NOFO FINAL 5.31.pdf

United States Department of State

Bureau of Energy Resources

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Advancing Women in Clean Energy and

Mining

Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0016629

Assistance Listing Number: 19.027

Solicitation Type: Open Competition

Award Type: Cooperative Agreement

Funding Floor (if applicable): $1,233,350

Funding Ceiling: $1,233,350

Funding Authority: Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA)

Cost Sharing: Not Required

Number of Awards: 1 award(s)

Period of Performance: 36 months

Application Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on JULY 15, 2024

Question Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM EST by JULY 1, 2024

Notification of Recommendation for Funding: by late July/early August 2024

Application Submission: Electronic

Eligible Applicants:

• U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without

501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code;

• foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations

(NGO);

• Public International Organizations;

• U.S.-based private, public, or state institutions of higher education;

• Foreign-based institutions of higher education, Number of Applications: 1 per applicant organization.

Table of Contents

A.1. Background

A.2. Problem Statement

A.3. Project Goal

A.4. Objectives

A.5. Expected Outcomes

A.6. Performance Indicators

A.7. Key Considerations

A.8. Substantial Involvement (if applicable)

B.1. Available Funding

B.2. Award Management

C.1. Eligible Applicants:

C.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

C.3. Other Eligibility Criteria

D.1. Address to request Application Package

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.3. Unique entity identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (sam.gov)

D.3.1 Exemptions

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.5. Funding Limitations, Restrictions, and Other Considerations

E1. Proposal Review Criteria

E.2. Review and Selection Process

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

F.1. Federal Award Notices

F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.3. Reporting

G.1. Contacts

G.2. Question Submission Deadline

H.1. Conflict of Interest

H.2. Freedom of Information Act

H.3. Marking Policy

H.5. Monitoring Site Visits

H.6. Privacy Disclosure

H.8. Background Information on BUREAU

SECTION A: FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A.1. Background

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources announces an open competition for organizations (see eligibility information on page 1) interested in submitting application to develop and implement the Advancing Women in Clean

Energy and Mining (AWCEM), a professional leadership and development program for women working in the clean energy and critical mineral mining sectors in Latin America. Assistance under this project seeks to increase women’s leadership in the clean energy and critical mineral resource sectors’ workforces, empowering women to become leaders and agents for change in their organizations to support decarbonization and the clean energy transition in response to the ongoing climate crisis.

This project supports the U.S. Strategy to Respond to the Effects of Climate

Change on Women, the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, the U.S.

Strategy on Global Women’s Economic Security with funds from the U.S. Gender

Equity and Equality Action Fund (GEEA) which advances economic security for women and girls by increasing their access to resources, services, and leadership opportunities and by addressing the barriers that limit their ability to participate fully in the economy. This project will address GEEA Fund priorities to help secure women’s economic future through green jobs and building resilience to climate change and by providing opportunities for economic benefits through equipping women with technical capabilities and professional leadership skills, increasing women’s economic competitiveness to equally participate in the green labor market and equally benefit from quality well-paying jobs.

This project also supports the implementation of the U.S. Department of State’s Women in Energy Strategy (WE) which aims to increase women’s recruitment, retention, and promotion in the international energy and mining sectors by enlisting local partners to integrate and localize this goal and adopt its key elements into existing and anticipated policies and activities. WE strengthens U.S.

efforts globally to advance women’s status in the energy sector through public messaging and events arranged by embassies and partners; new links between universities and companies; and implementing technical assistance to address the barriers for women in the sector, including developing mentoring and leadership programs, such as this Advancing Women in Clean Energy and Mining (AWCEM) project.

This project will also support ENR’s strategic goal of enhancing energy reliability for allies and partners by advancing women’s professional development in the clean energy and critical mineral resource sectors, increasing the technical capabilities of the workforce, thereby decarbonizing and increasing resilience in energy systems over time. Increased participation in the energy and critical mineral work force also promotes ENR’s goal to decrease energy sector emissions and incentivize investments in clean energy technology. A larger, more diverse workforce increases the rate at which the critical minerals required for clean energy technologies can be supplied and at which clean energy technologies can be deployed.

