NOFO_Data Driven Journalism in WHA Taiwan Recognizing Countries_Embassy Asuncion_22 May.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Embassy of the United States of America in Paraguay

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title: Data-Driven Journalism in Western Hemisphere Countries that Maintain Diplomatic Relations with Taiwan Funding Opportunity Number: OFOP0001417 Deadline for Applications: July 22, 2024 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time Assistance Listing Number: 19.900 Total Amount Available: $475,000

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy in Paraguay announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to cultivate data-driven journalism in the Western Hemisphere for countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Please follow all instructions below.

Priority Region: Western Hemisphere/Latin America

Program Objectives:

In the Western Hemisphere, seven countries maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Publics in these countries thus have less frequent exposure to information about how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) relates to countries with which it maintains official relations. Likewise, journalists have fewer opportunities to develop expertise on the PRC and its relations with other countries, leaving them and the publics they serve relatively more vulnerable to misconceptions and disinformation on related topics. Many publics in Taiwan-recognizing countries maintain idealized views of the benefits that switching to official relations with the PRC would bring.

The United States has an opportunity to support partner nations who maintain official relations with Taiwan by addressing this information gap through journalist training that builds investigative skills to reinforce fact-based reporting, journalistic capabilities, and base knowledge about PRC economic practices. Such economic practices include those related to the environment, infrastructure projects, labor practices, compliance with good governance and human rights principles, etc. At the same time, an opportunity exists to strengthen journalists’ resilience to manipulation of information ecosystems and to harassment or other pressure that discourages them from publishing factual content.

The goal of this award is to improve access to accurate information in Western Hemisphere Taiwan-recognizing countries about the full impact of diplomatic relations with (in particular, switching to diplomatic relations with) the PRC. This will be undertaken by creating or increasing the capacity and regional connectivity of journalists in these countries to conduct fact-based, policy-relevant, and locally tailored reporting on the PRC and it and its companies’ relations with Latin America and the Caribbean and by empowering journalists to identify and expose disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda and networking among journalists that will strengthen peer-support and information sharing that will contribute to reporting of regional trends of PRC activities.

Objectives subordinate to this goal include:

1. Increase base knowledge of journalists about PRC economic and information activity in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

2. Improve journalists’ capacity to find and analyze data related to PRC economic and information activity in Latin America and the Caribbean and convert it to publicly digestible information relevant for local decision-makers and publics.

3. Create regional connectivity among journalists in Western Hemisphere Taiwan-recognizing countries and with their counterparts in PRC-recognizing countries to facilitate cross-border reporting about the PRC and PRC-linked companies.

4. Increase journalists’ digital security through knowledge of best practices and tools to counter online threats.

Program Activities It is recommended that the program include at least the following activities:

• An in-person training workshop for journalists from participating countries that includes content on:

o PRC foreign policy goals and strategies, including economic and information strategies and tools typically used to achieve its foreign policy goals o Assessment of fulfillment of promises used to attract countries to change their recognition from Taiwan to the PRC o Data sources, data analysis, and use of data in audience-relevant reporting related to PRC behavior in Latin America

• Training for journalists on digital security best practices and tools and detecting and responding to disinformation and manipulative social media techniques.

• A support mechanism for journalists in their home countries as they conduct research and develop stories about the PRC and Taiwan in the region/in their own countries.

• A study tour in a PRC-recognizing country in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Journalistic freedom is paramount in this program. While the program should require participants to publish a certain amount related to the topics of the program, participants must not be pressured (or rewarded) in regards to the slant of the content they produce, other than to present information factually and in as unbiased a way as possible.

Target Audience:

Target audience for this program is journalists from online, print, radio, or TV news outlets in Paraguay, Guatemala, Belize, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Those who have a publication format that facilitates investigative news reporting are preferred.

Every effort should be made to include a balanced representation of journalists across the spectrum of political (or other) alignment in each country.

Target participation numbers for each country are:

• Paraguay: 8

• Guatemala: 8

• Belize: 5

• St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines: 4

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 20 to 24 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 award Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $450,000 to a maximum of $475,000 Total available funding: $475,000 Type of Funding: FY24 Economic Support Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: October 2024

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.

