FY18 ENR EDGE large CA - NOFO Final.v3.2.docx

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

BUREAU OF ENERGY RESOURCES

Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In support of the U.S. government’s Asia EDGE (Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy) initiative, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) announces an opportunity for organizations to submit applications to carry out technical assistance and cooperative activities in the Indo-Pacific region under ENR’s Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI) and Power Sector Program (PSP). Asia EDGE seeks to: (1) strengthen the energy security of allies and partners, (2) create open, efficient, rule-based, and transparent energy markets, (3) improve free, fair, and reciprocal trading relationships, and (4) expand access to affordable, reliable energy.

EGCI provides U.S. government and expert independent advisory services on a wide range of capacity-building programs related to hydrocarbon and mineral sector oversight and governance to countries across the globe. Through EGCI, ENR works with governments to build capacity to improve governance by developing the institutional and human expertise needed to oversee resources and grow economies. Assistance is tailored to issues on which countries can make the strongest gains. It seeks to build expertise in resource assessment and development optimization and add best practices into laws and regulations.

PSP provides a wide range of technical, commercial, and regulatory support to create solvent, reliable, transparent, and sustainable power sectors. PSP-supported technical assistance builds capacity of power market authorities (energy ministries, electric utilities, regulators, and system operators), promotes sound power sector governance, and enhances grid reliability, thereby incentivizing investment, optimizing power markets, improving energy efficiency, and deploying advanced, modern power market technologies. PSP goals include: accelerating regional electricity trade and market integration; enhancing power supply diversification and deployment of advanced energy systems; utility modernization; and developing competitive, transparent, and best value tendering and procurement practices.

Through this cooperative agreement, the recipient would expand ENR’s technical engagement in Asia to strengthen regional energy security for economic growth, through a range of capacity-building, advisory, and technical exchange activities related to market development, governance and oversight of hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sectors.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. non-profit/nongovernmental organizations subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U. S. tax code, educational institutions, and public international organizations.

A cooperative agreement, which will include the substantial involvement of the U.S. Department of State for up to $5,000,000 U.S. Dollars (USD) in FY 2018 Economic Support Funds (ESF) will be awarded for work that will support the US.-Indo-Pacific Engagements for Energy Sector Development Program. The period of performance will be 36 months. Funding authority rests in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Contact Person(s): For questions on technical content:

Faith Corneille Kristy Bibb

Priority Region: Indo-Pacific, including: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, select Pacific Island Forum countries, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

Background:

Governments of the Indo-Pacific region depend on reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to enable economic growth. In many countries, rapidly increasing energy demand is outpacing investment, creating potential supply risks in the future. Governments also seek to strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks for mobilizing investment in power infrastructure; diversify power generation supplies, enhance energy efficiency, modernize their power markets, and pursue opportunities for cross-border electricity trade and integration. Several countries are rapidly integrating wind and solar technologies, while others are looking to domestic and imported natural gas resources including imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) to diversify power supplies. Advanced, smart power technologies and digitization in the power sector also present an opportunity to make power systems more flexible, efficient, reliable, smarter, and interconnected, thereby improving services.

This cooperative agreement would support ENR’s efforts through EGCI and PSP by providing technical, capacity-building, and advisory assistance related to hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sector market development, governance, and transparency to achieve policy and program goals.

Program Goals and Objectives:

1. Strengthen national and regional government capacity to develop stable, open, efficient, transparent, and competitive hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sectors to mobilize investment and strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks.

2. Promote policy and regulatory reforms that mobilize investment and support transparent, market-based governance of the hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sectors, including competitive and transparent tendering and procurement processes, modern regulatory approaches to energy market development.

3. Accelerate uptake and integration of diverse and advanced energy technologies to promote supply diversification.

4. Increase bilateral and regional energy resource trade (e.g., electric power, natural gas including liquefied natural gas (LNG), etc.) and commercial transactions, and where possible, the establishment of well-functioning regional power and natural gas markets.

