FINAL - SGWI GBV Laos and Nepal NOFO_AN.docx

Notice of Funding Opportunity

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues

Title: Comprehensive Programming to Address and Respond to Gender-based Violence in Laos and Nepal Initiative

Agreement

Executive Summary:

The Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues announces the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a new program whose goal is advance the objectives committed to in the U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally (GBV). Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Furthermore, the Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to: Educational and research institutions; U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, and Foreign not-for-profits/NGOs/social enterprises.

One to four grants in FY 2016 Economic Support Funds (ESF) will be issued as a cooperative agreement under this NOFO, and the Recipient(s) will work closely with S/GWI and U.S. Embassies in Laos and Nepal to design and implement targeted sub-grants to third-party organizations charged with programming along the agreed-upon interventions.

Funding authority rests in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

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

Contact Person: Sandrine Rukundo, S/GWI

Please read the entire NOFO package before submitting an application, and follow the steps immediately in order to submit before the deadline. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria and do not contain all of the required information will not be considered.

Program Description

A. Funding Opportunity Description

i. Background

The U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally (the GBV Strategy) is an interagency strategy to advance the Department of State’s efforts to address gender-based violence through policy, diplomacy and programs, underscoring the broader United States Government commitment to preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV). This approach seeks to empower women and girls through a gender equality framework, as GBV undermines not only the safety, dignity, and human rights of the millions of individuals who experience it, but also threatens broader public health, economic stability, and security. Understanding and addressing GBV is key to the development of stable democratic societies and vibrant, inclusive economies, not just in the United States, but globally. The GBV Strategy is informed by guiding principles (see p.16 of the Strategy) around prevention, protection, and accountability. Additionally, lessons learned (see p.16 of the Strategy), provide foundations from which future GBV programs can be built upon.

The 2016 Update of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Response to Gender-based Violence Globally outlines four key objectives: to institutionalize coordination of gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response efforts among U.S. Government agencies and with other stakeholders; to integrate GBV prevention and response efforts into existing U.S. Government work; to improve collection, analysis, and use of data and research for GBV prevention and response efforts; and to expand U.S. Government programming that addresses GBV. The Strategy defines GBV as an umbrella term for any harmful threat or act directed at an individual or group based on actual or perceived biological sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, and/or lack of adherence to varying socially constructed norms around masculinity and femininity. It is rooted in structural gender inequalities, patriarchy, and power imbalances. GBV is typically characterized by the use or threat of physical, psychological, sexual, economic, legal, political, social and other forms of control and/or abuse. GBV impacts individuals across the life course and has direct and indirect costs to families, communities, economies, global public health, and development. For further information on types of GBV, affected populations, key terms and resources, please see the full strategy at https://www.state.gov/s/gwi/priorities/gbv/index.htm.

The Strategy called for an assessment to implement a “focused, coordinated, multi-sector, and comprehensive approach to gender-based violence by supporting health programs and social services; increasing access to justice through civil and criminal legal and judicial protections and capacity by strengthening institutions and training; encouraging changing social norms through communication and organizing efforts; promoting access to economic opportunity projects; and improving educational and employment opportunities for women and girls.” This Notice of Funding Opportunity is an implementing mechanism of the Strategy, and seeks programming that would provide a holistic approach to GBV prevention and response in Laos and Nepal.

The Comprehensive Gender-Based Violence Programming in Laos and Nepal Initiative will support the implementation of comprehensive programming in Laos and Nepal, working along the GBV prevention and response value chain. Applicants will need to 1) present a solution model that addresses the GBV challenges in both countries, and 2) explain the process that will be taken to identify, manage, monitor and support sub-grantees who will be charged with implementing intervention efforts along the proposed model.

ii. Program Goals

The U.S. Department of State seeks proposals from qualified organizations with the capacity to oversee the implementation of third-party sustainable sub-grantees advancing the outcomes and actions committed to by the U.S Department of State in the GBV Strategy and accompanying implementation plans.

