 19__0410310002 Anticipated Program start date: March 2024 Award type: Grant

The authority for this funding opportunity is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants:

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa welcomes applications from local Community-based organizations and other civil society groups, networks of key populations (KP), people living with HIV (PLHIV), youth and adolescents including children and other HIV-affected groups.

The CLM Program is not meant to support applications submitted by for-profit entities. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. 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 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.]

CLM funds are meant for activities that are community driven and serve the community at large where they are being funded. The following will be considered eligible for CLM grants:

· Independent and local/community-based organizations, traditional community groups and faith-based organizations (FBO) (PEPFAR Implementing partners who currently work on service delivery at the site level are not eligible to apply nor are their sub recipient organizations).

· Not-for-profit organizations, including civil society and non-governmental organizations.

· Only organizations registered with the government of the DRC will be considered eligible organizations.

· Eligible organizations must have all the organization charts and manuals, in compliance with the current DRC law. This is related to the organization’s statute, board of directors, organizational charts and procedures manuals.

· Eligible organizations must have internal control systems in place, this is related to the administrative control systems and accounting systems control.

· Eligible organizations must have all the required accounting documents in place such as, but not limited to: The journal book, the general ledger and the inventory book… But also with a transparent and reliable accounting system.

· Eligible organizations must have legal documents free of conflict of interest.

· Eligible organizations must have experience of successfully implementing programs.

· Eligible organizations must have established offices, at least 12 months prior to application submission.

C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

Providing cost sharing, is not an eligibility factor or requirement for this NOFO and providing a cost share will not result in a more favorable competitive ranking.

C.3 Other Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with local in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders and have successfully administered similar projects.

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

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Applicants must provide a valid Unique Entity Identification (UEI) and completed SAM.gov registration when submitting application to the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa at KinshasaPEPFAR@state.gov in response to this NOFO. Applicants that do not have a valid UEI and completed SAM.gov registration will NOT be eligible for consideration.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

All applicants may send questions related to this notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to KinshasaPEPFAR@state.gov by 23:59 DRC, Kinshasa time on January 10, 2024

An orientation meeting will be held for all applicants on Monday January 18, 2024, from 10h30-12h30 DRC time and meeting details as below:

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D.1 Address to Request Application Package

Applicants can find application forms and other materials needed to apply on GRANTS.gov (www.GRANTS.gov) or under the announcement title “PEPFAR DRC Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Program,” funding opportunity number “2024 / DRC / PCO/ 002.” Please contact the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa point of contact listed in Section G if requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or for security reasons. Please note that reasonable accommodations do not include deadline extensions.

D.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

For all application documents, please ensure:

· All documents are in English and all costs are in U.S. Dollars. If an original document within the application is in another language, an English translation must be provided (please note the U.S. Department of State, as indicated in 2 CFR 200.111, requires that English is the official language of all award documents). If any document is provided in both English and a foreign language, the English language version is the controlling version;

· All pages are numbered, including attachments with the exception of Excel documents;

· All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper; and,

· All documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with 1-inch margins. Captions and footnotes may be 10-point Calibri font. Font sizes in charts and tables, can be reformatted to fit within 1 page width.

D.2.1. Application Requirements

Complete applications must include the following:

1. A proposal that aligns with the purpose and requirements for PEPFAR Community-led Monitoring Program as indicated in this funding opportunity announcement.

2. Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B forms

3. Organizations that engage in lobbying the U.S. Government, including Congress, or pay for another entity to lobby on their behalf, are also required to complete the SF-LLL “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form (only if applicable).

4. Cover Page/Executive Summary (not to exceed two (2) pages). Include the organization name, project title, target country/countries, and name and contact information for the application’s main point of contact and brief section that clearly outlines the (1) the problem statement addressed by the project, (2) research-based evidence justifying the applicant’s approach, and (3) quantifiable project outcomes and impacts.

5. Table of Contents

6. Proposal Narrative* (not to exceed ten (10) pages). *Please note the ten-page limit does not include the following:

· SF-424

· SF-424A

· SF-424B

· SF-LLL (if applicable)

· Cover Page/Executive Summary

· Table of Contents

· Scope of Work (required template provided as an attachment)

· Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative and Plan (sample template provided as an attachment)

· Timeline

· Detailed Budget (sample template provided as an attachment)

· Budget Narrative (sample template provided as an attachment)

· If the Budget includes subawards, please include a separate Budget Narrative for each organization.

