NOFO FY26 Forensic Capabilities Morocco -FINAL.pdf

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Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

.U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)

Announcement Type: Request for Federal Assistance Award Applications

Funding Opportunity Title:

Disrupting Transnational Criminal Organizations

Through Advanced Forensic Capabilities in Morocco

Funding Opportunity Number: OFOP0003172

Program: INL/AME Morocco

Assistance Listing Number: 19.703 - Criminal Justice Systems

Total Funding Available: $2,100,000 USD

Funding Source: Post-Funds

Application Ceiling: $2,100,000

Application Floor: $1,500,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1

Initial Project Implementation

Length:

24 months

Estimated Project Start Date: November 2026

NOFO Issuance Date: July 15, 2026

Deadline for Submission of

Questions:

August 12, 2026 by 11:59 PM EST via email

Deadline for Submission of Applications:

September 9, 2026 by 11:59 PM EST via www.grants.gov

Assistance Type: Grant (GR) http://www.grants.gov/

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Applicant Types and

Eligibility Categories:

Refer to Section C: Eligibility Information for more information.

INL Points of Contact:

Najar Starr (StarrND@state.gov) - GO

Stephanie Sabbath (SabbathSN@state.gov) - PO

Hanan Souilmi (SouilmiH@state.gov) – PM/GOR

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.

INL is at the forefront of responding to these challenges, uniting these overarching themes through our foreign assistance programs, diplomatic engagement, and policy coordination.

mailto:StarrND@state.gov mailto:SabbathSN@state.gov mailto:SouilmiH@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: APPLICABLE COST PRINCIPLES, 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 advance Morocco's forensic science capabilities. Morocco serves as a critical transit point for illicit goods, threatening regional security and legitimate commerce conducted by U.S.

businesses. This project will combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that threaten U.S.

security interests by enhancing evidence-based investigations and prosecutions of drug trafficking and other transnational crimes through strengthened forensic capabilities that enable Moroccan authorities to disrupt criminal networks more effectively and support regional security cooperation.

Project Purpose:

This project aims to strengthen Morocco's capacity to combat transnational crime through two key components. First, it will provide training on collecting, analyzing, and utilizing forensic and digital evidence and data. Second, it will deploy a mobile forensic facility to serve Laayoune, Dakhla, and surrounding areas.

The initiative will build on INL's successful support that established Morocco as a global leader in forensics. It will advance this partnership by providing targeted, advanced forensic training, building regional forensic training expertise, and enabling rapid, on-site evidence collection to disrupt criminal networks.

Project Description:

INL seeks proposals for a comprehensive project to expand Morocco's forensic capabilities and support Morocco’s regional security leadership through integrated training and extending forensics capabilities to priority areas.

The selected implementer will collaborate with Morocco's General Directorate of National Security

(DGSN) forensic experts to design and deliver advanced forensic training at the DGSN’s new national police training facility – the Higher Institute of Security Sciences – in Ifrane, and at the DGSN

Forensic and Scientific Police Laboratory in Casablanca. This includes developing curricula covering crime scene investigations and other priority areas, delivering five regional training courses that bring together participants from Morocco and neighboring countries, and developing Moroccan expertise through train-the-trainer programs. The implementer will equip Moroccan instructors with the tools and resources to independently deliver and update forensic science courses, promoting international best practices and strengthening regional security across Africa and the Middle East.

Simultaneously, the implementer will address the critical lack of forensic capability in Laayoune and

Dakhla, where evidence currently must be transported over 16 hours to Casablanca, causing significant investigation delays. The implementer will procure, equip, and operationalize a fully equipped mobile forensics facility that enables rapid, on-site evidence collection, analysis, and preservation. This mobile laboratory will provide preliminary results immediately, allowing for faster and more efficient investigations of trafficking crimes, including narcotics. The implementer will deliver specialized training to Moroccan personnel on operating the mobile facility, advise and assist on developing necessary policies and standard operating procedures that integrate with Morocco's fully accredited national forensic laboratory system, and offer ongoing technical support to ensure effective and sustainable operations.

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Target Audience: Primary participants include Moroccan National Police forensic experts, specialists and technicians, the Higher Institute of Security Sciences and its trainees, law enforcement personnel in Laayoune and Dakhla who will operate the mobile facility, and law enforcement agencies and forensic professionals from neighboring countries supported by INL.

