NOFO FINAL SFOP0009851.pdf

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Announcement Type: Request for Federal Assistance Award Applications

Funding Opportunity Title:

Global Initiative to Galvanize the Private Sector as Partners in Combating Corruption (GPS)

Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0009851

Program: Fighting Corruption

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

19.705 - Transnational Crime

Total Funding Available: $2,500,000 U.S. Dollars

Funding Source: Domestic-Funds

Application Ceiling: Up to $2,500,000 U.S. Dollars

Application Floor: At least $500,000 U.S. Dollars

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-3 awards

Initial Project Implementation Length: 12-24 months

Estimated Project Start Date: October 1, 2023

NOFO Issuance Date: June 2, 2023

Deadline for Submission of Questions: July 5, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST via email

Deadline for Submission of Applications:

August 2, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST via www.grants.gov

Assistance Type: Cooperative Agreement http://www.grants.gov/

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Applicant Types and Eligibility Categories:

Organizations only.

Refer to Section C: Eligibility Information for more information.

INL Points of Contact:

Najar Starr (StarrND@state.gov) - GO April Snedeker (SnedekerA@state.gov)- PO

BUREAU MISSION

The mission of the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is to keep Americans safe by countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is at the forefront of responding to these challenges, uniting these overarching themes through our foreign assistance programs, diplomatic engagement, and policy coordination.

INL’s foreign assistance programs are essential to advancing U.S. policy objectives. INL programs advance the following strategic goals:

1. Disrupt and reduce illicit drug markets and transnational crime to protect American lives and U.S. national security.

2. Combat corruption and illicit financing to strengthen democratic institutions, advance rule of law, and reduce transnational crime and its enablers.

3. Strengthen criminal justice systems to support stable, rights respecting partners.

mailto:SnedekerA@state.gov)-

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

F. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

APPENDIX A: PERFORMANCE MONITORING PLAN

APPENDIX B: PROJECT RISK ANALYSIS

APPENDIX C: BUDGET AND BUDGET NARRATIVE

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A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Overview: The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S.

Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to carry out a project to support a Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal, the Global Initiative to Galvanize the Private Sector as Partners in Combating Corruption (GPS). GPS is mechanism for engaging the private sector as an important piece of a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach to combating corruption. It provides a platform for public-private dialogue and collective action to address shared anti-corruption challenges. This Cooperative Agreement will complement work conducted under GPS in partnership with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Priority Region/Countries:

This program will be global. Any countries where INL can work will be considered for assistance.

Target countries will be determined during project implementation in consultation with INL. Below are considerations that will inform country prioritization. This is not an exhaustive list.

• GPS Anti-Corruption Leadership Hub level of interest;

• Political will;

• Government appetite for foreign direct investment;

• Local private sector (SME and SOE) engagement in international supply chains;

• Local private sector interest in implementing anti-corruption measures in their organizations;

• Civil society engagement on private sector issues;

• Windows of opportunity;

• Democratic backsliding;

• Presence of other foreign assistance efforts for amplification or deconfliction; and

• INL, State Department, and USG priorities.

Problem Statement:

Corruption erodes trust in business and institutions; undermines economic growth, social equity and democracy; and threatens our ability to collectively safeguard human rights, the environment, and the rule of law. Acknowledging the harmful effects of corruption in June 2021, President Biden established the fight against corruption as a core U.S. national security interest and in December 2021, the Administration released the first-ever U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption. Recognizing that the private sector is an under-leveraged and under-served potential partner in combating corruption, the U.S. Government committed to more consistently bring in the private sector as critical actors in the fight against corruption and to help level the playing field for businesses operating with integrity and improve the international business climate.

Project Vision:

To further the objectives of the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption; U.S. commitments under the Summit for Democracy, including the GPS initiative; and INL’s Functional Bureau Strategy; this

5 | P a g e project will support the creation of economic environments where businesses can operate with integrity without being at a competitive disadvantage for refusing to engage in corrupt activity.

