NOFO ECOWAS Early Warning - 2021 - 0420.docx

United States Department of State Notice Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007661 Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY OVERVIEW

[Pending availability of additional funding and satisfactory performance of the recipient, the award may be extended.] Cost-Sharing: Not required.

This funding opportunity is posted on SAMS Domestic and 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 websites for the most recent information pertaining to this NOFO. The Department of State bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with electronic submissions. Incomplete application packages will not be considered. 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 an application 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 in SAMS Domestic in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Individual e-mailed or faxed documents will not be considered.

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The mission of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) is to anticipate, prevent, and respond to conflicts that undermine U.S. interests or national security. Our three lines of effort (LOEs) support this mission by focusing on different aspects of the conflict cycle: 1) strategic prevention; 2) conflict resolution; and 3) security sector stabilization. We implement our LOEs through three key functions; 1) deploying Stabilization Advisors; 2) harnessing data analytics; and 3) leading, informing, and implementing policy and programs1 on conflict prevention and stabilization.

CSO announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for programs addressing strategic prevention in West Africa through targeted capacity development of the Early Warning and Early Response Network (ECOWARN) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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

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

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

This NOFO consists of the Overview and Executive Summary, plus the following sections:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The United States has strong national interests in promoting stability and partnerships across the ECOWAS region, including economic interests in littoral West Africa and exclusive economic zones in the strategically critical Atlantic Ocean. Early warning systems that inform and help decision-makers take preventive action improve countries’ abilities to address destabilizing cross-border threats, violence risks, and humanitarian disasters.

The State Department and USAID have a long history supporting the development of interconnected conflict prevention and early warning systems for ECOWAS and the West African region. This includes the establishment of five National Centers for Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRMs) in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, and Mali, as well as ongoing technical support to developing early warning capabilities at ECOWAS headquarters through the USAID/West Africa funded Reacting to Early Warning and Response Data in West Africa (REWARD I and II) programs. Additional support from international donors will establish NCCRMs in remaining member states. The five previously established NCCRMs are staffed and equipped, and report directly to the Vice President or Prime Minister’s office in each country. This program will build on this existing infrastructure to increase early warning capacity and bolster ECOWAS and member states’ abilities to anticipate security risks and counter the negative impacts of malign influence.

PROJECT GOAL

The goal of this program is to enhance strategic prevention and stabilization efforts in West Africa. The program will accomplish this by increasing the ability of existing NCCRMs to identify and respond to conflict and atrocity risks through early warning analytics and cooperation with ECOWAS headquarters.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES

The following objectives and activities are illustrative, not required, unless specified otherwise.

Objective 1: Enable government decision-makers to respond more quickly to early warning signs through timely, high-quality analytical products.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

· Technical statistical and geospatial analysis trainings to develop relevant capacity in NCCRMs;

· Stakeholder network mapping analysis (or updates to existing analysis performed under REWARD where relevant) to create an inventory of community institutions, including traditional governance, cultural groups, women-centered civil society, organizational structures, etc. that exist in local early warning, peacebuilding, mediation and conflict resolution systems; gap analysis of existing data collection;

· Ensuring field-based data collection systems are structured, timebound, inclusive, relevant, and consistently coded;

· Expansion or improvement of human security incident tracking systems, including gender sensitivity and gender-based violence, to enable civil society partners to more effectively identify areas of violence risk and for government officials to make gender-responsive decisions;

· Strategic planning workshops in NCCRM member states to systematize the alert and response process;

· Establishment of consistent and reputable product lines; tracking reach and effect of published products; evaluate reach and impact of past products;

· Embedding a qualified advisor in NCCRMs to provide strategic and analytical support for early warning analytical products.

Objective 2: Improve information sharing between NCCRMs and ECOWAS headquarters to enable swifter regional responses to early warning alerts.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

· Exchanges between NCCRMs and ECOWAS headquarters staff on new/existing innovative technical tools to build robust conflict analysis skills, including gender analysis that is based on and complimentary to recently developed Gender and Early Warning tools by REWARD, and expansions to harness the predictive capacity of existing systems;

· Development of a Geospatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) policy for West Africa, creating an inclusive framework for standardizing geospatial datasets and maintaining a high level of quality and consistency between regional geospatial analysis;

· Identification and implementation of early response projects focused on core human security themes with NCCRMs, to include gender equality and equity, for example through technical advisory support;

· Supporting deployment of the Human Security Index for the ECOWAS region;

· Technical train-the-trainer workshops to ensure independence, sustainability, and knowledge management among NCCRM and ECOWAS staff;

· Facilitating collaborative relationships and open channels of communication between working level NCCRM analysts, ECOWAS analysts, and relevant analysts and diplomats across the State Department and USAID;

As appropriate, this program may be implemented over a period through the end of the performance period, with overlapping phases that may include activities such as the following.