A.2. Problem Statement

The transformation of energy systems, to better address climate change and environmental sustainability, requires an inclusive and diverse workforce that includes the brightest minds, best technologies, and widespread cooperation to diversify and build the supply chains – including for critical raw materials - that support the new clean energy systems. However, women’s contributions are often excluded from the global energy and critical mineral sectors.

• Energy: Women make up substantially less than half of the workforce across the energy sector and continue to be underrepresented in leadership and executive level positions. According to the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA), women comprise only 22 percent of the workforce in the traditional energy sector, and 32 percent of the renewable energy workforce globally. Also, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), women are listed in less than 11 percent of applications in the patent classes closely associated to the energy sector.

• Mining: In the mining sector, women represent an estimated eight to 17 percent of the global mining workforce, according to McKinsey. In addition to low labor force participation, women’s representation within mining sector leadership sits at 13 percent. Optimal transitions to clean energy require women’s equal participation and leadership, including in renewable energy innovation and entrepreneurship, clean technologies, and soundly governed mining of critical minerals.

Efforts by countries in Latin America seek to meet climate goals in a rapidly evolving energy sector and create opportunities to address gender gaps in clean energy leadership. The Bureau of Energy Resources seeks to support the advancement and promotion of women in clean energy and mineral resource sectors through the implementation of a professional development and mentorship program for early to mid-level women seeking to advance their careers and play a leadership role in their country’s clean energy future.

A.3. Project Goal

The successful transition to an inclusive clean energy economy will depend on women’s participation and leadership in the energy and mining sectors for minerals needed for the clean energy transition (e.g., lithium, graphite, copper, manganese, etc.). The overall goal of this project is to increase women’s leadership in the clean energy and mining workforce and empower women to become leaders and agents for change in their organizations to support decarbonization and the clean energy transition in Latin America.

Target Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana.

A.4. Objectives

The objectives of AWCEM are to:

1. Empower, encourage, and guide women participants in setting targeted professional goals to advance their clean energy and critical mineral mining sector careers.

2. Increase the confidence and leadership skills in the next generation of women clean energy and critical mineral mining sector leaders;

3. Strengthen women participants’ professional network;

4. Improve women participants’ clean energy and critical mineral mining sector job function knowledge and skills; and

5. Provide women participants with opportunities for career development, public speaking, and project management.

6. Engage with private and public sector leaders/decision makers in clean energy and critical minerals on the importance of women’s inclusion.

ACEM activities related to the above objectives will support the advancement and leadership of women in clean energy and mining sectors at minimum through the following components:

1. Regional Women in Energy and Women in Mining Conferences: At least one regional Women in Clean Energy and one regional Women in Mining Conference (2 conferences total) to bring together at least 50 participants each, including private sector and industry leaders and decision makers, women energy and mining leaders, government ministries, civil society, NGOs, and universities, with State Department and ENR leadership to engage them on the importance of women’s inclusion, discuss the state of women in energy and mining, the status of efforts to advance leadership roles for women in the sectors, as well as the importance of male allies that can serve as advocates. Women leaders will share their stories and male allies will share what they are doing to advance women in energy and mining. The Conferences will also serve as the launch of AWCEM in support of the Department of State’s Women in Energy Strategy (WE) and an opportunity to recruit for the mentorship program. The events will be coordinated with ENR’s Office of Public Diplomacy and regional Posts for amplification.

2. Mentorship Program: The AWCEM Mentorship Program will match early to mid-career level women working in the clean energy and mining sectors in Latin America with U.S. or regional women mentors to empower, encourage, and support mentees in identifying and developing targeted professional goals and milestones to advance their careers. As part of the program, the award Recipient will recruit all mentees and mentors for the program and provide both with expectations, checkpoints, and other written resources to give the mentorship program structure, direction, and focus. As part of the program, mentees will take part in components 3, 4, 5, and 6 with mentors providing supporting roles to mentees throughout.