5. Provide expert commercial or technical guidance on power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure options to improve grid operations and planning capabilities, as well as incorporate alternative, modern and advanced technologies into power systems.

6. Expand the professional development of women in energy across the Indo-Pacific region through capacity building, training, mentorship, and networking opportunities involving women in the energy sectors of Asia and the United States.

7. Increase national and regional government capacity to assess and address potential environmental or social impacts of power projects.

Activities may include the following:

· Advisory support and capacity building activities for host governments (energy ministry officials), electric utilities, regulators from the hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sectors, and civil society organizations to develop, revise, and support legal, regulatory, and policy and planning structures to promote market-based policy and regulatory reforms and stimulate private investment.

· Best practices related to modern geological/geophysical data analysis and management.

· Workshops and seminars on leasing, revenue management, and regulatory best practices for oil, gas, and mining sectors.

· Specialized assistance and training to develop competitive and transparent tendering and bidding processes for hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sector projects, and mechanisms to attract optimal, best value investment.

· Comprehensive programming focused on the professional development of women in energy, including implementation of leadership workshops, professional development modules, and a mentorship/ job shadow program involving women across Asia and the United States. Activities should target women working in energy careers in government, private companies, energy finance, and civil society/academia.

· Regional engagement and technical assistance to overcome political, legal, regulatory, and technical obstacles to the benefits bilateral energy market development and regional energy market integration, in order to build more competitive energy markets (including natural gas and electric power), increase access to cheaper energy, expand access to energy services, increase energy trade, and bolster connectivity and energy security.

· Workshops, trainings, seminars, roundtables, or other events designed to facilitate the removal of institutional and regulatory roadblocks impeding progress on hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sector projects and reforms.

· Best practices to help disseminate standards for carbon capture and storage (CCS).

· Guidance on innovative financing mechanisms and viable revenue generation models related to hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sector projects to incentivize the flow of private capital.

· Assistance on assessing, avoiding, and mitigating potential environmental or social impacts of hydrocarbon, mineral, and power projects.

· National and/or regional energy sector Investment Forums to match potential investors with opportunities in Asian markets.

· Support to promote international best practices in power sector regulation related to generation, transmission, and distribution through the application of integrated resource planning and other appropriate modeling tools.

· Assistance to support the development, integration, of renewable energies in national and regional energy mixes.

· Training, technical assistance, and guidance on energy resource system optimization and planning to improve the physical functioning of electric power system operations, including transmission planning, congestion management, dispatch, reactive power management, technical loss reductions, grid modernization techniques, and network access.

Participants and Audiences:

Primary: Foreign government officials. Power market authorities from the energy ministries, electric utilities, electricity regulators, and system operators.

Secondary: Civil society, including academic organizations, civil society organization representatives, and private sector representatives.

Performance indicators

The project should monitor and report on performance indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time-bound. Establish, where possible, performance baseline data and expected performance targets for each expected result, and include details on what sources of data will be used to document performance, how the indicators will be measured, frequency of measurement, and units of measure. Indicators should also allow for disaggregation by key variables such as tracking the level of engagement of U.S. and international companies in all relevant indicators as well as gender disaggregation, as applicable. Indicators should reflect key project outputs or outcomes that reflect on the primary goals or objectives of the project and that the implementer can collect with high quality data.

The implementer will be responsible for quarterly reporting on each performance indicator included in the cooperative agreement as well as analysis of progress or impediments to reach indicator targets. Indicators should be chosen or crafted carefully to reflect the key outcomes or outputs that reflect project performance. The State Department, per policy, assesses the quality of data reported by grant recipients as part of the award activities, therefore applicants should be aware that recipients will be engaged in data quality assessments.

Indicators and their disaggregates proposed below may be included in submitted proposals. Additional indicators, or edited version of the indicators below, may also be proposed. Potential indicators for this project could include:

Custom Indicator: Qualitative feedback from leadership on recipient performance Government Private Sector Civil Society

Custom Indicator: Qualitative feedback from training participants

Government Private Sector Civil Society

Custom Indicator: Amount of investment mobilized (in USD) for energy projects as supported by U.S. government assistance

Government female Government male Private Sector female Private Sector male Civil Society female Civil society male

Energy sector services (identify type (e.g., engineering services))

Energy technologies (identify type (e.g., turbines, etc.))