Applicants should demonstrate experience in developing partnerships with relevant stakeholders including the public and/or private sector as well as local organizations to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate comprehensive programming that both responds to the needs of women and girls in the target countries, and coordinates with existing efforts currently being implemented by U.S. government, host country, and international and local actors. All proposals must include an evidence-based description of (i) the problem the applicant seeks to address, (ii) the implementation context, including any relevant details on the socio-political environment and the target beneficiaries of the project, and (iii) the project’s theory of change, as relevant to the objectives of the Strategy and the guiding documents and strategies mentioned in this solicitation.

iii. Presenting Solution Models Linking to Country-Specific GBV Interventions

Applicants will need to present solution models linked to priority areas for GBV prevention and response. Proposed solution models must include activities that increase women and girls access to economic opportunities, education, justice and/or improved health. Successful applicants will demonstrate how they would manage third-party sub-grantees in implementing the proposed solution model(s). When presenting models, applicants should outline approaches that are tailored to each country context. While not exhaustive, the list below includes examples of potential solution models:

· Preventing and responding to types of GBV against women and girls, including: physical and sexual violence, especially online harassment, eve teasing, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, school-related gender-based violence, and harmful practices such as early and forced marriage, chaupadi, and other forms of gender-based violence. This could include prevention efforts such as:

· Supporting the implementation of key policies and guidelines for a multi-sectoral approach towards GBV prevention and response and improved support for survivors, including through training for the health, education, economic, and justice sectors;

· Capacity development to support the economic empowerment of women and girls as a GBV-prevention tactic, including through business training, access to finance, human capital training, mentorship, legal and life-skills training, and emergency cash transfers;

· Supporting community engagement around gender equality and prevention of violence against women and girls, such as through school-based curriculum and awareness campaigns;

· Supporting programs and campaigns and evaluating interventions to engage men and boys to change social norms and societal attitudes about equality and acceptance of violence as a perceived form of masculinity;

· Capacity development of entities along the GBV chain of response, such as police, magistrates, prosecutors, judges, and local CSOs, to raise awareness of current laws aimed at preventing and responding to GBV and enforcing strong implementation of such laws, including as related to online harassment, intimidation and violence;

· Engaging religious, traditional, and faith-based leaders to raise community awareness regarding gender-based violence, particularly early and forced marriage and chaupadi, among other harmful practices; and

· Efforts to improve school policies, referral systems and accountability for cases of school-related gender based violence.

· This could also include GBV response efforts such as:

· Comprehensive programming increasing access to GBV shelters and psychosocial services for all GBV survivors;

· Support and training for entities along the GBV chain of response, such as law enforcement, magistrates, prosecutors, judges, and local CSOs, on best approaches for service delivery and referral in GBV cases;

· Partnership with one-stop centers that provide a wide range of training and resources. This could include: financial literacy training, technology skill development, health, safety and GBV prevention training, women’s entrepreneurship programming, employment services, mentor-mentee matching, resources targeting women’s participation in the economy, and GBV prevention and response direct services; and

· Supporting interventions that recognize a lack of economic resources as a barrier to escaping abusive relationships, including interventions focused on rural savings and lending programs), business training, access to finance, mobile banking, human capital training.

Coordination with U.S. government strategies and programs: The U.S. government is committed to implementation of the following gender-focused inter agency strategies in our efforts to support women and girls empowerment and gender equality: The U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, the U.S. Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Gender-based Violence Globally, and the Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls, and the U.S. Department Strategy for Women’s Economic Empowerment. Applicants should be familiar with these strategies and present a methodology for coordinating proposed interventions with U.S. government ongoing efforts in support of these strategies, national and international gender efforts implemented in Laos and Nepal. Applicants must also present a strategy for engaging relevant local, national, and international stakeholders. Successful applicants will need to coordinate closely with existing national and international efforts, as well as with programs implemented by the U.S. government.