3. Technical Trainings: AWCEM will deliver sector specific technical trainings to increase AWCEM mentees’ industry and job function knowledge as well as strengthen and develop new technical skills, while building confidence of mentees. Male allies in the region will also be identified to serve as advocates and will be incorporated into Technical Trainings. As part of these activities, the award Recipient will recruit all U.S. and regional speakers and leadership skills trainers, prepare detailed agendas, and make all travel or virtual and logistical arrangements.

4. Leadership Skills Workshops: AWCEM will deliver leadership skills workshops to increase AWCEM mentees’ leadership and professional development and the capacity of mentees to move up in their organization structures. Leadership skills development training should include no less than 50 percent of the focus of all workshops and trainings. As part of these activities, the award Recipient will recruit all U.S. and regional speakers and leadership skills trainers, prepare detailed agendas, and make all travel or virtual and logistical arrangements.

5. Capstone Project: Capstone Projects will help AWCEM mentees develop their project management skills and final oral presentations will provide mentees an opportunity to hone their communication and public speaking skills by presenting their project during the Closing Conference (noted below). As part of this activity, the award Recipient will design capstone project requirements and parameters for mentees in coordination with

ENR.

6. Closing Conference: The closing conference will allow mentees to demonstrate all they have learned throughout the AWCEM program presenting their capstone projects to in-country and regional industry leaders, including male allies.

In implementation of the program, the award Recipient will seek support and participation from relevant government institutions in Latin America and establish at least one partnership with the private sector to enhance activities and private sector support for AWCEM. AWCEM will particularly seek to connect with companies that recognize the benefits of retaining and advancing women in their roles and which are leaders in advancing women’s engagement and empowerment. The program will also seek to cultivate networking relationships for women in energy and mining from the private and public sectors and engage private and public sector leaders/decision-makers in clean energy and critical mineral mining around the importance of women's inclusion.

Proposals should account for translation of written materials into local languages and for simultaneous translation of activities. Proposals should also demonstrate the applicant’s ability to access technical expertise, and leadership skills development training professionals to carry out the objectives outlined in this NOFO. The applicant should also be able to access regional and country-specific clean energy and mining sector subject matter as well as gender expertise.

Relevant expertise can be convened from within the applicant’s organization, or through agreements with third parties.

A.5. Expected Outcomes

Based on the goals and objectives of the AWCEM, expected results include, but are not limited to the following:

• Increased capacity of women in the region to advance as leaders in the clean energy and critical mineral mining sectors;

• Increased collaboration between women energy and mining professionals in the region; and

• Increased ability of benefitting women to transition to high level positions.

A.6. Performance Indicators

The Department of State requires the applicant to submit monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plans as part of the proposal process, including overall and local results frameworks and standard and custom performance indicators for both outputs and outcomes with estimated annual targets by fiscal year.

The award Recipient should monitor and report on performance indicators relevant to the scope, objectives, and expected results of the program as articulated in this NOFO. Details should be included on what sources of data will be used to document performance. Indicators should be relevant to the goals or objectives of the program. If/when an award is made, the U.S. government will work with the final selected Applicant to develop a holistic set of indicators that includes some provided by the U.S. government and some suggested by the

Applicant. At a minimum, all person-level indicators are expected to be sex disaggregated. Illustrative indicators include the following but are not limited to:

• GNDR-2: Percentage of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (assets, credit, income or employment

• EG 7.3-2: Number of people trained in technical energy fields supported by

U.S. government assistance.

• EG 6-2: Number of individuals with improved skills following completion of

USG-assisted workforce development programs.

• EG 6-15: Percent of individuals with better employment following participation in USG-assisted workforce development programs.

• EG 12-1: Number of people trained in clean energy supported by USG assistance.

• GNDR-8: Number of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector institutions or organizations.

The Implementer will be responsible for reporting on each performance indicator included in the cooperative agreement as well as analysis of progress or impediments to reach indicator targets. Indicators will be chosen carefully to reflect the key outcomes or outputs that reflect project performance. DOS, per policy, assesses the quality of data reported by the Implementer as part of the award activities, therefore applicants should be aware that the Implementer will be engaged in data quality assessments.

Indicators and their disaggregates will be selected after discussion with the selected Implementer.

