NOFO Bangladesh FINAL - March 22.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT)

U.S. Department of State

Announcement Type: New Announcement

Funding Opportunity Title: Bangladesh – Community Policing

Assistance Listing 19.701

Funding Amount: Up to $1,975,000

Number of Awards: One (1)

Cost Sharing Requirement: Not Required

Assistance Type: Cooperative Agreement

Funding Type: Discretionary

Authority Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as amended

Source of Funding: Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related

Programs (NADR)

Funding Activity Category: Other

NOFO Issuance Date: March 22, 2019

Closing Date for Submission of Complete proposal packages must be submitted through

Applications: www.grants.gov by May 3, 11:59 pm EST

Electronic Requirement: Yes

E-mailed, faxed or mailed proposal packages, or individual documents, that failed to transmit during application submission will NOT be considered.

Deadline for Receipt of Questions: April 22, 5:00 pm, EST

Eligibility Category: U.S. based non-profit/non-governmental organizations

(NGOs) having a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS; overseas non-governmental organizations; Public International

Organizations (PIO) and Foreign Public Entities (FPE).

http://www.grants.gov/

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

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

Note: Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, only one organization may be designated as the lead applicant. The lead applicant must meet the eligibility criteria listed in this NOFO.

Anticipated Award Date: The successful applicant will receive notification within approximately four to six weeks of the closing of this announcement. The U.S. Department of State is under no obligation to fund any of the proposals submitted under this funding opportunity.

Est. Project Start Date: June/July 2019

Est. Project End Date: June/July 2022

Project Duration: 36 months

This funding opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be amended. Answers to questions from potential applicants will be posted as an attachment to this NOFO. Applicants should regularly check the www.grants.gov website for the most recent information pertaining to this NOFO. 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. Missing e-mailed, faxed or mailed documents will NOT be considered.

Applicants must provide a Unique Entity Identifier, or Data Universal Numbering System

(DUNS), when submitting application on www.grants.gov in response to this NOFO.

SAM.gov registration (www.sam.gov) is required. Applicants that do not have a valid DUNS number and completed www.sam.gov registration will NOT be eligible for consideration.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package has been received by SAMS Domestic or Grants.gov in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Individual e-mailed or faxed documents that failed to transmit during application submission will not be considered.

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

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) announces a Notice of

Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support programming to strengthen and streamline community policing efforts to combat terrorism in Bangladesh.

Pending availability of funds and satisfactory performance, including compliance with the award’s terms and conditions, CT may consider adding funds to the award. CT intends to support one (1) award as a result of this NOFO.

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

This award is intended to be issued as a Cooperative Agreement with substantial involvement from the awarding bureau (CT) in the management of this program.

The Federal award signed by the State Department Grants officer is the only authorizing document.

This NOFO consists of the following sections:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information and Application Evaluation and Scoring

III. Eligibility Information

IV. Agency Contacts

Eligible organizations interested in submitting an application are encouraged to review this

NOFO thoroughly to understand the type of project sought and the application submission requirements and evaluation process.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) works to strengthen partnerships, civilian capacity, and information sharing around the world to counter terrorist threats and prevent the spread of violent extremism. CT designs, manages, and oversees foreign assistance programs to build the civilian capabilities of foreign government partners to counter terrorism and violent extremism in an effective and sustainable fashion. CT seeks to build law enforcement and judicial capabilities to prevent attacks, disrupt terrorist transit, and arrest, investigate, prosecute, and incarcerate terrorists in accordance with the rule of law.

PROJECT’S GOALS

CT seeks proposals that aim to develop and implement comprehensive, counterterrorism-centric community policing strategies for eligible law enforcement units with a counterterrorism mandate in Sylhet, Chittagong, and Rajshahi. Strategies should emphasize approaches that improve or reinforce lawful intelligence-gathering methodology, operate within a human rights-respecting framework and rule of law, effectively engage and involve communities on terrorism awareness and prevention, improve or reinforce law enforcement coordination and information sharing, increase awareness of terrorist recruitment strategies and modus operandi, and incorporate pre-trial monitoring of suspected terrorists. Applicants should articulate how they intend to design and implement training, technical assistance, and/or mentoring activities that reinforce and build-upon developed strategies, to include follow-on monitoring and evaluation of activity/program beneficiaries to assess their ability to successfully apply good practices and knowledge gained. CT will favorably consider proposals that utilize train-the-trainer and adult learning approaches.