Strong proposals will also define how their programs are “innovative,” which could consider one or more of the following elements:

· How does your idea differ substantially from existing solutions in the proposed project context? How is it meeting unmet needs?

· How does it differ from what has been done historically?

· Does your idea incorporate nontraditional stakeholders and community members, deliver content or services in new ways, or expose the target population to new opportunities? How does your idea empower the target populations to inform the program?

· Are you applying cross-sector expertise from outside the topic area?

In identifying the specific target populations, proposals must demonstrate a commitment towards the support and inclusion of marginalized communities given that many women and girls are made particularly vulnerable by the intersection of gender with other social characteristics including disability, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, whether they live in a rural or urban setting, etc.

iv. Demonstrating Organization Capacity

Applications will be evaluated on their ability to present a compelling proposal that demonstrates the applicant’s:

· Organizational capacity to manage approximately $2 million and displays a history of being a strong financial steward of U.S. government resources

· Experience coordinating and partnering with local stakeholders in South Asia and Southeast Asia, with preference for Laos and Nepal

· Experience sub-granting to implementers including strong established relationships with local partners in the targeted countries of various sizes, and building organizational capacity

· Programmatic experience in South Asia and Southeast Asia, with preference for Laos and Nepal

· Experience in programming along the gender-based violence prevention and response value chain and proof of success with implementing activities that sustain women and families economically

· Ability to procure/execute data collection and/or research pertaining to GBV

B. Federal Award Information

i. Available Funding and Legislative Authority

The source of this funding is Economic Support Funds.

ii. Summary of Award Information

iii. Deadline

iv. Substantial Involvement

S/GWI anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement based on the needs and risk factors of the program. The final determination on mechanism will be made by the Grants Officer. If a cooperative agreement is awarded, S/GWI expects to be substantially involved during its implementation. Examples of substantial involvement can include:

1) Approval of the Recipient’s annual work plans, including: planned activities for the following year, travel plans, planned expenditures, event planning, and changes to any activity to be carried out under the cooperative agreement;

2) Approval of sub-award recipients, concurrence on the substantive provisions of the sub-awards, and coordination with other cooperating agencies;

3) Approval of any notice of funding opportunities and selection of recipients;

4) Approval of the monitoring and evaluation plan for the Recipient and sub-award recipients; and

5) Other approvals that will be included in the award agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

i. Eligible Applicant

S/GWI welcomes applications from Educational and research institutions; U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, and Foreign not-for-profits/NGOs/social enterprises.

Applications by applicants which do not meet the eligibility by the time of an application deadline will result the application not being reviewed. If multiple proposals are received from the same applicant, all submissions will be declared ineligible and receive no further consideration in the review process.

Project activities must take place outside the United States. Applicants must propose work for both target countries. This solicitation seeks to fund projects in the following countries:

· Laos

· Nepal

ii. Cost Sharing or Matching

Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility requirement for this NOFO. However, if there is the possibility of matching funds may be provided by other donors. Please outline in the budget and proposal, how the additional funds, if committed, could be used to further the program objectives.

iii. Other

S/GWI is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities. S/GWI welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status. S/GWI encourages applications that include work with the most at risk and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and LGBTI persons.

Only organizations with an active DUNS number, CAGE/NCAGE code, SAM.gov individual user account, and grants.gov account will be able to submit proposals for this competition. For specific instructions, please see Section D, Part ii “Key Registrations and Submission Method and Dates.”

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System in the System for Award Management (SAM)(www.sam.gov) 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 Excluded Parties List System in SAM can participate in any activities under an award. All organizations are strongly encouraged to review the Excluded Parties List System in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

iv. Organizations submitting proposals must meet the following criteria:

· Organizations should have existing, or demonstrate the capacity to develop, active partnerships with in-country entities and relevant stakeholders including the public sector, private sector, and civil society, as relevant to the proposed program objectives.

· Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.

· S/GWI reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.

