FY 25 CTR FIRST Final 241025.pdf

United States Department of State

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND NONPROLIFERATION OFFICE OF

COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Title: Advancing Nuclear Safety, Security, and

Nonproliferation through the FIRST Program

Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0016986

Assistance Listing Number: 19.033

Solicitation Type: Open Competition

Type of Award: Grant; Cooperative Agreement; IAA

Application Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on 17 January 2025

Total Funding Ceiling: $19,500,000

Cost Sharing: Not Required

Anticipated Number of Awards: Ten (10) Awards may range from a minimum of

$50,000 to a maximum of $4,000,000

Period of Performance: 15 months

Question Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on 10 January 2025

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

foreign-based institutions of higher education, and U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses.

Table of Contents

Section A: Funding Opportunity Description

A.1. Background

A.2. Problem Statement

A.3. Project Goal

A.4. Objectives

A.5. Expected Outcomes

A.6. Performance Indicators

A.7. Key Considerations

A.8. Substantial Involvement (if applicable)

Section B: Federal Award Information

B.1. Available Funding

B.2. Award Management

Section C. Eligibility Information

C.1 Eligible Applicants

C.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

C.3. Other Eligibility Criteria

Section D: Application and Submission Information

D.1. Address to request Application Package

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (sam.gov)24

D.3.1 Exemptions

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.5. Funding Limitations, Restrictions, and Other Considerations

Section E: Application Review Information

E1. Proposal Review Criteria

E.2. Review and Selection Process

E.3. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov (formerly FAPIIS)

Section F: Federal Award Administration Information

F.1. Federal Award Notices

Section G: Federal Awarding Agency Contact

G.1. Contacts

G.2. Question Submission Deadline

Section H: Other information

H.1. Conflict of Interest

H.2. Freedom of Information Act

H.5. Monitoring Site Visits

H.6. Privacy Disclosure

H.8. Background Information on BUREAU

SECTION A: FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A.1. Background

The Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity

(NOFO). ISN/CTR sponsors foreign assistance activities funded by the

Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) and other accounts to prevent proliferator states and non-state actors from developing or using Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), ballistic missiles, advanced conventional weapons, and advanced and emerging technologies with WMD-applicability against the United States and our allies. An underlying aim of all

ISN/CTR’s efforts is long-term sustainability to maximize programmatic impact while minimizing the need for foreign partners to rely on outside financial or technical assistance.

A.2. Problem Statement

ISN/CTR administers the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology Program (FIRST), which was launched in 2019 and formally announced at the Leaders’ Climate Summit in April 2021. FIRST provides technical capacity-building support to potential nuclear energy newcomer countries and current nuclear energy countries that are considering small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced reactor designs to meet their energy needs, consistent with the highest international standards of nuclear security, nonproliferation, and safety. FIRST is designed to enhance U.S. bilateral and multilateral cooperation, consistent with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) nuclear energy infrastructure development milestones approach, in nuclear energy infrastructure development, nuclear security, and capacity-building. In so doing, the program supports secure, safe, and proliferation-resistant deployment of SMRs or other advanced reactors to partner countries.

Recognizing the many years required to develop the necessary infrastructure to support a nuclear power program, FIRST provides essential capacity-building support and technical expertise to priority partner countries to advance the secure and responsible utilization of civilian nuclear reactors, especially SMRs and other advanced reactors.

While global in scope, FIRST directs its efforts towards individual priority countries on both a bilateral and regional basis to maximize its programmatic impact. FIRST is primarily interested in engaging partner countries’ nuclear energy agencies, regulatory authorities, reactor operators, utilities, nuclear research institutes, technical and non-technical organization decision makers, energy, environmental, and foreign ministries, and academia (at the faculty level). Audiences for these activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Decision Makers: FIRST engages various policy makers in partner countries, including at senior levels, on paths forward for secure, sustainable, proliferation-resistant approaches to civil nuclear energy in their respective countries. This community may include officials from energy and environmental ministries, science ministries, finance ministries, foreign diplomats, university partners, and local officials in the context of capacity-building for FIRST.

• Government Operators, Regulators, Utilities, Technical Experts, and Security Personnel: FIRST engages operators, regulators, and security personnel to implement programs that ensure the highest standards for nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.

• Technical Organization Decision Makers: To ensure the sustainability and success of FIRST engagement with operators, regulators, and security personnel, FIRST engages relevant decision makers and nuclear industry officials.