· Single Audit or recent independent financial audit

· Key Personnel Summary

· CV or Resume of Key Personnel

· Additional Attachments (if applicable):

· Letters of support from project partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner, if applicable/pre-identified

· Official permission documents/certificates for project activities

· Letter of Disclosure for proposed consultants/personnel

· Letter(s) of Institutional Support to indicate that the organization’s leadership is providing their support of the application (from PNMLS, PNLS and ANORS)

· Organization’s notarized statutes.

· Organization’s procedures manuals (Financial, administration, human resources, and procurement manuals)

· Organization’s cash ledger template

· Organization’s recent monthly financial report The Proposal Narrative must include the following:

· Introduction to the Organization: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on all relevant or similar type projects from previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. Government agencies.

Using the Scope of Work (see Section D.2.1.6) provided as an attachment to this NOFO by Embassy Kinshasa, the Proposal Narrative should address the applicant’s unique approach to the following:

· Project Methods and Design: A description of how the project is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal.

· Project Goal: The “goal(s)” describe the larger outcome intended.

· Project Objectives: The intermediate accomplishments and measurable targets to achieve a goal. Objectives of the project should be SMART:

· Specific: Detailed and specifies what will be achieved

· Measurable: have associated metrics or measurements of success

· Attainable: appropriately challenging, objectives can be reasonably attained give the available resources

· Relevant: align with the policy/program goal and appropriate

· within the country or beneficiary audience

· Time-Bound: achievable within the timeframe of the project

· Project Activities: Describe specific actions taken under each Objective. All activities should be clearly developed and sufficiently explain the resource and time requirements (inputs) and things done or produced (outputs). Activities should detail: target areas, participant groups or selection criteria for participants; how relevant stakeholders will be engaged; and actions taken by local partners as appropriate/relevant.

· Project Management Plan: Describe the proposed management structure for this project. Include a description of the responsibilities of all principal organizations and staff involved, reporting relationships, authority, and lines of communication within and between each of these organizations.

· Project Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees, if applicable.

· Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the project beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. Include ways project activities will ensure sustainability.

· Risk Analysis* - identify the internal and external risks associated with the proposed project, rate the likelihood of the risks, rate the potential impact of the risks on the project, and identify actions that could help mitigate the risks.

7. Scope of Work (SOW) (Applicants should use the SOW template provided by Embassy Kinshasa and attached to this NOFO.) The SOW should provide a summary of the applicant’s unique approach to the following as indicated in Section 5 Proposal Narrative:

· Project Goal

· Project Objectives

· Project Activities

· Project Indicators

Required Scope of Work (SOW) template is provided as an attachment to this NOFO.

8. Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative and Plan (see provided sample template):

a. Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative details how a project’s performance monitoring and evaluation system will be carried out and by whom. It explains how the project’s performance toward its objectives will be tracked over time. It should provide a clear description of the approach and data collection strategies and tools to be employed (e.g., pre- and post-test surveys, interviews, focus groups). The description should also include how the applicant will track and document whether activities occurred (outputs) and the results or changes caused by these activities (outcomes). If the project includes work with local partners or sub-partners, explain how performance monitoring and evaluation efforts will be coordinated amongst these organizations. Explain if an external evaluation will be included. Evaluations, internal or external, should be systematic studies that use research methods to address specific questions about project performance. They should provide a valuable supplement to ongoing monitoring activities. Evaluation activities generally include baseline assessments, mid-term and final evaluations.

b. Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Plan should draw on the objectives, activities and expected changes from the Scope of Work, and link those areas to indicators. The Program Monitoring & Evaluation Plan is generally structured as a table with output-based and outcome-based indicators. It explains how data will be collected (data collection methods) to show that certain changes occurred. It outlines baselines (where your project is starting) and quarterly targets (what you would like to achieve) for each indicator.

The project should monitor and report on performance indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time-bound. Establish, where possible, performance baseline data and expected performance targets for each expected result and include details on what sources of data will be used to document performance, how the indicators will be measured, frequency of measurement, and units of measure. Where possible, indicators should also allow for sex disaggregation. Indicators should reflect key project outputs or outcomes that reflect the primary goals or objectives of the project and that the implementer can collect with high quality data.

A sample Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative and Plan Template is provided as an attachment to this NOFO.

