NOFO - Embassy Suva_GEEA Fund Pacific Energy and Gender Final_.pdf

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

UNITED STATES EMBASSY SUVA

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO): Promoting Women’s Participation and Leadership in the Pacific’s Clean Energy Transition

This is the announcement of notice of funding opportunity:

NOFO Number: SUVA Women Leadership Clean Energy 001

Type of Award: Grant

Total Funding: $1.5 million (FY 2022 Gender Equity and Equality (GEEA) Funds /(ESF)

Anticipated Number of Awards: One

Period of Performance: Three years

Type of Solicitation: Open Competition

Eligibility Category: U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations subject to section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO); international organizations, and Pacific regional organizations.

Questions Deadline: Friday, 28 July 2023 EDT/EST, Washington, D.C. on 11:59 PM

Application Deadline: Friday, 04 August 2023 EDT/EST, Washington, D.C. on 11:59 PM

Anticipated Award Signing: September 2023

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A.1 Background

The U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a regional program in eligible Pacific Island countries at $1.5 million or less to promote greater leadership roles and economic opportunities for Pacific women and girls as part of the region’s ongoing clean energy transition. Pacific Island Countries – among the most vulnerable in the world to the impacts of climate change – have set ambitious goals and targets for renewable energy deployment and decarbonization of their economies.

Transition to renewable energy however presents specific structural and cultural challenges to ensuring that women girls – including from marginalized and underserved populations – have sufficient opportunities, resources, and freedom to benefit from and participate fully in new economic opportunities provided by the region’s emerging renewable energy sector. Increasing female participation in the Pacific energy sector will also bring valuable additional viewpoints to help foster greater innovation in the sector.

Gender inequalities continue to limit economic opportunities for women and girls in the Pacific region. Structural barriers in discriminatory laws and regulations, social norms and customs, and gender-based violence have limited the ability of women and girls in the Pacific to be equal and catalytic economic actors. In particular, the Pacific’s energy sector has long been male dominated. Currently only 20 percent of the workforce of utilities in Pacific Island countries are female, with only 5 percent in technical roles. Women in the region remain absent from energy-related decision-making at all levels. Parents and relatives often discourage women and girls from becoming entrepreneurs or from pursuing male-dominated careers, such as those in the energy sector. Female participation rates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs in Pacific tertiary institutions remains low, with only 20 percent at university and 5 per cent or less at Vocational Education and Training Courses (TVET).

This new program will help secure women’s economic future by strengthening institutions and gender-responsive policies in the Pacific’s male-dominated energy sector, enhancing employment opportunities for women in the clean energy workforce, promoting women’s access to and representation in decision-making around the clean energy transition in the Pacific Islands, and promoting relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education opportunities for women and girls.

Additionally, this program will further solidify U.S. engagement in the Pacific Islands and contribute to the U.S. government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and the U.S. State Department’s Women’s Economic Security Strategy. This program will be funded through the State Department’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund (GEEA) Fund, which is intended to advance gender equity and equality through enhancing the security of women and girls, including by securing their economic future through green jobs and building resilience to climate change.

Projects may propose activities targeted through this solicitation in the following countries: the

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM); Fiji; Kiribati; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Republic of the

Marshall Islands (RMI); Samoa; the Solomon Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu; and/or Vanuatu.

Projects should be regional in scope rather than focus on any specific Pacific Island country.

Activities may be carried out in any of the Pacific Island countries (PICs) list above, but preference will be given to projects that seek to promote opportunities for women and girls in the clean energy sector across all or at least a significant subset of PICs.

Projects should seek to meet local or regional needs, involve regional and local expertise and know-how in the design and implementation phases of the project, and should build monitoring and evaluation – including time-bound milestones for performance/results – into the project.

Proposals for over $1.5 million will not be considered. Projects may serve to implement discrete phases of larger regional projects or programs.

The funding will be for U.S. Government Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 (ESF/Gender Equity and Equality

Action (GEEA) Fund.)