A.3. Project Goal

FIRST helps partner countries:

▪ establish a nuclear power program under the highest international standards for nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation,

▪ take advantage of next generation nuclear innovations and technologies in their sustainable energy plans and meet their energy needs, and

▪ deepen relationships through government, industry, national laboratory, and university engagements.

FIRST tailors each engagement to meet the partner’s specific needs through a multi-module collaborative training and capacity building program. With partners from across the U.S. Government and experts from academia, private industry, non-governmental organizations, and U.S. national laboratories, FIRST brings diverse expertise on the cutting edge of nuclear technology to build partner country capacity.

A.4. Objectives

In Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), as the primary focus, FIRST will fund activities that align with tailored capacity-building support for countries participating in FIRST, including both potential new FIRST partners and countries already engaged. Proposals should clearly indicate how the work is intended to support this objective.

Empower potential nuclear energy newcomer countries to prioritize nuclear security, nonproliferation, and safety considerations from the outset as key decisional criteria when evaluating civil nuclear reactor technologies, with an emphasis on SMRs and other advanced reactor designs. FIRST provides capacity-building support to partner countries as they develop their nuclear energy programs to achieve their energy goals under the highest international standards for nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation. FIRST provides this support in a manner consistent with the IAEA Milestones Approach for implementing a responsible nuclear power program. These efforts support the ability of the United States to uphold and strengthen global nuclear nonproliferation, security, and safety norms at the facility and national level and in international forums such as the IAEA.

FIRST prioritizes nuclear energy newcomer countries and, in some cases, current nuclear energy countries located primarily in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. This line of effort for FY25 is primarily focused on partner states including but not limited to Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, and regional), Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand), sub-Saharan Africa

(Ghana, Kenya, and regional), and a limited number of Central Asian (Kazakhstan, and regional), Latin American and the Caribbean (Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, Peru, and regional).

Funded activities under this line of effort will emphasize:

• Engaging high-level nuclear energy, science, and regulatory officials and other governmental stakeholders in partner countries for capacity-building engagements—both remote and in-person—on topics such as nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation for SMRs, workforce development, stakeholder engagement, regulatory development and licensing for advanced reactors, SMR technology selection, non-predatory financial arrangements, and related topics. Engagements intended for high-level audiences should typically be accessible to officials who do not possess a deep technical background.

• Conducting expert-level, in-depth, capacity-building training, workshops, symposia, roundtables, asynchronous learning, academic exchanges, site visits, and study tours for governmental, industrial, scientific, academic and other technical stakeholders in partner countries on topics such as those mentioned above. These engagements should generally possess sufficient technical depth to engage a technical audience but must be tailored to meet the experience of the specific partner country to be engaged (from potential newcomer to advanced nuclear energy state).

As a U.S. foreign assistance program authorized to deliver nonproliferation capacity-building abroad, FIRST does not fund projects intended to advocate for nuclear energy to countries not currently exploring this option, to promote the

U.S. nuclear industry, or to train U.S. personnel in U.S.-based institutions.

A.5. Expected Outcomes

The FIRST program engages with partners on nuclear security, energy, and sovereignty in an ongoing endeavor. To this end, ISN/CTR will evaluate each proposal, and each project during implementation, based on the strength of its proposed structure of engagement activities and established milestones, seeking work that will continue throughout the period of the project and utilize in-country activities where necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the ongoing training effort.

All proposals will measure partner capacity before and after training and engagement, with the expectation that skills, procedures, technical understanding, and abilities have increased due to ISN/CTR support.

A.6. Performance Indicators

ISN/CTR uses multiple indicators across all lines of effort to demonstrate our partner countries are making progress towards achieving self-sustaining, proliferation-resistant security culture that reduces the threat posed by terrorist organizations or proliferator states seeking the means by which to obtain WMD and delivery systems for the purposes of threatening the United States and related interests. Please identify how your proposed projects will contribute to the larger effort.

A.7. Key Considerations

• Leveraging Technical and Other Expertise: FIRST incorporates experts from U.S. and international technical organizations, national laboratories, academia, and the nuclear industry in its training activities. FIRST seeks to incorporate lessons learned and best practices from the nuclear industry, but does not seek to promote nuclear energy to countries that are not considering it, nor to serve as a promotional vehicle for U.S. business interests or specific reactor vendors.

