NOFO DFOP0017368 - Questions and Answers 07142025.pdf

Funding Opportunity Title: Yemen Counter-Smuggling Investigations

Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0017368

Deadline for Applications: 25 July 2025 at 11:59 pm

Submission to: Ignacio Videla videlai@state.gov

• Q1: Has this funding opportunity and the focus on counter-smuggling been coordinated with Yemeni authorities already?

o A1: This funding opportunity and its focus has not yet been coordinated with Yemeni Internationally Recognized

Government/Republic of Yemen Government (IRG/ROYG).

Selected implementer will coordinate closely with U.S.

Department of State to engage recipient units and relevant authorities.

• Q2: Is there any scope for this project to include broader border security/migration management? This would contribute towards FBS

Objective 1.1 (Strengthen border control and security capabilities in focus countries to counter terrorist travel and mobility) o A2: The scope for this project is primarily to counter smuggling.

Strengthening of border control and migration capabilities is allowed so long as its primary purpose is to support counter smuggling efforts.

• Q3: Regarding the reference to “ROYG MOI and CT units,” could State

Department clarify whether there are specific units or divisions that should be targeted for engagement under this award, or is it expected that the applicant will identify and prioritize counterparts based on its assessment and proposed strategy?

mailto:videlai@state.gov o A3: Applicants, in close coordination with CT and U.S. Mission to

Yemen, will identify and prioritize counterparts based on proposed program strategy.

• Q4: Can the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) and/or the Proposed

Schedule and Timeline be submitted as annexes, excluded from the

12-page proposal narrative limit?

o A4: All documents under section D.3 should be included within the 12-page proposal.

• Q5: For the PMP (and/or PITT), can a more flexible format be used for font size or layout to better accommodate the detailed data requested, provided all content remains legible and professional?

o A5: All documents under section D.3 should be included within the 12-page proposal. Please note that your PMP and logic model are intended to be preliminary in nature – e.g., the applicant’s PMP should contain illustrative indicators that sufficiently demonstrate its ability to develop an effective PMP but is not intended be exhaustive. Per the directions on page three of the NOFO, all Microsoft Word documents are to be single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. This includes all text on the page, graphic elements (tables, graphs, other visual inserts) included.

• Q6: Is the PITT intended to be included as part of the proposal submission, or to be prepared after award?

o A6: All documents under section D.3, including the PITT, should be included within the 12-page proposal. The PMP is expected to be preliminary at this point. Please note that the NOFO and

PMP guidance ask applicants to include at least three CT standard indicators in their PMP, along with whatever other indicators they wish to include. Those standard CT indicators are listed in the PMP 'How-To' Guide (annex II). The template and how to guide will be uploaded to the award file.

• Q7: Does State/CT envision trainers/mentors to be armed while in country?

o A7: Security arrangements are at the discretion of the implementer, in close coordination with U.S. Mission to Yemen.

• Q8: Are implementers only allowed to engage and train ROYG elements, or can Southern Transitional Council-aligned security forces also receive training?

o A8: Implementers are expected to only engage/train IRG/ROYG elements.

• Q9: Under section (1) Eligible Applicants, point (2), will CT confirm that cost sharing, matching, or cost participation IS an eligibility factor for this NOFO? We've not seen this in CT NOFOs before.

o A9: Cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is NOT an eligibility factor for this NOFO. The posting has been updated for clarity.

• Q10: Can you please confirm the due date for applications? Given this was published on July 7 and 2 CFR 200.204 requires a minimum posting for 30-calendar days unless there is an exigent circumstance, would CT consider extending the due date to August 6 at 11:59pm?

o A10: The due date for this application is 25 July 2025 at 11:59 pm.

• Q11: Will DoS CT allow 10-point font for tables and graphics?

o A11: Per the directions on page three of the NOFO, all Microsoft

Word documents are to be single-spaced, 12-point Times New

Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. This includes all text on the page, graphic elements (tables, graphs, other visual inserts) included.

• Q12: What is the desired number of trainees?

o A12: Specific training courses and desired number of trainees will be determined during the assessment phase, in close collaboration with CT and U.S. Mission to Yemen.