EG 7.1-1: Number of beneficiaries with improved energy services due to U.S. government assistance Clean energy female

Clean energy male

Non-Clean energy female

Non-Clean energy male

Public, international

Private, domestic

Private, international

EG 7.3-1: Number of laws, policies, regulations, or standards to enhance energy sector governance formally proposed, adopted, or implemented as supported by U.S. government assistance National, proposed

National, adopted

National, implemented

Sub-national, proposed

Sub-national, adopted

Sub-national, implemented

Regional or international, proposed

Regional or international, adopted

Regional or international, implemented

EG 7.3-2: Number of people trained in technical energy fields supported by U.S. government assistance Number of men

Number of women

Number of Executive Branch Personnel

Number of Legislative Branch Personnel

Number of State Owned Enterprise (SOE) Personnel

Substantial Involvement ENR will be substantially involved in the implementation of the program. Substantial involvement will include the following:

· Approval of the recipient’s implementation plans;

· Approval of specified key personal;

· Agency and recipient collaboration or joint participation including;

· Concurrence on the substantive provisions of sub-awards.

· Approval of the recipient’s monitoring and evaluation plans.

· Monitor to authorize specified kinds of direction or redirection because of interrelationships with other projects. All such activities must be included in the program description, negotiated in the budget, and made part of the award.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Overall grant-making authority for this project is contained in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. ENR intends to award a Cooperative Agreement to the applicant whose application, conforming to this NOFO, offers the greatest value in furthering the goals of the program described in Section A. A Cooperative Agreement is distinguished from a grant by virtue of ENR having substantial involvement in the implementation of the program. Depending on the quality of performance and other factors, ENR may consider additional supplemental funding to continue activities and extend the period of performance, if funds are available and ENR and the Recipient mutually agree. Eligible competitive proposals may be considered for support if additional funds are made available.

Summary of Award Information

Timeline for Award Adjudication

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

· Eligibility is limited to U.S. non-profit/nongovernmental organizations subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, foreign non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and public international organizations.

· Technically eligible submissions are those which: 1) arrive electronically to www.grants.gov or https://mygrants.service-now.com by the designated deadline; 2) have heeded all instructions contained in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), including registrations and length and completeness of submission; and 3) do not violate any of the guidelines stated in the solicitation and this document.

1. Cost Sharing or Matching There is no mandatory level of cost-sharing (matching) for this program.

2. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations. Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required below are available at SAMS Domestic.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Content of Application

· The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

· All documents are in English

· All budgets are in U.S. dollars

· All pages are numbered

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

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

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

· Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424A and SF424B, as directed on Grants.gov and SAMS Domestic. The Certifications and Assurances that your organization is agreeing to in signing the 424 are available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-mandatory-family.html. The SF-424B is required only for those applicants who have not registered in SAM.gov or recertified their registration in SAM.gov since February 2, 2019 and completed the online representations and certifications;

· If your organization engages in lobbying activities, a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form is required;

· Letter of Disclosure for proposed consultants/personnel (if applicable) of potential conflicts of interest, employment with a local/state/federal government.

2. Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

3. Proposal (25 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

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

· Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the 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

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

· Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. The proposed program activities should clearly identify activities that are bilateral in nature and focus on one country and those that are regional, involving two or more countries.

· Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.

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

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

· Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees, and letters of support, if available.

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

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

4. Budget Components: After filling out the Excel Budget, use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail.

a. Summary Budget in USD, in Excel, printable on letter-sized paper, using the format in the provided Excel Budget Template;

b. Detailed Budget in USD in Excel, printable on letter-sized paper, using the format in the provided Excel Budget Template;

1) The budget should be for the entire project period. Successful applicants may be asked to provide a year-by-year budget after the award is signed;

2) All sub-award costs should be listed under Line F, “Contractual,” and should also be broken out and organized according to the subcategories. All sub-awardees must be organizations with unique entity identifier (DUNS) numbers (certain exceptions apply). Individual contractors should also be listed under Line F, and should each be listed separately from sub-grantee line items.

c. Budget Narrative that includes an explanation for each line item in the spreadsheet, as well as the source and description of all cost share offered. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

5. Attachments:

· 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program

· Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner

· If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file.