· The Department of State generally prohibits profit under its assistance awards to for-profit or commercial organizations. No funds will be paid as profit to any recipient. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The permissibility of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR Part 30, Cost Accounting Standards, and Part 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures. Program income earned by the recipient must be deducted from the total project or program allowable cost in determining the net allowable costs on which the federal share of costs is based.

D. Application and Submission Information

i. Address to Request Application Package

Please contact the S/GWI point of contact listed in section G if requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or for security reasons. Please note: reasonable accommodations do not include deadline extensions.

The applicant can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply on grants.gov under the announcement title “Comprehensive Programming to Address and Respond to Gender-based Violence in Laos and Nepal Initiative,” announcement number SBUR-SGWIPF-17-003.

ii. Key Registrations

The U.S. Department of State requires that all applicants complete the following registrations:

· Register for a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

· Obtain necessary codes: for non-U.S. organizations, an NCAGE code at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx; if based in the U.S or pay employees within the U.S., an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code.

· Register for an individual account for your organization with SAM: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

· The System for Award Management is a U.S. government wide registry of vendors doing business with the U.S. federal government and requires annual renewal. The system centralizes information about grant applicants/recipients, and provides a central location for grant applicants/recipients to change organizational information. More information about SAM.gov and useful guides for setting-up a new account, updating an existing account, or renewing an expired account can be found at: http://statebuy.state.gov/fa/Pages/SAMInfo.aspx. Foreign-based applicants are strongly encouraged to review these guides when creating an account with SAM.gov.

· Each applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier (DUNS number) in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The Department of State may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Department of State is ready to make a Federal award, DOS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

· Further, applicants must maintain an active account, with current information, while its application is under consideration for funding. To keep an active SAM.gov account, applicants must renew it at least once each year. If an organization’s account expires, the organization cannot submit a grant application until it is renewed.

· Register on www.Grants.gov. The Grants.gov registration process can take 10 business days or longer, even if all registration steps are completed in a timely manner.

Once the above steps are complete, you will be able to submit your application per the instructions in this Notice of Funding Opportunity and systems websites.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that it has an active registration in grants.gov. Applicants are required to document that the application has been received in its entirety by Grants.gov. S/GWI bears no responsibility for disqualification that result from applicants not being registered before the due date, for system errors in Grants.gov, or other errors in the application process.

Organizations must continue to maintain active SAM registration with current information at all times during which they have an active Federal award or application under consideration by a Federal award agency. SAM requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM and to maintain that active registration. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time S/GWI is ready to make an award, the applicant may be deemed unqualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

iii. Content and Form of Application Submission

Please read the entire NOFO and follow the guidelines for proposal preparation below. Applicants must include the following in the proposal submission. Please see the enclosed proposal checklist and instructions to ensure a complete submission. All submissions must be in English.

1. Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424A and SF424B forms, as directed on www.grants.gov. Applicants under consideration for an award that may engage in lobbying activities will be required to submit a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form. The Certifications and Assurances that your organization is agreeing to in signing the 424 are available at https://statebuy.state.gov/fa/;

2. Proposal Narrative (not to exceed 10 pages, single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font in Microsoft Word, at least one-inch margins), directions on completing a proposal narrative are included. Use of the S/GWI proposal narrative is recommended but not required;

3. Summary and detailed Budget in USD, in Excel, using the format shown in the included budget template;

4. Detailed Budget Narrative (not to exceed 6 pages and preferably as a Word Document) that includes an explanation for each line item in the spreadsheet, as well as the source and description of any cost share offered. Directions on completing a budget narrative are included. Use of the S/GWI budget narrative template is recommended but not required;

5. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan detailing project’s short-term and long-term project goal(s), objective(s), activities, outputs and intended results; provide matching indicators and explain how impact and effectiveness will be monitored and evaluated throughout the project. Directions on completing a monitoring and evaluation plan are in included. Use of the S/GWI monitoring and evaluation plan template is recommended but not required;

6. Implementation timeline (not to exceed one [1] page), indicating which month(s) your project activities are to be implemented. The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities, evaluation efforts, and program closeout. Use of the S/GWI timeline template is recommended but not required;

