NOFO AWEE FINAL FINAL 5. 12.docx

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Table of Contents

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

BUREAU OF ENERGY RESOURCES (ENR)

2. Questions must be submitted by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 24, 2022

3. Notification of winning proposal expected by late July 2022.

Application Submission: Application must be submitted through www.grants.gov.

Electronic Requirement: Yes.

Eligibility Category: -U.S. private institutions of higher education (universities and colleges).

-U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education (universities and colleges).

--Public International Organizations (PIOs).

-U.S.- based non-profit/non-governmental organizations having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS.

Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400, it is a U.S. Department of State policy not to award profit under federal assistance instruments. For-profit and commercial firms are not eligible to apply in response to this NOFO. No exceptions.

Type of Applicant: Organizations only. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Number of Applications: One (1) per applicant organization.

Executive Summary

The Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) of the Department of State (DOS) announces this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy (AWEEA). As the energy sectors of high-emitting countries expand into renewables, the Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy (AWEE) initiative will ensure women can penetrate the labor force and assume positions of leadership in the energy sector by addressing barriers to entry, retention, and promotion and providing them the tools they need to succeed. Through dialogues barriers will be identified and in country small grants will work to address barriers and gender related issues within the energy sector of identified countries.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package has been received by www.grants.gov in its entirety; there are steps that you should take immediately in order to make your submissions by the deadline. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Applicants are urged to begin the application process well before the submission deadline. No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps.

Department of State bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with electronic submissions via www.grants.gov. Incomplete application packages will not be considered.

The Federal award is signed by the Department of State Grants Officer. The Grants Officer is a USG official delegated the authority by the DOS Procurement Executive to award and administer the award. The award Agreement is the only authorizing document and will be issued electronically through the State Assistance Management System (SAMS Domestic).

The U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Energy Resources welcome submissions irrespective of race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or relationship status, religious, caste, or tribal affiliation, or other status.

Section A: Funding Opportunity Description A1. Background

Women’s contributions are often excluded from the global energy sector. Women make up substantially less than half of the workforce across the energy sector and continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions. According to the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA), women comprise only 22 percent of the workforce in the traditional energy sector, and 32 percent of the renewable energy workforce globally. Also, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), women are listed in less than 11 percent of applications in the patent classes closely associated to the energy sector – combustion apparatus, engines, pumps and power, and over 15 percent for climate change mitigation technologies. Within these occupations, there also exists a discrepancy between men and women in leadership positions.

Given that women accelerate innovative and sustainable approaches to address climate, economic, and geopolitical challenges in the energy sector, obstacles to their full participation in the clean energy workforce impedes the global energy transition. This is true of the energy sectors of priority high emitters. Examples include:

· While Bangladesh’s GDP has increased 945 percent since 1990, only 38 percent of the female population participates in the workforce as compared to 82 percent of men. Even so, most women in Bangladesh are employed in the agricultural, apparel or services sector and the number of women in decision-making positions are still relatively low.

· Similar trends can be seen in Mexico, South Africa, and Nigeria. In all three countries only approximately 47 percent of the female population are in the labor market. Women often dominate domestic work occupations and the informal economy, with relatively few attaining leadership or managerial positions in the energy sector.

As countries expand their energy sectors with an increase of clean energy, a unique opportunity to address the discrepancies in labor participation presents itself. Empowering women through professional development in the clean energy industry will allow more women to join different aspects of the labor force, transition to more technical jobs with better working conditions, and gain the skills to take on more decision-making roles. The Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) at the U.S. Department of State is committed to global decarbonization to ensure diverse, secure, and reliable energy sectors around the world. ENR is also committed to advancing the opportunities and role of women in the energy sector globally in support of E.O. 14020 on Gender Equity and Equality, which established the White House Gender Policy Council (GPC) to guide implementation of the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality.

The Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy (AWEE) initiative is an ENR project to address gender discrepancies in the energy sector labor force in 1) high-emitting countries that are committed to a clean energy transition and 2) countries with significant gender gaps in the sector or where general gender inequality is widespread. AWEE will give women the opportunity to learn technical skills necessary to help them become more involved in the transition to a clean energy economy and benefit from green jobs. As more women enter and assume leadership positions within the energy sectors of these high-emitting countries, they will play essential roles in reducing the carbon emissions of their respective countries and mitigating the effects of climate change, which disproportionately affect women.

Target counties include high-emitting countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The award recipient may also include an additional target high-emitting country and/or countries with significant gender gaps in the sector or where general gender inequality is widespread for a maximum total of three countries, of which at least one must be in sub-Saharan Africa. The award recipient will endeavor to include target countries where programming will avoid overlap with other donor-funded gender equity and equality efforts in the energy sector A2. Program Goals and Objectives

Program Goal The successful transition to a global clean energy economy will depend on women’s participation and leadership in the energy sector. The overall goal of this cooperative agreement (CA), funded by the U.S. Department of State’s FY 2021 Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Fund and implemented by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) is to support the empowerment and professional development of women currently working in or seeking to work in the clean energy sector to overcome historic gender-based marginalization and increase women’s participation in the clean energy workforce of target countries.

The objectives of AWEE are:

· Identify barriers to the entry, promotion, and retention of women in the energy sectors as well as the overall challenges faced by women working in the sectors of target countries through facilitating and hosting formal dialogues.(for example: overall gender based marginalization, discrimination, gender-based violence etc.)

· Develop strategies and policy options designed to address the barriers to entry, promotion, and retention.

· Increase women’s participation, promotion, and longevity in the labor force and ability to assume positions of leadership in the energy sector.

· Enhance women’s abilities to assume positions of leadership in the energy sector by teaching them the managerial and technical skillsets necessary to thrive.

· Demonstrate USG commitment to gender equity and equality in the energy sector globally.

A3. Expected Results

Based on the goals and objectives of the program, expected results include, but are not limited to the following:

· Increased collaboration between women energy professionals, policy experts, industry leaders, civil society organizations, NGO’s, and foreign government officials to address challenges and barriers.

· Increased capacity of women in target countries to advance in the clean energy sector.

· Increased participation of women in the clean energy sector of target countries.

· Increased number of women pursuing technical degrees and entering technical fields.

· Increased ability of benefiting women to transition to more technical jobs with better working conditions.

A4. Main Activities Program Description This program will support the empowerment and professional development of women currently working in or seeking work in the clean energy sector in order to overcome historic gender-based marginalization. The program’s goals will be addressed through two main components.

Component One: Dialogues for Institutional Change: Through Component One, the award recipient will convene local women energy professionals, policy experts, industry leaders, civil society organizations, NGO’s, and foreign government officials for high-level meetings to (1) discuss barriers to entry, promotion, and retention and the challenges women face in the country’s energy sector (for example: overall gender-based marginalization, discrimination, gender-based violence in the energy sector etc.) and (2) identify potential solutions and strategies to address the issues identified. At the conclusion of these meetings, all parties will have a better understanding of the challenges women face in entering the energy workforce and ways those challenges can be addressed. Component One will take place before Component Two.

Component Two: In-Country Workforce Development: The award recipient will award small grants of up to $75,000 to local implementers through a competitive process —field-based, local organizations, universities, and NGOs— in priority countries for workforce development activities and address the barriers to entry, promotion, and retention of women in the energy sector and the challenges women face in the country’s energy sector (overall gender-based marinization, discrimination, gender-based violence etc.) as identified in Component One. Local implementers will use the small grants to implement the strategies and policy options created in Component One. Awarding small grants to these organizations allows AWEE to support action-oriented organizations with broad reach across societies to fill gaps, directly engage with host countries, and build national and regional networks capable of pushing for transformational policy change in the energy sector. Implementation of Component 2 must utilize gender and inclusion analysis to ensure professional development and empowerment address broad range of identities, including those who face multiple forms of discrimination.