A.2 Goals

This new program seeks to secure the economic futures of Pacific women and girls by supporting their participation in the Pacific region’s ongoing clean energy transition. More specifically, the program seeks promote women's climate and clean energy leadership and economic security by increasing education, career, and income generation opportunities for women and girls across the region. This includes securing women’s economic future by strengthening institutions and gender-responsive policies in the Pacific’s male-dominated energy sector, enhancing employment opportunities for women in the clean energy workforce, supporting income generation opportunities for women-led businesses, promoting women’s access to and representation in decision-making around the clean energy transition in the Pacific Islands, and promoting relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education opportunities for women and girls.

Activities under this project may include conducting sub-regional market assessments to identify employment and income-generating opportunities for women in clean energy and supporting or related fields; supporting pilot projects to increase opportunities for women-owned businesses in the sale, distribution, and maintenance of renewable energy systems; and providing scholarships for women and girls to pursue university studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields of relevance to existing, new, and emerging clean energy sector jobs.

A.3 Expected Outcomes

The ultimate objective of this project is to increase women’s engagement as entrepreneurs and professionals in the clean energy employment market. The project should seek to achieve:

• Promoting women's climate and clean energy leadership;

• Facilitating economic security by increasing career and income generating opportunities for women and girls;

• Supporting women-owned businesses in the sale, distribution, and maintenance of renewable energy systems;

• Supporting scholarships for women and girls to pursue tertiary studies in relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields;

• Strengthening gender-responsive regional and national energy policies;

• Enhancing employment opportunities for women in the clean energy workforce;

• Promoting women’s access to, and representation in energy-related decision-making at the society, community, and household level;

• Promoting women’s access to, and representation in energy-related decision-making at the society, community, and household level.

A.4 Main Activities

To achieve the goals and expected results, activities to be conducted in this project may include, but are not limited to:

• Establishing a gender and mainstreaming capacity development plan and governance structure to strengthen national energy policies;

• Conducting market assessments to identify employment and income-generating opportunities for women;

• Conduct training needs assessment of for the clean energy sector;

• Developing regional and or national plans and policies to promote women’s participation and leadership in the energy sector;

• Raising awareness on clean energy polices and opportunities for women in the sector;

• Supporting pilot projects to increase opportunities for women-owned businesses in the sale, distribution, and maintenance of renewable energy systems;

• Providing scholarships for women and girls to study relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields that traditionally have been male dominated.

• Undertaking a regional or national assessments of energy and climate education and articulate career pathways for women in the clean energy sector.

A.5 Performance Indicators

All projects should aim to have an impact amongst the following:

• Women with increased economic opportunities as a result of the program

• Increased uptake of gender responsive policies in the Pacific energy sector.

• Increase in women employed in the sector.

• Increase in women studying energy and related STEM topics.

• Increased revenue of existing women-led enterprises and/or increase in the number of new women-led enterprises created as a result of program support.

• Number of regional and national energy-related policies that are gender responsive.

• Number of women leaders and women organizations reporting active participation in energy sector-related decision making at all levels.

• Number of program participants actively employed in the clean energy sector.

ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION IN THE SCOPE OF WORK ATTACHMENT

(SEE SECTION D.2.1.6).

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Organizations can submit one application in response to the NOFO. If an applicant chooses to submit multiple applications to this NOFO, it is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate the competitiveness and uniqueness of each application.

The U.S. Government may: (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept an application other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application, or (d) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

The U.S. Government may make award(s) 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. The U.S. government reserves the right

(though it is not under obligation to do so) to enter into discussions with one or more applicants in order to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the project description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

The Embassy anticipates awarding either a grant or cooperative agreement depending on the application’s risk factor, or the needs of the program, which is determined by the grant officer for applications that are successful. If the grant officer decides to award a cooperative agreement, the Embassy expects to be substantially involved during the implementation of the cooperative agreement. Examples of substantial involvement can include:

• Active participation or collaboration with the recipient in the implementation of the award.

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

• Collaboration on selection and/or review and approval of sub-award partnerships or sub-contracts beyond existing Federal policy.

• Approval of the recipient’s budget or plan of work prior to the award

The authority for this funding opportunity is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA).

To maximize the impact and sustainability of the award(s) that result from this NOFO, U.S.