• Tailored Engagement Strategies: FIRST sponsors projects that are relevant to each partner country’s needs, capabilities, infrastructure, and regulatory environment. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, no two FIRST projects are identical, because no two countries are identical. FIRST trainings are based on a nuanced understanding of technical and human capacity and other factors relevant to secure and safe nuclear energy deployment in each partner country, take cultural and policy considerations into account, leverage the implementer’s own relationships and experience in country, and build upon past FIRST or other expert engagements.

• Utilizing Innovative Technology: To sustain developments made during in-country trainings and to provide consistent, regular support throughout project implementation, FIRST encourages the use of online training modules, virtual communication, and other innovations for capacity building.

• Concrete Impact: FIRST seeks to move beyond awareness-raising and toward adoption, implementation, and long-term sustainability of best practices. To accomplish this, FIRST is open to a variety of approaches, including leveraging private sector capabilities. Proposals that provide specific and feasible approaches to sustainability, rather than platitudes or vague references, are highly encouraged.

All proposals will be reviewed by a ISN/CTR internal panel that will consider effectiveness and suitability of the proposed engagement; demonstrated understanding of the FIRST program mission and how to advance it; value;

implementer past performance if any, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access;

inclusion and active engagement throughout the project with local partners; and sustainability.

A.8. Substantial Involvement

ISN/CTR will be involved in the project development and planning. ISN/CTR staff will work closely with the implementer to select participants, grant awards, and review event agendas and curricula to ensure that they align with the proficiency level, needs and interests of each ISN/CTR partner country audience. ISN/CTR will approve foreign participants, advise on training logistical implementation and will consult on all aspects of event logistical planning and all participants including process and lead-time required for obtaining U.S. visas.

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1. Available Funding

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

Applicants can submit one application in response to the NOFO. If more than one application is submitted by an organization, only the final application received, and time stamped by grants.gov will be reviewed for eligibility. Each application can include multiple projects, with a separate scope and budget provided for each project, that will each be evaluated independently.

Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, only one organization must be designated as the lead applicant, with the remaining organizations designated as sub-awardees. The lead applicant must meet the eligibility criteria listed in Section C. Alternately, teaming partners may each submit their own proposal (each clearly referencing the other and delineating the division of responsibilities, deliverables, and budget between them.

The Department of State reserves the right to (a) fund any or none of the applications received; (b) reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase the budget in accordance with bureau proprieties and the availability of funds; (c) accept other than the lowest cost application.

The U.S. government may make award(s) on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. The U.S. government reserves the right (though it is under no obligation to do so), however, to enter into discussions with one or more applicants in order to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the project description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

B.2. Award Management

The successful applicant will need to routinely collaborate with ISN/CTR through regular meetings and conference calls to discuss progress, challenges, emerging topics, etc. The successful applicant must ensure that all funds are used in a manner consistent with any applicable restrictions on funding. See D.5 below for funding restrictions.

SECTION C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants

ISN/CTR welcomes applications from U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without 501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code; foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO); federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs); Public International Organizations;

Foreign Public Entity; U.S.-based private, public, or State institutions of higher education; Foreign-based institutions of higher education, and U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses.

Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48

CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

Please see 2 CFR 200.307 for regulations regarding program income.

C.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

The non-Federal share of costs, frequently called “cost share” or “matching costs”, refers to that portion of the project or program costs not borne by the Federal

Government. This may include cash and third-party in-kind contributions. These costs must reflect the realistic capacity of the applicants and any third-party contributors.

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

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

C.3. Other Eligibility Criteria

Any applicant with an exclusion in the Exclusions section of the System for Award

Management (SAM.gov) and/or has a current debt to the U.S. government 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 or person listed in the Exclusions section of SAM.gov can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the

Exclusions section in Sam.gov to ensure that no ineligible entity or person is included in their application.

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1. Address to request Application Package

Applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply on grants.gov title “Advancing Nuclear Safety, Security, and Nonproliferation through the FIRST Program” funding opportunity number “DFOP0016986”. Please contact the ISN/CTR point of contact listed in Section G if requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or for security reasons. Please note that reasonable accommodations do not include deadline extensions.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

ISN/CTR is looking for one proposal package per application. Each package can include multiple standalone projects that can each be evaluated independently.