Phase 1: Program Launch

· Assess capabilities, gaps, needs, and opportunities for each NCCRM, including staffing, capabilities, gender analysis, and sensitivities related to early warning in the five member states.

· Identify other national and community early warning systems in each country to encourage linkages and to share best practices.

· Develop tailored training plans for analysts in NCCRMS and ECOWAS headquarters.

· With support from CSO, comprehensive and ongoing coordination with USAID and international donors supporting related technical assistance programs including EU and GiZ.

Phase 2: Strengthen Government-Led Early Warning and Conflict Response Capabilities

· Provide technical training to bolster analytical and gender-responsive capabilities in priority NCCRMs.

· Build international networks of early warning experts to support technical capacity building among the NCCRMs.

· As appropriate, connect GIS and other analytical and mapping tools used at ECOWAS headquarters with relevant or related processes at NCCRMs.

Phase 3: Increase Information Sharing between NCCRMs and ECOWAS headquarters

· Expand and codify ECOWAS headquarters processes for use at the member state level.

· Hold a series of workshops to develop and clarify how key information from the NCCRMs is shared with, and acted upon by, ECOWAS headquarters.

PROJECT CONSIDERATIONS

· Target Groups – Principal beneficiaries of this project are NCCRMs and ECOWAS headquarters. NCCRMs operate in support of host nation policymakers and state institutions. Existing early warning networks, which may include women, youth, community leaders, civil society representatives, religious leaders or others, may be program beneficiaries as well. While not the primary beneficiary of this project, program activities – including consultations with local communities and data collection - should be accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the needs of women and girls.

· Geographic Focus – This program will focus on member states with existing NCCRMs and ECOWAS headquarters, with the possibility of including additional member states such as Nigeria as necessary to achieve program goals and objectives.

· Coordination and Partnerships – Given the broad range of potential activities and relationships necessary for the successful implementation of this program, a consortium of organizations including academia and civil society may be necessary to provide the experience and skills needed to most effectively achieve goals and objectives. This could include a number of sub-grantees. Applicants are encouraged to ensure consistent presence in countries of focus using local partnerships or representatives, inclusive and reflective of the community.

· Analytical Support – Based on the technical and analytical requirements to effectively conduct early warning, grantees and/or sub-grantees with proven expertise in conflict analytics in Africa (AF) are essential. Demonstrated success in working with multilateral institutions on conflict analytics in AF is ideal. Additionally, planning and budgeting for appropriate gender expertise is essential for ongoing gender analysis and integration into program activities.

· Geospatial Support – The geospatial capabilities necessary to support early warning and early response require a comprehensive system with advanced analytical and processing abilities, along with the technical capacity to maintain the system and continue development. To increase cost effectiveness by building on existing work, ensure technical compatibility, and facilitate data-sharing between stakeholders, it is highly recommended that applicants plan to work with Esri Global to support the implementation of the regional spatial data infrastructure for West Africa. This includes the necessary technical environment and services support for NCCRMs and ECOWAS. Proposals are not expected to detail these activities, but should budget up to $200,000 for the implementation of these activities. CSO will work with the successful applicant to coordinate with Esri. Alternative approaches should include strong justification.

· Women, Peace, and Security – Per the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017, the United States is committed to the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention, management, and resolution which is critical to the long-term stability of countries and regions. This includes collecting and analyzing sex-disaggregated data for the purpose of developing and enhancing early warning systems for conflict and violence. Proposals are expected to include how work across all objectives, including but not limited to early warning and data collection training and capacity-building activities, will include women and be sensitive to the gender considerations in each member state.

· Other Considerations – Proposals are expected to include details on how they will account or adapt for any anticipated restrictions due to the COVID pandemic, including limited travel and in person activities.