7. Risk Assessment. Risks are unavoidable – all programs inherently contain both internal and external risks. However, with proper identification and management, risks can be prepared for, minimized or mitigated. The purpose of a risk analysis is to identify the internal and external risks associated with the proposed program in the application, rate the likelihood of the risks, rate the potential impact of the risks on the program, and identify actions that could help mitigate the risks. A risk analysis should not be considered a one-time exercise or a static document. S/GWI defers to organizations to conduct adequate risk analysis and remediation for all of its operations and advises that risk analysis and remediation occur throughout the life of a program and should result in revisions to risk analysis documents and processes as necessary. Applicants should include all assumptions and external factors in the risk analysis. Applicants should rate the likelihood of a risk and potential impact of the risk as “High,” “Medium,” or “Low.” Use of the S/GWI Risk Assessment template is recommended but not required;

8. Attachments may be included, (letters of commitment from the applicant institution and sub-award partners, CVs of key personnel, project experience, etc.) but should not be unreasonably lengthy;

9. If your organization has a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a pdf file;

10. A PDF file copy of your organization’s most recent financial audit; and

11. Number all pages, including budget and addenda.

iv. Additional Information Requested

If successful, the applicant must submit after notification of intent to make a Federal award, but prior to issuance of a Federal award:

· Written responses and revised application documents addressing conditions and recommendations from the S/GWI Review Panel;

· Completion of the Department’s Financial Management Survey, if receiving S/GWI funding for the first time;

· Submission of required documents to register in the Payment Management System managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, if receiving S/GWI funding for the first time (unless an exemption is provided); and

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

v. Submission Dates and Times

A complete proposal with attachments must be submitted by 11:59PM EST June 5, 2017 via www.Grants.gov and emailed to SGWIProjectProposals@state.gov with “[Organization Name] and Comprehensive Programming to Address and Respond to Gender-based Violence in Laos and Nepal Initiative” in the Subject of the email.

It is the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that proposals have been submitted in their entirety to www.Grants.gov and sent via email. S/GWI bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Please refer to the Grants.gov website for the definitions of various “application statuses” and the difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation. The applicant should not expect a notification upon S/GWI receiving their application. Applicants will receive a validation email from Grants.gov upon successful submission of an application. Validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can take up to two business days. Additionally you must save a screenshot of the checklist showing all documents submitted in case any document fails to upload successfully.

Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered unless the S/GWI point of contact listed in Section G of the NOFO is contacted prior to the deadline and is provided with evidence of system errors caused by Grants.gov that is outside of the applicants’ control and is the sole reason for late submission.

E. Funding Restrictions:

This cooperative agreement will be funded from money appropriated under the “Economic Support Fund” (ESF) heading in the Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, 2012 (Div. I, P.L. 112-74) (SFOAA). ESF is available for foreign assistance supporting economic or political stability. Under Section 531(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended (FAA), ESF may not be used for military or paramilitary purposes. Given restrictions under Section 660 of the FAA, assistance may be provided to police and law enforcement forces only under certain circumstances. Note that activities focused on security sector training will be subject to vetting to ensure compliance with Section 620M of the FAA (“Leahy Vetting“).

The Recipient is reminded that funds provided under this agreement must be used in a manner fully consistent with U.S. law. The recipient agrees that none of the funds provided by this award shall be used to lobby for or against abortion. The recipient agrees that none of the funds provided by this award shall be used to pay for the performance of abortion as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions.

Per 22 CFR 200.307 ((e) (1), (2) and (3) of this section please note the following guidance concerning use of Program Income:

· Program income earned during the project period shall be retained by the recipient and, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award, shall be used in one or more of the ways listed in the following:

· Added to funds committed to the project by the Department and recipient and used to further eligible project or program objectives.

· Used to finance the non-Federal share of the project or program.