Each proposed project should have a unique set of the following documents:

Project Narrative, Budget Documents, Program Monitoring and Evaluation

Narrative and Plan, and Key Personnel. Each proposal packet will include one of the following documents that incorporate information on all proposed projects:

SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B (Optional), SF-LLL (if Applicable), Cover Page/Executive

Summary, Security Plan, Contingency Plan, Timeline, and Racial Equity and

Underserved Communities Analysis. To ensure that all applications receive a https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ balanced evaluation, the review panel will review from the first page of each section up to the page limit and no further. For all application documents, please ensure:

• All documents are in English, and all costs are in U.S. dollars. If an original document within the application is in another language, an English translation must be provided (please note the Department of State, as indicated in 2 CFR 200.111, requires that English is the official language of all award documents). If any document is provided in both English and a foreign language, the English language version is the controlling version;

• All pages are numbered, including budgets and attachments;

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

• All documents are single-spaced, 14-point Calibri font, with 1-inch margins.

Captions and footnotes may be 10-point Calibri font. Font sizes in charts and tables, including the budget, can be reformatted to fit within 1 page width.

• All application materials must be submitted through www.Grants.gov unless you are a U.S. Government entity applying for Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA) funding. If you are applying for an IAA please submit proposals to the program team identified in section G.1 and ISN-CTR-BUDGET@state.gov.

Complete applications must include the following, where applicable:

One document per proposal

1) Completed and signed SF-424 and SF-424A

2) OPTIONAL SF-424B forms (strongly encouraged for FPEs/PIOs/FFRDCs)

3) Organizations that engage in lobbying the U.S. government, including

Congress, or pay for another entity to lobby on their behalf, are also required to complete the SF-LLL “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form

(only if applicable).

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grants.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7CPattisonTE%40state.gov%7C35e984aeaa6f450d06b508dce47bec4e%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638636468094971073%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NCzTw2%2FBzrW4lUl0PnwRlcLma10oDNq%2BS3nOeIj0JaU%3D&reserved=0 mailto:ISN-CTR-BUDGET@state.gov

4) Cover Page/Executive Summary (not to exceed one (1) page, preferably as a

Word document) that includes a table with the organization name, project title, target country/countries, name and contact information for the application’s main point of contact, and brief section that clearly outlines the (1) the problem statement addressed by the project (2) research-based evidence justifying the applicant’s approach, and (3) quantifiable project outcomes.

5) Timeline (not to exceed one (1) page, preferably as a Word document or

Excel sheet): The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities, evaluation efforts, and program closeout. Sufficient time should be included to conduct and finalize internal/external evaluations and allow any sub-recipients time for final reporting, as applicable. Please see “Sample

Timeline” included as an attachment to the NOFO.

6) Racial Equity and Underserved Communities Analysis:

In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and

Underserved Communities, proposals must demonstrate how the project advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal must also demonstrate how the project will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the experience of participants. The support of underserved communities will be part of the review criteria for this opportunity. Therefore, proposals should clearly demonstrate how the project will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in participant outreach and recruitment.

A Racial Equity and Underserved Community analysis, (not to exceed two

(2) pages, preferably as a Word document) helps consider the different ways in which activities might impact and be impacted by the community, country, and region where activities take place. This analysis should seek to highlight what strategies for integration and inclusion were used to develop https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fbriefing-room%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2021%2F01%2F20%2Fexecutive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government%2F&data=04%7C01%7CReisigAR%40state.gov%7C0dbdd75a0a664b32ef2508d8fb59f8f5%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C637535711126807160%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Hk82GX1SCF8LaoHg%2B2vrmdCRK6gGWYwQXU9CB6cLb5E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fbriefing-room%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2021%2F01%2F20%2Fexecutive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government%2F&data=04%7C01%7CReisigAR%40state.gov%7C0dbdd75a0a664b32ef2508d8fb59f8f5%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C637535711126807160%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Hk82GX1SCF8LaoHg%2B2vrmdCRK6gGWYwQXU9CB6cLb5E%3D&reserved=0 the proposed project or projects. Below is an illustrative list of questions to help with the gender and inclusion analysis. Recipients are NOT REQUIRED to respond to every question or duplicate this chart in their proposal.

Findings from the applicants’ analysis should be accounted for at the design phase and integrated throughout proposal documents, as appropriate.

Domain Consideration Cross-Cutting Questions

Laws, Policies, Regulations, and

Institutional

Practices

Are there any laws or policies that address inequality or discrimination, current or past? How could treatment under the law, and by official policies and institutions in the country, impact engagement with intended audiences?