Cooperative Agreements are different from grants in that embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”).

Substantial involvement in this project will include but may not be limited to:

• Review and approval of one stage of work before another can begin

• Approval of trainers and guest speakers

• Approval of training curricula/materials

• Approval of recruiting strategies for and selection of participants

• Approval of sub-grantee selection

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 2 years or less.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• U.S. or foreign not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

• U.S. or foreign public and private educational institutions

• U.S. or foreign for-profit organizations

Individuals are not eligible to apply.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

The non-Federal share of costs, frequently called “cost share” or “matching costs,” refers to that portion of the project or program costs not borne by the Federal Government. This may include cash and third-party in-kind contributions. These costs must reflect the realistic capacity of the applicants and any third-party contributors.

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

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

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package

Primary: U.S. Embassy Grants Corner Secondary: educationparaguay@state.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

http://www.sam.gov/ https://py.usembassy.gov/es/embassy-es/asuncion-es/grants-corner/?_ga=2.64410543.1090625465.1513162385-346109311.1511792380 mailto:educationparaguay@state.gov

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

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

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

• SF-424A (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, and brief purpose of the program. Cannot exceed one page.

3. Proposal (10 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to

do. Applicants may use their own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

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

• Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.

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

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

• Program Activities: Describe the program activities, including participant recruitment and selection, 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.

• 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: Identify the titles as well as the roles and responsibilities of each key-personnel position needed for this program.

• Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.

• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, what outputs and outcomes will be measured? What data about the activities (in the planning and execution stages) will be monitored to ensure they can occur and be evaluated effectively? How will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?

• 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: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

5. Attachments:

• 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program, if known

(required)

• Beneficiary protection plan (required) - a brief description (2-pages maximum) of the organization’s standards of conduct policy, training protocols, and reporting mechanisms to prevent discrimination, harassment, and abuse of beneficiaries of the program, especially if the beneficiaries include minors or members of other particularly vulnerable groups.

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

• If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file.

• Official permission letters, if required for program activities

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

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

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before the award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

Note: The process of obtaining a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible. Numerous errors require correction, such as an address mismatch, and can delay final registration. If the application is not corrected within 90 calendar days of original registration/or renewal submission, it will be automatically deleted, and the organization will need to re-start the process.

• Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Also, a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code and UEI number is required and issued through SAM.gov. Once received continue with the remainder of the SAM.gov registration.

• Organizations based outside of the United States and do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov. Please note that as of November 2022 and February 2023 respectively, newly registering organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO CAGE (NCAGE).

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

• NCAGE/CAGE code (if applicable)

• www.SAM.gov UEI and registration

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

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

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

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE number

NCAGE Homepage:

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

NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

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

For NCAGE help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423 https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home

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

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

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

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

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

Information is included on the SAM.gov website to help international registrations:

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

The attached “UEI and SAM.gov FAQ updated 013124” is a resource provided by the grants policy office. Any content shown from SAM.gov is not owned by the Department of State. This guidance and instruction are to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting this solicitation. Where guidance in this attachment differs from the SAM.gov website, SAM.gov prevails and the applicant is encouraged to seek and document clarity provided by the SAM.gov helpdesk.

3.1 Exemptions

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

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

• For a foreign organization or foreign public entity applying for or receiving a federal award or subaward for a project or program performed outside the United States valued at less than $25,000: if the federal awarding agency deems it to be impractical for the entity to comply with the requirement(s). This exemption must be determined by the federal awarding agency on a case-by-case basis while utilizing a risk-based approach and does not apply if subawards are anticipated.

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

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or sam.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO and provide a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 22, 2024.

5. Funding Restrictions

The U.S. Embassy in Paraguay will not consider applications that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization. Please refer to the link for Foreign Terrorist Organizations: https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/. Consistent with Department guidance on State Funding and the

Risks of Terrorist Financing for all State Department funded programs and requirements, Department bureaus must assess the likelihood that the funds or Department funded activities, goods, services, training, expert advice or assistance, or other benefits to be provided, could inadvertently or incidentally benefit terrorist organizations or their members or supporters, and must put in place appropriate risk mitigation measures to mitigate such risk. In accordance with 14 FAM 247, and consistent with 2 FAM 050, Counterterrorism (CT) name-check vetting may be performed in countries and programs designated by the Department.