· Deducted from the total project or program allowable cost in determining the net allowable costs on which the Federal share of costs is based.

· It is emphasized, however, that the above three alternatives are applicable only when the grantee is a non-profit entity. Any grant to a commercial firm must state that the first of the alternatives is not available for program income earned by the grantee. As explained by (GAO noted in its Principles of Federal Appropriations Law at 10-57, that “This approach [option (1)] increases program size. Both OMB and GAO have expressed preference for the deduction method [option (3)] since it results in savings to the federal government and to grantees.”)

The following activities and costs are not covered under this announcement:

· Construction is not an allowable activity under this award.

· Activities that appear partisan or that support individual or party electoral campaigns;

· Direct support or the appearance of direct support for any religious organization, to include repair or building of structures used for religious purposes.

· Military assistance of any kind, including weapons buy back or rewards programs.

· Purchase of firearms, ammunition, or removal of unexploded ordnances.

· Para-police (i.e., militias, neighborhood watch, security guards) and prison-related projects. This restriction includes no funding of any secondary need in a law-enforcement organization.

· Payments for any partner government, military or civilian government employee salary or pension.

· Vehicle purchases to include motorcycles. (However, farm equipment, such as small tractors, and transportation costs will be considered.)

· Duplication of services immediately available through municipal, provincial, or national government.

· Funds for market research, advertising (unless public service related to grant program) or other promotional expenses.

· Expenses made prior to the approval of a proposal or unreasonable expenditures will not be reimbursed.

F. Application Review Information

i. Evaluation Criteria

Proposal submissions in response to this announcement should include information addressing each of the evaluation criteria below. Each proposal will be evaluated and rated based on the criteria, which are designed to assess the organizational capacity of the applicant and the merits of the proposed project. The criteria are closely related and evaluators will consider the criteria as a whole in judging the application. Panelists review each application individually against the evaluation criteria, not against competing proposals.

In most cases, the Department of State Review Panel includes representatives from S/GWI, the appropriate Department of State regional bureau, and USAID Washington. S/GWI requests feedback on applications from the appropriate U.S. embassies and USAID missions for the panelists’ consideration. In some cases, additional panelists may participate, including from other Department of State bureaus or offices, U.S. government departments, agencies, or boards, representatives from partner governments, or representatives from entities that are in a public-private partnership with S/GWI. At the end of discussion on an application, the panel votes on recommending the application for approval.

Department of State Review Panels may provide conditions and recommendations on applications to enhance the proposed program, which must be addressed by the applicant before further consideration of the award. To ensure effective use of limited S/GWI funds, conditions or recommendations may include requests to increase, decrease, clarify, and/or justify costs and program activities.

With the exception of technical submission questions, during the solicitation period U.S. Department of State staff in Washington and overseas shall not discuss competing applications with applicants until the review process has been completed and rejection and approval letters have been transmitted.

ii. Evaluation Criteria Components

Organizational Capacity and Past Performance: The organization has sufficient depth of experience, capacity, and talent to implement the proposed program as described in this announcement. Individual organizations staff are well qualified. The organization will collaborate with other local entities to the maximum extent possible. For every collaboration proposed, the applicant (a) describes the rationale for the collaboration; (b) each partner's respective role; and (c) how the partnership will enhance the accomplishment of the project goals.

Program Strategy: The applicant must demonstrate that the project strategy and design are likely to achieve the proposed results and that proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable and feasible. Applicants will be judged on the following criteria:

· The proposal describes in detail how project activities will be accomplished and reasonably outlines the potential for the project to have positive impacts through the program objectives and elements as described in Section A.

· The proposal describes how the proposed activity complements existing efforts in support of gender-based violence prevention and response objectives, including that supported by the U.S. government in the country, is innovative, fills a programmatic gap in the area, leverages existing platforms, and does not duplicate other programs. The proposed project promotes linkages across sectors and platforms, for example, connecting actors and mechanisms in the private, education, economic, or political sectors. Other linkages could include across social, political, and economic levels of society.