Have you engaged or consulted with the communities or people with whom you want to work?

What do local equality groups think about the work?

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

Cultural Norms, Beliefs and

Gender Roles

What is expected of

OR what responsibilities are held by different genders? What stereotypes exist and how do they affect engagement in activities? How do gender roles and responsibilities, inside and outside the home, impact equitable participation? Who decides, influences, and exercises control over material, human, intellectual, and financial resources in the family, community and country?

Access to and

Control over

Assets and

Resources

Do men and women have equal control over and the capacity to use resources – assets, income, education, social benefits, services, technology – and information necessary to be an active and productive participant in society? Are resources accessible to all people regardless of physical, socioeconomical status.

7) Security Plan (not to exceed three (3) pages if proposal includes in person engagements): Addresses any issues involving in-person events and recruitment for said events, and safety for any online programs or communications including independent IT security audits (to include a vulnerability assessment) of any proposed web application or platform.

Organization’s Security Plan should demonstrate consideration of the risks identified in the submitted risk assessment. Costs may also be identified within the budget and budget narrative. Applicants are also encouraged to include contingency plans for in-person or online activities.

8) Contingency Plan (not to exceed three (3) pages): Outlines activities in the event that the originally planned activities are unimplementable. The

Contingency Plan should be submitted as an additional annex. Applicants should demonstrate consideration of the risks identified in the submitted risk assessment and include specific alternative activities or locations as part of the Contingency Plan. Any proposed “plan” must comply with 2 CFR

200.433 – Contingency provisions. Plans must not include unallocable or unallowable expenses and must not result in a larger Total Award Value than the identified “competition ceiling.” ISN/CTR requires prior approval by the Grants Officer of the “plan” before any activities can take place, or costs can be incurred against the “plan.”

9) Attachments (if applicable):

• CVs or resumes

• List of USG funded awards active in the last twenty-four (24) months with references and award numbers

• One document per project (Individual project documents can be combined if you are including multiple projects in your proposal)

10) Project Narrative (not to exceed three (3) pages per project, preferably as a Word document). Please note the 3-page limit does not include the Cover Page/Executive Summary, Detailed Budget, Budget

Narrative, Key Personnel, Timeline or Attachments. Applicants are encouraged to combine multiple documents into a single Word document

(i.e. Cover Page/Executive Summary, and Proposal Narrative into one file).

The Narrative must include the following:

• Introduction to the Organization: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on relevant or similar type projects from previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.

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

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

• Program Goal: The goal describes the broader, long-range outcome or concept intended. Goals do not include timelines or methods for achievement. Rather, goals are general statements of a desired result.

Programs generally have one goal that is only one sentence.

• Program Objective(s): Objectives unlike goals, are brief, clear statements that describe what will be done within a specific timeframe to help achieve or advance a goal. Objectives are applicant focused, and should be SMART:

▪ Specific: Detailed and specifies what will be achieved

▪ Measurable: have associated metrics or measurements of success

▪ Attainable: appropriately challenging, objectives can be reasonably attained given the available resources

▪ Relevant: align with the policy/program goal and appropriate within the country or beneficiary audience

▪ Time-Bound: achievable within the timeframe of the program

• Program Activities: Describe how the activities or actions under objective(s) will be carried out. Should be clearly developed and sufficiently explain the resources and time requirements identified

(inputs) and things done or produced (outputs). Where appropriate, identify target areas, or where actions are happening, participant groups or selection criteria for participants; how relevant stakeholders will be engaged; actions taken by consultants, sub-recipients or vendors as appropriate/relevant. Demonstrate how the activity will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

• Outcomes: The results or effects of the objective(s). What are the detailed, measurable statements that outline the end results?

Outcomes are target-audience focused. What will the benefitting individuals, countries or audiences have learned, accomplished or be able to do after the project has been completed? Collectively, outcomes advance or further the program goal.

• Risk Analysis - Identify the internal and external risks associated with the proposed project, rate the likelihood of the risks, rate the potential impact of the risks on the project, and identify actions that could help mitigate the risks.

• Future Funding or Sustainability – Applicants’ plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. Include ways program activities will ensure sustainability.