A.7. Key Considerations

Requirements

All applicants must demonstrate access to BOTH clean energy and critical mineral mining technical expertise to support technical trainings as well as experienced leadership skills and professional development experts to implement leadership skills workshops.

The proposal must be demonstrably informed by a contextually specific gender analysis.

All applicants must provide the following as a separate attachment to their proposals to demonstrate alignment with relevant U.S. strategies:

• Gender Analysis: Proposals must include a gender analysis identifying how the work will address gender gaps and opportunities to enhance the program’s effectiveness and narrow gender inequities. This should be a stand-alone document rather than a section of the proposal narrative.

Sample Gender Analysis Questions are provided as an attachment of this

NOFO package, but the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Energy

Resources also welcomes more detailed analyses. Gender analyses should be limited to 2-3 pages per country (these will not count toward the proposal page limit). Funding priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate a strong understanding of how intersecting aspects of identity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, geography, marital or relationship status, or religious, caste, or tribal affiliation, combine to further marginalize certain sections of the population, and how these will be addressed to realize meaningful inclusion.

• How the program will take an inclusive, locally led approach that represents a broad range of women and is clearly driven by the needs of the community.

At a minimum, the proposal must address the different ways in which different genders might affect and be affected by the project and articulate a plan to minimize gender inequalities the project may encounter. The proposal should also include plans to review and update the gender analysis periodically throughout the period of performance.

Applicants must also address how their program will take a participatory, locally led approach that is demonstrably driven by the needs and perspectives of local partners and the communities they serve, per the Global Fragility Act of 2019.

Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

The recipient will take all practical steps in accordance with their internal controls and existing policies and procedures to address the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). In accordance with the internal control requirements in 2 CFR 200.303, which require the recipient to establish standards of conduct for its employees, the recipient must ensure that all its employees adhere to these standards of conduct in a manner that incorporates safeguarding against the sexual exploitation and abuse of beneficiaries, including but not limited to updating internal policies and procedures, as applicable and appropriate, and conducting appropriate monitoring of beneficiaries, as required by 2 CFR 200.329, which stipulates that the “non-Federal entity must monitor its activities under Federal awards to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements.” If the recipient determines that the conduct of any recipient employee is not in accordance with this requirement, the recipient must address the situation in accordance with the recipient’s internal policies and procedures.

Risk Assessment

Applicants should:

• Identify risks to staff, implementers, participants, or their communities as a result of their participation in the program. Besides political and environmental factors, risks may include in-person or online gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and other forms of physical, psychological, economic, or social backlash against beneficiaries. Risk assessments should also address how the program will avoid exacerbating local tensions or divisions, such as unintended power shifts within or between communities, local competition over program funds and opportunities, unintended crowding out of local civil society actors, or

“brain drain” of their own staff or members, in line with Do No Harm principles, referring to the need to recognize and reduce the potential negative effects of aid interventions. Implementer risk assessment and mitigation plans must address risk to project beneficiaries in addition to risks to staff and project implementation. These should explicitly address gender-related risks and mitigating actions, as identified in the gender and inclusion analysis.

Proposals must include a plan for regular review and updates of risk assessment(s).

A.8. Substantial Involvement (if applicable)

ENR anticipates awarding a cooperative agreement. The distinction between grants and cooperative agreements revolves around the existence of “substantial involvement.” Cooperative agreements require greater Federal government participation in the project. ENR will undertake reasonable and programmatically necessary substantial involvement. Substantial involvement areas can include, but are not limited to:

• Active participation or collaboration with the recipient on certain aspects of award implementation.

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

• Collaboration on selection and/or review of project beneficiaries.

• Approval of the Implementer’s implementation plans and approach, including but not limited to training and leadership topics for workshops, mentor and mentee recruitment process and requirements, final mentee and mentor selections, all program materials, etc.; and https://emergency.unhcr.org/protection/protection-principles/humanitarian-principles#:~:text=UNHCR%20also%20adheres%20to%20other,its%20actions%20on%20affected%20populations.

https://emergency.unhcr.org/protection/protection-principles/humanitarian-principles#:~:text=UNHCR%20also%20adheres%20to%20other,its%20actions%20on%20affected%20populations.

