DFOP0017450 Impeding CCP in AF critical Minerals.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Impeding Chinese Communist Party Domination in AF Critical Minerals

Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Department of State

Opportunity number: DFOP0017450

Application deadline: August 18, 2025, 23:59:59 EST

Contents

A. Basic Information

B. Eligibility

C. Program Description

D. Application Contents and Format

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

F. Application Review Information

G. Award Notices

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

I. Other Information

U.S Department of State

Arms Control and Nonproliferation Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

Funding Opportunity Title Impeding CCP Domination in AF Critical Minerals

Funding Opportunity Number

DFOP0017450

Announcement Type Initial announcement

Deadline for Applications August 18, 2025, 23:59:59 EST

Assistance Listing Number 19.901

Length of performance period

24 months

Number of awards anticipated

1 award (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts Not to exceed of $1,479,750

Total available funding $1,479,750 pending availability of funds

Type of Funding FY24/25 Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR)

Anticipated project start date

10/01/2025

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 24 months or less.

This notice is subject to availability of funding. The Department of State reserves the right to (a) fund any or none of the applications received; (b) reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase the budget in accordance with bureau priorities.

2. Executive Summary

Priority Region: Africa: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Executive Summary

China's investments in mining and infrastructure in Africa, often accompanied by corruption and illicit practices, undermine U.S. influence in the region. The opaque operations of China-funded companies, spanning multiple countries, complicate efforts to expose and counter their activities. This project aims to map China's mining and supply chains, revealing their scope, dual-use applications, and proliferation risks. It will also identify actions the U.S.

government can take to curb China's exploitation of critical minerals while enhancing access for U.S. businesses.

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants

The following U.S. or foreign organizations are eligible to apply:

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

• Public and private educational institutions

• For-profit organizations (only if allowed by appropriation - not for PD funds) 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 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. Please see 2 CFR 200.307 for regulations regarding program income. For-profit recipients who do not have a formally established overhead or G&A rate should allocate indirect costs into the appropriate direct cost categories.

• Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

The non-Federal share of costs, frequently called “cost share” or “matching costs”, refers to that portion of the project 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, in the event the applicant 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.

3. 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.

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.

C. Program Description

1. Goals and Objectives

Across Africa, China funds key infrastructure and critical mining projects, which include embedded corruption payments that provide China with placement and access across the government, private sector, security forces, and most critical infrastructures. This influence creates strong protectionism of its projects across the continent, allowing for illicit exports, and leaves the U.S. Government, U.S. businesses, and host countries at a sizable disadvantage, limiting diplomatic and security engagements, blocking private investments and market access, and obstructing U.S. companies access to critical resources, including strategic minerals for industry and defense. The U.S. needs a better understanding of how these networks operate, in order to be able to develop comprehensive and effective responses. Network analysis and mapping of China’s key mining operations and their associated illegal activities will equip U.S. Government with actionable steps to counter mining operations and provide U.S. companies better access to do business in the region. Mapped countries will include: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

By delivering granular data about mining networks and proliferations risks in the mining-transit-delivery networks, we can better understand the scope of

China’s corruption and abuses and will be able to take corrective action to prevent illicit mining and transfers of materials by Chinese-affiliated operators. Deliverables include:

• Findings on the key networks, abuses, and proliferation and illicit activities and influences by Chinese-sponsored actors; delivery of regional findings, detailing the complete networks in each country and region, with attention to dual-use and other proliferation risks.

• Mapping of Chinese-sponsored companies, routes, and transportation-logistics routes within the eight targeted counties, to include satellite imagery, corporate records, etc.

• Clear, specific, and actionable activities to (1) prevent China‘s abuses and proliferation activities in these domains; (2) incentivize host nations to implement interventions; (3) compete with China’s influence and access; and (4) promote USG access to supply chains that are essential to national security.

This project will make America more prosperous by providing American businesses access to critical supply chains in Africa, while simultaneously denying China access to those very supply chains and commodities. Critical minerals are key materials for developing emerging technologies essential to

U.S. national security and economic prosperity. This project makes America safer by highlighting ways to limit China’s access to critical minerals and rare earths which can be used for dual use purposes. China’s current mining activities in Africa destabilize an already unstable region, creating safety concerns for Americans and American businesses.

Indicators

Short-term indicators tracked during this program’s period of performance will include documented illegal mining activities, illicit transportation, and corruption violations, and host-nation publications or investigations based on them (to include government, community, NGO, IGO, and academic sources); associated host-nation fines and other penalties on China-sponsored companies; and the number of audits and investigations conducted by host-nation mining ministry, security, or other government agencies, and the willingness to receive training. Additional indicators will also be added during quarterly reports, following mapping and analysis findings. Beginning with Year 2, with input and findings from Year 1 of the program, indicators will be added, as needed, to specifically monitor and support DOS, interagency, and host nation activities to achieve these objectives and outcomes. Mapped countries should include: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Projected deliverables:

• 70 percent of country mapping analyses of Chinese mining operations and associated diplomatic and facilitation elements are compiled by the end of Year 1; by month 18, 100 percent of all country analyses are completed, to include ultra-granular case studies of the top mine-transportation-exportation routes and facilitation networks.