Embassy Suva retains the right to execute non-competitive continuation amendment(s). The total duration of any award, including potential non-competitive continuation amendments, shall not exceed 54 months, or four and a half years. Any non-competitive continuation is contingent on performance and pending availability of funds. A non-competitive continuation is not guaranteed, and the Department of State reserves the right to exercise or not to exercise this option.]

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants

U.S. Embassy Suva welcomes applications from applications from U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations subject to section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO); international organizations, and Pacific regional organizations.

Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the Merit Review Panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.]

Please see 2 CFR 200.307 for regulations regarding program income.

C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility factor or requirement for this NOFO.

C.3 Other Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with local in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders and have successfully administered similar projects.

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and/or has a current debt to the U.S. government 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 or person listed on the Excluded Parties List System in SAM.gov can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Excluded Parties List System in SAM.gov to ensure that no ineligible entity or person is included in their application.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1 Address to Request Application Package https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/

Applicants can find application forms and other materials needed to apply on GRANTS.gov (www.GRANTS.gov) and U.S. Embassy Suva’s website https://fj.usembassy.gov/education/ under the announcement title “Gender Equity and Equality Action,” funding opportunity number “Funding Opportunity Number.” Please contact the U.S. Embassy Suva point of contact listed in Section G if requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or for security reasons. Please note that reasonable accommodations do not include deadline extensions.

D.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

For all application documents, please ensure:

• All documents are in English and all costs are in U.S. Dollars. If an original document within the application is in another language, an English translation must be provided (please note the U.S. Department of State, as indicated in 2 CFR 200.111, requires that English is the official language of all award documents). If any document is provided in both English and a foreign language, the English language version is the controlling version;

• All pages are numbered, including attachments with the exception of Excel documents;

• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper; and,

• All documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with 1-inch margins. Captions and footnotes may be 10-point Calibri font. Font sizes in charts and tables, can be reformatted to fit within 1 page width.

D.2.1. Application Requirements

Complete applications must include the following:

1. Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B forms.

2. Organizations that engage in lobbying the U.S. Government, including Congress, or pay for another entity to lobby on their behalf, are also required to complete the SF-LLL “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form (only if applicable).

3. Cover Page/Executive Summary (not to exceed two (2) pages). Include the organization name, project title, target country/countries, and name and contact information for the application’s main point of contact and brief section that clearly outlines the (1) the problem statement addressed by the project, (2) research-based evidence justifying the applicant’s approach, and (3) quantifiable project outcomes and impacts.

4. Table of Contents http://www.grants.gov/

5. Proposal Narrative* (not to exceed ten (10) pages). *Please note the ten-page limit does not include the following:

• SF-424

• SF-424A

• SF-424B

• Cover Page/Executive Summary

• Table of Contents

• Scope of Work (required template provided as an attachment)

• Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative and Plan (sample template provided as an attachment)

• Timeline

• Detailed Budget (sample template provided as an attachment)

• Budget Narrative (sample template provided as an attachment) o If the Budget includes subawards, please include a separate

Budget Narrative for each organization.

• NICRA Letter

• Single Audit or recent independent financial audit

• Key Personnel Summary

• CV or Resume of Key Personnel

• Additional Attachments (if applicable):

o Letters of support from program partners o Official permission letters, if required for project activities o Letter of Disclosure for proposed consultants/personnel o Letter(s) of Institutional Support

The Proposal Narrative must include the following:

• Introduction to the Organization: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on all relevant or similar type projects from previous grants from the U.S.

Embassy and/or U.S. Government agencies.

• Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal.

• Program Goal: The “goal(s)” describe the larger outcome intended

• Program Objectives: The intermediate accomplishments and measurable targets to achieve a goal. Objectives of the program should be SMART:

▪ Specific: Detailed and specifies what will be achieved

▪ Measurable: have associated metrics or measurements of success

▪ Attainable: appropriately challenging, objectives can be reasonably attained give the available resources

▪ Relevant: align with the policy/program goal and appropriate

▪ within the country or beneficiary audience

▪ Time-Bound: achievable within the timeframe of the program

• Program Activities: Describe specific actions taken under each Objective.

