CPAIG-Tirana-FY25-NOFO.docx

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs U.S. Embassy to Tirana, Albania Notice of Funding Opportunity

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Executive Summary

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce that we are now accepting project proposals for the 2024 the Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grant (CPAIG) program. The CPAIG is one of many ways that we partner with Albania to support the implementation of cultural property agreement between the Government of the United States and Government of Albania.

The application process is divided into two rounds: the first streamlined round will collect project ideas from applicants in the form of concept notes, due December 31, 2024. In Round 2, the Embassy will invite selected Round 1 applicants with promising ideas to submit full project applications, due March 30, 2025.

Eligible Countries: Albania

CPAIG PROGRAM INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES:

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: The CPAIG Grants Program supports projects that contribute to the implementation of provisions in the emergency determinations or the cultural property agreements between the United States and the foreign government.

Texts of the agreements are available on the Cultural Heritage Website: https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-property/current-agreements-and-import-restrictions. Projects should address clear needs in the country or region and support U.S. foreign policy objectives.

FUNDING AREAS: The CPAIG Grants Program supports the following types of activities:

· Training: Build capacity of foreign law enforcement and cultural property managers to protect sites and objects. Examples include country-specific or regional workshops on investigation and interdiction techniques, effective record keeping, the role of the judiciary, increased communication between ministries of culture and law enforcement authorities, and training for cultural property stewards.

· Inventories: Support the creation and maintenance of centralized, digital, and secure inventories of cultural objects or sites to better support resource allocation, aid in recovery in cases of theft, and promote public appreciation for cultural property protection.

· Site Security and Protection: Support practical and sustainable measures to more effectively secure archaeological sites (on land or underwater), museums, libraries, archives, and other collecting institutions against looting, thefts, and vandalism. Examples include development of site security plans, installation of security systems, and training for guards or site stewards.

· Public Education and Outreach for Crime Prevention: Support strategies to prevent looting and trafficking through heightened public awareness and outreach. Examples include educational materials, community engagement and media programs, storytelling, distance learning courses, 3D models, and virtual experiences like games and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR).

Successful CPAIG projects shall adhere to international standards for the protection of cultural property and focus on fostering cooperation, building best practices, and engaging communities through one or more of the above activities.

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS: CPAIG does not support the following activities or costs, and applications involving any of the activities or costs below will be deemed ineligible:

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of Performance Period: 12-60 months

Number of Awards Anticipated: TBD

Award Amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $150,000 Type of Funding: FY25 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Funding Instrument Types: Grant, Cooperative Agreement

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects must be completed in 60 months or less. The Department of State will consider applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the project, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

A. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible to apply:

· Foreign Institution of Higher Education

· Foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO)

· U.S. Non-Profit Organization (IRC section 501(c)(3))

· U.S. Institution of Higher Education

The CPAIG will not award grants to individuals, commercial entities, or past award recipients that have not fulfilled the objectives or reporting requirements of previous awards.

Cost Sharing or Matching: There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost participation required for this competition. When an applicant offers cost sharing, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its application and later included in an approved agreement. The applicant will be responsible for tracking and reporting on any cost share or outside funding, which is subject to audit per 2 CFR

200. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs.

Eligible Project Implementers: The CHC defines eligible project implementers as reputable and accountable non-commercial entities that demonstrate they have the capacity to manage projects to protect cultural property Eligible implementers may include non-governmental organizations, museums, educational institutions, ministries of culture, or similar institutions and organizations, including U.S.-based educational institutions and organizations subject to Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. The CPAIG will not award grants to individuals, commercial entities, or past award recipients that have not fulfilled the objectives or reporting requirements of previous awards.

Other Eligibility Requirements: All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Address to Request Application Package: The mandatory application forms listed below are available on the U.S. Embassy website: https://al.usembassy.gov/, and on Grants.gov.

Content and Form of Application Submission: Please follow all instructions below carefully. For this program, applicants first submit concept notes to CultureandEducationTirana@state.gov and, if the concept notes are approved, then full applications. Applications that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Concept notes must be submitted by December 31, 2024, 11:59pm CET Content of Application:

Applicants must ensure:

a) The concept notes and applications clearly address the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity.

b) The project budget is in U.S. dollars.

c) The concept note, application, and the budget are written and submitted in English.

Concept Notes: (Note: The list includes items required by 2 CFR 200 and State Department federal assistance regulations):

The concept note should include the following information:

· Project basics, including title, project dates, location, and site

· Project applicant information, including contact information, DUNS Number, and SAM registration status

· Project location and Special designations (national monument, World Heritage Site, etc.)

· Scope of Work (preservation goals and activities for achieving them and any broader host country or community goals and activities for achieving them)

· Project Participant Information (key project participants and bios)

· Statement of importance highlighting the historic, architectural, artistic, or cultural (nonreligious) values of the site or collection

· Statement of urgency indicating the severity of the situation and explaining why the project must take place now

· Max of ten (10) high quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the site or collection and show the urgency or need for the proposed project (collapsing walls, water damage, etc.)

Applications:

Round 2 Full Application Requirements (Deadline: March 30, 2025):

The Embassy will notify applicants of the Round 1 results by mid-February and will invite a subset of applicants to submit full applications no later than March 30, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CET. The applications must fully satisfy the program objectives, funding areas and priorities, and eligibility requirements. See application form for requirements of Round 2.)

1. Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), proposal date, project title, proposed project beginning and end dates, amount of funds requested, and a brief scope of work.

2. Proposal: The proposal should contain sufficient information so that anyone not familiar with the subject of the proposed project would understand exactly what the applicant intends to do.

· Project Applicant Information, including contact information.

· Project Location (project must be located within one of the eligible countries listed in Section A).

· Project Activities Description and Timeframe that present the project tasks in chronological order and list the major milestones with target dates for achieving them.

· Statement of Importance highlighting the historical, architectural, artistic, or cultural (non-religious) values of the cultural heritage.

· Proof of Official Permission to undertake the project from the office, agency, or organization that either owns or is otherwise responsible for the protection of the cultural property.

· Implementer Public Outreach Plan describing how the implementing partner will build awareness and engage communities and stakeholders. Awareness-building activities typically include social media posts, ribbon cutting events, and news stories. Community and stakeholder engagement activities may include community-led or community-produced workshops, short videos, documentary films, oral histories, storytelling, interpretive exhibits, and educational or enrichment events tailored for specific audiences, such as young people.

· Maintenance Plan outlining the steps or measures that will be taken to maintain the site, collection, or system in good condition after the CPAIG-supported project is complete.

· Data and Media Access Plan outlining how the implementing partner will share, as appropriate, data and media generated from the project with the public and the Department of State.

· Résumés or CVs of the proposed project director and key project participants.

· Detailed Project Budget, demarcated in one-year budget periods (2024, 2025, 2026, etc.), that lists all costs in separate categories (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel [including Per Diem], Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Other Direct Costs, Indirect Costs); indicates funds from other sources; and gives a justification for any anticipated international travel costs

· Budget Narrative explaining how the costs were estimated (quantity x unit cost, annual salary x percentage of time spent on project, etc.) and any large budget line items.

· Relevant Supporting Documentation including, at a minimum and required, five (5) high quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the cultural property and show the urgency or need for the proposed project.

· Single Audit or recent independent financial audit (if applicable)

Note: Audits are required of U.S. organizations that expend over $750,000 in federal funds per fiscal year and of foreign organizations that expend over $750,000 of Department of State funds per fiscal year.

· The following required forms (available on Grants.gov):

· SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)

· SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

· SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) Additionally, if applicable and available:

· PDF of your most recent Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) if your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget.

Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. 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. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO.

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

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 in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

· 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 prior to registering in SAM.gov.

· Organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain an NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

NCAGE Code Request Tool (nato.int)

Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

All organizations applying for grants must obtain a SAM.gov registration, which is free of charge. To register in SAM.gov, go to: https://www.sam.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

Funding Restrictions:

CPAIG does not support the following activities or costs, and applications involving any of the activities or costs below will be deemed ineligible:

· Protection or purchase of privately or commercially owned cultural objects, collections, or real property, including those whose transfer from private or commercial to public ownership is envisioned, planned, or in process but not complete at the time of application.

· Construction of new buildings, building additions, or permanent coverings (over archaeological sites, for example).

· Relocation of cultural sites from one physical location to another.

· Removal of cultural objects or elements of cultural sites from the country for any reason.

· Contingency, unforeseen, or miscellaneous costs or fees.

· Costs of work performed prior to announcement of the award unless allowable per 2 CFR 200.458 and approved by the Grants Officer.

· International travel, except in cases where travel is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed project or to provide project leaders with learning and exchange opportunities with cultural property experts.

· Individual projects costing less than US $25,000 or more than US $150,000.

· Independent U.S. projects overseas.

· Repatriation of cultural property from the United States to another country unless part of a larger, clearly defined protection, documentation, or public diplomacy effort

Funding Restrictions (other)

· Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

· None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by e-mail to CultureandEducationTirana@state.gov.

Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

Risk Review

i. Risk factors Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

a. Financial stability

b. Management systems and standards

c. History of performance

d. Audit reports and findings

e. Ability to effectively implement requirements

ii. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov

The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

An applicant can review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 CFR 200.206, the Department will consider any comments by the applicant, along with information available in the responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov.

Award Notices

The award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the recipient for review and counter-signature. The recipient may only start incurring project expenses beginning on the start date shown on the award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Unsuccessful applicants: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email no later than January 25, 2025

Payment Method: Payments will be made in at least two installments, as needed to carry out the program activities.

Recipients will be required to request payments by completing form SF-270—Request for Advance or Reimbursement and submitting the form to the Grants Officer.

Post-Award Requirements and Administration

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

These include:

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

· Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:

· Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),

· Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),

· Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and

· Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

· 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

· 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

· 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

· 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

· 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

· 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

· U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants.

The support of underserved communities will be part of the review criteria for this opportunity. Therefore, proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

Reporting Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify what reports are required and how often these reports must be submitted.

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation. In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

Other Information

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $10,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $10,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.1.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

DISCLAIMER: Issuance of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the CPAIG program or the U.S. government. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs reserves the right to waive program formalities and to reduce, revise, or increase application budgets and award amounts in accordance with the needs of the CPAIG program and the availability of FY 2025 funds.