Project Goal(s) and Objectives:

GPS is an ongoing initiative, currently implemented in partnership with the OECD. So far under GPS, INL and OECD have established an Anti-Corruption Leadership Hub (ACLH) comprised of 50+ companies and U.S. Government Representatives. The ACLH is a platform for public-private dialogue and development of collective action plans to make concrete progress to address shared corruption challenges. During the next phase of the project, the ACLH will grow to include representatives from other governments, and civil society. Partnerships under this Cooperative Agreement will be key in expanding and strengthening the ACLH.

The ACLH informs three other lines of effort, the trusted dialogue series, capacity building efforts, and the OECD’s annual Global Anti-Corruption Integrity Forum (GACIF), currently supported under

GPS.

The trusted dialogue series aims to encourage frank conversations on sensitive corruption issues.

The themes of the sessions will be determined based on U.S. priorities and ACLH member priority.

The series will culminate in research and a set of guidelines or best practices for tackling some of the most difficult corruption problem sets. Planned topics include responsible business engagement with government and trusted mechanisms for information sharing between the public sector, private sector, and civil society on potential corrupt networks or corruption cases.

The second line of effort aims to harness the innovation, expertise, tools, technologies, and anti-corruption approaches that exist in the private sector for capacity building efforts. Under this line of effort, ACLH members including government and civil society will help develop and deploy anti-corruption capacity building toolboxes for use by high-risk or under-resourced companies (e.g., state-owned enterprises and SMEs, particularly those doing business with multi-national corporations), governments, and civil society. Toolboxes will comprise of guidelines, trainings, and practical tools for developing anti-corruption systems.

GACIF is the world’s second-largest anti-corruption conference. This conference will be funded under GPS in 2023 and beyond (pending future funding availability). While funded under GPS, the conference will serve as a forum for promoting public-private cooperation, promoting guidelines and best practices surfaced through the initiative, and informing the GPS agenda for the next year.

Through a separate initiative, INL and OECD have created an Anti-Corruption Infrastructure Toolbox (IACT). IACT is a holistic multi-stakeholder approach to empower actors across the infrastructure value chain to prevent, detect and report corruption and support a level playing field for business.

The toolbox will build the capacity of stakeholders to implement effective anti-corruption systems based on international standards, including the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related instruments, and to meet the objectives of global programs for infrastructure investment, including the Blue Dot Network. The toolbox will provide practical guidance for assisting developing and emerging economies to set-up effective corruption prevention, detection and reporting frameworks that mobilize multiple actors and involve a range of mechanisms across the life cycle of infrastructure projects.

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Four initial components are included in the toolbox: 1. A Guidebook that synthesizes international best practices and outlines practical steps to improve corruption prevention and detection strategies; 2. Multi-stakeholder dialogues will promote collective action to tackle corruption in the infrastructure sector; 3. Training programs that will assist stakeholders involved in infrastructure to better identify and combat risks; 4. Capacity building using secondments and peer learning to facilitate the implementation of compliance and anticorruption frameworks in highly exposed organizations and SOEs.

In the fall of 2023, work under the IACT project will be consolidated under the GPS umbrella.

Activities proposed in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity should be designed to complement and amplify the existing work described above. Grantees will become GPS partners responsible for developing and implementing activities informed by ACLH member priorities.

Grantees will also support capacity building initiatives, including supporting the development and implementation of GPS toolboxes, as well as other discrete capacity building initiatives as proposed by the grantee, determined by ACLH members, or requested by INL. Grantees will coordinate closely with OECD. Grantees will also coordinate with other ongoing bi-lateral or global anti-corruption or private sector programs as necessary.

The program is comprised of two projects. Applicants may submit multiple applications.

Applications that address more than one project will not be given preference over ones that address only one – instead applications will be evaluated on their merit and anticipated impact on countering kleptocracy. Where applications anticipate procurement of equipment to accomplish the proposed activities to meet sub-objectives, they may include those equipment requests for training or donation (refer to § 200.313 and § 200.439 for more information regarding equipment).