· Official permission letters, if required for program activities

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Unique Entity Identifier (DUNS) and System for Award Management (SAM):

Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR §25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR §25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier 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 Federal awarding agency 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 Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency 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.

In addition, if the organization plans to sub-contract or sub-grant any of the funds under an award, those sub-awardees must also have a unique entity identifier (DUNS) number. (Certain exceptions apply)

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

· Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number)

· NCAGE/CAGE code

· www.SAM.gov registration

Step 1: Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously)

DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet. If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

NCAGE application: Application page here: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx Instructions for the NCAGE application process:

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

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 Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applicants are urged to begin the application process well before the submission deadline. No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps. All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on August 16th, 2019. Applications received via email or after the deadline will not be considered.

5. Funding Restrictions

Funds may not benefit the following governments without reliance on available notwithstanding authorities or other exceptions as provided in writing by the Department of State: Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Nauru, Thailand.

6. Other Submission Requirements

The Department of State requires proposals be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) or SAMS Domestic (https://mygrants.service-now.com).

Organizations new to Grants.gov and SAMS Domestic: In order to register to use grants.gov and SAMS Domestic, an organization must complete a number of steps, which include those registration requirements listed in D3. Completing all of these steps can take up to 4 weeks, especially for an international organization. Additionally, SAMS Domestic requires multi-factor authentication.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

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

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The applicant should be able to access technical expertise in hydrocarbon, mineral, and power sectors with preferred focus in the specific priority regions. The applicant should also be able to access regional and country-specific economic and political subject matter expertise. Relevant expertise can be convened from within the applicant’s organization, or through or agreements with third parties.

Specific personnel required for the development of ongoing engagements could include but are not limited to:

· Geologists, Geophysicists, and Engineers with experience in the petroleum industry;

· Engineers with experience with experience in the power, hydrocarbons, and mineral sectors;

· Legal and Regulatory experts with experience in Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) and upstream and midstream, oil & gas agreements;

· Environmental specialists with experience analyzing and managing the impacts of the hydrocarbon and mineral industries;

· Financial experts with experience managing revenue from resource development and developing financial frameworks to attract private investment.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

· Provide a description of the applicant organization – including its general purpose, goals, annual budget (including funding sources), and major past and current activities and projects undertaken.

· Discuss the applicant organization’s experience in energy sector governance, reform, and development:

· Experience conducting technical or professional exchanges, providing technical/legal/regulatory/economic analysis, or providing advisory services on power, hydrocarbon, and/or mineral sector governance, reform, and development in the Indo-Pacific region;

· Experience with assessing energy sector policies and plans and providing actionable recommendations for improvement; and

· Experience working in cites/countries in which the applicant organization intends to implement activities.

· Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the project implementation team (prime applicant and key partners/sub-implementers/consultants.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. The proposal should further outline the expected and achievable results for the project, which could include suggestions in Section A. It should also outline the relevant and appropriate Main Activities to accomplish the goals and expected results, which could include those found in Section A4. Specifically, the proposal must contain indicative examples of target companies and jurisdictions and an indicative outreach plan. Explain the assumptions on which the success of the project depends, and the involvement of other stakeholders.

Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Proposals should keep estimated overhead and administrative costs as low as possible and have proposed expenditures that are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed project activities and reflect the applicant’s understanding of the allowable cost principles established by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 2 CFR 200. Amount of funding contributed by the Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured. Proposals should discuss how progress towards the expected results will be measured, as outlined by the Performance Indicators in Section A. Identify which performance indicators will be measured and how data on these indicators will be collected, analyzed, and used for program management. Present indicators linked to specific project objectives in table format and include source of data and proposed frequency of collection, which should be no less than semi-annually. Applicant should set associated targets for the indicators that it proposes to achieve. Include an explanation of how data and information will be collected, analyzed and used, and how baseline measurements will be established.