The award Recipient, with support from the U.S. Department of State, will identify local implementers with the capacity to address the areas above. These local implementers must have a focus on energy sector or clean energy issues or addressing gender bias, discrimination, and/or the equal treatment of women in the energy sector, including addressing gender-based violence against women in the energy workplace. The primary implementing partner must coordinate with the U.S. Department of State to ensure any local implementer meets Department of State standards and expectations.

Working under the direction of the award Recipient, local implementers will address the areas identified under Component One by implementing the strategies and policy options identified. The local implementers, in partnership with the award Recipient, will also have flexibility in determining the best methods to address the barriers in consultation with the award Recipient . Activities supported by local implementers must address but are not limited to the objectives.

Specific activities supported by this cooperative agreement include but are not limited to:

· Implementation of strategies and policy options created during the high-level discussions

· Cooperation, coordination, and support to local organizations to address gender bias and discrimination and/or promote the equal treatment of women in the energy sector, including addressing gender-based violence against women working in the sector.

· Support and implementation of workforce training programs and energy sector mentorship programs to increase women’s professional development.

· Identification and recruitment of in country male gender champions in the energy sector in required and target countries who can advocate for and advance women in the sector.

· Development and implementation of strategies for academic institutions to increase participation of women in energy-related STEM and vocational and technical (VoTech) programs.

· Development and implementation of strategies within energy institutions (e.g., local clean energy companies, public, and private utilities, operators, regulators, ministries) to increase recruitment and participation of women.

· Additional activities identified through the Dialogues for Institutional Change or as specified by the U.S. Department of State.

Proposals should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to access technical expertise, as needed, to carry out the objectives of the NOFO. 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 agreements with third parties.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Approach The Department of State requires the applicant and local small grant recipient organizations to submit MEL plans as part of the proposal process, including overall and local results frameworks and standard and custom performance indicators for both outputs and outcomes.

Requirements The proposal must be demonstrably informed by a contextually-specific gender analysis.

All applicants must provide the following in their proposals to demonstrate alignment with relevant U.S. strategies:

· Gender Analysis: Proposals must include a gender analysis identifying how the work will address gender gaps and opportunities to enhance the program’s effectiveness and narrow gender inequities. This should be a stand-alone document rather than a section of the proposal narrative. Sample Gender Analysis Questions are provided as an attachment of this NOFO package, but the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Energy Resources also welcomes more detailed analyses. Gender analyses should be limited to 2-3 pages per country. Funding priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate a strong understanding of how intersecting aspects of identity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, geography, marital or relationship status, or religious, caste, or tribal affiliation, combine to further marginalize certain sections of the population, and how these will be addressed to realize meaningful inclusion.

· How the program will take an inclusive, locally led approach that represents a broad range of women and is clearly driven by the needs of the community.

At a minimum, the proposal must address the different ways in which different genders might affect and be affected by the project, and how it will minimize the gender inequities it encounters.

Applicants must also address how their program will take a participatory, locally-led approach that is demonstrably driven by the needs and perspectives of local partners and the communities they serve, per the Global Fragility Act of 2019.

Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) ENR expects the recommended applicant to have relevant policy in place to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) of award beneficiaries, including taking a survivor-centered approach to addressing such misconduct. Proposals should indicate whether the organization has policies and internal controls necessary to reasonably prevent, detect, address, and resolve incidents of SEA, including but not limited to an organizational policy or code of conduct for employees that includes safeguarding and IASC principles. Any resources needed to implement PSEA policies should be factored into the proposal budget.

Risk Assessment Applicants should:

· Identify risks to staff, implementers, participants, or their communities as a result of their participation in the program. Besides political and environmental factors, risks may include in-person or online gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and other forms of physical, psychological, economic, or social backlash against beneficiaries. Risk assessments should also address how the program will avoid exacerbating local tensions or divisions, such as unintended power shifts within or between communities, local competition over program funds and opportunities, unintended crowding out of local civil society actors, or “brain drain” of their own staff or members, in line with Do No Harm principles, referring to the need to recognize and reduce the potential negative effects of aid interventions. Implementer risk assessment and mitigation plans must address risk to project beneficiaries in addition to risks to staff and project implementation. These should explicitly address gender-related risks and mitigating actions, as identified in the gender and inclusion analysis.

