CSO Combatting Economic Coercion and Corrupt Practices in the Pacific NOFO (2).docx

CSO NOFO Template Updated - April 2024

United States Department of State Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Combatting Economic Coercion and Corrupt Practices in the Pacific Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0014329

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY OVERVIEW

Solicitation Type: Open Competition Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Application Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on June 27, 2024 Total Funding Floor (if applicable): $443,925 Total Funding Ceiling: $443,925 Cost Sharing: Not Required Anticipated Number of Awards: 1 Period of Performance: 24 months Estimated Start Date: October 1, 2024 Estimated End Date: September 30, 2026 Question Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2024

Eligibility Category: Eligibility Applicants: U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without 501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code; foreign-based non-profit organizations/non-government organizations (NGO); Public International Organizations; Foreign Public Organizations; U.S.-based private, public, or state institutions of higher education; foreign-based institutions of higher education, and U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses.

Type of Applicant: Organizations only.

Number of Applications: One (1) per applicant organization [NOTE: Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, only one organization must be designated as the lead applicant. The lead applicant must meet the eligibility criteria listed above.]

Electronic Requirement: Yes. All applications must be submitted through MyGrants or grants.gov. E-mailed or faxed proposal packages will not be considered.

Submission of Applications: For more information, see the instructions listed below.

CSO Point of Contact: Shannon Rafferty, RaffertySM@state.gov

This funding opportunity is posted on grants.gov or MyGrants and may be amended. Answers to questions from potential applicants will be posted as an attachment to this NOFO. Applicants should regularly check the websites for the most recent information pertaining to this NOFO. Department of State bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with electronic submissions Incomplete application packages will not be considered. E-mailed, faxed, or mailed documents will NOT be considered.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package has been received in grants.gov or MyGrants in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Individual e-mailed or faxed documents will not be considered.

Other Submission Requirements

All application submissions must be made electronically via www.grants.gov or MyGrants. Both systems require registration by the applying organization. Please note that the Grants.gov registration process can take ten (10) business days or longer, even if all registration steps are completed in a timely manner.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that it has an active registration in MyGrants. Applicants are required to document that the application has been received by grants.gov or MyGrants in its entirety. CSO bears no responsibility for disqualification that result from applicants not being registered before the due date, for system errors in either MyGrants or Grants.gov, or other errors in the application process. Additionally, applicants must save a screen shot of the checklist showing all documents submitted in case any document fails to upload successfully.

Faxed, couriered, or emailed 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.

CSO encourages organizations to submit applications during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)). If an applicant experiences technical difficulties and has contacted the appropriate helpdesk but is not receiving timely assistance (e.g. if you have not received a response within 48 hours of contacting the helpdesk), you may contact the CSO’s point of contact listed in the NOFO in Section G. The point of contact may assist in contacting the appropriate helpdesk.

Note: The Grants Officer will determine technical eligibility of all applications.

The decision for the final eligibility and award determination rests with the Grants Officer.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) is charged with leading the formulation and implementation of U.S. conflict prevention and stabilization strategies, policies, and programs. It provides the secretariat for the U.S. government’s (USG) multi-agency Atrocity Prevention Task Force and is the lead implementer of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability. CSO houses the Department’s Negotiations Support Unit, which advises U.S. diplomats and other officials on resolving some of the thorniest and most intractable international disputes. CSO’s efforts to reduce fragility, strengthen democratic institutions, and increase social cohesion with and within priority partner countries directly advance U.S. foreign policy objectives.

CSO announces an open source competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for programs addressing the following challenge of combatting economic coercion and corrupt practices by regional powers in the Pacific Islands.

Pending availability of funds and satisfactory performance, including compliance with the award’s terms and conditions, CSO may consider adding funds to the award. CSO intends to support one (1) award because of this NOFO.

The State Department reserves the right to fund any or none of the proposals submitted and reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase the budget in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. This notice is subject to the availability of funding.