Better business environments as described in this NOFO have three main elements. On the government side, they are environments where there is a strong anti-corruption architecture in line with international legal frameworks such as the UN Convention Against Corruption that includes preventative measures, criminalization and law enforcement measures, international cooperation provisions, and asset recovery obligations. On the private sector side, there is the ability to operate with integrity created by private sector partners and competitors who play by the same rules, and a government that has strong rule of law. On the civil society side, there is space to advocate for reforms, report corruption without reprisal, and freely engage governments on corruption issues.

Project 1: Better Business Environments

Goal 1: Increased government adoption and implementation of anti-corruption prevention, legislative, regulatory, and enforcement measures that level the playing field for businesses operating with integrity.

Objective 1.1: Governments identify anti-corruption reforms that are needed to create a better business environment.

Objective 1.2: Governments adopt and implement anti-corruption measures that are needed to create a better business environment.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.313 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.439

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Objective 1.3: Governments take steps to adopt or strengthen anti-bribery legislation or enforce existing anti-bribery legislation.

Objective 1.4: Governments provide resources to local private sector to strengthen their capacity to operate with integrity.

Goal 2: Private sector is galvanized to reduce corruption at the firm level and advocate for anti-corruption policy measures.

Objective 2.1: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) understand organizational changes needed to reduce corruption.

Objective 2.2: SMEs and SOEs put controls in place to prevent and detect corrupt activity and establish practices to create an organizational culture of ethics and integrity.

Objective 2.3: Businesses serve as force multipliers by engaging in collective action, public-private dialogue, and advocacy efforts.

Project 2: Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Toolbox (IACT)

Goal: Infrastructure projects have anti-corruption controls, oversight, and are implemented according to accepted international standards and guidelines1 for integrity, resulting in higher quality infrastructure.

Objective 1.1: Business, governments, and civil society deploy a collective action approach to reducing corruption in infrastructure projects through the deployment of IACT Objective 1.2: Businesses, governments, civil society, have the capacity to implement anti-corruption controls in infrastructure projects and to provide oversight necessary to prevent and detect corruption.

Project activities and deliverables:

The activities listed below are for illustrative purposes only; it is not an exhaustive list. Priority will be given to proposals that include diverse, creative, and comprehensive strategies. Activities for this award will be developed in close coordination with INL, but may include the following:

Project 1: Better Business Environments

• Develop multi-stakeholder action plans for implementing reforms that will level the playing field for businesses operating with integrity.

• Oversee the implementation of multi-stakeholder action plans for implementing reforms that will level the playing field for businesses operating with integrity.

• Provide analysis of country-level anti-corruption reforms that would improve the business environment.

• Mobilize civil society to advocate for anti-corruption reforms that would improve the business environment.

• Develop and implement collective action initiatives to advocate for anti-corruption reforms that would improve the business environment.

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• Develop new sectoral integrity pacts and promote existing pacts, such as those addressing the responsibilities of gatekeepers.

• Advocate for governments to provide support for SMEs to improve anti-corruption compliance.

• Advocate for the adoption of anti-bribery legislation.

• Provide technical assistance to support the adoption and implementation of anti-bribery legislation.

• Promote the enforcement of anti-bribery legislation.

• Strengthen the ability of civil society and the private sector to report foreign bribery.

• Provide capacity building for SMEs and/or to improve anti-corruption compliance.

• Support the development and implementation of GPS toolboxes.

• Identify government digitalization efforts where anti-corruption controls should be considered.

• Support digitalization efforts that will increase transparency and accountability.

Project 2: Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Toolbox (IACT)

• Provide expert advice and analysis on implementation of anti-corruption mechanisms in infrastructure projects.

• Identify infrastructure projects that would benefit from IACT implementation.

• Build relationships to promote the implementation of IACT.