• Approval of the Implementor’s indicators, targets, and monitoring and evaluation plans.

Specific areas of substantial involvement will be dependent upon the objectives of the proposal and outlined in the final Agreement. The final determination on award mechanism will be made by the Grants Officer.

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1. Available Funding

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

Applicants can submit one application in response to the NOFO. If more than one application is submitted by an organization, only the first application received, and time stamped by either grants.gov or SAMS/ will be reviewed for eligibility.

The Department of State reserves the right to (a) fund any or none of the applications received; (b) reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase the budget in accordance with bureau proprieties and the availability of funds.

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.

B.2. Award Management

The successful applicant will need to routinely collaborate with ENR through regular meetings and conference calls to discuss progress, challenges, emerging topics, etc. The successful applicant must ensure that all funds are used in a manner consistent with any applicable restrictions on funding. See D5 below for funding restrictions.

SECTION C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants:

See ‘Eligible Applicants’ on page 1.

C.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

The non-Federal share of costs, frequently called “cost share” or “matching costs”, refers to that portion of the project or program costs not borne by the

Federal Government. This may include cash and third-party in-kind contributions.

These costs must reflect the realistic capacity of the applicants and any third-party contributors.

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

C.3. Other Eligibility Criteria

Preference will be given to organizations with demonstrated experience in designing and implementing training and mentorship programs for women in the energy and/or mining sectors, including experience recruiting of mentees abroad and individual mentors in the U.S.

Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships, local in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects.

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for

Award Management (sam.gov) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive

Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in sam.gov to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1. Address to request Application Package

Applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply on grants.gov under the announcement title Advancing Women in Clean Energy and Mining funding opportunity number “Funding Opportunity Number.” Please contact the ENR 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

Proposals packages must adhere to the attached Proposal Submission

Instructions (PSI). Proposal submissions that do not meet all the requirements outlined in this NOFO and the PSI will be deemed technically ineligible. To ensure that all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the review panel will review from the first page of each section up to the page limit and no further.

Complete applications must include the following required materials:

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

(OPTIONAL but strongly encourage for FPE/PIOs)

2. Organizations that engage in lobbying the U.S. government, including

Congress, or pay for another entity to lobby on their behalf, are also http://www.grants.gov/ required to complete the SF-LLL “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form

(only if applicable).

3. Cover Page/Executive Summary

4. Proposal Narrative

5. Budget Documents (two (2) component submission requirement)

6. Program Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative and Plan

7. Key Personnel

8. Timeline

9. Gender and Inclusion Analysis

10. Attachments, (if applicable):

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

• Official permission letters, if required for project activities

D.3. Unique entity identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (sam.gov)

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is one of the data elements mandated by Public

Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. www.sam.gov is the Federal government's primary database for complying with FFATA reporting requirements. OMB designated www.sam.gov as the central repository to facilitate applicant and recipient use of a single public website that consolidates data on all federal financial assistance. Under the law, it is mandatory to obtain a UEI number and register in sam.gov before submitting an application. ENR may not review applications from or make awards to applicants that have not completed all applicable UEI and

SAM.gov requirements.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the

UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before the award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

UEI is assigned by sam.gov assigned to organizations that have to register/or renew their sam.gov registration.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

Note: The process of obtaining a sam.gov registration may take anywhere from

4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible. Numerous errors require correction, such as an address mismatch, and can delay final registration.

If the application is not corrected within 90 calendar days of original registration/or renewal submission, it will be automatically deleted, and the organization will need to re-start the process.

• Organizations based outside of the United States and do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in sam.gov. Please note that as of

November 2022, organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO CAGE (NCAGE).

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

• NCAGE/CAGE code (if applicable)

• www.sam.gov UEI and registration

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

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the registration.

All prime organizations must continue to maintain active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times during which they have an active Federal award or application under consideration by a Federal award agency. SAM.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.gov and to maintain that active registration. If http://www.sam.gov/ 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.