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

CSO expects to award one (1) cooperative agreement based on this NOFO and in an amount not to exceed the total ceiling amount of $1,185,000. The period of performance is 19 months with an anticipated start date in June 2021 and ending in December 2022. CSO may extend the award contingent on CSO priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approval, and funding availability.

The U.S. government may make an award on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant’s best terms from a cost and technical standpoint.

Cooperative Agreement: This cooperative agreement will include substantial involvement by CSO. Examples of CSO’s involvement include but are not limited to: working with CSO’s Office of Advanced Analytics to ensure capacity assessments and technical training meet appropriate quality standards, defining appropriate adaptations to anticipated program activities based on capacity assessments or other changes in circumstances, supporting coordination of GIS capacity building, supporting coordination of programmatic activities with Embassies, the State Department, USAID, and other international donors, advising on revisions to the theory-of-change (TOC), design, indicators, and data collection instruments, and working to ensure an approach that benefits the wider conflict community.

Additionally, CSO seeks to ensure that qualitative and quantitative information from the program is shared with CSO in ways that can feed into the broader analysis of conflict dynamics at subnational, national, and regional levels. As a result, CSO may work with the Recipient to develop a documentation and reporting plan that meets those needs.

[Due to sensitivities in countries of focus, any decisions to change the scope or purpose of activities in the statement of work, to bring in other organizations to assist with activities, changes in key personnel and personnel with essential technical program expertise and to engage with media will be made in consultation with CSO. CSO also expects to assist with the development of in-country partners who would be interested and capable of continuing this effort beyond the duration of the cooperative agreement.

Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government. CSO reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase application budgets in accordance with program evaluation requirements. In the event of an award, CSO reserves the right to terminate the agreement in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions. Specifically, an award may be terminated if the Recipient is not meeting the objectives of the program or if the program no longer is consistent with the national security or foreign policy interest of the United States.

All applicants should be familiar with OMB Circular 2 CFR Part 200.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

The Applicant must have acute awareness of conflict-related sensitivities in West Africa, through prior work in the region and relevant technical expertise. Applicants are encouraged to partner with relevant organizations with the ability to execute such programming throughout Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, and/or Mali, as well as linkages to the ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for more information and complete instructions on how to apply to this NOFO, including information on the proposal’s content and formatting. Please use both the PSI and the NOFO to ensure that the proposal submission is in full compliance with the requirements. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in the NOFO and PSI will NOT be considered.

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

This award will be funded from money appropriated under the “Economic Support Fund” (ESF) heading in the Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, 2019 (Div. F, P.L. 116-6). ESF is available for foreign assistance supporting economic or political stability. ESF may not be used for military or paramilitary purposes. Given restrictions under Section 660 of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA), ESF assistance may be provided to police and law enforcement forces only under certain limited circumstances. Note that any activities under this award involving foreign law enforcement units will be subject to vetting in accordance with Section 620M of the FAA, also known as the Leahy law.

PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

The Proposal Narrative is a key part of the application. The Proposal Narrative (limit 20 pages, single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font in Microsoft Word, at least one-inch margins) should be organized into the following five components:

· Executive Summary:

· A succinct one-page summary containing information that the applicant believes best represents its proposed program and includes: the name and contact information for the program’s main point of contact; the program’s goal and objectives; program’s approach and methodology; and program’s expected outcomes. The Executive summary does not count toward the page limit.

· Approach and Methodology:

· Conflict/Context Analysis: Successful applications under this funding opportunity will describe an approach based on a context and conflict analysis that leads to a concrete program change hypothesis. In this section, please provide background on the conflict/context in which the proposed program will be operating.

· Conflict-sensitive Gender Analysis: Proposals should also include a gender analysis to address how the proposed activities are reflective of, and will account for and/or utilize, the roles and perspectives of women and girls. The gender analysis should be submitted with the proposal, and address how early warning systems in the region can reflect how gender norms interact with other factors to drive or mitigate conflict, and the differential impact of violence on women and girls. Refer to the State Department Gender Analysis and CSO Gender Analysis of Conflict templates for sample questions to be addressed in this section.

· Program Goal and Objectives: In this section, please fully explain the program’s goal and objectives. The overarching goal statement should be visionary in nature, and outline what the overall activities and objectives should be building towards. It is important that the program goal aligns with State Department and U.S. government policy. The objectives of the program should describe where you expect to be by the end of your program. The objectives should be measurable, results-focused, and achievable within the timeframe of the program.

