DOS - Mission Pakistan - CAO - Gender Equity at Incubation Centers.pdf

Department of State Embassy of the United States in Islamabad, Pakistan

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Program Office: Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Islamabad

Funding Opportunity Title: Supporting Gender Equity at Incubation Centers in Pakistan

Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement

Funding Opportunity Number: SCAISB-22-AW-024-03102022

Deadline for Applications: April 25, 2022 (23:59 Eastern Standard Time)

CFDA Number: 19.501 - Public Diplomacy Programs for

Afghanistan and Pakistan

CONTACT INFORMATION

• For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-

518-4726.

• For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact

PakistanGrants@state.gov.

• To inquire about the process for obtaining a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

(NICRA) contact Donald Hunter at HunterDS@state.gov.

Authorization to submit proposals through www.Grants.gov is a multi-step process that requires prior successful registration with four separate sites: DUNS, NCAGE, SAM, and www.Grants.gov. Please begin the registration processes immediately to ensure the registrations are completed well in advance of the submission deadline. The process can require up to six weeks for the registrations to be validated and confirmed. See Section D:

Submission Requirements for further details.

Due to the volume of applicants and inquiries, Public Affairs Section (PAS) does not accept letters of intent, concept papers, or requests for meetings or phone calls prior to application.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package has been received in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Applicants are urged to begin the application process well before the submission deadline. No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps.

mailto:PakistanGrants@state.gov mailto:HunterDS@state.gov http://www.grants.gov/ https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ http://www.grants.gov/

A. Funding Opportunity Description Summary

Executive Summary:

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Mission to Pakistan is pleased to announce an open competition for grant proposals, contingent on funding availability, through the Public

Diplomacy Grants Program. Under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), PAS seeks proposals to empower entrepreneurial Pakistani women through women’s business incubators.

The opportunity will facilitate expanding two existing incubators that serve Pakistani women and developing another at a Pakistani all-women’s university, thereby promoting Pakistani women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship.

The selected applicant and its proposed sub-partners must be a legally recognized non-profit and non-governmental organization(s), that meet U.S. and Pakistan technical and legal requirements to develop and implement public diplomacy programs as specified in Section C.

Information about the Public Affairs Section can be found at: https://pak.usembassy.gov/.

Background:

While women make up more than 50 percent of the population of Pakistan, they currently only represent 20 percent of the labor force, down from 22 percent in 2015, according to the World

Bank. As a result, Pakistani women are far from full and equal participation in the economy.

Despite this limited workforce participation, Pakistani women can and do play a positive and constructive role in the country’s economic development and deserve better opportunities to play an increased and more prominent role in the economy.

Over the past decade, entrepreneurship in Pakistan has surged, with startups raising a record

$300 million in investment in 2021, more than the prior five years combined. However, according to the World Bank, just one percent of entrepreneurs in Pakistan are women.

According to Pakistan investment tracker Data Darbaar, Pakistani startups raised $66.24 million in 2020, but only $1.8 million of that amount went to women-led businesses.

Women entrepreneurs face numerous barriers and challenges, a complex mix of structural, legal, social, economic, and cultural factors, which hinder their potential to succeed as entrepreneurs.

Even finance, to which all entrepreneurs should have equal access, poses unique restrictions for women.

This project will address the vast gender imbalance in the Pakistani entrepreneurship field and foster an enabling environment for Pakistani women-owned businesses. Specifically, the project aims to boost the capacity of two existing incubation centers located in higher education institutions in the Rawalpindi/Islamabad region and will establish a new center at an all-women’s university in Pakistan. The project will facilitate the supportive and professional business environment that women need to transform their business ideas into reality.

https://pak.usembassy.gov/ https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.FE.ZS?locations=PK https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.FE.ZS?locations=PK https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.FE.ZS?locations=PK https://ceotimes.pk/2021/01/18/despite-a-pandemic-pakistani-startups-had-their-best-year-yet-with-over-65-million-in-funding/amp/

Project Goals:

This proposed two-year project aims to promote inclusive economic growth, strengthen the existing entrepreneurship ecosystem for women, and expand ties between entrepreneurial communities in the United States and Pakistan. It would reinforce both the vital roles that

Pakistani women play in the country’s economic development, and help to build a more diverse workforce as an instrument to foster creativity, innovation, and job-creation.