11) Budget Documents: This is a two (2) component submission requirement.

o (1) Detailed Line-Item Budget: Entities and organizations not recognized as FFRDCs, FPEs or PIOs are required to submit detailed budget information according to the OMB cost categories (see SF-

424A as an example). Budget expenses should be submitted preferably as one Excel workbook and include three (3) columns describing the request to ISN/CTR, any required or voluntary cost sharing, and the total budget. Costs must be in whole U.S. dollars. The attached Budget Guidance Template is the preferred format for submission. Detailed line-item budgets for sub-grantees should be included as additional tabs within the Excel workbook (if available at the time of submission).

o (2) Budget Narrative: Entities and organizations not recognized as

FFRDCs, FPEs or PIOs are required to submit narrative information, preferably as a Word document, that explain the methodology considerations for each specific line identified in the Excel document.

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

o Budget Documents for Foreign Public Entities/Public International

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

12) Program Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative and Plan/Tracker: This is a two (2) component submission requirement.

(1) Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative: Preferably a one-page Word document, the narrative outlines how a project’s M&E system will be carried out and by whom. It details how you will track your project’s performance toward its objectives over time and provides a clear description of the approach and data collection strategies and tools to be employed (e.g., pre-and post-test surveys, interviews, focus groups). The description should include how the applicant will track and document whether activities occurred (outputs) and the results or changes caused by these activities

(outcomes). If the project includes work with local partners or sub-partners, explain how M&E efforts will be coordinated amongst these organizations.

Explain if an external evaluation will be included. Evaluations, internal or external, should be systematic studies that use research methods to address specific questions about project performance. They should provide a valuable supplement to ongoing monitoring activities. Evaluation activities generally include baseline assessments, mid-term and final evaluations.

(2) Monitoring and Evaluation Plan/Tracker - Preferably as an Excel workbook, the tracker contains the M&E plan that should draw on the objectives, activities and expected changes from the logic model, and link those areas to indicators. The M&E plan is generally structured as a table https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E with output- and outcome-based indicators. It explains how data will be collected (data collection methods) to show that certain changes occurred.

It outlines baselines (where your project is starting) and quarterly targets

(what you would like to achieve) for each indicator. Please see “Sample

Monitoring Indicator Tracker” included as an attachment to the NOFO.

Note: If recommended for funding, the panel and/or bureau may negotiate the inclusion of additional Department of State Foreign Assistance indicators. These indicators assist the bureau in tying projects to larger bureau program objectives for Department’s Managing for Results framework. More information on this policy framework and access to the foreign assistance master indicator list is on the Foreign Assistance Resource

Library. After award issuance, the M&E plan will accompany performance reports to document progress on indicators.

13) Key Personnel (not to exceed two (2) pages, preferably as a Word document): Represents staff within your organization or outside of your organization (subgrantee, consultants, contractors), carrying out administrative and/or technical responsibilities, who are integral to the success of the program. Includes short bios that highlight relevant professional experience. Provides names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. Given the limited space, inserting CVs are not recommended but may be submitted in as an attachment. Generally limited to 3-5 individuals.

Optional DEIA Plan

Summary

In furtherance of the policies set forth in Executive Orders 13985, 14020, and

14035, ISN/CTR invites FY25 applicants to supplement their applications with brief descriptions of how, to the extent feasible, their proposals would advance

ISN/NP’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) objectives, as described below. The submission of this supplemental information, referred to as a DEIA Plan, is a voluntary component of the proposal process.

ISN/CTR DEIA Lines of Effort/Objectives https://www.state.gov/foreign-assistance-resource-library/ https://www.state.gov/foreign-assistance-resource-library/

DEIA Plans should address the following categories, the pursuit of which should not take precedence over a proposal’s core goals. See Section A for goal and objectives of this NOFO.

• Support staff DEIA: Consider a diverse pool of potential implementers and sub-implementers to engage as diverse and inclusive a population as is feasible.

• SME DEIA: To the extent possible, consider a diverse population of subject matter experts to deliver training, lead discussions, and present technical information. This may include engaging local and regional experts as trainers. (Note: applicants should not discuss proposals directly with local partners without the explicit approval of ISN.)

• Audience DEIA: Consider how to engage a diverse, representative cross-section of the target-audience population while taking into account the objectives of the engagement. This might include considering local representation disparities that are not immediately apparent to those from another culture.

• Accessibility: Consider how to actively reduce or eliminate obstacles that would impede participation by people with disabilities.