9. Timeline (not to exceed one (1) page, preferably as a Word Document or Excel Sheet). The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities and monitoring and evaluation efforts outlined in either in a monthly or quarterly format.

OR

October 2024 (Jan-Mar 2025)

OR

November 2024 (Apr-May 2025)

OR

December 2024

Activity Z

Etc.

10. Detailed Budget (must be an Excel workbook) that includes three (3) columns containing the request to U.S. Embassy Kinshasa for U.S. share of cost, any cost sharing contribution, and the total budget. A Summary Budget should also be included using the OMB-approved budget categories (see SF-424A as a sample) in a separate tab. Costs must be in U.S. Dollars. Detailed line-item budgets for sub-grantees should be included as additional tabs within the Excel workbook (if available at the time of submission).

For more information, Budget Guidance and Template for New Awards (FY2024) is provided as an attachment to this NOFO.

If an applicant’s budget does not follow OMB budget categories, the application will be deemed technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

11. Budget Narrative (preferably as a Word Document; (no maximum page limit). Justify each line-item in the budget and explain how the amounts were derived, consistent with the applicant’s documented policies, as well as the source and description of all proposed costs (and cost-share, if applicable). The Budget Narrative should complement the budget rather than repeat information provided in the budget. For example, the narrative should provide details on the purpose of costs, reasonability of costs, cost price analysis, explain allocations, explain any yearly variances, and tie expenses to project activities and/or objectives where appropriate. Sources of all cost-share offered in the application should be identified and explained in the budget narrative.

Personnel costs must include a clarification of the roles and responsibilities of all staff, base salary, and percentage of time devoted to the project (also known as level of effort). The Budget Narrative should support the activities described in the proposal and provide additional information that might not be readily apparent in the Detailed Budget, not simply repeat what is represented numerically in the budget, i.e., salaries are for salaries or travel is for travel.

If the Detailed Budget includes subawards, please include a separate Budget Narrative for each organization. Please note that subaward organizations must have a SAM.gov unique entity identifier (UEI) number (certain exceptions apply).

For ease of review, it is highly recommended that applicants order the Budget Narrative in the same order as the Detailed Budget.

See Tab 1 of Budget Guidance and Template for New Awards (FY2024), provided as an attachment, for more information.

A sample Budget Narrative Template is provided as an attachment to this NOFO.

12. Single Audit: a PDF file copy of your organization’s most recent single audit is required, if your organization meets the threshold as defined in 2 CFR 200 Subpart F. If your organization has not had a recent single audit (within your organization’s previous 3 fiscal years), you must submit your organization’s most recent independent financial audit.

13. Key Personnel Summary: (not to exceed two (2) pages, preferably as a Word Document). Include short bios that highlight relevant professional experience. Provides names, titles, roles, and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the project. Note the location where key staff will be based and percentage of their time (level of effort) that will be used in support of this project.

14. CV or Resume of Key Personnel: (no maximum page limit per CV or Resume). Include name, work history and experience or qualifications of key personnel who are proposed for the project.

15. Additional Attachments:

· Letters of support from project partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner, if applicable/pre-identified

· Official permission documents/certificates for project activities

· Organization’s notarized statutes.

· Organization’s procedures manuals (Financial, administration, human resources, and procurement manuals)

· Organization’s cash ledger template to show the ability of the organization to track daily financial transactions.

· Organization’s recent monthly financial report to show the organization past history of managing financial transactions.

Applications that do not include the elements listed above will be deemed technically ineligible. To ensure that all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the Merit Review Panel will review from the first page of each section up to the page limit and no further.

D.2.2 Additional Information Requested of Successful Applicants Receiving Notification of Intent

Successful applicants must submit, after notification of intent to make a Federal award, but prior to issuance of a Federal award:

· Written responses and revised application documents addressing conditions and recommendations from the Merit Review Panel;

· A completed copy of the U.S. Department of State’s Financial Management Survey, if receiving U.S. Government funding for the first time;

· Submission of required banking information to U.S. Embassy Kinshasa at request of Grants Officer Representative or Financial Management Officer for new vendor creation in U.S. Department of State financial management systems;

· Other requested information or documents included in the notification of intent to make a Federal award or subsequent communications prior to issuance of a Federal award.