• Four of the eight (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) mapped countries in Year 1 have produced actionable information for host-nation and USG interagency activities, with recommended plans delivered for each country. In Year 2, all eight countries have produced actionable information for activities, with recommended plans of action delivered for each country.

• Monthly deliverable on key findings and potential interventions, mitigations, or investigation avenues shared with the interagency and host nations. The monthly reporting will also include reporting on engagements with host-nations for information sharing, including reports on receptivity from host nations.

ACN/ECC Goals and Objective(s)

X Goal 2: PREVENT Proliferation – Reduce adversary ability to divert sensitive goods and technologies by improving licensing capabilities, strengthening identification and targeting of proliferation networks, and improving enforcement consequences for non-compliance. Projects under this Strategic

Objective develop government and industry technical licensing, regulatory, enforcement, and compliance capabilities to identify and act on proliferation/diversion-related activities.

X Strategic Objective 2.3 – Risk Analysis and Targeting: Inform partner licensing decisions and enable data-driven, risk-based approaches to analysis, targeting, investigations, and compliance by providing the technical skills, techniques, and tools to identify proliferation-related transactions and entities.

ACN/ECC Maturity Model

Strengthen Strategic Trade Management Capacity within EXBS Partner Countries.

National Capability: Laws and Regulations

X Export Control

X Re-Export Control

X End-User/Catch-All Control

X Transshipment Control

X Transit Control

National Capability: Licensing

X Licensing Process

X End User Analysis

X Denials

National Capability: Strategic Trade Controls Enforcement

X Risk Management

X Inspection/Detention

X Targeting

X Investigation

ACN ECC Goal and Objective

Raise threat awareness and implement foundational STC capabilities in key locations for high-priority U.S. economic and security interests to impede China’s inroads in tech/infrastructure/resource sectors.

Capability: Impede China’s illicit operations in targeted region through accurate and informed actions by USG and host nations.

X Country mapping analyses detailing mining operations and associated diplomatic and other actions meant to exert influence elements are completed.

X Country-level responses are developed that detail specific changes to existing or implementing new STC regulations and recommendations for licensing requirements for critical minerals and mining equipment, cargo inspection and targeting, and STC enforcement actions.

X Recommendations are delivered to host governments, where appropriate, and raises awareness of supply chain vulnerabilities due to China’s illicit mining and transfer networks.

D. Application Contents and Format

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet all 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

• All budgets are in U.S. dollars and must not include cents.

• All pages are numbered

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

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 15-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at

$1,479,750.

• Detailed Budget (Excel) found at MyGrants under Information for the

Applicant

• All SF forms can be found at: SF-424 Family

2. Summary Page (optional)

Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

3. Proposal (15 pages maximum)

The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

• Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

• Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the State Department and/or U.S. government agencies.

• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed

• Project Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

• Project Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

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

Include a logic model as appropriate.

• Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

• Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?

• Project Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.

• Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?

• Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

4. Risk Assessment

Proposals must include a risk assessment and a plan for monitoring and mitigating the risks identified. Risks to project implementation may include a variety of political, environmental, and other factors. A few examples include outbreak of violent conflict, elections that change government partners, cybersecurity / hacking, misuse of personally identifiable information (PII), and diversion of financial or non-financial support to prohibited parties (terrorist financing). The assessment should also identify risks to staff, implementers, participants, beneficiaries, or their communities. Besides political and environmental factors, risks may include online or in-person potential physical, social, psychological, economic, and/or reputational backlash to beneficiaries as a result of their participation. The proposal should include a participatory needs assessment and explain how its implementers will engage with local actors throughout its lifecycle. Strong proposals will also describe strategies to sustain the activities beyond ACN/ECC funding, or alternatively, how applicants will co-design a responsible exit strategy with local partners and in consultation with beneficiaries.

5. Scope of Work (SOW)

Separate from the proposal but part of the application, not to exceed two-pages Word document (includes all proposed program components and links each of these to the specific goal(s) it addresses. This document is not a narrative. It must be in outline form and capture all proposed work to be funded by this project. This includes each proposed program component with a brief statement that links each component to the corresponding goal it supports. SOWs that contain quantitative estimates of expected outputs, outcomes and indicators of success for each component will be considered more competitive.

6. Budget Justification Narrative

After filling out the Detailed Budget use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section I. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

7. Attachments

Attachments must adhere to the following guidelines and attachment order.