• Develop and deliver trainings for all stakeholders in infrastructure projects (governments, private sector, civil society).

• Convene public-private dialogues on corruption challenges and potential solutions in infrastructure projects.

• Support the adoption of technology in infrastructure projects to increase transparency and accountability.

Participants and Audiences:

Representatives from:

• Private sector (small- and medium-sized enterprises, multi-national enterprises, state-owned enterprises);

• Government;

• Civil society organizations (domestic and international); and

• Academic institutions.

Applicants should describe how they will ensure equitable and safe inclusion using participatory, locally-led, and intersectional approaches as appropriate.

Project Expansion: If the project is successful, INL will consider the option of an award modification to expand the project to other areas or countries in the region, subject to availability of future funding. Applicants may include in their proposal a brief section outlining how additional funds could potentially be used to expand work into additional activities or countries in future years.

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Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how their project might leverage funding through other organizations.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Applicants are encouraged to reference the table on the first page(s) of this NOFO to determine the basic federal award information (e.g., project length, amount of funding available, anticipated number of awards, assistance type, etc.). Additional award information is included in this section, although specific aspects of the award(s) issued from this NOFO may differ from program to program.

1. Project Implementation Period

The initial project implementation length is the amount of time (e.g., months) applicants should plan to implement the project. If a range of months is listed, applicants should propose a realistic project length within that range.

INL may extend the project implementation period, contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approvals, and funding availability. INL projects shall not exceed five (5) total years of project implementation.

2. Assistance Type

The type of assistance is determined by scope of INL’s involvement in the implementation of the project. Refer to the table on the first page(s) of the NOFO to determine whether this particular project will be a grant or cooperative agreement.

For cooperative agreements, INL may be substantially involved in the following ways:

• Approval of the recipient’s annual work plans, including: planned activities for the following year, travel plans, planned expenditures, event planning, and changes to any activity to be carried out under the Cooperative Agreement;

• Approval of specified key personnel;

• Approval of sub-award recipients (if any), and concurrence on the substantive provisions of the sub-awards; and coordination with other cooperating agencies;

• Approval of Monitoring and Evaluation Plan;

• Approval of target countries;

• Approval of event and activity participant lists; and

• Other country- or project-specific approvals will be included in the award documents.

3. Funding Notices

This award will be supported with International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Length of performance period: 12 to 24 months

Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2023

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Number of awards anticipated: 1-3 awards (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $500,000 to a maximum of $2,500,000

Total available funding: $2,500,000

Type of Funding: FY23 INCLE Funds

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicant Types The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

• U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the US 115 of the U.S. tax code;

• Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

• Foreign-based educational institutions

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost share is the portion of project costs not borne by the U.S. government. Cost share is recommended but not required for this project. Applicants must be able to ensure cost share is accounted for/tracked through accounting systems and/or supporting documentation (such as Personnel Activity Records, proof of voluntary hours, proof of any purchases for materials being included as cost share, etc.)

Any cost share proposed must be appropriately captured within the SF-424A, budget, and budget narrative.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

• In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (also known as UEI), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.

Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.gov. Refer to Section D for additional guidance.

• Applicants may submit multiple proposals, but each one may only address one project.

Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal, however one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other organization(s) listed as sub-recipient partner(s).

• To be eligible to receive a federal assistance award, organizations must have a commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. INL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. INL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.

• Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations

11 | P a g e associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards issued under this grant award.

Note: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to INL grant/cooperative agreement announcements.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Applicants should carefully follow all instructions in this section to ensure their application is formatted properly and includes all required documents. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be deemed ineligible for review.

1. How to Apply and Submit Questions

This opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov, along with all required application forms and, where applicable, templates for application documents. Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted via www.grants.gov. INL reserves the right to reject any applications submitted through improper channels.

Applicants are encouraged to closely review the NOFO and email questions to the INL points of contact by the deadline listed on the first page(s) of this document. After the question deadline has passed, INL will respond to all questions publicly through a Questions & Answers document uploaded to the Related Documents tab of this opportunity.