Sustainability – 10 points: Provide an outline of how program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

2. Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications. Before grants are awarded, the Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the Bureau’s program needs and availability of funds.

3. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see §200.88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants:

i. That the Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider 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);

ii. That an 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;

iii. That the Federal awarding agency 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.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

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

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

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

Payment Method: The awardee(s) will be paid on a reimbursable basis through the Payment Management System (PMS).

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Terms and Conditions: Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include: 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm Note the U.S Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions.

3. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.

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

1. Progress Reports: The recipient will provide ENR with quarterly reports, which include performance analysis that describes activities undertaken, progress toward Agreement objectives, compliance with the work plan agreed upon with ENR, challenges and responses taken/recommended responses, and proposed next steps. The recipient may propose additional strategies for monitoring results, developing communications, and disseminating lessons learned as necessary to account for the specific goals of the cooperative agreement. Quarterly reports will additionally provide a report of expenditures in the format of the sample summary budget. Quarterly reports will be submitted to ENR within 30 days after the end of a quarter and will include reporting on the following:

· Significant activities of the period and how activities reflect progress toward achieving goals;

· Evaluation of progress on goals/objectives with quantitative and qualitative data, as appropriate;

· Any problems/challenges in implementing the project and a corrective action plan;

· Evaluation of accomplishments with quantifiable information on goals and objectives to date as available, including reporting on agreed-upon indicators;

· An update on expenditures during the reporting period;

· Supporting documentation or products related to project activities (such as surveys, travel, etc.); and

· Project Spotlight highlighting a significant area of progress under the agreement as well as photos of implementation.

2. Financial Reports: The Recipient is required to submit quarterly financial reports throughout the project period, using the Federal Financial Report form SF 425, as well as forms suggested by the Grants Officer Representative. If payment is made through the Payment Management System, all financial reports must be submitted electronically through the Payment Management System. The grantee is also required to upload to SAMS domestic a pdf version of all financial reports (Federal Financial report) they have submitted in the Payment Management System. Form FFR (SF-425) can be found on Department of State’s website here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html.

3. Final Report: The final report will be due no later than 90 days after completion or termination of all project activities. The Final Report shall include the following elements: executive summary, successes, outcomes, best practices, how the project will be sustained, and a final financial report.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: Faith Corneille, CorneilleFC@state.gov and Kristy Bibb BibbK@state.gov

H. OTHER INFORMATION

H1. Conflict of Interest In accordance with applicable Federal awarding agency policy, applicants must disclose in writing any potential conflict of interest to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.

H2. Applicant Vetting Applicants are advised that proposals will be evaluated against the potential risk that federal funds may inadvertently be passed to the wrong hands and that funds may benefit terrorists groups or their supporters. Applicants may be asked to submit information required by DS Form 4184, Risk Analysis Information (attached to this solicitation), about their company and its principal personnel. Vetting information is also required for all sub-award performance on assistance awards identified by DOS as presenting a risk of terrorist financing. When vetting information is requested by the Grants Officer, information may be submitted on the secure web portal at: https://ramportal.state.gov, via Email to RAM@state.gov, or hardcopy to the Grants Officer.

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

H3. Marking Policy Applicants are advised that recipients and sub-recipients of Federal assistance awards are subject to the State Department’s Marking Policy. More information on this policy can be found on: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm H4. Evaluation Policy Applicants are advised that recipients and sub-recipients of Federal assistance awards are subject to the Department of State Evaluation Policy. More information on this policy can be found here: http://www.state.gov/s/d/rm/rls/evaluation/2015/236970.htm Further, recipient organizations are encouraged to conduct their own and/or independent evaluations on their Department of State funded programs to assess performance and outcomes.

H.5 Guidelines for Budget Justification Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Per U.S. federal travel regulations, Estimate the costs of economy fare, refundable travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.