Project activities whose direct beneficiaries are foreign militaries or paramilitary groups or individuals will not be considered for the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay funding given purpose limitations on funding.

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 http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ committed a gross violation of human rights. Per 22 USC §2378d(a) (2017), “No assistance shall be furnished under this chapter [FOREIGN ASSISTANCE] or the Arms Export Control Act

[22 USC 2751 et seq.] to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.” Restrictions may apply to any proposed assistance to police or other law enforcement. Among these, pursuant to section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of

1961, as amended (FAA), no assistance provided through this funding opportunity may be furnished to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country when there is credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights. In accordance with the requirements of section 620M of the FAA, also known as the Leahy law, project beneficiaries or participants from a foreign government’s security forces may need to be vetted by the Department before the provision of any assistance. If a proposed grant or cooperative agreement will provide assistance to foreign security forces or personnel, compliance with the Leahy Law is required.

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;

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

• Projects seeking funds for personal use;

• 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 from the Grants Officer is received);

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

• Exchange activities with other with other countries or territories;

• Entertainment costs (e.g., alcoholic beverages, ceremonies, guided tours);

• 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.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2017-title22/html/USCODE-2017-title22-chap32-subchapIII-partI-sec2378d.htm

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.

Organizations should be cognizant of the restrictions above when developing project proposals. Funding restrictions require appropriate due diligence of program beneficiaries and collaboration with the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs to ensure compliance.

Program beneficiaries subject to due diligence vetting will include any individuals or entities that are beneficiaries of foreign assistance funding or support. Due diligence vetting will include a review of open-source materials.

6. Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted by email to educationparaguay@state.gov

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

Evaluation Criteria: Applicants should note that the following criteria (1) serve as a standard against which all proposals will be evaluated, and (2) serve to identify the significant matters that should be addressed in all proposals. The USG will award a Grant to the mailto:educationparaguay@state.gov applicants whose offer represents the best value to the USG on the basis of technical merit and cost.

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

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 20 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 15 points: The organization has expertise and credibility in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and design of activities is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is efficient and realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities and avoiding unnecessary expenses.

Monitoring and evaluation plan – 20 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.

Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

Support of Equity and Inclusion – 10 points: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and advance engagement with underserved communities in program design and implementation.

2. Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

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

i. 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 U.S. government designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

ii. An applicant, at its option, may review and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. Currently, federal agencies create integrity records in the integrity module of the Contractor Performance Assessment and Reporting System (CPARS) and these records are visible as responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov;

iii. 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.

4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Award announcement and signing is anticipated for August-September 2024.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

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

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

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S.

government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Payment Method:

Payments will be made using the SF-270 request for advance or reimbursement form sent to the Grants Officer.

2. 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. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 85 FR 49506 on August 13, 2020, particularly on:

o Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205), o Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 115—232) (2 CFR part 200.216), o Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O.

13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341), https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.175&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.183&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2chapterVI.tpl https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 o Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and o Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

3. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit quarterly financial and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. Progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. Final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days after the close of the project period. Progress reports at a minimum should be submitted via electronic mail to an address to be provided in the award.

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation. In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

For questions about this solicitation, contact Darren Beltran, PD Grants and Program Specialist, at: Email: educationparaguay@state.gov (preferred method of communication) or Phone: 595- 21-213-715.

Questions and Answers or FAQ will be posted on https://py.usembassy.gov/es/embassy-es/asuncion-es/grants-corner/, to answer questions from all potential applicants.

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.

mailto:educationparaguay@state.gov https://py.usembassy.gov/es/embassy-es/asuncion-es/grants-corner/ https://py.usembassy.gov/es/embassy-es/asuncion-es/grants-corner/

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 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.

Beneficiary Protection Organizations that have their proposals for funding recommended for funding by Embassy Asuncion’s grants review panel will be asked to submit safety protocol and procedures for addressing formal complaints of sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, sexual assault, stalking, misconduct, and retaliation during the life cycle of any Federal Assistance Award made under this notice. This plan must include addressing complaints against both project implementing staff and beneficiaries as well as how the plan will be presented to beneficiaries.