D.3 Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations:

All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with SAM.gov before submitting an application. U.S. Embassy Kinshasa may not review applications from or make awards to applicants that have not completed all applicable UEI and SAM.gov requirements. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

· Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

All prime organizations must, at all times during which they have an active Federal award or application under consideration by any Federal awarding agency, maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information. SAM.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.gov and to maintain that active registration. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements at the time of application, the applicant may be deemed technically ineligible to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

D.3.1 Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if:

· An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.

· For an applicant, if the Federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a Federal award. In these instances, Federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the Federal award date.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO in Section G at least two weeks prior to the deadline stated in the NOFO and provide a justification for their request. UEI/SAM.gov Exemption must be approved by a warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

D.4 Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than 17:15 DRC Kinshasa time on February 09, 2024, at KinshasaPEPFAR@state.gov under the announcement title “PEPFAR DRC Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Program,” funding opportunity number “2024 / DRC / PCO/ 002.”

GRANTS.gov automatically logs the date and time an application submission is made, and the Department of State will use this information to determine whether an application has been submitted on time. Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered. Known system errors caused by GRANTS.gov that are outside of the applicant’s control will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should not expect a notification from U.S. Embassy Kinshasa confirming receipt of their application.

D.5 Funding Limitations, Restrictions, and other Considerations

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa will not consider applications that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization. Please refer the link for Foreign Terrorist Organizations: https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ Project activities whose direct beneficiaries are foreign militaries or paramilitary groups or individuals will not be considered for U.S. Embassy Kinshasa funding given purpose limitations on funding.

The Leahy Law prohibits Department foreign assistance funds from supporting foreign security force units if the Secretary of State has credible information that the unit has committed a gross violation of human rights. Per 22 USC §2378d(a) (2017), “No assistance shall be furnished under this chapter [FOREIGN ASSISTANCE] or the Arms Export Control Act [22 USC 2751 et seq.] to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.” Restrictions may apply to any proposed assistance to police or other law enforcement. Among these, pursuant to section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), no assistance provided through this funding opportunity may be furnished to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country when there is credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights. In accordance with the requirements of section 620M of the FAA, also known as the Leahy law, project beneficiaries or participants from a foreign government’s security forces may need to be vetted by the Department before the provision of any assistance. If a proposed grant or cooperative agreement will provide assistance to foreign security forces or personnel, compliance with the Leahy Law is required.

In addition, funds cannot be made available to any individual or organization that has committed serious human rights abuse.

Organizations should be cognizant of these restrictions when developing project proposals as these restrictions will require appropriate due diligence of program beneficiaries and collaboration with U.S. Embassy Kinshasa to ensure compliance with these restrictions. Program beneficiaries subject to due diligence vetting will include any individuals or entities that are beneficiaries of foreign assistance funding or support.

D.6 Other Submission Requirements

All application submissions must be made electronically to KinshasaPEPFAR@state.gov.

Faxed or couriered documents will not be accepted. Reasonable accommodations may, in appropriate circumstances, be provided to applicants with disabilities or for security reasons.

Applicants must follow all formatting instructions in the applicable NOFO and these instructions.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1 Proposal Review Criteria

The U.S. Embassy Kinshasa Merit Review Panel will evaluate each application individually against the following criteria, listed below in order of importance, and not against competing applications. Please use the below criteria as a reference, but do not structure your application according to the sub-sections.

Quality and Project Design – 20 points: The project idea is well-developed and responsive to the policy and program objective of the NOFO. The applicant describes the project’s potential contribution to solving the problem addressed in the problem statement. The application clearly: defines the problem, it’s causes, stakeholders, and existing research/data; the approach taken to solve the problem; and realistic milestones to indicate progress.

Organizational Capacity – 15 points: The applicant demonstrates an institutional record of successful projects in the content area proposed. The applicant demonstrates experience (e.g., has previously worked and/or has established contacts/partners) in the proposed country/territory/region. The organization has expertise in its stated field and has adequate staffing to manage the proposed project. The applicant demonstrates capacity for responsible fiscal management of donor funding (e.g., successful management of a previous grant or sub-award, single audit findings, exclusions, etc.).

Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 20 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and project approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. The applicant proposes activities that are feasible, and are also practical, and/or experiential in nature to encourage innovation. The applicant addresses how the project will engage or obtain support from relevant stakeholders and/or identifies local partners. Project logic is sound showing plausible pathways to achieve project outcomes. Key assumptions and risks have been identified and their potential influences described. 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.

Detailed Budget & Budget Narrative – 15 points: The budget justification is detailed, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.