· Activities: All activities should be clearly developed and sufficiently detailed to understand the resource and time requirements, and how they contribute to the objectives and goal. Please identify: target areas for activities; target participant groups or selection criteria for participants; how the program will engage relevant stakeholders, including women; and local partners as appropriate, among other pertinent details. If partners are included, the narrative should clearly describe the division of labor between the direct applicant and partners.

· Theory of Change: Provide a theory of change for your program that elaborates explicit causal connections between the program’s activities, key intermediate outcomes, objectives, and the long-term goal. Generally, this should involve a chain of “if…then…because…” statements, or something similar. The program theory of change should apply and contextualize any relevant general theory about how this type of intervention works, and how to avoid negative outcomes. It should specify any key assumptions about the context (including relevant gender dynamics), the program design, or companion interventions that are required for success. It should cogently establish that the activities can reasonably be expected to be sufficient in kind, amount and timing with the resources applied, in this context. In addition, briefly explain how the program theory of change interacts with the broader system of conflict interventions by the U.S. government and others. A useful resource for guidance on developing theories of change is USAID’s Theories and Indicators of Change (THINC).

· Implementation Plan

· Resources, Key Steps and Timeline for Activities (including sequential logic): Describe the proposed activities and how they will achieve the objectives and goal of this program. In doing so, this section should demonstrate how the proposed activities build upon one another and are logically sequenced to achieve the desired outcomes, based on the proposed approach and methodology. The application must identify and address gaps in current responses to the conflict (as identified in the context, gender analysis, and conflict analysis), including any gender dynamics that currently, or have the potential to, exacerbate or mitigate conflict. The applicant must submit an illustrative first year activity plan, which sets out a realistic outline of tasks and deliverables, anticipated time frames, challenges, opportunities and due dates, and persons responsible for achieving each task. This narrative description will be complemented by a Gantt chart in the Additional Attachments.

· Do No Harm: List any significant risks of harm to implementers, participants, beneficiaries or their communities, or of exacerbating conflict or creating new conflicts, which may result from this program. Based on your gender analysis, include specific risks to women and girls. Consider how resources or skills provided might be misused, create grievances among non-recipients, or cause key actors to react in harmful ways. Explain how these risks will be minimized.

· Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): U.S. government partners are responsible for ensuring that comprehensive protection measures are in place for preventing and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse of persons of concern and that allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by Recipient staff are reported to CSO in a timely manner. Applicants should submit copies of any organization-wide policies and procedures on Do No Harm and PSEA, or explain how the applicant organization plans to develop such policies. If not already explained in its polices and procedures, the Applicant must outline in its proposal how it will work with any sub-grantees to develop and apply PSEA policies and procedures over the course of the program.

· Local Engagement and Sustainability: Strong proposals will describe strategies to sustain the outcomes beyond CSO funding, and contribute to building the capacity of communities to address their own concerns in the future. This might be done through sub-grants to local organizations, although that is not a requirement; capacity-building and sustainment can be achieved indirectly as well. This section must also demonstrate a clear understanding of the role that local organizations and institutions are playing or can play in conflict mitigation and peacebuilding. The conflict analysis and the program design should reflect local perspectives, and explain how the program will engage with local partners, including women-led organizations, throughout its lifecycle. The proposal should describe how the applicant will work with local entities to build their organizational and technical capacities, and/or relationships to mitigate conflict. Applicants may submit signed Letters of Intent from organizations that will participate in the program. Letters of Intent should address the willingness of partner organizations to participate in the effort, and the understanding all parties have as to their unique roles and responsibilities in terms of the proposed program. In cases where an applicant (i.e., non-local) was not able to partner with a local organization or institution, does not consider it feasible to do so, or does not consider it in the program’s best interest, the applicant must clearly explain the rationale.

· Institutional Capabilities and Past Performance

· Organization: Provide a description of the applicant organization – including its general purpose, goals, annual budget (including funding sources), and major past and current activities and programs undertaken.

· Relevant Programmatic and Thematic Experience: Applications should demonstrate the ability to develop and implement programs of the kind outlined in this proposal. Previous experience designing and implementing similar programs is highly desirable and should be detailed and documented in the application. Applicants should demonstrate how organizational resources, capabilities, and experience, and lessons learned from literature on this type of endeavor, will enable the applicant to achieve the grant’s stated objectives. Explanation of the applicants programmatic successes and demonstration of impact in similar contexts or on similar efforts will be considered favorably.