File names must only include the document type, NOFO number, and line of effort number (if applicable), and not exceed 49 characters (including spaces). Example – Table of Contents_#####_LOE1. The attachment order follows:

• Attachment A – Table of Contents

• Attachment B – Required SF Forms

• Attachment C – Proposal Narrative

• Attachment D – Risk Assessment

• Attachment E – Scope of Work

• Attachment F – Detailed Budget (Excel)

• Attachment G – Budget Narrative (Word)

• Attachment H – NICRA (if applicable)

• Attachment I – A-133 audit (if applicable)

• Other Supporting Documents

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package

Applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply on grants.gov and MyGrants under the announcement title “Impeding

CCP Domination in AF Critical Minerals,” funding opportunity number

“DFOP0017450.” Please contact ECC_Grants@state.gov if requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or for security reasons. Please note that reasonable accommodations do not include deadline extensions.

2. Department of State Contacts

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact:

ECC_Grants@state.gov. Questions are due on July 30, 2025, and answers will be posted in MyGrants no later than August 1, 2025, to answer questions from all potential applicants.

3. 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 at the time of application submission. 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.

http://www.grants.gov/ https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/mygrants mailto:ECC_Grants@state.gov mailto:ECC_Grants@state.gov

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.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2Fgsafsd_sp%3Fid%3Dgsafsd_kb_articles%26sys_id%3Dc81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W2ShcazZBQbanYGj0cLOTnUJwv%2BGL4xfwr83%2BycQY2E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t32ANWzgpiB93pMWoq%2BFCSHz4YJY9QF1S1iQzCsS6RM%3D&reserved=0

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.

4. Audits

Include a copy of your organization’s most recent audit (single or program audit if applicable), an annual external audit or audited financial statements when an audit has not been conducted. Please refer to the 2 CFR 200 for requirements. The applicant’s proposal may include the cost of an audit that:

• Complies with the requirements of 2 CFR 200 Subpart F “Audit Requirements” https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feportal.nspa.nato.int%2FAC135Public%2Fscage%2FCageList.aspx&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=v3TLT8F%2FNfk5SuTcI2zw7SMhV4HK542OhP9XDx4ln%2BY%3D&reserved=0 https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110

• Complies with the requirements of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) No. 92-9, “Audits of Not-for-Profit Organizations Receiving Federal Awards.”

• Complies with AICPA Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards AU Section 551, “Reporting on Information Accompanying the Basic Financial Statements in Auditor-Submitted Documents,” where applicable. A non-federal entity that expends $1,000,000 or more in all USG federal assistance awards during the non-federal entity's fiscal year is required to conduct a single or program-specific audit for that year in accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200 subpart F. For more information, see Audit Services, 2 CFR 200.425.

5. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than August 18, 2025, 23:59:59 EST

6. Funding Restrictions

i. 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).

ii. Certification Regarding Compliance with applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws

If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

1. Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;

2. It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

iii. iii. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C. 1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements:

Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs:

1) Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds.

7. Other Submission Requirements

Applications must be submitted electronically through MyGrants

F. Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 30 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 20 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/mygrants

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Budget – 15 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.

Monitoring and evaluation plan – 10 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.

Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

2. Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

3. 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

f. If there are any program specific risk factors that will be considered, describe them here.

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.

G. Award Notices

The grant 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 after the official kick-off of the grant. The kick-off will be scheduled in coordination with the assigned Grants Officer Representative, and attended by the Grants team with the optional attendance of 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 October 2025 via email.

Payment Method:

Payments under this award will be made through the U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services (HHS) Payment Management System (PMS) or by completing form SF-270—Request for Advance or Reimbursement and submitting the form. Final determination will be made in conjunction with the Grants Officer. Unless otherwise stipulated, the Recipient must request payments on a reimbursement basis. Instructions for requesting payments via PMS are available at: https://pms.psc.gov/. Instructions for requesting payments via SF-270 are available at: Grants.gov post-award reporting forms

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. 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:

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 o 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), o 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), o 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 o 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

2. 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. If applicable, the Recipient shall track all funding by country using a template provided by ACN/ECC. All reports must be uploaded to the appropriate post award activity in MyGrants.

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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.

Applicants should be aware of the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

Reporting Calendar by Fiscal Year

Q1 (October -December) due January 30;

Q2 (January-March) due April 30;

Q3 (April-June) due July 30; and Q4 (July-September) due October 30

I. Other Information

Guidelines for Budget Justification

The total budget should not exceed $1,479,750.

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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=027fb85899500d580fc71df69d11573a&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML%20-%20ap2.1.200_1521.i#ap2.1.200_1521.xii https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=027fb85899500d580fc71df69d11573a&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML%20-%20ap2.1.200_1521.i#ap2.1.200_1521.xii 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.