2. Required Application Documents All documents in the following list must be included in your application, unless explicitly listed as optional. If a document includes a page limit, please adhere to that limit in your application.

Applicants that do not submit all required documents will be notified via email of their ineligibility after the application deadline.

Standard Application Forms

SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations)

Must be signed by an authorized signatory of the applicant’s organization.

SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs)

SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) – Optional The SF-424B is only required for applicants who are not registered in SAM.gov.

Project Proposal The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant is proposing to do. The following documents may be

12 | P a g e submitted separately or combined into one document. If combined, please be sure to adhere to the page limits for each section.

Proposal Narrative – Maximum 20 pages Applicants may use their own proposal template, but it must include all the sections below. Refer to Appendix A for additional guidance on drafting a proposal narrative.

Cover Page: include organization name, project title, requested number of months, target country(ies), point(s) of contact, and requested funding amount.

Table of Contents: list all documents and attachments with page numbers.

Executive Summary: Provide a synopsis of the project.

Project Context: Include an analysis of the issue to be addressed, including why it is important to address, what the main causes of the issue are, and who has power to effect change on the issue; suggested approaches and solutions (with evidence to support suggestions); and suggestions for revision to NOFO goals and objectives if needed.

Theory of Change & Implementation Plan: Describe the implementation plan (specific activities to implement suggested solutions); explain how or why they should result in accomplishment of the project goals and objectives (i.e., the theory of change). Projects should be designed such that activities, if implemented according to plan, should result in achievement of program objectives; and objectives, if achieved, should result in achievement of program goals. The Theory of Change should clearly demonstrate this causal logic. Finally, discuss likely challenges to implementation, including any risks of harm to project implementers or participants, along with mitigation strategies.

Gender, Equity, and Inclusion Analysis: Include in your proposal an analysis that addresses the ways in which women, gender diverse persons, and members of other marginalized and underrepresented groups (as specified in the “Participants and Audiences” section above) might affect and be affected differently by your work, including a consideration of their safe and meaningful participation. Strengthen your proposal by incorporating the results of this gender, equity and inclusion analysis into your project design. Include a description of how you will minimize any inequities and identified potential risks.

Description of Prior Work: Provide brief descriptions, including outcomes and deliverables, of any similar projects the organization has implemented.

Future Funding Plan/Sustainability: Briefly discuss the plan for ensuring the sustainability of the project (i.e., that the project continues to have impact beyond the grant period) or note if sustainability is unlikely without continued support. Applicants may also include a brief section outlining how additional funds could potentially be used to expand work into additional activities or countries beyond the initial project period.

Performance Monitoring Plan

See Appendix A for more details and instructions. Applicants MUST submit the following:

• Change Map (see template) or equivalent

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• Illustrative Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (see template)

Note 1: If full performance monitoring information is not available at the time of the proposal, applicant should indicate that the indicators and associated information are notional. If selected, a final version of the documents will be required as an early deliverable.

Project Risk Analysis

A template is included under the Related Documents section of this NOFO announcement on www.grants.gov. Refer to Appendix B for additional guidance on drafting a Project Risk Analysis.

Timeline Outline key milestones in the project, project start-up, and closeout, programmatic activities, and monitoring and evaluation activities (e.g., monitoring trips or semi-annual reviews). May be a written schedule and/or a GANTT chart.

Organization, Staff, and Partners The following documents may be submitted separately or combined into one document. If combined, please be sure to adhere to the page limits for each section.

Biographical Information of Applicant Organization – Maximum 4 pages Introduce the applicant organization, including biographical information such as mission statement, organization size, relevant office location(s), etc.