Project Reporting: Note that this award must submit quarterly performance reports through INL’s

DevResults system. See Appendix A for more details.

Priority Region/Countries: Morocco

Problem Statement: Despite achieving ISO17025 accreditation for its national forensic laboratory with INL support, Morocco faces critical gaps that limit its forensic impact. Transnational criminal organizations exploit Morocco's position as a transit corridor for drug trafficking and other crimes, posing serious threats to regional stability and U.S. security interests. However, Morocco lacks an established forensic training curriculum at the DGSN's Higher Institute of Security Sciences, hindering its ability to train law enforcement agencies and regional partners. Additionally, the DGSN faces a critical operational gap in Laayoune, Dakhla, and surrounding areas, where all forensic evidence must be transported over 16 hours to Casablanca for analysis. These delays create significant backlogs that hamper timely investigations and prosecutions. Without mobile forensic capabilities and systematic training programs, Morocco cannot fully leverage modern forensic science to disrupt transnational criminal networks and support evidence-based prosecutions.

Project Goal(s) and Objectives:

Goal 1: Strengthen Morocco's ability to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate complex transnational crimes by establishing forensics training expertise and developing advanced field capabilities.

Objective 1.1: DGSN establishes advanced forensic science training and an exchange of innovative technical approaches at the Higher Institute of Security Sciences to build a sustainable cadre of qualified forensic professionals.

Objective 1.2: DGSN enhances operational capacity to conduct timely evidence-based investigations of transnational crimes through deployment of mobile forensic capabilities in underserved regions.

Objective 1.3: DGSN provides regional leadership in forensic science to strengthen the ability of actors across Africa and the Middle East to address transnational crime.

Project activities and deliverables: The selected implementer will work closely with Morocco's

DGSN forensic experts to design and deliver comprehensive forensic science training programs and deploy mobile forensic capabilities.

Key activities may include: Conducting needs assessments with DGSN to identify priority training areas; developing modern, context-appropriate curricula for forensic science courses including crime scene investigations; co-delivering five regional training courses at the Higher Institute of Security

Sciences that combine classroom instruction, hands-on practical exercises, case-based learning, and on-site learning at the National Laboratory in Casablanca; organizing and facilitating train-the-trainer workshops to build sustainable, local instructional capacity among Moroccan forensic experts;

procuring, customizing, and delivering one fully equipped mobile forensics facility for deployment

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providing specialized training to Moroccan law enforcement personnel on the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the mobile facility; conducting initial operational testing and demonstrations; and facilitating regional participation by inviting forensic professionals from neighboring countries to selected training courses. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional or alternative activities that achieve the project objectives.

Required deliverables include: Finalized training curricula and comprehensive training materials

(manuals, case studies, digital resources, and practical guides); completion of five forensic science training courses with documented participant lists and evaluation reports; trained cadre of Moroccan instructors capable of independently delivering forensic courses; one fully equipped and operational mobile forensics facility delivered to DGSN with complete inventory lists and user manuals;

documented SOPs for mobile facility operations; training completion certificates and reports for mobile facility operators; quarterly progress reports and a final project report; and a sustainability plan outlining how the Higher Institute and DGSN will maintain and expand forensic training and mobile facility operations beyond the grant period.

Specific Budget Considerations:

Applicants should include the following costs in their proposed budgets:

• International and domestic travel costs for implementer staff traveling to Morocco for needs assessments, curriculum development sessions, training delivery, mobile facility procurement coordination, and monitoring visits

• Per diem and lodging for implementer staff during extended stays in Morocco.

• Training facilities at the Higher Institute are available at no cost, provided that requests are submitted in advance through INL to DGSN to ensure space availability during the proposed training dates.

• Training materials and supplies including forensic tools, equipment, and materials necessary for hands-on exercises and simulations (e.g., mock crime scene supplies, evidence collection kits, consumables for laboratory exercises).

• Procurement costs for the mobile forensics facility, including the vehicle/trailer, all forensic laboratory equipment, IT infrastructure, evidence storage systems, and security features.

• Shipping and delivery costs for transporting the mobile facility and equipment to Morocco.

• Translation and interpretation services for training materials and courses if participants include non-English or non-French speakers.

• Consultant fees for subject matter experts who may support curriculum development or deliver specialized training modules.