To facilitate, support, and increase the participation of aspiring Pakistani women entrepreneurs in

Pakistan’s economy, the project proposes collaboration between a U.S. and Pakistani institution to build the capacity of two existing higher education business incubation centers in the

Islamabad region and developing a new incubator at a Pakistani all-women's university.

Incubators are a key tool for accelerating entrepreneurship. They help create a strong, sustainable support infrastructure that enables entrepreneurs to access resources to build successful startups and promote their financial viability and growth. Because of this, incubators also help reduce the failure rates of start-ups in their early stages and have the potential to perpetuate further economic growth for the women who work with incubators to establish their businesses.

University-based incubators provide significant advantages to budding entrepreneurs in Pakistan, as they are co-located with major centers of knowledge, research, innovation, and resources.

Further, these institutions have direct links to industry, society, and government entities.

Pakistan has shown remarkable support for incubators in recent years, with the government committing funds to establish a network of incubation centers across the country to help spur economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition, Pakistan’s Higher

Education Commission recently sought proposals for universities interested in establishing incubation centers. Despite these positive developments, there are currently no incubators at any of the women’s universities, representing a missed opportunity to maximize and foster women’s economic participation. This proposed project would address this missed opportunity, while providing support for the women who are part of the mixed-gender centers.

While the number of university-based incubators is on the rise—there are now three in Islamabad alone—a recent study found that some of these incubators may not produce the intended impact of entrepreneurship development and technological innovation. Among the challenges, the centers do not all have adequate funding. Lack of management follow up and support for new ventures can also jeopardize the success of startups.

One overlying problem is that university administrators often act as intermediaries, without necessarily committing to the long-term development and viability of new ventures that rise from the incubators on their campuses. In many cases, the administrators fail to engage with the startups on the selection, execution, and completion of projects, and lack incentives to ensure startup sustainability. Also missing is the linkage with other incubators to improve standards of teaching methodologies, mentorship, access to investors, and entrepreneurial networks.

Project Audience(s):

The U.S. Embassy intends to partner with an expert U.S. organization, established incubation center, or university that will bring its expertise to incubate and support female-led businesses at two existing Pakistani incubation centers located in higher education institutions in Islamabad and establish a new incubation center at an all-women’s university in Rawalpindi. The U.S.

organization will focus on developing, launching, and supporting women-led businesses at all three centers.

Prospective Pakistani Implementing Partners within Higher Educational Institutions:

• National University of Sciences and Technology Incubation center

• Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South

University Incubation Center at COMSATS

• Bahria University Islamabad Business Incubation Center

• International Islamic University Islamabad

• Karakoram University Business Incubation Center

• Institute of Space and Technology Business Incubation Center

Proposed All-Women’s University Incubation Center Establishment:

• Fatima Jinnah Women University

Project Objective:

This project aims to address the declining rate of women in the Pakistani labor force and directly support and grow women-owned businesses in Pakistan while exposing these potential entrepreneurs to U.S. ideas on start-ups, financing, business development, and the business case for increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Proposals should seek to strengthen the leadership skills of aspiring women business owners. It will do this by helping them to:

launch their business ventures; gain access to start-up capital; provide access to the resources to start or grow a business; and develop and improve networking skills. The project will also engage existing women business leaders as role models to support, encourage, and mentor the women and their startups.

The two university-based centers will lead incubation trainings and facilitate private sector incubator center internships for at least 100 students. The project will also facilitate the creation of an incubator at one of Pakistan’s nationally recognized all women universities. Additionally, the top performing women will participate in a short exchange program to the United States for additional training and networking opportunities.

The grantee will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the internship component between the respective centers and organizations hosting interns. The grantee would also sign

MOUs with any partner institutions in the United States that host and train participants during the exchange component of the program. The MOUs in all cases will lay out the terms and expectations of the relationships.

Objectives:

• Equip at least 100 Pakistani women at the two established university incubators to launch their business ideas by providing access to training, resources, networks, and investors.