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

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

The attached “UEI and SAM.gov FAQ updated 021623” is a resource provided by the grants policy office. Any content shown from SAM.gov is not owned by the

Department of State. This guidance and instruction are to the best of our knowledge based at the time of posting this solicitation. Where guidance in these attachments differs from the SAM.gov website, SAM.gov prevails and the applicant is encouraged to seek and document clarity provided by the SAM.gov helpdesk.

D.3.1 Exemptions

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

• Recipient is a foreign organization receiving an award that will be performed outside the United States valued at less than $25,000, if the

Grants Officer deems it to be impractical for the entity to obtain a UEI or register in SAM.gov.

• The recipient is an overseas school and does not currently have a UEI number.

• The award relates to a classified or national security matter.

• The recipient’s identity must be protected due to possible endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or the beneficiary being served by the recipient.

• There are exigent circumstances that prohibit the recipient from receiving a

UEI and completing SAM registration prior to receiving the award. These circumstances are identified in the justification below and the recipient will be required to register within 30 days of the award date in accordance with

2 CFR 25.

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

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), on

15 July 2024 on grants.gov under the announcement title Advancing Women in Clean Energy and Mining funding opportunity number “Funding Opportunity

Number.”

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

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that it has an active registration in grants.gov and that an application has been received by the system in its entirety. grants.gov automatically log 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. Applicants should not expect a notification upon ENR receiving their application.

http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

ENR bears no responsibility for disqualification that results from applicants not being registered before the due date, for registrations errors in either system, or other errors in the application process.

D.5. Funding Limitations, Restrictions, and Other Considerations

ENR 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/.

Consistent with Department guidance on State Funding and the Risks of

Terrorist Financing, for all State Department funded programs and requirements, Department bureaus must assess the likelihood that the funds or Department funded activities, goods, services, training, expert advice or assistance, or other benefits to be provided, could inadvertently or incidentally benefit terrorist organizations or their members or supporters, and put in place appropriate risk mitigation measures to mitigate such risk. In accordance with 14 FAM 247, and consistent with the 2

FAM 050, Counterterrorism (CT) name-check vetting may be performed in countries and programs designated by the Department.

The following activities and costs are not covered under this announcement (this list is NOT exhaustive):

• Construction or renovations is not an allowable activity under this award;

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

• Projects seeking funds for personal use;

• Administration of a project that will make a profit;

• Expenses incurred before or after the specified dates of award period of performance (unless prior written approval is received);

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

https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/

• Alcoholic beverages;

• Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities, and any associated costs, are unallowable, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose and are authorized either in the approved budget for the federal award or with prior written approval of the Grants Officer.

Representation by Organization Regarding a Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony

Criminal Conviction: In accordance with section 7073 of Division K of the

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76) none of the funds made available by that Act may be used to enter into an assistance award with any organization that –

(1) Was “convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where the awarding agency has direct knowledge of the conviction, unless the agency has considered, in accordance with its procedures, that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government”; or

(2) Has any “unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, unless the

Federal agency has considered, in accordance with its procedures, that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the

Government.”

For the purposes of Section 7073, it is the Department of State’s policy that no award may be made to any organization covered by (1) or (2) above, unless the

Procurement Executive has made a written determination that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the U.S. Government.

Organizations should be cognizant of these restrictions when developing project proposals. Funding restrictions will require appropriate due diligence of program beneficiaries and collaboration with ENR to ensure compliance with these restrictions. Program beneficiaries subject to due diligence vetting will include any individuals or entities that are beneficiaries of foreign assistance funding or support. Due diligence vetting will include a review of open-source materials.

SECTION E: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E1. Proposal Review Criteria

ENR 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.

The following criteria will serve as a standard, which all eligible applications will be evaluated against.

The review panel will apply the following criteria when rating proposals: Very

Competitive; Competitive and Not Competitive.

Applications should contain the applicant’s best terms from both cost and technical standpoints. The implementing partners (sub-recipients) of the primary

Recipient will be subject to Department of State approval.

Quality and Feasibility of Project Idea

• Demonstrated understanding and appreciation for the goals and objectives of AWCEM and demonstrated ability to achieve goals.