· Regional/Country Experience: Applicants should specify relevant experience in the countries identified in the proposal, or in similar situations in other countries. Applicants should be able to legally operate in the country where they propose to work. Specify the expertise that each partner brings.

· Key Program Staff: Applications should highlight key staff, their positions, percentage of time devoted to this program, and management structure for the program. The resumes of key staff should highlight relevant educational, field, and gender experience and be included as an appendix (see additional attachments below). The person(s) principally responsible for M&E design and technical oversight, and gender integration oversight, should be included. The resumes should be no more than two pages and should all follow a consistent format. The applicant should also clarify roles for local partners and staff.

· Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:

· CSO considers monitoring to be essential for responsible program management. Successful applicants will submit a draft monitoring plan within 15 days of award notification. After CSO review, a final monitoring plan must be submitted within 30 days of the award notification.

· For the purposes of the application, please submit a notional logic model/PMP (use template provided). This must include notional indicators at each of the following levels: objective, intermediate outcome, and output. Describe how any risks of harm listed above will be monitored. In addition, use this section to describe the applicant’s approach to monitoring and evaluation and why this approach is appropriate for this program and context. This may include the type of data you may collect (qualitative and/or quantitative). Describe how any risks of harm listed above will be monitored. If possible, include applicable State Department standard gender indicators (see attachment). Describe the timing of data collection and analysis and how this information will inform midstream program management decision-making.

· Please describe the resources needed to implement your M&E plan and address these in your budget. In most cases, CSO will fund program evaluations separately. If you want to propose including specific monitoring and evaluation activities in the program budget (outside of monitoring, which is required), please specify whether you are requesting funds for a baseline, mid-term and/or final evaluation. Additionally, please elaborate on the type of evaluation (quasi-experimental, developmental, outcome harvesting, process tracing, etc.).

ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS AND BUDGET COMPONENTS

· Additional Attachments:

· Logic Model/PMP: For the purposes of the application, please submit a notional logic model/PMP (use template provided). The logic model/PMP should include theories of change; goal and objectives; activities; output and outcome indicators; data collection tools; key definitions and risks and assumptions.

· Timeline: The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities, evaluation efforts, and program closeout (not to exceed one [1] page). Please use the GANTT chart template provided.

· Key Personnel: Please include CVs of key personnel that highlight relevant professional experience (not to exceed two [2] pages each).

· Past Performance References (minimum of 3): When past performance information is present, applicants shall furnish award numbers and other details with contact information for no more than three similar programs funded over the past three years by the State Department, or any other government entity or third party source. The details shall include the following: name of the organization or agency which funded the program(s), award number, point of contact‘s name, mailing address, email address and phone number, and the overall dollar value of the program. The applicant must include information on any problems encountered, and the applicant’s corrective action(s). Applicants must not provide general information on their performance. Applicants may describe any quality awards or certificates that indicate exceptional capacity to conduct the program described in this NOFO. Please use the PPR template provided.

· Budget Components:

· Budget Appropriateness: Budgeted items are necessary and sufficient to the achievement of the goal, objectives, activities and program monitoring as presented in the proposal. This should consist of both an Excel budget breakdown and a budget narrative attached as an annex. The budget narrative must include clear, substantive explanations for each line-item and how the amounts were derived, as well as the source and description of all cost-share offered. The budget and/or budget narrative should explicitly mention how costs related to gender expertise and implementation, including PSEA safeguarding, have been included. Refer to the Excel Budget Template for guidance on compiling a budget and associated budget narrative.

· Cost-effectiveness: The Department of State must determine that the costs paid for this award are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed program activities. This will consist of a review of the Budget to determine if the overall costs are realistic for the work to be performed, if the costs reflect the applicant’s understanding of the allowable cost principles established by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 2 CFR 200 (OMB Circular A-122), and if the costs are consistent with the program narrative. Programs should seek to produce innovative and cost-effective outcomes that reach more beneficiaries. As per Section C2 of 2 CFR 200, cost-share is not required, but funding contributed by the applicant and other partners shows a commitment to the success of the program. Applicants may incorporate cost-share through leveraging existing programs, partnering, and/or providing in-kind goods and services.