• Connect women participants with the United States-Pakistan Women’s Council to leverage its network and identify potential female mentors and other resources.

• Leverage female business leaders to serve as role models and share their success stories to inspire other women. These could be women who are members of the Pakistan U.S.

Alumni Network and participated in programs such as the Startup Cup, Accelerator Program for Women Entrepreneurs, the Fortune/U.S. State Department Global Women’s Mentoring

Partnership program, or the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs.

• Provide seed funding to the top three aspiring women entrepreneurs at each Pakistani incubator involved in the project to launch their businesses.

• Support, through the two existing business incubation centers, at least 100 female entrepreneurs at the two established university incubators to set up their businesses and enhance their self-confidence through training and mentoring. Support these two incubation centers to achieve gender equity in the startups they host.

• Virtually connect female entrepreneurs with female entrepreneurship organizations in the

United States through the incubation centers. Execute an in-person exchange visit to the

United States for approximately 50 participating entrepreneurs, to gain knowledge and learn from the entrepreneurial community in the United States.

• Promote financial literacy, strengthen management and leadership skills, and facilitate access to financial opportunities and investors to initiate business ventures.

• Assist in establishing a new incubation center at an all-women university to create an environment for women-led enterprise and entrepreneurship. This will include the provision of equipment, training resources, and limited exchange opportunities.

COVID-19 for all proposals: The grantee should address contingency options in their proposal for a possible worsening of the COVID-19 situation, including if small group workshops are not possible. This should include virtual, online engagement as a back-up option. Depending on the

COVID situation at the time, hybrid models are also welcomed.

B. Federal Award Information

Funding Mechanism Type: Cooperative Agreement

Estimated Total Project Funding: $500,000

Estimated Award Ceiling: $500,000

Estimated Award Floor: $300,000

Length of Project Period: 24 Months

Anticipated Programs Start Date: October 2022

The Public Affairs Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the designated grants officer.

C. Eligibility Information

1. The following non-profit only organizations are eligible to apply:

• Non-governmental organizations

• Civil society organizations

• Public and private educational institutions

For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity

2. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.

3. Cost-sharing is not required for this funding opportunity.

4. Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.

5. To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must be pre-registered with four entities. Please see Section D for detailed information on these registrations.

• Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)

• SAM.gov

• NCAGE

• Grants.gov

6. This award does not allow:

• Projects relating to partisan political activities;

• Charitable or development activities;

• Construction projects;

• Projects that support specific religious activities;

• Fund-raising campaigns;

• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;

• Scientific research or surveys;

• Commercial projects;

• Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;

• Projects that duplicate existing projects; or

• Illegal activities.

D. Application and Submission Information:

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 and Form of Application Submission

Please ensure:

1. Proposal clearly addresses the goals, audiences, and objectives of this notice.

2. All documents are in English.

3. All budgets are in U.S. dollars.

4. All pages are numbered.

5. All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper.

6. All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

7. All applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required forms.

Application Deadline: All applications must be received by April 25, 2022 (23:59 Eastern

Standard Time). For the purpose of determining if an award is submitted on time, the Embassy

Public Affairs Section will utilize the automated timestamp provided by Grants.gov. This deadline is firm and is not a rolling deadline. If organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above, their application will be considered ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

Application Submission Process: Applicants must submit their application using Grants.gov.

Detailed instructions on the application process are available at http://www.grants.gov. For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at the U.S. toll-free number, 1-800-518-4726, or go to https://www.grants.gov/support.html. When calling from

Pakistan, please verify the charges with your local telephone service provider to call a U.S. toll-free phone number. Kindly note that PakistanGrants@state.gov is unable to assist with technical questions or problems applicants may experience with Grants.gov.

https://www.grants.gov/support.html mailto:PakistanGrants@state.gov

Required Registrations

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award

Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension”. Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. There is no fee associated with any of the registrations with the following entities:

• DUNS – obtain a unique entity identifying number from Dun & Bradstreet

• NCAGE/CAGE – obtain an NCAGE code

• SAM.gov - registration

• Grants.gov – register prior to submitting proposals

Register with the four entities in the following steps outlined below:

Step 1: First, apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these two can be completed simultaneously)

a. DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering

System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet. If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling the U.S. toll-free number, 1-866-

705-5711, or by visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

b. NCAGE application: Click on this link to register for a new account (Request

New) or search for an existing account with your NCAGE Code number.