Proposals must clearly outline how applicants intend to coordinate their proposed efforts with those of other stakeholders, as well as how proposed efforts will directly contribute to improved counterterrorism responses in each target locale. Applicants should articulate how proposed efforts will timely and coherently integrate into other ongoing counterterrorism efforts and avoid duplication of efforts

This project must contribute to the overall goal of addressing terrorist threats through local, regional, and interagency law enforcement information-sharing and coordination on the identification, movement, and financing of known or suspected terrorists, including potential foreign terrorist fighters; as well as law enforcement’s improved capacity to collect, evaluate, and apply intelligence and evidence in counterterrorism operations and investigations.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

The project will take place entirely in Bangladesh. Program activities should target Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Sylhet, at a minimum. As such, CT will closely work with the Recipient to provide direction on targets of potential assistance, including but not limited to, the selection of projects and sub-award mechanisms.

This project has four key objectives:

1. Develop proactive community policing strategies for relevant law enforcement officials in Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Sylhet.

o Outline a community based engagement strategy for those in high-risk areas that are prone to terrorist recruitment, to include work with civil society, religious leaders, school and university officials and student bodies, and law enforcement stakeholders.

o Applicants should emphasize the development of an institutional framework, training, and technical approach that incorporates adult learning good practices in mentoring and advising. Applicants should also identify ways to engage with those civilian government and law enforcement actors with defined counterterrorism mandates.

o Strategies should emphasize proactive approaches that improve or reinforce:

lawful intelligence-gathering methodology; policing strategies that operate within a framework that respects human rights; how to effectively engage communities on terrorism awareness and prevention; law enforcement coordination, information sharing, awareness of terrorist recruitment strategies and modus operandi; and pre-trial monitoring of suspected terrorists.

2. Draft, validate, and assist with the institutionalization of SOPs and implementing guidelines associated with each community policing strategy.

o Guiding documents should demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Bangladeshi national and provincial police and government structures, local government and community structures and bodies, anti-terrorism legislation, human rights issues and frameworks, and country political dynamics.

3. Design and deliver training and technical assistance to relevant law enforcement and CT stakeholders on developed community policing strategies and good practices.

o Applicants should emphasize the development of an institutional framework, training, and technical approach that incorporates adult learning good practices in mentoring and advising. Applicants should also identify ways to engage with those civilian government and law enforcement actors with defined counterterrorism mandates.

4. Develop a methodical and data-driven approach to assess beneficiaries’ abilities to successfully apply good practices and knowledge gained.

II. AWARD INFORMATION AND APPLICATION EVALUATION AND

SCORING

Department of State/CT will issue an award to the eligible applicant whose proposal represents the best value to the U.S. Government on the basis of technical merit, efficient use of U.S. Government funds, and satisfactory organizational capacity.

The Department of State reserves the right to make an award on the basis of initial application received with or without discussion or negotiations. Therefore, applications should contain the applicants’ best terms from both cost and technical standpoints.

Leahy Vetting Requirement: Leahy vetting is required when training or assistance is provided to foreign security forces, including when such assistance is provided under a grant or cooperative agreement. Leahy Vetting requirements will be full outlined in the final award

Agreement.

It is Department of State’s policy that English is the official language and U.S. dollar is the controlling currency. Proposal and related supporting documents must be English and accompanying budget in U.S. dollars.

Eligible applications will be evaluated by an independent review panel consisting of subject matter experts from other DOS bureaus/or offices or other USG agencies.

The following criteria will serve as a standard which all eligible applications will be evaluated against: Not Competitive, Competitive, and Very Competitive.

CT will conduct a merit review of all eligible applications as outlined in this NOFO.

Applications will be reviewed by an independent review panel consisting of qualified subject matter experts from other DOS bureaus and offices, U.S. Embassies, or other USG agencies. Final approval resides with the DOS Grants Office.

The independent review panel will review each eligible application individually against the following criteria listed below:

1. Quality of Project Idea

The proposal addresses the counterterrorism and community policing challenges identified in the programming objectives and describes appropriate goals, objectives, and activities to address these challenges.

The proposal demonstrates a logical approach and presents project objectives that are targeted, measurable, and achievable during the proposed project period.

The proposal describes and identifies existing or proposed partnerships with thematic or in-country partners and stakeholders.