Proposals must include a plan for regular review and updates of risk assessment(s).

A5. Performance Indicators

The award Recipient should monitor and report on performance indicators relevant to the scope, objectives, and expected results of the program as articulated in this NOFO. Details should be included on what sources of data will be used to document performance. Indicators should be relevant to the goals or objectives of the program. If/when an award is made, the USG will work with the final selected Applicant to develop a holistic set of indicators that includes some provided by the USG and some suggested by the Applicant. Illustrative indicators include the following but are not limited to:

· EG- 7.1-1 Number of laws, policies, regulations, or standards to enhance energy sector governance proposed, adopted, or implemented with USG assistance.

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

· EG 6-2: Number of individuals with improved skills following completion of USG-assisted workforce development programs.

· EG. 6-15- Percent of individuals with better employment following participation in USG-assisted workforce development programs

· EG 12-1 - Number of people trained in clean energy supported by USG assistance

· GNDR-1: Number of legal instruments drafted, proposed or adopted with USG assistance designed to promote gender equality or non-discrimination against women or girls at the national or sub-national level.

· GNDR-2: Percentage of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (assets, credit, income or employment).

· GNDR-4: Percentage of participants reporting increased agreement with the concept that males and females should have equal access to social, economic, and political resources.

· GNDR-8: Number of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector institutions or organizations.

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

Indicators and their disaggregates will be selected after discussion with the selected Implementer. Final indicators will be outlined in the award Agreement.

A6. Substantial Involvement

This potential award will be a cooperative agreement requiring substantial involvement on the part of the Department of State (DOS), awarding bureau ( ENR/EGA/EP), including close collaboration and approval of each phase of the project before moving to the next. Examples of substantial involvement will include but are not limited to:

· Approval of the Implementer’s implementation plans;

· Approval of all steps in the small grants process, including the objectives, activities, indicators, and reporting aspects of all small grants administered;

· Concurrence on the provisions of smalls grants;

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

Areas of substantial involvement will be specified and outlined in the final Agreement.

Section B: Federal Award Information B 1. Available Funding

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as amended, (Economic Support Funds) and several funding restrictions apply, to include country-applicant restrictions.

The Department of State reserves the right to fund any or none of the proposals submitted and reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase the budget in accordance with the needs of the project and the availability of funds.

The Department of State may consider continuing the program funded under this award beyond the initial period of performance on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State and USG.

B2. Award Management

The successful applicant will need to routinely collaborate with ENR 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 D5 below for funding restrictions.

Section C. Eligibility Information C1. Eligible Applicants:

See page 3, Eligibility Category.

Preference will be given to organizations with experience administering small grant programs.

The Department of State will issue an award to the Applicant whose application represents the best value to the U.S. Government based on technical merit, efficient use of U.S. Government funds, and satisfactory organizational capacity. The Department of State reserves the right to make an award based on the initial application received with or without discussion or negotiations. Therefore, applications should contain the Applicants’ best terms from both cost and technical standpoints. Applicants should demonstrate expertise in training individuals from diverse backgrounds. Applicants should also demonstrate in-depth understanding of a wide range of governance structures.

C2. Cost Sharing

Cost-Sharing

Not required. Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility requirement for this NOFO and will not be factored in during the merit review process.

Note: If cost-share is included in the budget, the Applicant must maintain written records to support all allowable costs that are claimed as its contribution to cost-share, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. In the event the applicant does not meet the minimum amount of cost-sharing as stipulated in the applicant’s budget, DOS contribution may be reduced in proportion to the Applicant’s contribution.

C3. Other Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (UEI), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations.