All activities should be clearly developed and sufficiently explain the resource and time requirements (inputs) and things done or produced (outputs). Activities should detail: target areas, participant groups or selection criteria for participants; how relevant stakeholders will be engaged; and actions taken by local partners as appropriate/relevant.

• Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

Include ways program activities will ensure sustainability.

• Risk Analysis* - identify the internal and external risks associated with the proposed project, rate the likelihood of the risks, rate the potential impact of the risks on the project, and identify actions that could help mitigate the risks.

6. Scope of Work (SOW) (Applicants should use the SOW template provided by Embassy Suva and attached to this NOFO.) SOW should provide a summary of the applicant’s unique approach to the following as indicated in Section 5 Proposal Narrative:

• Program Goal

• Program Objectives

• Program Activities

• Program Indicators

Required Scope of Work (SOW) template is provided as an attachment to this

NOFO.

7. Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative and Plan

a. Program Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative details how a project’s performance monitoring and evaluation system will be carried out and by whom.

It explains how the project’s performance toward its objectives will be tracked over time. It should provide a clear description of the approach and data collection strategies and tools to be employed (e.g., pre- and post-test surveys, interviews, focus groups). The description should also include how the applicant will track and document whether activities occurred (outputs) and the results or changes caused by these activities (outcomes). If the project includes work with local partners or sub-partners, explain how performance monitoring and evaluation efforts will be coordinated amongst these organizations. Explain if an external evaluation will be included. Evaluations, internal or external, should be systematic studies that use research methods to address specific questions about project performance. They should provide a valuable supplement to ongoing monitoring activities. Evaluation activities generally include baseline assessments, mid-term and final evaluations.

b. Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Plan should draw on the objectives, activities and expected changes from the Scope of Work, and link those areas to indicators. The Program Monitoring & Evaluation Plan is generally structured as a table with output-based and outcome-based indicators. It explains how data will be collected (data collection methods) to show that certain changes occurred. It outlines baselines (where your project is starting) and quarterly targets (what you would like to achieve) for each indicator.

The project should monitor and report on performance indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time-bound. Establish, where possible, performance baseline data and expected performance targets for each expected result and include details on what sources of data will be used to document performance, how the indicators will be measured, frequency of measurement, and units of measure. Where possible, indicators should also allow for sex disaggregation. Indicators should reflect key project outputs or outcomes that reflect the primary goals or objectives of the project and that the implementer can collect with high quality data.

8. Timeline (not to exceed one (1) page, preferably as a Word Document or Excel Sheet). The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities and monitoring and evaluation efforts outlined in either in a monthly or quarterly format.

9. Detailed Budget (preferably as an Excel workbook) that includes three (3) columns containing the request to U.S. Embassy Suva, any cost sharing contribution, and the total budget. A Summary Budget should also be included using the OMB-approved budget categories (see SF-424A as a sample) in a separate tab. Costs must be in U.S. Dollars. Detailed line-item budgets for sub-grantees should be included as additional tabs within the Excel workbook (if available at the time of submission). Please see attached Budget Guidance and Template for New Awards January 2023.

10. Budget Narrative (preferably as a Word Document; Justify each line-item in the budget and explain how the amounts were derived, consistent with the applicant’s documented policies, as well as the source and description of all proposed costs (and cost-share, if applicable). The Budget Narrative should complement the budget rather than repeat information provided in the budget.

For example, the narrative should provide details on the purpose of costs, reasonability of costs, cost price analysis, explain allocations, explain any yearly variances, and tie expenses to program activities and/or objectives where appropriate. Sources of all cost-share offered in the application should be identified and explained in the budget narrative. See Tab 1 of Budget Guidance and Template for New Awards (FY2023) for more information.

11. NICRA Letter: If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA letter should be included as a PDF file. This document will not be reviewed by the Merit Review Panel but will be used by project and grant team if the submission is recommended for funding. Organizations that have previously established indirect cost rates must submit timely indirect cost proposals to their cognizant agency as required by Appendix III & IV of 2 CFR 200. If indirect cost proposals have not been submitted for re-negotiation, as required, out-of-date NICRAs may not be considered. If your proposal involves subawards to organizations charging indirect costs, please submit their NICRA, if applicable.

