NOFO Built Water Storage - 2022.docx

NOFO- Built Water Storage in South Asia

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

BUREAU OF SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title: Built Water Storage in South Asia Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP 0008946 Deadline for Applications: July 5, 2022 Assistance Listing Number: 19.108 Total Amount Available: $1,280,000

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out the “Built Water Storage in South Asia” project to build technical and policy capacity to develop and manage built water storage in the region. Please follow all instructions below.

Priority Region: The program will take place in the following SCA countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, and may also include Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Program Objectives:

Climate change is reducing water resources in South and Central Asia, which creates need for more water storage and improved water management. Shrinking glaciers, over-reliance on groundwater, changes in monsoon cycle, and increasing droughts –combined with growing populations and developing economies demanding more water for energy and agriculture–have highlighted water stress, threatening sustainable development and societal stability. Increased water storage (including built storage, groundwater and nature-based solutions) combined with improved water management could strengthen regional water security. Policy, engineering, and scientific communities may not fully recognize the scope and impact of these storage gaps. This project will build the technical and policy capacity of governments, water management professionals, civil society organizations, and other relevant actors to address these water resource challenges.

The project will be implemented in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. At the applicant’s discretion, and if the allocated budget permits, it may also be implemented in Maldives and Sri Lanka. Please specify in your proposal which countries will be included in the project.

Goals:

This project will:

Increase understanding of gaps in water storage needs in the context of climate change, and increase country and regional capacity to address these gaps and optimize water use.

Build capacity for integrated water resources management, including data collection and modeling, to address water management challenges in addition to storage gaps

Promote transboundary cooperation to address gaps in water storage needs.

Facilitate cross-border and regional dialogue to address gaps in water storage in the context of climate change.

Propose and develop policy solutions to address gaps in water storage.

Objectives:

1. Provide technical assistance to appropriate government agencies, including but not limited to Ministries of Environment, Water, Agriculture, Energy, Public Works (may vary by country), as well as relevant authorities at the state and provincial level.

2. Build capacity for data collection, modeling, and remote sensing, which can equip regional stakeholders to better understand existing water resources and changing climate conditions and to optimize water use and infrastructure management.

3. Facilitate engagement to explore cross-border water storage, joint data collection and sharing, and transboundary water management through technical assistance, feasibility studies, and regional dialogue.

Your proposal should describe a balanced program to achieve these objectives, which may include workshops, seminars, regional exchanges and information sharing, and other appropriate activities. It is not anticipated that travel by participants to the United States would be included.

Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:

· The provision of humanitarian assistance;

· English language instruction;

· Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;

· External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;

· Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives;

· Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;

· Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.

Participants and Audiences:

The intended beneficiaries of this project are national and provincial/local government officials in appropriate offices/departments in the targeted countries; water management, environmental and energy management, and other related professionals; faculty members and advanced students in relevant university faculties.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: up to 36 months Anticipated award amount: $1,280,000 Type of Funding: FY21 Economic Support Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: September 30, 2022 This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 36 months or less.

The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period 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.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Cost Sharing or Matching Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility factor or requirement for this NOFO and providing cost share will not result in a more favorable ranking.

2. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The UEI will be generated when the organization registers in SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how register in SAM.gov. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

NOTE: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required to apply for a federal assistance award.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Application forms required below are available at: www.grants.gov and SAMS Domestic.

Content and Form of Application Submission Content of Application Please ensure:

· 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

· SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)

· SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

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

3. Proposal (15 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 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.

· 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.

· 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 Justification Narrative and Line-Item Budget: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use an Excel spreadsheet that includes three (3) columns containing the line-item budget request to SCA, any cost sharing contribution, and the total budget. Use a separate Word document to provide substantive explanations and justifications for each line item in the detailed budget spreadsheet. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

5. Gender Analysis (2 pages maximum): Preferably as a Word document that identifies and examines the relevance of gender norms and power relations in the region and addresses how the organization will account for these dynamics throughout program design and implementation. It may also demonstrate how the work will address gender gaps and opportunities to enhance the program’s effectiveness. This should be a standalone document rather than a section of the proposal narrative.

6. Attachments:

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

· Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the timeframe 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 grant?

· Risk Assessment: Provide an assessment of known and potential risks to the success of the project or affecting the applicant’s ability to carry out the project, including harm to the reputation or security of the applicant, its partners or sub-awardees, or its beneficiaries, and steps that will be taken to mitigate or counter the risks (maximum 3 pages).