Applicants, including U.S. affiliates of international organizations must provide a valid Unique Entity Identification (UEI), and completed www.sam.gov registration when submitting application on www.grants.gov in response to this NOFO. Applicants that do not have a valid UEI and completed www.sam.gov registration will NOT be eligible for consideration. Implementing partners/sub-recipient organizations are required to have a valid UEI number.

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

Organizations must have a commitment to equal opportunity employment practices and to non-discrimination practices regarding beneficiaries, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Organizations may only submit one application per organization. If more than one application is submitted by an organization, only the first application received will be reviewed for eligibility and funding.

Section D: Application and Submission Information D1. Address to request Application Package

Applicants can find application forms on www.grants.gov under the announcement title and funding opportunity number provided above.

Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for additional application submission instructions, including information on required documents and format. Please follow both, the PSI and the NOFO, to ensure that the proposal package submission is in full compliance with the requirements. Proposal submissions that do not meet all the requirements outlined in this NOFO and the associated PSI will not be considered.

Once the NOFO deadline has passed, DOS may not discuss this competition with any applicant until the proposal review process has been completed.

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow the guidelines in the attached Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI). Any prospective applicant who has questions concerning the contents of this NOFO should submit them by email to the contacts listed in Section G. Please refer to the funding opportunity number and title.

Any updates about this NOFO will also be posted on www.grants.gov.

D3. Unique entity identifier (DUNS) and System for Award Management (SAM)

Required Registrations:

The Unique Entity Identifier (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. SAM.gov is the Federal government's primary database for complying with FFATA reporting requirements. OMB designated 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.

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

Starting April 2022, DUNS has been replaced by UEI which will be assigned by www.sam.gov. UEIs will be assigned to organizations that will have to register/or renew the registration year. As a reminder, sam.gov needs to be renewed yearly. https://sam.gov/content/home CAGE is assigned domestically to U.S. organizations when they register in www.sam.gov. CAGE must be renewed every 5 years. Site for CAGE : https://cage.dla.mil/Home/UsageAgree

NCAGE for overseas organizations has to be renewed every 5 years.

Site for NCAGE: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home

It is in the organization’s best interest to check if their CAGE/or NCAGE codes are active. Organizations are required to register/or renew their CAGE or NCAGE codes prior to registering or renewing www.sam.gov . Both registration and renewals for CAGE and NCAGE can take up to 10 days. Organization’s legal address in NCAGE/CAGE must mirror www. sam.gov.

www.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.

If an organization plans to sub-contract or sub-award any of the funds under an award, those sub-awardees must also have a unique entity identifier (UEI number).

If an organization does not have an active registration in SAM.gov prior to submitting an application in response to this NOFO, the application will be deemed ineligible. All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations, the latter are free of charge.

Note: The process of obtaining a SAM.gov registration may take from 2-8 weeks or longer. Please begin your registration as early as possible. Numerous errors require correction such as an address mismatch and can delay final registration. After 90 days of original registration/or renewal submission, if the application is not corrected, it will be deleted and the organization will need to re-start the process.

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

An exemption from this requirement may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if the applicant’s identity must be protected due to possible endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant. Organizations requesting an exemption should email the point of contact listed in Section G of this NOFO.

D4. Submission Dates and Times

Applicants are urged to begin the application process well before the submission deadline as stated on page 3. No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Grants.gov automatically log the date and time an application submission is made, and the Department of State will use this information to determine whether an application has been submitted on time. Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered.

D5. Funding Restrictions

The following activities and costs are not covered under this announcement (this list is NOT exhaustive):

· Construction or renovations is not an allowable activity under this award;

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

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

· Projects seeking funds for personal use;

· Projects that require a participation fee;

· Administration of a project that will make a profit;

· Expenses incurred before or after the specified dates of award period of performance (unless prior written approval is received);

· Projects designed to advocate policy views or positions of foreign governments or views of a particular political faction;

· Alcoholic beverages;

· Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities, and any associated costs, are unallowable, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose and are authorized either in the approved budget for the federal award or with prior written approval of the Grants Officer.