• Q13: If known, what is the experience level of the anticipated trainees?

o A13: Experience level of trainees will be determined as part of initial consultations during the early stages of implementation, in close collaboration with CT and U.S. Mission to Yemen.

Prospective applicants should prepare to engage with trainees of varied experience levels.

• Q14: In the past, has the LEGAT section from the US Mission to Yemen conducted any forensic type training to MOI/Border investigators?

o A14: That information is not available at this time. Implementers should be prepared to conduct a wide range of counter-smuggling training courses at a variety of training levels.

• Q15: Given the limited availability of training venues in Yemen, will

MOI be providing adequate, protected space for classroom and field-based training?

o A15: Implementers are expected to coordinate with MOI and

U.S. Mission to Yemen to secure training venues at appropriate locations.

• Q16: Since USM Yemen is working out of KSA, will the implementor be required to make in-person briefings with the POL section or via VTCs?

o A16: Implementer is expected to conduct regular virtual briefings with CT and U.S. Mission to Yemen personnel.

• Q17: Will DoS CT confirm CT PMP “How-To” guidance/template (see

Annex II for a list of CT indicators) is the same as "1.02.8 Logic Model and How to Guide 2024-12-19 (3)" provided in the application package?

o A17: The PMP and Logic Model are separate items. Both should be submitted as part of the application package.

• Q18: Utilizing the provided template attachment, will DoS CT confirm the Logic Model, TOC template is not included in the proposal narrative 12-page count?

o A18: All documents under section D3 should be included within the 12-page proposal. Please note that your PMP and logic model are intended to be preliminary in nature – e.g., the applicant’s PMP should contain illustrative indicators that sufficiently demonstrate its ability to develop an effective PMP but is not intended be exhaustive.

• Q19: Will Dos CT confirm the use of the U.S. Women, Peace and

Security Strategy’s Implementation Plan 2020 - 2023, as indicator reference for the Logic Model?

o A19: CT is continuing to implement the Women, Peace, and security act of 2017.

• Q20: In addition to the Ministry of Interior and Yemen Border Guards, which other security forces or government agencies are expected to participate in this training?

o A20: Applicants, in close coordination with CT and U.S. Mission to Yemen, will identify and prioritize counterparts based on proposed program strategy. This should include units with responsibility for counter-smuggling at and between official ports of entry.

• Q21: Will training aids, such as passenger or commercial vehicles, be made available to support realistic, hands-on exercises related to vehicle searches and interdiction?

o A21: Implementers are expected to either provide training aids or coordinate with MOI and U.S. Mission to Yemen to secure appropriate training aids.

• Q22: Can a summary of large and small scale non-intrusive inspection

(NII) technologies and other enforcement tools (e.g., scopes, density meters) currently used in Yemeni border operations be provided to inform training development?

o A22: That information is not currently available. Implementers should be prepared to identify capabilities during early stages of project implementation.

• Q23: Will DOS CT require the disbursement of any stipends? Please provide budget assumption.

o A23: We do not anticipate stipend disbursement will be a significant part of this program.

• Q24: We are aware that the State Department has a level 4 travel advisory for Yemen. Will the CT Bureau allow implementers on this program to travel to and work in Yemen, including US citizens, third country nationals?

o A24: U.S. Department of State allows non-USG personnel, including U.S. citizens and third country nationals, to travel and work in Yemen. Implementers for this project are expected to work in Yemen in coordination with U.S. Mission to Yemen

Regional Security Office.

• Q25: Does DOS permit travel in-country? Is prior approval of a travel security and risk mitigation plan required? Do DOS travel policies differ between US citizen, Third Country Nationals and local Nationals?

o A25: U.S. Department of State allows non-USG personnel, including U.S. citizens and third country nationals, to travel and work in Yemen. Implementers for this project are expected to work in Yemen in coordination with U.S. Mission to Yemen

Regional Security Office.

• Q26: Can you confirm that a proposal without cost sharing, matching, or participation is not eligible? Is there a minimal requirement in percentage of the total project cost for cost-sharing or matching?

o A26: Cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is NOT an eligibility factor for this NOFO. The posting has been updated for clarity.

• Q27: Would you like the implementer to facilitate the whole prosecution process or just the prosecution training?

o A27: Implementers may be expected to undertake prosecution training if/as needed, not to participate in prosecutions directly.