The Federal award signed by the State Department Grants Officer is the only authorizing document.

This NOFO consists of the Overview and Executive Summary, plus the following sections:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY SYNOPSIS

The Department of State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) aims to support a program to empower Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to identify areas of possible economic coercion or corruption and create strategies to prevent foreign influence from negatively impacting their ability to make sovereign decisions and to build their resilience to such influence.

Certain regional powers use economic coercion and corruption to exert control over small PIC, which destabilizes those societies and reduces the ability of the United States to partner with them on shared strategic goals, including security, climate, and within multilateral forums. Regional powers have a history of aggressively leveraging economic ties to influence PIC behavior and policy decisions in ways that counter the long-term interests and sovereignty of those target countries. To counter this malign influence, the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy outlines the roadmap for ensuring a free, open, secure, and prosperous future for the region and its partners. As part of that strategy, the United States will work with partners to support PICs as they build their capacity and resilience as secure, independent actors. This aligns directly with the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy with its focus on long-term approaches to regional cooperation in several thematic areas including resource and economic development. This proposal seeks to focus in on partner countries in the PI region who are interested in further developing capacity to address key policy priorities.

CSO aims to support a program that will provide regional expertise, background topical research and advice on coordinating a regional or national tabletop exercise or exercises (TTX) for the PICs. (TTX is defined here as a structured strategic planning exercise that can include scenario-based planning and/or gaming.) The selected implementing partner will also develop strategic planning exercises on economic resilience and resistance measures for a TTX co-designed with potential government and/or non-government stakeholders to empower partner countries to identify areas of possible economic coercion or corruption and create strategies to prevent foreign influence from negatively impacting their ability to make sovereign decisions/build their resilience. Areas for preventing inroads could include, but are not limited to, interventions across the diplomatic, informational, military and economic spectrum, in domestic, bilateral and multilateral contexts. An exercise or exercises should help PIC partners develop potentially effective responses –individually or collectively—to combat malign influence such as economic coercion and corrupt practices.

The subject of the TTX should focus on countering an aspect of foreign coercion that Pacific Island nations themselves prioritize and on which they are willing to work toward Action Plans. TTX topics for consideration should give priority focus to coercive interventions that are potentially destabilizing including, but not limited to, respecting national sovereignty for: deep sea development, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), and/or countering malicious investment practices, as they align directly to 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy’s focus on resource and economic development. In exploring responses, exercise participants should consider how their response relates to the Revitalized 2023 Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration and could support its implementation, as appropriate.

Drawing on the alternatives identified and opportunities for resilience, this TTX program will empower Pacific partners to develop Action Plans to defend their sovereignty and economic interests. The implementing partner will create Action Plan templates that will identify measures to counter coercive policies, strategies, and activities in the selected PICs, such as, but not limited to, outside coercion or economic incentives that lead to PIC policy changes and increased outside leverage on important commercial industries. Such action plans may be domestic, bilateral, or multilateral, depending on the political will of countries in question and the types of actions required under the plans.

CSO seeks applications for one award to support implementation of well researched, regionally focused tabletop exercises and action plan development. A successful project will result in the creation of country specific action plans and policy recommendations as a direct outcome of the TTX(s). Applications that successfully budget for a well-designed and executed TTX or TTXs – and enable consultations ahead of the exercise and initial capacity building after the exercise, if required, to enable the PICs to develop effective action plans will be more competitive.

Proposals should also identify, if possible, ways in which any of the above thematic TTX areas could support other current or future regional economic development measures, including but not limited to policy changes, laws, regional working groups, and current programming. Proposals should also include a rigorous results monitoring and evaluation plan to demonstrate impact and tangible project outcomes.

· ILLUSTRATIVE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES

This program will be implemented over a 24-month period. Below are illustrative objectives and corresponding activities. Note: CSO would like to benefit from the applicant’s knowledge, experience, and creativity in determining how to meet the program’s goal and objectives.