• Proposal responds to the NOFO and demonstrates the Applicant’s knowledge of the clean energy and critical mineral mining sectors and gender issues and the appropriate context for these policy topics.

• The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out, including a clear articulation of how these activities will contribute to the overall project’s goals and objectives as well as alignment to the gender analysis, along with a reasonable implementation timeline.

• Applicant demonstrates ability to access clean energy and critical mineral mining technical expertise to support technical trainings.

• Proposal includes experienced leadership skills and professional development experts to implement leadership skills workshops. Proposal includes a separate gender and inclusion analysis as described in section A7 and incorporates an inter-sectional and inclusive approach.

• Proposal describes the method of delivery activities/meetings will be convened online or in-person/location), number of participants, who will participate, etc.

• Proposal contains technical and leadership related discussion topics for workshops that also includes discussion of the common challenges women face in the sectors and experiences from others who have overcome those challenges.

• Proposal includes PSEA requirements as noted in the requirements section of A7.

Organizational Capacity and Record of Performance

• The applicant demonstrates an institutional record of successful projects in the content area proposed and has qualified personnel required for the development of the program, including Spanish and English language skills.

• The applicant demonstrates experience (e.g., has previously worked and/or has established contacts/partners) in the proposed country/territory/region.

• The applicant demonstrates capacity for responsible fiscal management of donor funding (e.g., successful management of a previous grant or sub-award).

• The proposal provides a description of the applicant organization – including its general purpose, goals, annual budget (including funding sources), and major past and current activities and projects undertaken.

• Proposal demonstrates ability to recruit, engage, and retain a diverse array of policy experts, industry leaders, and foreign government officials in each target country.

• Staff / consultants / local partners have relevant expertise in energy, gender, leadership skills development, social inclusion, Do No Harm and Preventing

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) as listed in the requirements section of

A7, and gender-based violence in the energy sector.

• The organization has demonstrated experience implementing and managing international mentorship programs.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives

• 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 include all aspects identified in

Section A4, activities 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 in the region and provides an explanation as to how proposed new activities will not duplicate or merely add to existing/recent activities.

Financial Capacity and Cost Effectiveness

• 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.

• The budget is sufficient and reasonable for all activities.

Monitoring & Evaluating and Sustainability

• Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal.

• Proposals discuss how progress towards the expected results will be measured.

• Proposals include an explanation of how data and information will be collected, analyzed and used, and how baseline measurements will be established.

• MEL plans include gender specific indicators as well as sex disaggregation of indicators. Plans also include regular reviews of the program’s gender analysis, including with any partners, throughout the life of the award.

• The proposal 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

• 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 move forward 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. ENR reserves the right to request the assistance of non-U.S. government Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), if appropriate to the solicitation. Panel Reviewers will determine scores based on the strengths and weaknesses of the afore-mentioned categories and for consistency with the program goals and objectives outlined in this NOFO. Panel

Reviewers’ ratings, and any resulting recommendations are advisory. To ensure effective use of U.S. government funds, conditions or recommendations may include requests to increase, decrease, clarify, and/or justify costs and project activities.

ENR reserves the right to make an award based on the initial application received with or without discussion or negotiations. Therefore, applications should contain the applicants’ best terms from both cost and technical standpoints.

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

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 designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (formerly FAPIIS) (see

41 U.S.C. 2313).

The applicant, at its option, may review 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. 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.

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 §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

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 or a designate to 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.

• U.S. 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, sexual orientation, and political affiliation.

• Applicants under DOS-funded projects are responsible for complying with all applicable tax treaties and federal, state, and local laws on tax withholding and reporting for project participants.

SECTION F: FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1. Federal Award Notices

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

ENR will provide a separate notification to applicants on the result of their applications. Successful applicant(s) will receive a letter via email, requesting that the applicant respond to review panel 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 panel’s and awarding bureau’s conditions and recommendations, Congressional Notification requirements, registration in required systems; and completing and providing any additional documentation requested by ENR or the

Department’s warranted Grants Officer.

The Grants Officer is the U.S. Government official delegated the authority by the

U.S.…