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

i. Instructions can be found here:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20fo r%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf

ii. For help from within the U.S., call toll-free number at 1-888-227-2423

iii. For help from outside the U.S., call toll-free number at 1-269-961-7766

iv. Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE code.

After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov/

Step 2: Once DUNS and NCAGE are obtained, continue to SAM registration on www.SAM.gov.

Applicants must also register with Grants.gov prior to submitting a grants application in the portal. This is a one-time process that could take as long as two weeks to receive https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil https://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ a registration confirmation. It is best to start early and complete the registration well in advance of the deadline for applications.

Organizations must maintain an active SAM registration (www.SAM.gov) with current information at all times during which they have an active Federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. SAM registration must be renewed annually. Given the volume of applications, review may take up to 90 days, and we are unable to individually confirm receipt of proposals.

Step 3: After completing the registration for a DUNS number, NCAGE/CAGE code, and SAM.gov registration, follow the steps below to complete Grants.gov registration.

Register at Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

The principal contact at the organization must register as an Authorized Organization

Representative (AOR) on www.grants.gov. The AOR is the official point of contact on all matters related to the application.

Applicants must acquire all required registrations in the United States and/or Pakistan. The

U.S. registrations are met when you have confirmed registrations with DUNS, NGAGE, SAMS.gov, and Grants.gov. If you are operating as an NGO in Pakistan, you must be registered as such with the government in Pakistan. All intellectual property considerations and rights must be fully met in the United States and Pakistan.

A sub-recipient organization listed in your application must also meet all the U.S. and

Pakistan requirements described above. A sub-recipient organization may be your sub-awardee or implementing partner.

E. Technical Requirements for Application:

When submitting a proposal, applicants are required to include the following documents and information from Sections 1–5 below, as applicable:

Section 1—Application Summary Coversheet:

Paragraph 1: Executive Summary. Please provide a general overview of the proposed project, and how, specifically, this application is responding to the NOFO prompt. What will be the focus of this project, what will be its SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and

Timely) objectives, and how will meeting these objectives contribute to NOFO’s stated Project

Goal?

Paragraph 2: Summary of Grantee Expertise, Previous Experience on this subject. Detail grantee’s past work in topic area, including best practices and lessons learned. Discuss any http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html networks or communities of practice that formed as a result of grantee’s previous activities, and how grantee would build on those networks. More details can be attached as an appendix.

Paragraph 3: Logistics, including Selection of Participants. How will applicant organize, coordinate, and execute activities in order to reach stated deliverables? How, specifically, will grantee select participants, whether event attendees, volunteers, or trainees? What is the specific selection process? What are the criteria?

Paragraph 4: Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. The Monitoring and Evaluation component of the proposal will outline in detail how the proposal’s activities will advance the program’s goals and objectives (listed above in Section A). This should be a brief overview of the M&E requirement listed below.

Section 2—Technical Proposal

Applicants must submit a complete narrative proposal in a format of their choice, or they may use the attached proposal template. The proposal shall not exceed twelve (12) pages. Refer to the evaluation criteria in Part G below for further details about what makes a strong proposal.

All proposals must address the following areas:

• Organizational Description and Capacity

• Project Justification, Sustainability, and Impact

• Project Goals, Audiences, Objectives, Activities, and Deliverables

• Implementation Timeline

• Security (see note below)

• Monitoring and Evaluation (see note below)

Proof of Registration: A copy of the organization’s registration should be provided with the proposal application. U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter. Pakistan-based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization.