· The proposed project presents a thoughtful analysis of the needs affecting vulnerable populations; integrates these populations as well as men and boys in program design and implementation; and shows concrete outputs and outcomes for project beneficiaries.

Performance Monitoring and Evaluation: The applicant clearly describes the results and benefits to be achieved. The applicant identifies how program results will be measured by specifying key indicators and providing program milestones indicating progress. Proposed outcomes are tangible and achievable within the grant project period.

Management Plan: Applications will be evaluated on the likelihood of local sustainable results that will endure beyond the term of the project and the effectiveness of project inputs. The application clearly describes through a work plan or other relevant documentation substantive undertakings through measurable and achievable goals and activities. The application clearly describes how the project could be expanded or scaled to more broadly address the peace-building and conflict resolution at the local, national, and/or regional level. Proposals will be evaluated on applicant’s strategy for local institutionalization, sustainability, scalability, and reasonableness by demonstrating ownership of local organizations, and presenting proof of multiplier effect.

iii. Budget Components

Budget Appropriateness: Project budget and budget narrative are aligned with the proposed activities and explains the line items and criteria as directed. Costs are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed project activities.

Cost-effectiveness: Provide a brief analysis in the budget narrative of why the proposed project is cost-effective. Applicants are encouraged to consider the relationship between their proposed funding amount requested and the impact that the project will have on direct and indirect beneficiaries. Any proposed project inputs should be procured at the least cost for the relevant level of quality.

iv. Designated Performance and Integrity System (currently FAPIIS)

The Department of State, 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 any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).

The applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.

The Department of State will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

G. Federal Award Administration Information

Award Notices: The cooperative agreement shall be written, signed, and awarded by the Grants Officer and administered by both the Grants Officer and the Grants Officer Representative. The Grants Officer is the Government official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement Executive to write, award, and administer grants and cooperative agreements. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the Recipient through either mail or facsimile transmission. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified in writing.

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

Administrative and National Policy: Prior to submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications that will apply to this award to ensure they will be able to comply. The terms and conditions are available on the State Department’s procurement website at: http://fa.statebuy.state.gov/

Applicants should also be familiar with the OMB circular that will apply to this cooperative agreement: OMB Uniform Guidance: Cost Principles, Audit, and Administrative Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Chapter I, Chapter II, Part 200, et al.)

Reporting Requirements: The Recipient, at a minimum, shall provide financial, progress, and final reports. Please note that all substantiating documentation supporting reporting and data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the Department of State upon request. All reports must be written in English.

i. Financial Reports: The Recipient is required to submit quarterly financial reports throughout the project period, using Form FFR SF-425, the Federal Financial Report form, as well as forms suggested by the Grants Officer Representative. Form FFR (SF-425) can be found on OMB’s website here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms/. Financial reports are due 30 days after the end of each fiscal year quarter.

ii. Progress Reporting: While the grantee will be in frequent contact with S/GWI and the Grants Officer Representative concerning the project details, the grantee is required to submit quarterly program progress reports using page 1 of Form SF-PPR Performance Progress Report, which can be found at OMB’s website http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms as well as forms suggested by the Grants Officer Representative (GOR). S/GWI will provide a more detailed reporting template. Progress reports are due 30 days after the end of the quarterly reporting period.

iii. Final Report: The final report will be due no later than ninety days after completion or termination of all project activities. The Final Report shall include the following elements: executive summary, successes, outcomes, how the project has increased science capacity in the regions selected and addressed the other goals of the project, and a final financial report.

H. Agency Contact

Any prospective applicant who has questions concerning the contents of this NOFO should email them to SGWIProjectProposals@state.gov with the Subject “Comprehensive Programming to Address and Respond to Gender-based Violence in Laos and Nepal Initiative.” Note that once the NOFO deadline has passed, Department of State staff in Washington, D.C. and overseas at U.S. Embassies/Missions may not discuss this competition with applicants until the review process has been completed.

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