Provide a summary description of past and present operations, demonstrating the applicant’s ability to carry out the project Describe any experience the organization has in the target country or region Confirm whether the organization is a registered business entity within the target country or region

List of Key Personnel – Maximum 3 pages Names, titles, responsibilities, and relevant experience or qualifications of key personnel involved in the management of the project

Partner Information (if subrecipient) is being proposed) – Maximum 3 pages Introduce and provide relevant information about key partner organizations and sub-recipients Briefly describe the division of labor and/or distinct roles and responsibilities among the applicant organization and its partners If proposing a sub-recipient, please briefly describe the applicant organization’s experience related to managing sub-recipients

Letters of Support – Optional If desired, applicants may submit letters of support from project partners, host government entities, or other relevant stakeholders

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Project Budget and Cost Documents

Summary and Detailed Budgets A proposal budget must be submitted in spreadsheet format (e.g., Microsoft Excel). A template is located under the Related Documents section of this NOFO announcement on www.grants.gov for applicants as a reference. Refer to Appendix C for additional guidance on drafting a proposal budget.

One tab of the spreadsheet shall contain the Summary Budget, which lists the OMB-approved budget categories and total estimated cost per category

One tab of the spreadsheet shall contain the Detailed Budget, which breaks down the OMB-approved budget categories into individual line items and provides detailed cost estimates per line item

If applicable, federal costs and recipient cost share must be reported in separate columns

Budget Narrative

The Budget Narrative is a companion document to the summary and detailed budgets, and must be submitted in word document format. A template is included under the Related Documents section of this NOFO announcement on www.grants.gov. Refer to Appendix C for additional guidance on drafting a Budget Narrative.

The Budget Narrative should communicate to INL any budgetary information that is not readily apparent in the detailed budget. Rather than simply repeating with words what is stated numerically in the budget, the Budget Narrative should explain the logic behind the amount budgeted for each line item

If applicable, proposed recipient cost share must be included in the Budget Narrative, including reference to the source of the cost share

Indirect Costs

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA):

If the applicant has an approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

(NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, a copy of the organization’s most-recent NICRA must be included in the application

If the applicant is proposing a sub-recipient that has an approved NICRA, and includes NICRA charges in the sub-award budget, a copy of the sub-recipient organization’s most-recent NICRA must be included in the application

10% de minimis Rate:

The applicant can elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC), which is allowable if the organization does not have a current agreement. (Please see Appendix C: Budget and budget narrative for more information regarding the 10% de minimis rate.)

Applicant Management Capabilities INL must assess each potential applicant for organizational risks related to the financial and programmatic management of a federal assistance project.

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History of U.S. Government Federal Assistance Awards This document outlines the applicant organization’s experience with implementing U.S.

government-funded federal assistance awards, including current and completed projects.

The list should include the awarding agency, point of contact, name of the project, start and end dates, and amount of the award.

If the applicant has never received a U.S. federal assistance award, please list other projects the organization has implemented, including the information requested in the bullet above.

Organizational Audit

If the applicant organization is required to undergo an audit (per regulations outlined in 2 CFR 200.500 – Subpart F), a complete copy of the organization’s most-recent audit must be submitted. (The financial statement is not a substitute for a single audit report. The Single audit report is an additional requirement for domestic and foreign organizations that spend $750,000 or more in federal funds in the fiscal year.)

If the applicant organization is not required to undergo an audit (per the regulation cited above), a brief explanation must be submitted with the application. This explanation shall include confirmation that the organization is under the threshold for which an audit is required and/or plans for the organization to undergo an audit in the future.

Responses to the Pre-Award Risk Survey in reference to the Organizational Audit does not satisfy this requirement. Please provide the required explanation in addition to the Pre-Award Risk Survey.

INL Applicant Pre-Award Risk Survey This risk survey reviews the applicant organization’s financial capacity, policies, and infrastructure. A template is included under the Related Documents section of this NOFO announcement on www.grants.gov.

Please take note of the questions within the survey that request additional documentation. These documents must be included in the application.