The proposal demonstrates a clear understanding of the role that local organizations and institutions are playing or can play in combating terrorism or radicalization, and describes how they will engage with local partners to increase sustainability and to ensure programming is context appropriate

2. Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives

The proposal provides a detailed work plan of proposed project activities and includes a clear articulation of how these activities will contribute to the project’s overall goals and objectives.

Activities and associated output/outcome indicators that outlined in the proposal are specific, measurable, attainable, and placed in a reasonable timeframe (SMART).

The proposal identifies related projects or activities that the applicant may already be implementing or planning.

The proposal outlines a detailed plan for coordination with other donors, implementers, and stakeholders active in the target locales.

3. Organizational Capability and Past Performance

The proposal demonstrates an institutional record of previous, successfully-implemented projects in Bangladesh.

The proposal clearly articulates past performance and experience working with relevant host government entities, local organization, and/or communities.

Applicant demonstrates strong knowledge of counterterrorism and law enforcement issues, as well as the current terrorism profile of Bangladesh.

Applicants clearly establish their ability to implement counterterrorism programs in Bangladesh, and in the specific target locales identified.

Key personnel for the project are well-qualified to manage the project and oversee its implementation, and have clearly-defined roles and responsibilities.

The proposal clearly outlines how the project will engage and obtain support from relevant stakeholders.

4. Cost Effectiveness

The administration of the proposal budget, including salaries, are clearly explained and justified for the work proposed.

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

Note: This NOFO does not require cost-share, but applicants may voluntarily offer cost-share.

5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan includes narrative explaining how monitoring and evaluation will be conducted and by whom (including potential contracted M&E experts, if applicable).

Output and outcome indicators are clearly linked to project goals and objectives.

The project demonstrates the applicant’s capacity for conducting evaluation, including of the project’s potential impact on the counterterrorism response in

Bangladesh.

6. Sustainability of Impact

Proposed activities promote sustainable intervention practices and build the capacity of target law enforcement units to address future counterterrorism challenges.

The proposal clearly explains how proposed activities will promote, strengthen, and build the capacity of local institutions, as well as the extent to which activities are supported by local stakeholders that can effectively combat terrorism beyond the life of the award.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

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 of the requirements outlined in this NOFO and PSI will not be considered.

FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION:

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Department of State to issue an award nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Furthermore, 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.

The Federal award signed by the Grants Officer is the only authorizing document.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Recipient will be required to submit Quarterly Progress and Quarterly Financial Reports

(SF-425), unless special conditions apply, describing key activities undertaken during the reporting period towards accomplishment of the stated objectives. Financial Reports provide a means of monitoring expenditures.

NOTE: It is Department’s of State policy that English is the official language of all award documents. If reports or any other supporting documents are provided in both English and a foreign language, it must be stated in each version that the English language version is the controlling version. U.S. dollar is the controlling currency. Financial reports must be submitted in U.S. dollars.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Mandatory disclosures (2 CFR 200.113)

Non-federal entity, recipient or applicant for a federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. Non-federal entities that have received a Federal award including the terms and conditions outlined in

Appendix XII of the 2 CFR 200—Award Terms and Conditions for Recipient Integrity and

Performance Matters -- are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to www.sam.gov.

Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in §200.338

Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment.

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

A federal awarding agency, prior to making a federal award, will review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through www.sam.gov (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). Applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through www.sam.gov 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 www.sam.gov. Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance

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.

III. ELIGIBLITY INFORMATION

See the cover page, Eligibility Category.

Applicants should demonstrate expertise with the planning, delivery, and evaluation of training and technical assistance activities in sensitive environments, particularly in regions prone to http://www.sam.gov/ terrorist activity – including mitigating risk in undertaking sensitive efforts to identify, prevent, and respond to radicalization to terrorism. Applicants should also demonstrate in-depth understanding of Bangladesh and South Asia cultural contexts and governance structures.

Previous experience working in Bangladesh is preferred.

IV. AGENCY CONTACTS

Any prospective applicant desiring an explanation or interpretation of this NOFO must request it in writing by the deadline for questions specified on page 1 (cover page). Information given to a prospective applicant concerning this NOFO will be furnished promptly to all other prospective applicants as a ‘Questions and Answers’ attachment to this NOFO.

Any questions concerning this NOFO should be submitted in writing, by email, to Connor

Gary (GaryC@state.gov) along with the project’s title as outlined in the NOFO; the funding opportunity number; and applicant’s legal name and organizational status.

mailto:GaryC@state.gov