· Organizations-wide Policies Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): SCA has zero tolerance for inaction regarding allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) occurring in relation to a federal award, and advocates for a survivor-centered approach to addressing such misconduct. Please submit copies of any organization-wide policies and procedures on Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)[footnoteRef:2] or explain how the Applicant organization plans to develop such policies. If not already explained in its policies and procedures, the Applicant must outline in its proposal how it will work with any sub-grantees or beneficiary organizations who do not yet have PSEA policies and procedures to develop and apply them over the course of the program. [2: Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) occurs when people in power exploit or abuse vulnerable populations for sexual purposes. According to the U.N. Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, sexual exploitation refers to “any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.” Sexual abuse refers to “actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.”]

· (Optional) Security Plan: Describe the applicant’s contingency planning for anticipating, preventing, and responding to security threats and challenges arising from the country context and/or sensitivities of the program that may affect the implementer, its partners, beneficiary organizations and their staffs and members, and other audiences.

· 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.

· Audit: Your organization’s most recent audited financial statement.

· Official permission letters, if required for program activities Required Registrations:

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) 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 SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

2. Unique Entity Identifier generated when registering in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

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

· www.SAM.gov registration (which will generate a UEI)

· NCAGE/CAGE code

Step 1: Foreign organizations should apply for an NCAGE code. U.S.-based organizations should proceed to Step 2.

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: Register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov. When the registration is complete the organization will be issued a SAM.gov-generated UEI. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

For U.S.-based organizations, registration in SAM.gov will generate both a UEI and a CAGE code.

NOTE: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required. Please note, if you are currently registered in SAM.gov, a UEI number was automatically generated for you.

3. Submission Dates and Times Applications are due no later than July 5, 2022.

4. Funding Restrictions The Leahy Law prohibits Department foreign assistance funds from supporting foreign security force units if the Secretary of State has credible information that the unit has committed a gross violation of human rights. Restrictions may apply to any proposed assistance to police or other law enforcement. If a proposed grant will provide assistance to foreign security forces or personnel, compliance with the Leahy Law is required.

5. Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov or SAMS Domestic.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria The proposal will not be compared against other proposals. However, it will be reviewed to ensure that it is sufficiently strong in the below areas to merit funding and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below and associated scoring system. The various functional elements of the technical criteria are assigned weighted scores, so that you will know which areas require emphasis in the preparation of applications.

These criteria serve as the standard against which your application will be reviewed and serve to identify the significant matters which you should address in your application.

The relative importance of each criterion is indicated by the number of points assigned. A total of 100 points is possible.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea (25 Possible Points): The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives (20 Possible Points): Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Budget (20 Possible 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.

Monitoring and evaluation plan (15 Possible 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. The plan also includes regular review and updating of the gender analysis throughout the life of the award.

Sustainability (10 Possible Points): Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

Gender Analysis (10 Possible Points): Application includes a thoughtful gender analysis and reflects its findings in the program design. It also includes a plan for iteratively reviewing progress against the gender analysis with local partners/beneficiaries and adapting implementation. Application includes the required information on PSEA safeguarding and how the Applicant will work with partners on these areas. Application integrates a thoughtful analysis of the unique needs of marginalized populations; integrates these populations into program design and implementation; and reflects their results in concrete outputs and outcomes. Staff / consultants / local partners have relevant expertise in gender, gender-based violence, and inclusion.

2. 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 §200.206 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 solicitation letter 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 proposal received.

Payment Method: Payments will be administered through the Payment Management System (pms.psc.gov)

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, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions which are available at: https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/.

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. 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, and should include discussion of progress in addressing the gaps and opportunities identified in the gender analysis. Financial Reports provide a means of monitoring expenditures.

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.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact the Program Officer, Daniel Schuman (schumandj2@state.gov). Questions will be accepted until June 3, 2022.

H. OTHER INFORMATION

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: Estimate the costs of 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.

Drafted: SCA/STA Daniel Schuman Cleared:

SCA/STA Ellen Connorton (ok) SCA/STA Andrew Nissen () SCA/P – K.C. McConnell (ok)

SCA/I –

SCA/NSB -

OES – Julien Katchinoff (ok – previous version) SCA/STA – Greg Marcus (ok) SCA/STA – Patti Hoffman (ok) AQM – Mauna Dosso