12. Single Audit: a PDF file copy of your organization’s most recent single audit is required, if your organization meets the threshold as defined in 2 CFR 200 Subpart F. If your organization has not had a recent single audit (within your organization’s previous 3 fiscal years), you must submit your organization’s most recent independent financial audit.

13. Key Personnel Summary: (not to exceed two (2) pages, preferably as a Word Document). Include short bios that highlight relevant professional experience.

Provides names, titles, roles, and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. Note the location where key staff will be based and percentage of their time (level of effort) that will be used in support of this program.

14. CV or Resume of Key Personnel: (no maximum page limit per CV or Resume).

Include name, work history and experience or qualifications of key personnel who are proposed for the program.

15. Additional Attachments:

Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner, if applicable/pre-identified, Official permission letters, if required for project activities

Applications that do not include the elements listed above will be deemed technically ineligible. To ensure that all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the Merit Review Panel will review from the first page of each section up to the page limit and no further.

D.2.2 Additional Information Requested of Successful Applicants Receiving Notification of Intent

Successful applicants must submit, after notification of intent to make a Federal award, but prior to issuance of a Federal award:

● Written responses and revised application documents addressing conditions and recommendations from the Merit Review Panel;

• A copy of the applicant’s latest NICRA as a PDF file, if the applicant has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget;

• A completed copy of the U.S. Department of State’s Financial Management Survey, if receiving U.S. Government funding for the first time;

• Submission of required banking information to U.S. Embassy Suva at request of Grants Officer Representative or Financial Management Officer for new vendor creation in U.S. Department of State financial management systems;

• Other requested information or documents included in the notification of intent to make a Federal award or subsequent communications prior to issuance of a Federal award.

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

Required Registrations:

All prime organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), formerly referred to as DUNS, and an active registration with SAM.gov before submitting an application. U.S. Embassy Suva may not review applications from or make awards to applicants that have not completed all applicable UEI and SAM.gov requirements. A 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 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 an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

• 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) and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

• Organizations based outside of the United States and that 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.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the United States should follow the below instructions:

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

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

All prime organizations must, at all times during which they have an active Federal award or application under consideration by any Federal awarding agency, maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information. SAM.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year 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 as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

D.3.1 Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if:

• An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.

• 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 in Section G at least two weeks prior to the deadline stated in the NOFO and provide a justification for their request.

UEI/SAM.gov Exemption must be approved by a warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

D.4 Submission Dates and Times https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feportal.nspa.nato.int%2FAC135Public%2Fscage%2FCageList.aspx&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=v3TLT8F%2FNfk5SuTcI2zw7SMhV4HK542OhP9XDx4ln%2BY%3D&reserved=0

Applications are due no later than 11:59 PM EDT/EST, Washington, D.C. on Friday August 04 2023/11:59 PM LOCAL TIME on Saturday August 19 2023 on GRANTS.gov www.GRANTS.gov or U.S. Embassy Suva’s website https://fj.usembassy.gov/education/ under the announcement title “Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Fund,” funding opportunity number “SUVA Women Leadership Clean Energy 001”.

GRANTS.gov automatically logs the date and time an application submission is made, and the Department of State will use this information to determine whether an application has been submitted on time. Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered. Known system errors caused by GRANTS.gov or U.S. Embassy Suva’s website https://fj.usembassy.gov/education/ that are outside of the applicant’s control will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should not expect a notification from U.S. Embassy Suva’s confirming receipt of their application.

D.5 Funding Limitations, Restrictions, and other Considerations

U.S. Embassy Suva will not consider applications that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization. Please refer the link for Foreign Terrorist Organizations: https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ Project activities whose direct beneficiaries are foreign militaries or paramilitary groups or individuals will not be considered for U.S. Embassy Suva 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 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.