The initial phase of the program will include consultations, assessment and analysis of the PI region to identify the appropriate area of focus for exercises and Action Plans to empower partners to counter PRC economic coercion and protect national sovereignty. It will also test the underlying assumptions of the program. The implementing partner should work to identify any regional champions or potential local partners from within the Pacific to support TTX implementation, preparation, and participation. The implementing partner will further refine the proposed strategic topics or identify other potential strategic topics. The implementer(s) will likely use the first quarter of the program to conduct the analysis. Based on these findings, activities may be revised. The implementer should integrate gender considerations within this assessment and analysis, consider local women or women-led organizations as potential partners, as well as explore challenges and barriers to women’s participation in the topics identified.

· Activities under the Initial Phase could include, but are not limited to:

· The selected implementing partner will provide regional specific knowledge, expertise, and baseline research on CSO’s proposed TTX topics. This regional analysis will determine which PI partners should be engaged in this round of TTX and based on regional needs and desires, identify what TTX topic should be presented to strengthen the capacity of governments and organizations to enhance their ability to collaborate and protect their sovereignty. Focus areas could include:

· Identifying key partners in the region.

· Further research into the suggested session topics, or identifying other opportunities for engagement, determining which subject matter would be considered a priority TTX topic by regional partners.

· Providing recommendations to CSO on which PI partners to include in the TTX activity, what TTX activities should be developed for successful policy and action plan outcomes, and refining recommendations based on CSO and other government stakeholder input.

· Developing options to determine when and where this tabletop exercise should be hosted to best accommodate PI partner capacity and interests.

· Determining needs, available resources, barriers, and opportunities related to the program.

· Current and evolving challenges and opportunities faced by governments, local and regional organizations, and other key actors relevant to the program, including those related to women’s meaningful participation in the TTX, and a mitigation plan to ensure successful TTX implementation. Attention should be given to challenges and opportunities advancing women’s meaningful participation in solutions for economic coercion challenges.

· Analysis of the nexus, if any, between the issue(s) to be addressed in the TTX(s) and Action Plans and conflict and instability in the region.

Objective 1: Strengthen national and regional government capacity, will and preparedness to identify and prevent foreign economic influence from negatively impacting ability to make sovereign decision.

Activities could include but are not limited to:

· Provide regional knowledge and expertise for the scope of this targeted TTX.

· Identify regional partners willing to engage with the U.S. on an economic TTX.

· Refine proposed related TTX exercises for what would be most beneficial to regional partners.

· Implement a well-attended TTX exercise between the selected regional partners and DOS/CSO subject matter experts as they align to the selected strategic topic.

NOTE: Participation of local women or women-led organizations should be fully encouraged and aim for at least 30 percent in any exercises. It should also mainly include participants from and within the Pacific who are best placed to discuss the issues most relevant to the region.

Objective 2: Empower stakeholders to strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks by developing draft action plans to identify measures to enhance participant resilience, and counter coercive policies, strategies, and activities as a direct result of the TTX exercise.

Activities could include but are not limited to:

· Create Action Plan templates for partner countries to use in development of their action plans.

· Identify relevant government and civil society stakeholders for national action plan development.

· Build capacity in national consultations, contingency planning or other skills needed to develop action plans, as needed, requested and appropriate.

· Policy Recommendations following the TTX implementation that will feed into the creation of action plans.

· GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS/POPULATIONS

· Target groups - The selected implementing partner will work closely with CSO , other bureaus in the Department of State, and U.S. Embassies located within the PICs to select Pacific stakeholders from diverse sectors, including but not limited to government, policy, and civil society to participate in a tabletop exercise that fosters discussion of key policy priorities outlined in the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy and other regional forums like the Pacific Partnerships for Prosperity, such as deep sea development, IIUUF, and malicious investment as potential catalysts for regional instability. The implementing partner should work to be inclusive in their thought leader selection, considering the needs of women, girls, and marginalized communities.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

· Women, Peace, and Security – Per the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017, the United States is committed to the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention, management, and resolution which is critical to the long-term stability of countries and regions. This includes promoting the physical safety of women and girls, collecting, and analyzing sex-disaggregated data for the purpose of developing and enhancing early warning systems for conflict and violence, and integrating the perspectives and interests of affected women into conflict-prevention activities and strategies. In addition, USG programs should improve outcomes in gender equality and the empowerment of women. This program must be implemented in a manner consistent with and complementary to existing USG strategies including but not limited to the upcoming Women, Peace, and Security Strategy 2023-2027.

· Other considerations – Access to medical care should be evaluated for any Pacific Island location. The region is subject to extreme weather events, including natural disasters, in addition to petty crime or potential political violence.

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

CSO expects to award one (1) cooperative agreement based on this NOFO and in an amount not to exceed the total ceiling amount of $443,925. The period of performance is 24 months with an anticipated start date in October 2024. CSO may extend the award up to 12-month(s) contingent on CSO priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approval, and funding availability.

The USG may: (a) reject any or all applications; (b) accept other than the lowest cost application; (c) accept more than one application; and (d) waive irregularities in applications received.

The USG may make award 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 (though it is under no obligation to do so), however, to enter discussions with one or more applicants to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the program description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

CSO anticipates awarding a cooperative agreement depending on the needs and risk factors of the program. The distinction between grants and cooperative agreements revolves around the existence of “substantial involvement.” Cooperative agreements require greater Federal government participation in the program. When a cooperative agreement is awarded, CSO will undertake reasonable and programmatically necessary substantial involvement. For example, CSO will work closely with successful applicants to advise on revisions to the theory-of-change (TOC), design, indicators, and data collection instruments, working to ensure an approach that benefits the wider conflict community. Additionally, CSO seeks to ensure that qualitative and quantitative information from the program is shared with CSO in ways that can feed into the broader analysis of conflict dynamics at subnational, national, and regional levels. As a result, CSO may work with the Recipient to develop a documentation and reporting plan that meets those needs.

Other examples of substantial involvement can include, but are not limited to:

· Active participation or collaboration with the recipient in the implementation of the award;

· Review and approval of one stage of work before another can begin;

· Review and approval of substantive provisions of proposed sub-awards or contracts beyond existing Federal policy; and

· Approval of the recipient’s budget or plan of work prior to the award.

(OPTIONAL Language) Due to political sensitivities in the Pacific Island region , including annual bilateral meetings with certain regional powers and a tense security situation as a result of deep sea mining postures any decisions to change the scope or purpose of activities in the statement of work, to bring in other organizations to assist with activities and to engage with media will be made in consultation with CSO, the relative U.S. Embassies, and with Host Nation authorities as appropriate. CSO also expects to assist with the development of in-country partners who would be interested and capable of continuing this effort beyond the duration of the cooperative agreement.

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

Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the USG . CSO reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase application budgets in accordance with program evaluation requirements. In the event of an award, CSO reserves the right to terminate the agreement in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions. Specifically, an award may be terminated if the Recipient is not meeting the objectives of the program or if the program no longer is consistent with the national security or foreign policy interest of the United States.

All applicants should be familiar with OMB Circular 2 CFR Part 200.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants CSO welcomes applications from U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or education institutions having a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS; commercial entities; for profit organizations; overseas non-governmental organizations; Foreign Public Entities and Public International Organizations (PIOs).

Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount more than 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.

Please see 2 CFR 200.307 for regulations regarding program income.

Cost Sharing or Matching The non-Federal share of costs, frequently called “cost share” or “matching costs”, refers to that portion of the program or program costs not borne by the Federal Government. This may include cash and third-party in-kind contributions. These costs must reflect the realistic capacity of the applicants and any third-party contributors.

Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility factor or requirement for this NOFO and providing cost share will not result in a more favorable competitive ranking. Per 2 CFR §200.306, items that are proposed for cost share must be allowable per 2 CFR §200, Subpart E—Costs Principles.

Voluntary cost-share: Should the applicant choose to contribute voluntary cost-share but does not meet the minimum amount of the voluntary cost-sharing stipulated in the applicant’s budget, DOS’ contribution may be reduced in proportion to the applicant’s contribution.

Other Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships local in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar programs.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Please contact the CSO point of contact listed in Section VII if requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or for security reasons. Please note that reasonable accommodations do not include deadline extensions.

Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for more information and complete instructions on how to apply to this NOFO, including information on proposal’s content and formatting. Please use both the PSI and the NOFO to ensure that the proposal submission is in full compliance with the requirements. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in the NOFO and PSI will NOT be considered.

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Content of Application Please ensure:

· The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity.

· All documents are in English, and all costs in U.S. dollars. If an original document within the application is in another language, an English translation must be provided (please note the 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.

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

· All documents are single-spaced, 14-point Calibri font, with 1-inch margins. Captions and footnotes may be 10-point Calibri font. Font sizes in charts and tables, including the budget, can be reformatted to fit within 1 page width.

Complete applications must include the following, where applicable:

1) Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B forms. (OPTIONAL but strongly encouraged for FPEs/PIOs).

2) Organizations that engage in lobbying the USG , 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).

PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

The Proposal Narrative must be single-spaced, 14-point Calibri font in Microsoft Word, with one-inch margins, and should not exceed fifteen (15) pages. Please note the 15-page limit does not include the Cover Page, Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Attachments, Detailed Budget, Budget Narrative, Audit, or NICRA. Applicants are encouraged to combine multiple documents into a single Word Document or PDF (i.e. Cover Page, Table of Contents, Executive Summary, and Proposal Narrative in one file). The applicant must organize the narrative into the following five components per the instructions:

Executive Summary (not included in the fifteen (15) page limit):

· A succinct one-page summary containing information that the applicant believes best represents its proposed program and includes: the name and contact information for the program’s main point of contact; the program’s goal and objectives; program’s approach and methodology; and program’s expected outcomes.

Approach and Methodology:

· Conflict/Context Analysis: Successful applications under this funding opportunity will describe an approach based on a context and conflict analysis that leads to a concrete program change hypothesis. In this section, please provide background on the conflict/context in which the proposed program will be operating.

· Program Goal and Objectives: In this section, please fully explain the program’s goal and objectives. The overarching goal statement should be visionary in nature, and outline what the overall activities and objectives should be building towards. It is important that the program goal aligns with (CSO/Department/USG) policy. The objectives of the program should describe where you expect to be by the end of your program. The objectives should be measurable, results-focused, and achievable in within the timeframe of the program.

· Activities: All activities should be clearly developed and sufficiently detailed to understand the resource and time requirements, and how they contribute to the objectives and goal. Please identify: target areas for activities; target participant groups or selection criteria for participants; how the program will engage relevant stakeholders, including women; and local partners as appropriate, among other pertinent details. If partners are included, the narrative should clearly describe the division of labor between the direct applicant and partners.

· Theory of Change: Provide a theory of change for your program that elaborates explicit causal connections between the program’s activities, key intermediate outcomes, objectives, and the long-term goal. Generally, this should involve a chain of “if…then…because…” statements, or something similar. The program theory of change should apply and contextualize any relevant general theory about how this type of intervention works, and how to avoid negative outcomes. It should specify any key assumptions about the context (including relevant gender dynamics), the program design, or companion interventions that are required for success. It should cogently establish that the activities can reasonably be expected to be sufficient in kind, amount and timing with the resources applied, in this context. In addition, briefly explain how the program theory of change interacts with the broader system of conflict interventions by the USG and others. A useful resource for guidance on developing theories of change is USAID’s Theories and Indicators of Change (THINC).