Security

Security package: The safety and security of all participants and activities under this project are the sole responsibility of the award recipient. Due to the security climate in Pakistan, we require all proposals to include a security package to accompany appropriate programmatic elements within their proposal. The security package must include but is not limited to: secure transportation; lodging, and emergency accountability and evacuation for any non-Pakistani personnel living or working in Pakistan, as well as a copy of your organization’s security operational procedures for high-risk environments. Reasonable costs for necessary security are allowable expenses and should be included in the proposed budget. If a security company is engaged and funded under the award, it must be registered by the Government of Pakistan to operate in Pakistan. We require award recipients to notify the Public Affairs Section in advance when U.S. citizens are traveling to Pakistan.

Risk Analysis Management: To qualify for final consideration, certain applicants must undertake the Risk Analysis Management (RAM) vetting process by providing Risk Analysis

Information (RAI) about their “key individuals” (i.e., individuals with the ability to control applicant organizations’ funds), including “key individuals” from selected sub-recipients/sub-awardees. Please note: these individuals could be different from the key personnel listed in section 4 of required documents.

The purpose of vetting potential contractors and grantees is to reduce the risk that foreign assistance funding is provided to terrorists or their supporters. Potential grantees will be notified separately if RAI is required. Applicants submit key individuals’ RAI by completing the Risk Analysis Information Form, DS-4184, through the secure web portal at https://ramportal.state.gov. The DS-4184 requests the following RAI for each key individual:

Full Name; Aliases; Gender; Birthplace; Birthdate; Home/Work Addresses; Phone Numbers;

Employer; Professional Title; Email Addresses; Skype ID (if included, email address is also required); Numbers from All Official IDs (e.g., passports, ID cards, etc.); Nationalities; and

Social Security Number (if U.S. person). Questions about the DS-4184 form may be emailed to

RAM@state.gov. Failure to submit information when requested, or failure to pass vetting, may be grounds for rejecting your proposal.

STEP Enrollment: U.S. citizens who travel to Pakistan are encouraged to enroll in the

Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) available at:

https://step.state.gov/step/. Enrollment enables citizens to receive security-related messages from the Embassy and makes it easier for us to locate you in an emergency. The Embassy also recommends that all travelers review the State Department's travel website at travel.state.gov for important safety information related to travel, including: the Worldwide Caution, Travel

Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Pakistan-Specific Information.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Proposals must include a draft Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan

(PMP). The M&E PMP should show how applicants intend to measure and demonstrate progress towards the project’s objectives and goals. Attachment 3 of this funding opportunity contains a template that may be used to fulfill this requirement. While the grantee is free to create their own template, completing Attachment 3 will ensure a thorough PMP.

The selected applicant(s) will be required to submit an approved M&E PMP before an award is signed. The selected applicant will be required to work with PAS Monitoring and Evaluation team to ensure the M&E PMP achieves an expected level of expertise and meets PAS objectives.

https://ramportal.state.gov/ mailto:RAM@state.gov https://step.state.gov/step/ http://travel.state.gov/ https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-caution.html https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/pakistan.html

The key components to the PMP are as follows:

1. Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative: In narrative form, applicants should describe how they intend to monitor and evaluate the activities of their award and collect data that tracks award performance. In addition, the applicant should describe any M&E processes, including key personnel, management structure (where M&E fits into the overall program’s staff structure), technology, and as well provide a brief budget narrative explaining any line-item expenditures for M&E listed in the program’s budget.

This narrative is limited to two pages.

2. Theory of Change Diagram: Applicants will be expected to submit either a Theory of

Change diagram or an If-Then Statement that illustrates how project activities will lead to intended outcomes. Attachment 3 includes a suggested format for these requirements.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation Datasheet: The applicant must include their proposed activities and their expected outputs and outcomes as well as the goals and objectives as written in the NOFO. The datasheet’s purpose is to illustrate explicitly how a project’s activities lead to tangible results (such as increased beneficiary skills, knowledge, or attitudes) that ultimately address a PAS objective. For more information, please see

Attachment 3.1: Instructions.

Section 3—Budget

A. Budget and Budget Detail: Applicants must submit a detailed budget and budget narrative justification. Applicants are encouraged to utilize the template provided with the funding opportunity but are not required to do so (Attachment 4). Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail. Personnel salaries should include the level of effort and the rate of pay, which should cover the percentage of time each staff member will dedicate to grant-based activities. If your organization is charging an indirect cost rate, you must apply it to the modified total budget costs (MTDC), refer to 2CFR§200.68. Budgets that are not in the provided format will not be considered.

Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars.

B. Audit Requirements: Please note the audit requirements for Department of State awards in the Standard Terms and Conditions https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm and 2CFR200, Subpart F – Audit Requirements. The cost of the required audits may be charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organization’s established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget.

C. Visa Fees: Include all visa application and related fees in your budget as applicable.

Please note DS-2019s for post-funded programs must be submitted directly by the award https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm%20and%202CFR200 https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm%20and%202CFR200 recipient. If you anticipate your program will include the DS-2019 visa processing, your organization must be a registered Designated Sponsoring Organization. For more information go to: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/become-a-sponsor/

Section 4—Key Personnel and Project Partners

A. Key Personnel: A résumé, not to exceed one (1) page in length, must be included for the proposed key staff persons, such as the Project Director and Finance Officer, as well as any speakers or trainers (if applicable). If an individual for this type of position has not been identified, the applicant may submit a one-page position description, identifying the qualifications and skills required for that position, in lieu of a résumé.

B. Project Partners: Letters of support should be included for sub-recipients or other partners. The letters must identify the type of relationship to be entered (formal or informal), the roles and responsibilities of each partner in relation to the proposed project activities, and the expected result of the partnership. The individual letters cannot exceed one page in length.

Section 5—Standard Form 424 Family

All submissions must include the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance (Attachment 5) and the SF-424A Budget Information—Non-Construction (Attachment 6). These forms and the instructions for completing them are available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html under the heading “SF-424 Family”. NOTE: The SF-424B is required only for those applicants who have not registered in SAM.gov or recertified their registration in SAM.gov since February

2, 2019 and completed the online representations and certifications. An authorized signature by the applicant must be provided on this form.

Please note:

1. Other items NOT required/requested for submission, but which may be requested if your application is approved for funding include:

a. Copies of an organization or program audit within the last two (2) years;

b. Copies of relevant human resources, financial, or procurement policies; and

c. Copies of other relevant organizational policies or documentation that would help the Department determine your organization’s capacity to manage a federal grant award overseas.

2. The Embassy reserves the right to request any additional programmatic and/or financial information regarding the proposal.

Special Characters in Submissions

Grants.gov does not accept all UTF-8 special characters in file attachment names due to possible compatibility issues between the grantor’s system and Grants.gov. If the systems are incompatible, it may produce garbled or missing text that may result in the application being rejected. Therefore, we recommend avoiding any of the UTF-8 special characters in the application.

https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/become-a-sponsor/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html

F. Review and Selection Process

1. Acknowledgement of receipt. Applicants will receive an automated acknowledgment of receipt upon submission of the proposal.

2. Review. All submissions are screened for technical eligibility. If a submission is missing any required forms or documents, it will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed by the grants review committee. A technical review panel will review the proposal based upon the criteria noted in this NOFO.

3. Follow up notification. Applicants will generally be notified within 90 days after the NOFO deadline regarding the results of the review panel.

G. Application Evaluation Criteria

Criteria: Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated based on the criteria enumerated below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.

• Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea should be innovative and well developed, with sufficient detail about how project activities will be carried out. The proposals should demonstrate originality and outline clear, achievable objectives. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The project scope is appropriate and clearly defined.

• Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points:

o The project proposal demonstrates that the organization has sufficient expertise, skills, and human resources to implement the project.

o The organization demonstrates that it has a clear understanding of the underlying issue that the project will address.

o The organization demonstrates capacity for successful planning and responsible fiscal management. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

o Applicants who have received grant funds previously have been compliant with applicable rules and regulations.

o Where partners are described, the applicant details each partner’s respective role and provides résumé for persons responsible for the project and financial administration. Proposed personnel, institutional resources, and partners are adequate and appropriate.

• Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: The project plan is well developed, with sufficient detail about how activities will be carried out. The proposal specifies target audiences, participant recruitment, and geographic areas of implementation. The proposal outlines clear, achievable objectives. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The project scope is appropriate and clearly defined.

o A media or amplification plan (if appropriate) that shows how the organization will use social or traditional media or otherwise increase the number of people who gain exposure to the issue and knowledge of the activities beyond the core participants.