Organizations should be cognizant of these restrictions when developing project proposals as these restrictions will require appropriate due diligence of program beneficiaries and collaboration with U.S. Embassy Suva to ensure compliance with these restrictions. Program file:///C:/Users/OKellyCA/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/ZN6WSCL2/www.grants.gov https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2017-title22/html/USCODE-2017-title22-chap32-subchapIII-partI-sec2378d.htm beneficiaries subject to due diligence vetting will include any individuals or entities that are beneficiaries of foreign assistance funding or support.

D.6 Other Submission Requirements

All application submissions must be made electronically via www.GRANTS.gov or U.S. Embassy Suva’s website https://fj.usembassy.gov/education/ or GRANTS.gov requires registration by the applying organization. Please note that the GRANTS.gov registration process can take ten

(10) business days or longer, even if all registration steps are completed in a timely manner.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that it has an active registration in GRANTS.gov. U.S. Embassy Suva bears no responsibility for disqualification that result from applicants not being registered before the due date, for system errors in GRANTS.gov or U.S.

Embassy Suva’s website https://fj.usembassy.gov/education/ or other errors in the application process.

Faxed or couriered documents will not be accepted. Reasonable accommodations may, in appropriate circumstances, be provided to applicants with disabilities or for security reasons.

Applicants must follow all formatting instructions in the applicable NOFO and these instructions.

U.S. Embassy Suva encourages organizations to submit applications during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00AM-5:00PM EDT/EST, Washington, D.C. Saturday, 4:00PM-

5:00PM.

If an applicant experiences technical difficulties and has contacted the appropriate helpdesk but is not receiving timely assistance (e.g., if applicant has not received a response within 48 hours of contacting the helpdesk), the applicant may contact the U.S. Embassy Suva point of contact listed in the NOFO in Section G.

GRANTS.gov Applications:

Applicants who do not submit applications via www.GRANTS.gov may submit via U.S. Embassy Suva’s website https://fj.usembassy.gov/education/

Please be advised that completing all the necessary registration steps for obtaining a username and password from GRANTS.gov can take ten (10) business days or longer.

Please refer to the GRANTS.gov website for definitions of various "application statuses" and the difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation. Applicants will receive a validation e-mail from GRANTS.gov upon the successful submission of an application.

Validation of an electronic submission via GRANTS.gov can take up to two business days.

file:///C:/Users/OKellyCA/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/ZN6WSCL2/www.grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/ https://fj.usembassy.gov/education/

Organizations may consider saving a screenshot of the checklist showing all documents submitted in case any document fails to upload successfully.

GRANTS.gov Helpdesk:

For assistance with GRANTS.gov, please call 1-800-518-4726 (U.S.) or 1-606-545-5035 (International) or email support@grants.gov. Grants.gov is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week excluding federal holidays.

For a list of Federal holidays visit:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/Federal-holidays/

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1 Proposal Review Criteria

The U.S. Embassy Suva Merit Review Panel will evaluate each application individually against the following criteria, listed below in order of importance, and not against competing applications. Please use the below criteria as a reference, but do not structure your application according to the sub-sections.

Quality and Program Design – 20 points: The program idea is well-developed and responsive to the policy and program objective of the NOFO. The applicant describes the project’s potential contribution to solving the problem addressed in the problem statement. The application clearly: defines the problem, it’s causes, stakeholders, and existing research/data;

the approach taken to solve the problem; and realistic milestones to indicate progress.

Organizational Capacity – 20 points: The applicant demonstrates an institutional record of successful projects in the content area proposed. The applicant demonstrates experience (e.g., has previously worked and/or has established contacts/partners) in the proposed country/territory/region. The organization has expertise in its stated field and has adequate staffing to manage the proposed project. The applicant demonstrates capacity for responsible fiscal management of donor funding (e.g., successful management of a previous grant or sub-award)

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and project approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. The applicant proposes activities that are feasible, and are also practical, and/or experiential in nature to encourage innovation. The applicant addresses how the project will engage or obtain support from relevant stakeholders and/or identifies local partners. Program logic is sound showing plausible pathways to achieve project outcomes. Key assumptions and risks have been identified and their potential influences described. The applicant acknowledges if activities similar to those proposed are already taking or have taken place previously and mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ provides an explanation as to how proposed new activities will not duplicate or merely add to existing/recent activities.