3. Document Formatting

Applicants must ensure that their application documents conform to the following requirements:

The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

All documents are in English

All budgets are in U.S. dollars

All pages are numbered

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

All Word documents are, at minimum, single-spaced with 12 point Calibri font and 1-inch margins

4. Required Entity and Account Registrations for Applicants

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All prospective applicant organizations must register and/or maintain active registration in the systems outlined below in order to submit an application to this NOFO.

Organizations that are first-time applicants may need to register and/or create accounts in these systems. INL encourages prospective applicants to initiate these registrations as soon as possible. Applicants that have previously applied to other opportunities may already have registrations and/or accounts in the necessary systems, though applicants should ensure their registrations are active.

Registration in these systems is free of charge; Applicants will never be asked to pay a fee to register or submit an application in these systems.

Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications.

Unique Entity Identifier Organizations must have a UEI which will be automatically assigned by SAM.gov.

• If your organization does not have a UEI already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866- 705-5711 or submitting a request at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.

NCAGE Code Organizations physically located outside the United States and its territories must also register for an NCAGE code. This request can be completed simultaneously with a UEI request. (Note:

CAGE codes for US-based entities will be automatically assigned in SAM.gov).

• NCAGE application: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

• NCAGE application instructions:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%2 0NCAGE.pdf

Help with NCAGE Code registration issues:

• Call 1-888-227-2423 (callers within the U.S.)

• Call 1-269-961-7766 (callers outside the U.S.)

• Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil

System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Prior to submitting an application in grants.gov, organizations must register in SAM.gov and/or ensure that their SAM.gov registration is active. Organizations are required to renew their SAM.gov registration annually.

• Initiate the registration or renewal process at https://www.SAM.gov. Select “Entity Registration” to begin the registration or renewal request.

• First-time applicants should initiate the SAM.gov registration after receiving their UEI and, if applicable, NCAGE Code (for foreign organizations). CAGE codes will be automatically assigned to US-based organizations.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil https://www.sam.gov/

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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.

● Please note that as of November 2022 and February 2022 respectively, 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 Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code or CAGE code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove a CAGE or NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain a CAGE or NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in SAM.gov is not eligible to apply for an assistance award. 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 in their proposal.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD 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):

Exemptions https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2Fgsafsd_sp%3Fid%3Dgsafsd_kb_articles%26sys_id%3Dc81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W2ShcazZBQbanYGj0cLOTnUJwv%2BGL4xfwr83%2BycQY2E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t32ANWzgpiB93pMWoq%2BFCSHz4YJY9QF1S1iQzCsS6RM%3D&reserved=0 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

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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 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.

Grants.gov To submit an application to this NOFO, applicants must register in grants.gov.

• Go to www.grants.gov and select “Register” from the banner at the top of the page.

• This should be the last step of the entity registration processes, completed after obtaining a UEI number, NCAGE/CAGE Code (if applicable), and SAM.gov registration.

Help with grants.gov registrations and application submission:

• Go to the grant.gov support page at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html

• Call +1 800-518-4726

• Email support@grants.gov

It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that its application was submitted in www.grants.gov correctly. INL bears no responsibility for errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with application submissions. If applicants are unable to resolve technical issues in the system, they should email the INL points of contact listed on the first page(s) of this NOFO with an explanation of the issue and proof of attempts to resolve it (e.g., emails with grants.gov support). INL Grants Office will then determine whether the applicant is allowed to submit application materials via email.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Technical Evaluation Criteria

A technical evaluation committee, using the criteria shown in this Section, will evaluate the applications. The various functional elements of the technical criteria are assigned weighted scores, so that the applicants will know which areas require emphasis in the preparation of applications.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov

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Where technical applications are considered essentially equal, cost may be the determining factor. Applicants should note that these criteria serve as the standard against which all applications will be evaluated and serve to identify the significant matters which applicants should address in their applications.

The relative importance of each criterion is indicated by the number of points assigned. A total of 100 points is possible.