· Integration of Target Groups: It is likely that you will identify groups of individuals who will need special consideration as you develop your program. Please address how you will incorporate these target groups in your planned activities. These groups may include at-risk populations, such as women, ethnic and/or religious minorities, persons with disabilities, or youth.

Implementation Plan

· Resources, Key Steps and Timeline for Activities (including sequential logic): Describe the proposed activities and how they will achieve the objectives and goal of this program. In doing so, this section should demonstrate how the proposed activities build upon one another and are logically sequenced to achieve the desired outcomes, based on the proposed approach and methodology. The application must identify and address gaps in current responses to the conflict (as identified in the context and conflict analysis), including any gender dynamics that currently, or have the potential to, exacerbate or mitigate conflict. The applicant must submit an illustrative first year activity plan, which sets out a realistic outline of tasks and deliverables, anticipated time frames, challenges, opportunities and due dates, and persons responsible for achieving each task. This narrative description will be complemented by a Gantt chart in the Additional Attachments.

· Do No Harm: List any significant risks of harm to implementers, participants, beneficiaries or their communities, or of exacerbating conflict or creating new conflicts, which may result from this program. Based on your gender analysis, include specific risks to women and girls. Consider how resources or skills provided might be misused, create grievances among non-recipients, or cause key actors to react in harmful ways. Explain how these risks will be minimized.

· Local Engagement and Sustainability: Strong proposals will describe strategies to sustain the outcomes beyond CSO funding and contribute to building the capacity of communities to address their own concerns in the future. This might be done through sub-grants to local organizations, although that is not a requirement; capacity-building and sustainment can be achieved indirectly as well. This section must also demonstrate a clear understanding of the role that local organizations and institutions are playing or can play in conflict mitigation and peacebuilding. The conflict analysis and the program design should reflect local perspectives and explain how the program will engage with local partners, including women-led organizations, throughout its lifecycle. The proposal should describe how the applicant will work with local entities to build their organizational and technical capacities, and/or relationships to mitigate conflict. Applicants may submit signed Letters of Intent from organizations that will participate in the program. Letters of Intent should address the willingness of partner organizations to participate in the effort, and the understanding all parties have as to their unique roles and responsibilities in terms of the proposed program. In cases where an applicant (i.e., non-local) was not able to partner with a local organization or institution, does not consider it feasible to do so, or does not consider it in the program’s best interest, the applicant must clearly explain the rationale.

Institutional Capabilities and Past Performance

· Organization: Provide a description of the applicant organization – including its general purpose, goals, annual budget (including funding sources), and major past and current activities and programs undertaken.

· Relevant Programmatic and Thematic Experience: Applications should demonstrate the ability to develop and implement programs of the kind outlined in this proposal. Previous experience designing and implementing similar programs is highly desirable and should be detailed and documented in the application. Applicants should demonstrate how organizational resources, capabilities, and experience, and lessons learned from literature on this type of endeavor, will enable the applicant to achieve the grant’s stated objectives.

· Regional/Country Experience: Applicants should specify relevant experience gethe country(ies) identified in the proposal, or in similar situations in other countries. Applicants should be able to legally operate in the country where they propose to work. Identify in-country partners; the successful applicant will already have in place at least one partnership with regional institutions and/or organizations. Specify the expertise that each partner brings.

· Key Program Staff: Applications should highlight key staff, their positions, percentage of time devoted to this program, and management structure for the program. The resumes of key staff should highlight relevant educational and field experience and be included as an appendix (see additional attachments below). The person(s) principally responsible for M&E design and technical oversight should be included. The resumes should be no more than two pages and should all follow a consistent format. The applicant should also clarify roles for local partners and staff.

Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:

· CSO considers monitoring to be essential for responsible program management. Successful applicants will submit a draft monitoring plan within 30 days of award notification. After CSO review, a final monitoring plan must be submitted within 30 days of the award notification.