Detailed Budget & Budget Narrative – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results and provide detail of calculations, including estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, labor in-put and responsibilities, procurement practice and policy information, and other similar quantitative detail.

Monitoring & Evaluation/Sustainability – 25 points: Applicant demonstrates ability 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 and who will be responsible for them. The applicant clearly details how activities will result in benefits that will continue beyond the funding period.

Support of Equity and Underserved Communities – 10 points: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

E.2 Review and Selection Process

The Department of State is committed to ensuring a competitive and standardized process for awarding funding. Applications will be screened initially in a Technical Eligibility Review stage to determine whether applicants meet the eligibility requirements outlined in section C and have submitted all required documents outlined in section D. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not advance beyond the Technical Eligibility Review stage and will be deemed ineligible for funding under this NOFO.

All applications that are deemed eligible will proceed to the Merit Review Panel consisting of U.S. Government subject matter and/or country-specific experts and will be rated on a 100-point scale. U.S. Embassy Suva reserves the right to request the assistance of non-U.S.

Government Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), if appropriate to the solicitation. Point values for individual elements of the application are presented Section E.1 Proposal Review Criteria.

Merit Review Panel Reviewers’ ratings, and any resulting recommendations, are advisory. Merit Review Panel Reviewers may provide conditions and recommendations on applications to enhance the proposed project, which must be addressed by the applicant before further consideration of the award.

The Merit Review Panel’s recommendations may be subject to a final review and high-level approval at the discretion of the U.S. Embassy Suva’s senior level official and will be influenced by whether the application meets the Department of State’s programmatic goals and objectives, how it supports the Department’s overarching foreign policy priorities, and the geographic distribution of the top-ranking applications. The decision for the final award determination rests with the Grants Officer.

E.2 Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov (formerly, FAPIIS)

The Department of State anticipates that the Federal share announced under this NOFO may be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold over the period of performance (see §200.01 Simplified Acquisition Threshold) and is therefore informing all applicants that:

1. The Department of State, 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);

2. 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;

3. The Department of State 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

F.1 Federal Award Notices

U.S. Embassy Suva will provide a separate notification to applicants on the result of their applications. Successful applicants will receive a letter electronically via email requesting that the applicant respond to the Merit Review Panel’s conditions and recommendations. This notification is not an authorization to begin activities and does not constitute formal approval or a funding commitment.

Final approval is contingent on the applicant successfully responding to the review Merit Review Panel’s conditions and recommendations; being registered in required systems; and completing and providing any additional documentation requested by U.S. Embassy Suva or the Grants Officer. Final approval is also contingent on Congressional Notification requirements being met and final review and approval by the U.S. Department of State’s warranted Grants Officer.

The notice of Federal award signed by the U.S. Department of State’s warranted Grants Officer is the sole authorizing document. 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 awarded, the notice of Federal award will be provided to the applicant’s Authorizing Designated Official via email to be electronically countersigned.

The Recipient must request payment under this award by completing form SF-270—Request for Advance or Reimbursement and submitting the form to the Grants Officer. Unless otherwise stipulated, the Recipient may request payments on a reimbursement or advance basis.

Advance payments must be limited to the minimum amounts needed and be timed to be in accordance with the actual, immediate cash requirements of the Recipient in carrying out the purpose of this award. The timing and amount of advance payments must be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the Recipient for direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs.

F.2 Administrative and National Policy and Legal Requirements

U.S. Embassy Suva requires all recipients of foreign assistance funding to comply with all applicable Department and Federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to the following:

The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards set forth in 2 CFR Chapter 200 (Sub-Chapters A through F) shall apply to all non-Federal entities, except for assistance awards to Individuals and Foreign Public Entities. Sub-Chapters A through E shall apply to all foreign organizations, and Sub-Chapters A through D shall apply to all U.S. and foreign for-profit entities. The applicant/recipient of the award and any sub-recipient under the award must comply with all applicable terms and conditions, in addition to the assurance and certifications made part of the Notice of Award. The Department’s Standard Terms and Conditions can be viewed at https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/.

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

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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:

• 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…