• Budget – 10 points: The budget and narrative justification are sufficiently detailed. The budget demonstrates that the organization has devoted time to accurately determine expenses associated with the project instead of providing rough estimates. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The results and proposed outcomes justify the total cost of the project. Budget items are reasonable, allowable, and allocable.

• Monitoring and Evaluation - 15 points: Points for M&E will be awarded by considering three subset criteria within the narrative: (1) Technical M&E; (2) Program

Design; and (3) Learning. Specifically, scoring will be based on the following:

o Technical M&E: A submission will be considered technically sound if there is a complete and thorough draft submission of a M&E Performance Monitoring Plan

(PMP). This will include a list of proposed project activities, corresponding milestone, output, and outcome indicators, a description of data collection methods, and a timeline for collecting such information. Use of the suggested template (Attachments 3 & 3.1) will satisfy these requirements. Funded projects will have their plans finalized during the negotiation phase, and monitoring plans may be subject to periodic updates throughout the life of the project.

o Program Design: A submission will be considered well designed if the proposal addresses a significant problem, identifies an appropriate target audience, and presents a clear theory of change on how the program will address that problem.

Whether through a logical framework, theory of change diagram, or a set of if-then statements, the proposal should state in some form “If these activities are completed, then these outcomes will result”. Further, if the project requires selecting participants, or beneficiaries, the proposal should articulate how the selection will be done in an equitable way.

o Learning: A submission will satisfy the learning component by demonstrating an ability to adjust project activities based on new information. Does the design incorporate community or participant feedback to allow for adjustments? If the proposal is from a prior grantee, does the proposal discuss how the grantee has adapted, improved, or otherwise modified their approach based on learning from previous experience/past performance? If this is a new grantee or new project, has the proposal demonstrated that the applicant used desk research, prior experience, or other evidence to directly inform program design?

Expenses directly associated with monitoring and evaluation are considered allowable. The suggested template includes a space to list the portion of the total budget amount directly associated with monitoring and evaluation activities.

• Sustainability – 10 points: The project proposal clearly describes the approach that will be used to ensure maximum sustainability or advancement of project goals after the end of project activity.

H. Federal Award Notices

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

The Federal government is not obligated to make any Federal award as a result of the announcement. 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. The U.S. government also reserves the right to make an award in excess of the award ceiling.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Terms and Conditions: 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: 2 CFR 25, 2 CFR 170, 2 CFR 175, 2 CFR 182, 2 CFR 183, 2

CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard

Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm

Reporting

Recipients are required to prepare and provide quarterly program progress and financial reports throughout the project period. Progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. Final certified programmatic and financial reports are due 120 days after the close of the project period.

All reports are to be submitted electronically.

Awardees that are deemed to be high risk may be required to submit more extensive and frequent reports until their high-risk designation has been removed.

The Awardee must also provide an annual inventory of all the U.S. government-provided equipment using the SF428 form to the Embassy.

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I. 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 project, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the project.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this project, for both program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the project 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 project, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the project), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the project. If any item costs more than $5,000 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 project activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the project, 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 project 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 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

“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.

Branding Requirements

As a condition of receipt of a grant award, all materials produced pursuant to the award, including training materials, materials for recipients or materials to communicate or promote with foreign audiences a program, event, project, or some other activity under an agreement, including but not limited to invitations to events, press materials, and backdrops, podium signs, etc. must be marked appropriately with the standard, rectangular U.S. flag in a size and prominence equal to (or greater than) any other logo or identity. Note: Exceptions to the branding requirement are allowable under certain conditions. If an applicant is notified that their award has been chosen for funding, the Grants Officer will determine, in consultation with the applicant, if an exception is applicable.

Copyrights and Proprietary Information

If any of the information contained in your application is proprietary, please note in the footer of the appropriate pages that the information is Confidential – Proprietary. Applicants should also note what parts of the application, program, concept, etc. are covered by copyright(s), trademark(s), or any other intellectual property rights and provide copies of the relevant documentation to support these copyrights.