Representation by Organization Regarding a Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Criminal Conviction: In accordance with section 7073 of Division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76) none of the funds made available by that Act may be used to enter into an assistance award with any organization that –

(1) Was “convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where the awarding agency has direct knowledge of the conviction, unless the agency has considered, in accordance with its procedures, that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government”; or

(2) Has any “unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, unless the Federal agency has considered, in accordance with its procedures, that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.”

For the purposes of Section 7073, it is the Department of State’s policy that no award may be made to any organization covered by (1) or (2) above, unless the Procurement Executive has made a written determination that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the U.S. Government.

D6. Other Submission Requirements

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that it has an active registration in Grants.gov and that an application has been received by the system in its entirety. DOS bears no responsibility for disqualification that results from applicants not being registered before the due date or for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Additionally, you must save a screen shot of the checklist showing all documents submitted in case any document fails to upload successfully.

Section E: Application Review Information E1. Criteria

The Department of State will issue an award to the applicant whose proposal represents the best value to the U.S. Government based on technical merit, efficient use of U.S. Government funds, and satisfactory organizational capacity. In addition, the organization must demonstrate adequate financial management capability to be measured by a responsibility determination.

Applications should contain the applicants’ best terms from both cost and technical standpoints. The implementing partners (sub-recipients) of the primary recipient will be subject to Department of State approval.

Eligible applications will be evaluated by an independent review panel consisting of subject matter experts from other DOS bureaus/or offices, U.S. Embassies, and/or other U.S. Government agencies. Final approval resides with the DOS Grants Officer.

The decision for the final eligibility and award determination rests with the Grants Officer.

The following criteria will serve as a standard which all eligible applications will be evaluated against. Each eligible Application will be evaluated and scored on the review criteria using a 100-point scale.

The review panel will apply the following criteria when rating proposals:

1. Quality and Feasibility of Project Idea (25 points):

· Demonstrated understanding and appreciation for the goals and objectives of AWEE and demonstrated ability to achieve goals.

· Proposal responds to the NOFO and demonstrates the Applicant’s knowledge of the energy sector and gender issues and the appropriate context for these policy topics in high-emitting countries.

· The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out, including a clear articulation of how these activities will contribute to the overall project’s goals and objectives as well as alignment to the gender analysis, along with a reasonable implementation timeline.

· Proposal includes a separate gender and inclusion analysis for each proposed country as described in section A4 and incorporates an inter-sectional and inclusive approach.

· Proposal demonstrates a plan to accommodate working with up to three foreign countries.

· Proposal describes the method of delivery for Component One (will meetings be convened online or in-person), number of participants, who will participate, etc.

· Proposal contains a proposal for discussion topics and participants in Component One and potential local implementers and initiatives for Component Two in each country.

· Proposal includes PSEA requirements as noted in the requirements section of A4.

2. Organizational Capability and Record of Performance (25 points):

· The organization has qualified personnel required for the development of the program. The organization has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds.

· The proposal provides 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.

· Proposal demonstrates ability to recruit, engage, and retain a diverse array of policy experts, industry leaders, and foreign government officials in each target country.

· Staff / consultants / local partners have relevant expertise in gender, social inclusion, Do No Harm and Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) as listed in the requirements section of A4, and gender-based violence in the energy sector.

3. Program Planning and 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 outlines the expected and achievable results for the project and includes all aspects identified in section A.

· Project activities are specific, measurable, attainable, and placed in a reasonable time frame (SMART).

4. Financial Capacity and Cost Effectiveness (15 points):

· Proposal budget, including salaries, are explained in detail and justified for the work involved.

· Proposed costs are reasonable, necessary, linked to program objectives, and demonstrate efficient use of U.S. Government funds.

· The budget is sufficient and reasonable for all activities.

5. Performance Monitoring, Evaluating, and Learning (MEL) (10 points):

· Applicant demonstrates ability to measure program success and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal.

· Proposals discuss how progress towards the expected results will be measured.

· Proposals include an explanation of how data and information will be collected, analyzed and used, and how baseline measurements will be established.