Include a PDF file copy of your organization’s most recent program (A-133 /2 CFR 200) audit, if applicable. If not, please include a copy of your most recent independent audit, if available.

V. APPLICATION EVALUATION AND SCORING

The U.S. government may issue an award resulting from this NOFO to the responsible applicant whose application is the most responsive to the goals and objectives set forth in this NOFO. The U.S. government may (a) reject any or all applications, and/or (b) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

The U.S. government may make an award on the basis of initial applications received without discussion or negotiations. Therefore, applications should contain the applicant’s best terms from a cost and technical standpoint.

The U.S. government also reserves the right, but is not obliged, to enter into discussions with an applicant in order to obtain clarification, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the program’s description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

Applicants should note that the following criteria will serve as a standard against which all applications will be evaluated. The Department of State will issue an award to the applicant whose proposal represents the best value to the U.S. Government on the basis of technical merit, efficient use of USG funds, and satisfactory organizational capacity. In addition, each application will be evaluated and scored on the Proposal Components using a 100-point scale by a peer review committee of the Department of State.

CSO 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 representatives from other DoS bureaus, offices, and Posts. Final approval resides with the CSO relevant programming office.

The point value for each section outlined below indicates its relative importance in the application review process. Based on eligible applications that are responsive to the requirements outlined above, the review panel will use the following criteria when rating proposals:

Quality of Program Idea Total Possible = 20 points

· Responsive to the solicitation and appropriate in the regional context, including a thoughtful and appropriately detailed conflict sensitive gender analysis, and the identified dynamics are considered and integrated across activities and indicators (5)

· Establishes direct connection between proposed activities and the desired results (10)

· Exhibits originality, prioritizes innovation, but is feasible (5) Program Planning / Ability to Achieve Objectives Total Possible = 50 points

· Activities are developed and detailed, including a quarterly work plan with clearly differentiated phased approach (5)

· Demonstrates experience and technical expertise in early warning systems and conflict analytics, including robust data collection systems and analysis of human security risks. (15)

· Describes the division of labor among the direct applicant, any partners, and any sub-grantees; addresses how the program will engage or obtain support from relevant stakeholders including ECOWAS, NCCRMs, and others as appropriate (15)

· Presents a plan to maximize presence in country and coordinate among relevant early warning projects, practitioners, and donors (10)

· Demonstrates an institutional record of successful programs in West Africa (5)

Cost Effectiveness Total Possible = 20 points

· Explains and justifies overhead and administration costs of the proposal, including roles of project management, salaries, and honoraria. (15)

· All budget items are reasonable, appropriate and linked to program objectives and demonstrate efficient use of U.S. Government funds (5)

· Note: Cost share is not required. Applicants may offer cost share, but cost share will not be considered or factored in when proposals are reviewed.

Program Monitoring and Evaluation Total Possible = 10 points The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan includes:

· Explains how monitoring and evaluation will be carried out and who will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation activities (5)

· Includes plan to engage with CSO and other diplomatic stakeholders to support collaborative nature of the cooperative agreement (5)

VI. 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 Recipients will, at a minimum, be required to submit Quarterly Progress Reports and Quarterly Financial Reports (SF-425) describing key activities undertaken during the preceding month towards accomplishment of the stated objectives. Progress Reports will compare actual to planned performance and indicate the progress made in accomplishing each assistance award task/goal noted in the grant agreement and will contain analysis and summary of findings, both quantitative and qualitative, for key indicators. Financial Reports will provide a means of monitoring expenditures and comparing costs incurred with progress. In difficult environments, CSO may require additional reporting and briefings in order to monitor program developments. Applicants should account for this in their M&E staffing plans.

NOTE: It is Department of State policy that English is the official language of all documents. If reports or any 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.

Mandatory Disclosures (2 CFR 200.113) The non-federal entity 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 term and condition 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 SAM (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 SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). 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 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 system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance.

Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

Other Information 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 of a designated 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.

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Any prospective applicant desiring an explanation or interpretation of this NOFO must request it in writing by the deadline for questions specified in the cover letter to allow a reply to reach all prospective applicants before the submission of their applications. Any 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, if that information is necessary in submitting applications or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective applicants.

Any questions concerning this NOFO must be submitted in writing by email to:

U.S. Department of State Mark Azua AzuaME@state.gov