Flag Football Q&A 09022026.docx

Official Q&A for Grants.gov Posting (NOFO DOS-SAU-2606-PD, NFL Flag Football)

Q1: Is an applicant/recipient responsible for participating delegations'/team travel costs, lodging, M&IE, and should this be budgeted for?

A1: Yes, the Recipient is responsible for working with U.S. Embassies in target countries to arrange travel and in-country logistics for participating delegations. Participant travel, lodging, and per diem/M&IE are allowable costs and should be included in applicant’s budget. Applicants should estimate travel and per diem for program staff, consultants/speakers, and participants/beneficiaries, with justification for any international travel.

Q2: Is an applicant/recipient responsible for National team recruitment as stated on page 6, under Phase 1? If so, what is the targeted age range?

A2: No, the Recipient is not responsible for direct athlete recruitment. Interested U.S. Embassies in the MENA region will identify and nominate the teams to represent their countries. The recipient is responsible for coordinating the logistics with these Posts once the teams are identified. The specific age range is not strictly defined and will be finalized in coordination with the participating Embassies.

Q3: Is the venue already secured, or do applicants/recipients need to budget for the venue rental?

A3: The primary venue is being secured through in-kind support from Saudi partners. Applicants do not need to budget for the primary venue rental, though they should budget for specific event production costs.

Q4: Will all programming be in English, or do we need to budget for Arabic <> English interpretation or other languages?

A4: All application documents must be in English. Interpretation/translation costs necessary to carry out program activities are allowable and may be budgeted.

Q5: Must all Phase 2 Championship events be in person when U.S. Envoys are present? Could events such as the LA28 "Road to Podium" Workshops be virtual?

A5: Phase 2 comprises the March 2027 Championship Events in Riyadh, including envoy-led clinics, the "Freedom 250" Cup, and "Road to Podium" workshops. While the core tournament and envoy-led clinics must occur in person in Riyadh, applicants may propose virtual or hybrid elements for the “Road to Podium” workshops if it expands reach, ensures sustainability, or maximizes the budget. However, these workshops are intended to be a feature of the March 2027 events.

Q6: Is the "Road to Podium" Workshop audience the same as the Sports Envoy Clinics, or different?

A6: The clinics provide intensive training for national teams and regional coaches, while the workshops share program-development strategies with the broader MENA flag football community. There is overlap, but the core audiences differ slightly. The Sports Envoy Clinics are highly interactive and targeted directly at the national team athletes. The “Road to Podium” workshops are strategic sessions primarily targeted at regional coaches, federation officials, and program developers focusing on long-term athletic development standards.

Q7: Phase 3 - is there Recipient-led programming, or is this phase for participants to conduct their own outreach using skills gained in Phase 2?

A7: In Phase 3, the Recipient equips and supports each participating country's delegation with resources to share knowledge, skills, and best practices in their home country, and follow-on in-country activities may be hosted if funding is available. As drafted, this phase centers on delegation-led outreach, with optional Recipient-supported follow-on activities contingent on available funding.

Q8: What does Envoy participation in the Championship look like (coach, host, special guest)?

A8: U.S. Sports Envoys (former NFL players/elite coaches) will take a hands-on, active role throughout the event. In addition to leading the pre-tournament clinics as coaches and trainers, they are expected to help run the championship tournament itself. This can include acting as on-field coaches, tournament directors, or competitive coordinators during the “Freedom 250” Cup to ensure that the event reflects American high-performance standards.

Q9: As "primary implementing partner … on all in-country event execution in Riyadh," would the Recipient cover the costs of in-country event execution?

Yes, while the Recipient serves as the primary implementing partner working directly with Saudi partners on in-country event execution in Riyadh and implements the program with local Saudi partners to coordinate venue access and in-kingdom event support, it is responsible for covering any necessary production and execution costs beyond securing the venue.

Q10: Will the Embassy help secure in-kingdom support? Is there existing in-kingdom support? Are specific local partners already identified/selected?

Yes, the Embassy will manage the diplomatic relationship with Saudi authorities, and the NFL partnership channels under the existing MOU, and the Recipient will work directly with local partners on in-country execution.

Q11: Since cost sharing is encouraged but not required, may applicants describe an intention to pursue cost-sharing in the narrative without including anticipated amounts in the proposed budget, particularly where commitments are not yet confirmed?

Yes. Cost sharing is encouraged, not required, and applicants are asked to describe anticipated private-sector partnerships, in-kind contributions, or sponsorship arrangements they intend to pursue, along with an estimated value where possible. Applicants may describe their intent to pursue cost sharing in the narrative without committing specific amounts in the SF-424A budget. Please note that any cost share that is affirmatively pledged in the proposal budget becomes a binding commitment; unconfirmed or aspirational contributions should therefore be described narratively rather than presented as committed amounts. The NOFO's merit criteria do not assign points to cost sharing.

Q12: Section C.2 states the Recipient will work with U.S. Embassies to arrange travel logistics for participating delegations. Should applicants budget international airfare, lodging, and per diem for the men's and women's delegations traveling to the March 2027 Championship in Riyadh within the $150,000?

A12: Yes. Total available funding is $150,000 for one anticipated award. No separate U.S. Government funding source is identified in this NOFO for delegation travel, and applicants should not assume these costs will be covered by participating U.S. Embassies, the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia, or any anticipated NFL or Saudi partner contribution.

Applicants should budget all costs necessary to execute the program as described, including delegation airfare, lodging, and per diem. Note also that the Recipient is separately responsible for funding U.S. Sports Envoys, including honoraria, travel, visas, and itineraries, these must also fit within the $150,000.

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