· For the purposes of the application, please submit a notional logic model/PMP (use template provided). This must include notional indicators at each of the following levels: objective, intermediate outcome, and output. Provide an explanation if data will not be disaggregated by sex. The applicant must also include at least two notional F Standard Indicators.

· In the narrative, please describe how any risks of harm listed above will be monitored. In addition, use this section to describe the applicant’s approach to monitoring and evaluation and why this approach is appropriate for this program and context. This may include the type of data you may collect (qualitative and/or quantitative). If possible, include applicable State Department standard gender indicators (see attachment). Describe the timing of data collection and analysis and how this information will inform midstream program management decision-making.

· Please describe the resources needed to implement your M&E plan and address these in your budget. In most cases, CSO will fund program evaluations separately. If you want to propose including specific monitoring and evaluation activities in the program budget (outside of monitoring, which is required), please specify whether you are requesting funds for a baseline, mid-term and/or final evaluation. Additionally, please elaborate on the type of evaluation (quasi-experimental, developmental, outcome harvesting, process tracing, etc.).

ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS AND BUDGET COMPONENTS

Additional attachments listed below, budget components, and the SF-424s are not part of the proposal narrative and do not count as part of the 15-page limit for the proposal narrative.

Additional Attachments:

· Logic Model/PMP: The logic model/PMP should include theories of change; goal and objectives; activities; output and outcome indicators; data collection tools; key definitions and risks and assumptions.

· Timeline: The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities, evaluation efforts, and program closeout (not to exceed one [1] page). Please use the GANTT chart template provided.

· Key Personnel: Please include CVs of key personnel that highlight relevant professional experience (not to exceed two [2] pages each).

· Past Performance References (minimum of 3): When past performance information is present, applicants shall furnish award numbers and other details with contact information for no more than three similar programs funded over the past three years by the State Department, or any other government entity or third-party source. The details shall include the following: name of the organization or agency which funded the program(s), award number, point of contact’s name, mailing address, email address and phone number, and the overall dollar value of the program. The applicant must include information on any problems encountered, and the applicant’s corrective action(s). Applicants must not provide general information on their performance. Applicants may describe any quality awards or certificates that indicate exceptional capacity to conduct the program described in this NOFO. Please use the PPR template provided.

· Data Collection and Reporting Plan: Describe how you will collect and share both qualitative and quantitative information from various sources, through your research, activities, and or monitoring efforts. [This is particularly necessary for research and analysis programs but may be relevant for other programs as well. See the attached guidance on data collection and reporting.]

· Gender Analysis of Conflict (GAOC): Proposals must also include a gender analysis of conflict to assess how activities will affect and be affected by the gendered structures, gender norms, and power relations in economic drivers in the Pacific Islands. This should go beyond simply disaggregating data or assessing the gendered impacts of conflict to provide a comprehensive understanding of institutional practices, cultural norms, gender roles, access to and control over assets and resources, and patterns of decision-making in peace and security. The gender analysis of conflict should address how gender norms interact with other factors to drive or mitigate conflict, the differential impact of conflict on women and men, and an understanding of the roles of women and men in conflict and peacebuilding. Refer to the CSO Gender Analysis of Conflict template for sample questions. The findings of the gender analysis of conflict should be reflected in program design, implementation, and evaluation. It is encouraged to take an intersectional and/or gender-responsive approach.

· Additional consideration should be given to how the program will contribute towards gender equality, human rights, and women’s empowerment, or how it will affect root causes of gender exclusion, discrimination, and inequality. A gender-responsive approach entails a program design that is inclusive, participatory, and respectful of all stakeholders, especially in ensuring that women’s meaningful participation is prevalent throughout the program and evaluation, and addressing potential barriers to participation.

· Additional consideration should be given to how the program will consider the unique needs of women in all their diversity, including ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, veterans, youth, and sexual and gender minorities, as well the role of militarized masculinities.

· Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI): All applicants must provide a robust explanation of their gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) capacity, past performance, and intentions for this program. USG partners are responsible for ensuring that comprehensive protection measures are in place for preventing and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse of persons of concern and that allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by Recipient staff are reported to CSO in a timely manner. Applicants should submit copies of any organization-wide policies and procedures on Do No Harm and PSEA, or explain how the applicant organization plans to develop such policies. If not already explained in its policies and procedures, the Applicant must outline in its proposal how it will work with any sub-grantees to develop and apply PSEA policies and procedures over the course of the program.

· Racial Equity and Underserved Communities Analysis: In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals must demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal must 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 programs’ 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.

A Racial Equity and Underserved Community Analysis, (not to exceed two (2) pages, preferably as a Word document) helps consider the different ways in which activities might impact and be impacted by the community, country, and region where activities take place. Programs should seek strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veteran’s status. Below is an illustrative list of questions to help with the gender and inclusion analysis. Recipients are NOT REQUIRED to respond to every question or duplicate this chart in their proposal. Findings from the applicants’ analysis should be accounted for at the design phase and integrated throughout proposal documents, as appropriate.

people with whom you want to work?

What do local equality groups think about the work?

Have they flagged any potential concerns or unintended consequences? Who would benefit from or be burdened by your proposal? Is anyone better off?

Budget Documents:

· Detailed Line-Item Budget: Entities and organizations not recognized as FPEs or PIOs are required to submit detailed budget information according to the OMB cost categories (see SF-424A as an example). Budget expenses should be submitted preferably as one Excel workbook and include three (3) columns describing the request to BUREAU, any required or voluntary cost sharing, and the total budget. Costs must be in whole U.S. dollars. The attached “Budget Guidance Template for Multi-Year Awards (FY24)” is the preferred format for submission. Detailed line-item budgets for sub-grantees should be included as additional tabs within the Excel workbook (if available at the time of submission). Note: Applicants are welcome to delete columns associated with multiple years if submitting a proposal that will only extend to one year. Alternatively, applicants are welcome to add columns for additional years.

· Budget Narrative: Entities and organizations not recognized as FPEs or PIOs are required to submit narrative information as a Word document, that explain the methodology considerations for each specific line identified in the Excel document. The budget narrative should support the activities described in the proposal and provide additional information that might not be readily apparent in the detailed line-item budget. Do 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 sub-awards, please include a separate budget narrative for each sub-award budget. Provide details on the purpose of costs, reasonability of costs, cost price analysis, allocation methodology, explain any yearly variances in unit prices, and tie expenses to program activities and/or objectives where appropriate. Information should describe prices used when costs have been averaged for the purposes of the calculation; when or if there is a reduction in a typical cost due to leveraging other resources; when costs are inflated due to specific considerations; or when untypical costs are included due to special circumstances. Provide information on considerations such as translations, multi-media approaches as also described in the proposal narrative, procurement by local vendors or the need to import due to unavailability, specific needs of different audiences, costs related to country limitations, etc.

NOTE: Refer to the Excel Budget Template for guidance on compiling a budget and associated budget narrative.

· Budget Documents for Foreign Public Entities/Public International Organizations: Entities and organizations recognized as FPEs or PIOs are not required to submit detailed budget information according to the OMB cost categories. (1) A detailed budget, preferably as an excel document broken down by activity may be provided instead. Costs must be in U.S. dollars. (2) A budget narrative, preferably as an Excel workbook, an activity based detailed budget with information identifying lines associated with labor (inclusive of contractual or consultancy staff), participant support costs, travel, and other activity related expenses as appropriate for each activity identified. While 2 CFR 200, Subpart E—Costs Principles does not apply to FPEs and PIOs, it should be used as a guide to assist in determining reasonableness. Budget narrative information, preferably as a Word document, should explain the methodology considerations for each activity and other cost considerations or special circumstances that are helpful in determining reasonableness.

· Cost-effectiveness: The Department of State must determine that the costs paid for this award are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed program activities.