Plan contents and submission

Applicants may use DEIA Plans to describe how proposals will achieve one or more of the DEIA objectives identified above. Plans need not include specific performance targets, but they should outline any concrete steps or key partners the implementer would leverage to achieve the objectives. Plans may also include information about the applicant’s past performance on DEIA-related metrics, both as an employer and as an implementer, and any country specific gender analysis to be conducted. Plans may consist of two separate elements as noted below;

implementers can submit one or both elements as part of their proposal. The first element is the project-specific DEIA statement, and the second element is the standalone DEIA summary document.

The first element is project specific language to be integrated into their project proposal consistent with the objectives above. This could consist of actions to be completed as part of the project, demographic targets for participants, key partners that will assist with delivery/implementation, and outside any organization to be engaged if the project is funded. Integrated DEIA Plans should be no more 250 words per project. If the applicant chooses to integrate DEIA

Plans into their proposals, they should do so in accordance with the template provided as part of the Notice for Funding Opportunity.

The other element is a standalone document (one per proposal). The standalone

DEIA Plan should identify proposal-wide actions, highlight past performance, highlight staffing information that will impact the performance of the projects, or articulate examples of previous steps taken consistent with the objectives above.

Standalone document should be no longer than one page on standard letter paper with one-inch margins and 12-point Calibri font. The terms diversity, equity, inclusion are defined in EO 14035.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (sam.gov)

The UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal

Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all federal awards. The federal government's primary database for complying with FFATA reporting requirements is www.sam.gov . OMB designated www.sam.gov as the central repository to facilitate applicant and recipient use of a single public website that consolidates data on all federal financial assistance. Under the law, it is mandatory to obtain a UEI number and register in sam.gov before submitting an application. ISN/CTR may not review applications from or make awards to applicants that have not completed all applicable UEI and SAM.gov requirements.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the

UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before the award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

Note: The process of obtaining a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from

4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible. Numerous errors require correction, such as an address mismatch, and can delay final registration.

If the application is not corrected within 90 calendar days of original http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ registration/or renewal submission, it will be automatically deleted and the organization will need to re-start the process.

● Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the

United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the

Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Also, a Commercial and Government Entity

(CAGE) code and UEI number is required and issued through SAM.gov. Once received continue with the remainder of the SAM.gov registration.

● Organizations based outside of the United States and do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov. Please note that as of November

2022 and February 2023 respectively, newly registering organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S.

Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a

NATO CAGE (NCAGE).

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge:

• NCAGE/CAGE code (if applicable)

• www.SAM.gov UEI and registration

If you are an organization based outside the U.S. and DO NOT plan to do business with the Department of Defense:

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the registration. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

If you are an organization based outside the U.S. and plan to do business with the

Department of Defense:

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE number

NCAGE Homepage:

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

NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home

For NCAGE help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423

For NCAGE help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766

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

Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE/CAGE Code, proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI an complete registration.

All prime organizations must also continue to maintain active SAM.gov 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.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.gov and to maintain that active registration. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements at the time of application, the applicant may be deemed technically ineligible to receive an award and use that determination will be used as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Note: SAM.gov is not the same as MyGrants. It is free to register in both systems, but the registration processes are different.

Information is included on the SAM.gov website to help international registrations: Please note, guidance on SAM.gov and the guidance on GSA’s website about requirement for registering in SAM.gov is subject to change and currently being updated. Applicants should review the website frequently for the most up-to-date guidance.

The attached “UEI and SAM.gov FAQ updated 013124” is a resource provided by the grants policy office. Any content shown from SAM.gov is not owned by the

Department of State. This guidance and instruction are to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting this solicitation. Where guidance in this https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home attachment differs from the SAM.gov website, SAM.gov prevails and the applicant is encouraged to seek and document clarity provided by the SAM.gov helpdesk.

D.3.1 Exemptions

An exemption from the requirements listed above may be permitted under the following circumstances:

• For any applicant or recipient: if the federal awarding agency determines that it must protect information about the entity from disclosure if it is in the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States, or to avoid jeopardizing the personal safety of the applicant or recipient's staff or clients.

• For a foreign organization or foreign public entity applying for or receiving a federal award or subaward for a project or program performed outside the

United States valued at less than $25,000: if the federal awarding agency deems it to be impractical for the entity to comply with the requirement(s).

This exemption must be determined by the federal awarding agency on a case-by-case basis while utilizing a risk-based approach and does not apply if subawards are anticipated.

• For an applicant: if the federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a federal award. In these instances, federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award date.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or sam.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO and provide a justification of their request.