Project Analysis & Design – Total Possible Points: 50

• Analysis of the problem is insightful and accurate. Insightful analysis includes a thorough discussion of the main causes and scope of the issue the project seeks to address and discussion of who has power to effect change on the issue (10)

• Suggested approaches and solutions (i.e., the theory of change) are: (10) o Based on good evidence;

o Appropriate given the problem, its causes, and its scope o Consistent with and complementary to the current GPS approach;

• Proposed implementation plan is: (12) o Aligned with suggested approaches and solutions o Feasible given timeline, resources, and context o Designed such that activities, if implemented according to plan, should result in achievement of program objectives; and objectives, if achieved, should result in achievement of program goals;

o Considerate of ongoing GPS activities and lines of effort; and o Designed to be implemented in collaboration with current GPS partner, OECD.

• Proposal includes a gender, equity, and inclusion analysis addressing the ways in which women, gender diverse persons, and members of other marginalized and underrepresented groups, including those with intersecting aspects of identity, might affect and be affected by this project, (3)

• Description of likely challenges to implementation plan, including risks of harm to organization staff, project participants, and/or others, is thorough and mitigation strategies are appropriate (8)

• Applicant considers the gender, equity, and inclusion analysis as part of risk assessment by identifying possible risks to participants as a result of their participation in line with Do No Harm principles. (2)

• Analysis and planning for sustainability is realistic (5)

Program Monitoring and Risk – Total Possible Points: 25

• Change Map includes indicators for each goal and objective; and proposed indicators are useful for decision making, accurate in measuring the intended result, reliable, and timely (10)

• Illustrative Indicator Reference Sheet includes selected standard indicators; provides three valid indicators for goals, objectives, or sub-objectives in the change map; and demonstrates a thorough plan for data collection (10)

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• Risk assessment is thorough and realistic, addresses challenges in the operating environment, and proposes adequate strategies to mitigate risks to the project (5)

Institution’s Record and Capacity Rating – Total Possible Points: 10

• The applicant demonstrates an institutional record of successful programs in the proposed country/region and program area (2)

• Professional experience of staff and institutional resources are adequate and appropriate to achieve the project's objectives (2)

• The roles and responsibilities are clearly delineated among staff and partners (2)

• Applicant is a current/former INL grantee and they successfully manage/managed the project OR the applicant has not worked with INL previously and demonstrates experience in managing similar-sized projects (2)

• Applicant submits copies of organization-wide policies and procedures on Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse or explains how the applicant plans to develop such policies, which should also apply to sub-recipients. (2)

Cost Effectiveness – Total Possible Points: 15

• Activity-related costs are realistic, appropriate, and clearly linked to project objectives (5)

• Personnel costs (e.g., staff salaries, contractor rates, and honoraria) are reasonable given the amount of work and oversight needed to manage the project (5)

• Administrative costs (e.g., staff travel, supplies, office costs) are necessary, justified, and in good proportion to direct activity costs (5)

2. Review and Selection Process

INL first reviews all submitted applications for technical eligibility, based on the list of required documents in Section D: Application and Submission Information. All technically eligible applications are then passed to a review committee, which will evaluate the applications against the Technical Evaluation Criteria listed in the previous sub-section. The application(s) selected by the review committee are then presented to INL management and the Grants Officer for approval.

INL will notify successful applicant(s) via email and pass along any conditions, recommendations, or questions from the review committee. INL will notify unsuccessful applicants via email after an award has been issued to the successful applicant(s); therefore this notification process may take several months.

INL reserves the right to fund any number of applications or none of the applications submitted and will determine the resulting level of funding for each award(s).

3. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

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For all awards with a federal total exceeding $250,000, INL is required to review and consider any information about the applicant in FAPIIS.

Organizations are able to review and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system, accessible through SAM.gov. INL 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 conducting pre-award due diligence.

F. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The DS-1909 award agreement is the authorizing document and will be provided to the recipient for review and signature via email or SAMS Domestic.