· MEL plans include gender specific indicators as well as sex and age disaggregation of indicator. Plans also include regular reviews of the program’s gender analysis, including with any partners, throughout the life of the award.

6. Sustainability of Impact/Multiplier Effect (10 points)

· Proposal provides an outline of how program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

Cost Review

Costs will be reviewed for reasonableness, allowability, allocability, and cost-effectiveness of the use of USG funds. The review of cost-effectiveness will include an examination of the application’s budget detail to ensure it is a realistic financial expression of the proposed project and does not contain estimated costs that are not allocable, reasonable, or allowable. Applications that have more efficient operational systems that reduce operation costs will be favorably considered on that factor. Final approval of the budget resides with the Grants Officer.

Applications that maximize direct activity costs and minimize administrative costs are encouraged. Other considerations are the completeness of the application, adequacy of budget detail, and consistency with elements of the technical application. In addition, the organization must demonstrate adequate financial management capability to be measured by a responsibility determination.

E2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will first be reviewed to determine technical eligibility.

All technically eligible applications will move forward to the merit review panel. Applications will be reviewed against the same criteria, listed above. Applications will be scored based on the strengths and weaknesses of the afore-mentioned categories and for consistency with the program goals and key areas of interest as contained in this NOFO.

The Merit Review Panel may provide conditions and recommendations on applications to enhance the proposed project, which must be addressed by the applicant before further consideration of the award. To ensure effective use of US Government funds, conditions or recommendations may include requests to increase, decrease, clarify, and/or justify costs and project activities.

E3. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information Systems

The Department of State, prior to making a federal award with a total amount of federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).

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

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

Applicant organizations must demonstrate adherence to equal opportunity employment practices and commitment to non-discrimination with respect to beneficiaries. Non-discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.

Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with or support to individuals or organizations associated with terrorism.

· Proposals that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative or a designate to terrorist organization or narcotics trafficker, including elected members of government, will NOT be considered. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards/sub-contracts issued under this award.

· U.S. Applicant organizations must demonstrate adherence to equal opportunity employment practices and commitment to non-discrimination with respect to beneficiaries. Non-discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.

· Applicants under DOS-funded projects are responsible for complying with all applicable tax treaties and federal, state, and local laws on tax withholding and reporting for project participants.

Section F: Federal Award Administration Information F1. Federal Award Notices

Successful applicant will be notified via email. This email may include a request for the applicant respond to panel conditions and recommendations. This notification is not an authorization to begin activities and does not constitute formal approval or a funding commitment.

Additional information that successful applicants may be required to submit after notification of intent to make a Federal award, but prior to issuance of a Federal award, may include:

· Written responses and any revised application documents addressing any conditions or recommendations from the Review Panel and awarding bureau;

· Completion of the Department’s Financial Management Survey, if receiving EB funding for the first time or requested by the Grants Officer;

· Submission of required documents to register in the Payment Management System (PMS) managed by the Department of Health and Human Services if receiving EB funding for the first time. PMS registration is bureau-specific;

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

Final approval is also contingent on Congressional Notification requirements being met and final review and approval by the Department’s warranted Grants Officer.

The award shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer subsequent to the panel review and selection of proposals. The Grants Officer is the Government official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement Executive to write, award, and administer grants and cooperative agreements. The assistance award agreement is the sole authorizing document, and it will be provided to the Recipient electronically through SAMS Domestic. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified in writing.

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

Furthermore, an award cannot be issued until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal DOS procedures. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements. All preparation and submission costs are at the Applicant’s expense.

Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400(g), it is U.S. Department of State policy not to award profit under assistance instruments.

2 CFR §200.501 requires domestic/US non-federal entities that expend $750,000, or more, in federal assistance during organization’s fiscal year to have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. In addition, the entity must report the collected audit data elements on the form SF-SAC and submit it to the FAC. Any findings such as material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, or material noncompliance are reported on the SF-SAC.

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

· 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

· 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

· 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

· 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

· 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

· 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

· U.S.…