Applicants should not include costs for U.S. Government employees, including travel, per diem, or administrative costs for Foreign Service personnel, Locally Employed Staff, or contractors working directly for the U.S. Embassy or INL. All proposed costs must be reasonable, allocable to the project, and consistent with the applicant's established cost policies.

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Participants and Audiences:

1. DGSN Forensic Experts and Specialists - Senior forensic scientists and laboratory managers from Morocco's national forensic laboratory will serve as key partners in curriculum development and co-trainers for the regional courses. These experts bring technical knowledge of Morocco's forensic systems, ISO17025 accreditation standards, and operational realities. Their participation ensures training content is contextually appropriate and aligned with Morocco's existing forensic infrastructure. Their incentive to participate includes professional recognition as regional leaders in forensic science, opportunities to share their expertise internationally, and strengthening their institution's reputation as a center of excellence. For project success, these experts must actively engage in needs assessments, provide input on curriculum design, co-deliver training sessions, and commit to developing future instructors.

2. Moroccan Forensic Instructors and Trainers - Mid-career forensic professionals selected by

DGSN to become certified instructors at the Higher Institute of Security Sciences represent a critical audience for the train-the-trainer component. These individuals will receive intensive training on adult learning methodologies, curriculum delivery, and practical instruction techniques. Their incentive includes career advancement opportunities, enhanced professional credentials, and the prestige of becoming instructors at Morocco's premier security training institution. For project success, these instructors must demonstrate commitment to learning new teaching methodologies, actively participate in all training sessions, practice delivering course content with guidance, and commit to independently delivering courses after the project period.

3. Law Enforcement Personnel in Laayoune, Dakhla, and Surrounding Areas - Police officers, investigators, and forensic technicians based in Laayoune and Dakhla who will operate the mobile forensics facility are essential participants. This audience currently faces significant operational challenges due to the 16-hour distance from the national laboratory in Casablanca. Their incentive to participate is direct and immediate: the mobile facility will dramatically improve their ability to conduct timely investigations, secure evidence properly, and support successful prosecutions of trafficking crimes in their jurisdictions. For project success, these personnel must complete all required training on mobile facility operations, adhere to developed SOPs, maintain equipment properly, and integrate the mobile facility into their investigative workflows.

4. Law Enforcement Trainees at the Higher Institute of Security Sciences - Current and future trainees, at the Institute, are critical Moroccan law enforcement professionals who will benefit from forensic science instruction. Their participation in pilot courses provides valuable feedback for curriculum refinement and demonstrates the practical application of forensic techniques. Their incentive includes gaining cutting-edge skills that enhance their professional competitiveness and effectiveness as investigators. For project success, students must actively engage in coursework, provide honest feedback on training effectiveness, and apply learned techniques in their future assignments.

Geographic Considerations: The implementer should consider geographic diversity within

Morocco, ensuring that forensic professionals from various regions—not only Casablanca and

Rabat—have opportunities to participate in training and contribute their perspectives on operational challenges in different contexts. This is particularly important for personnel who will operate the mobile facility in Dakhla, Laayoune, and surrounding areas and understand the unique security and logistical challenges of that region.

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Language accessibility must be addressed, as participants may have varying levels of proficiency in

French, Arabic, and English. The implementer should work with DGSN to determine the most appropriate language(s) for training delivery and provide interpretation or translation services as needed to ensure all participants can fully engage with course content.

Rank and experience variety should be considered in participant selection. While senior experts provide valuable leadership and institutional knowledge, mid-career professionals and newer investigators bring fresh perspectives and will be implementing forensic techniques for many years to come. Training cohorts should include a mix of experience levels to facilitate peer learning and knowledge transfer across generations of professionals.

Consultation with U.S. Embassy Rabat is essential throughout the participant selection process.

The implementer must coordinate closely with the Embassy's INL section and relevant DGSN officials to ensure participant selection aligns with U.S. foreign policy priorities, supports individuals and units that have passed Leahy vetting requirements, and reflects Morocco's commitment to merit-based professional development rather than political considerations.

Incentive Structures for Full Participation:

Beyond the professional incentives described above, the implementer should work with DGSN to ensure participants receive:

• Official recognition through certificates of completion, public acknowledgment of their contributions, and documentation in their personnel files

• Continuing education credits where applicable within Morocco's law enforcement professional development system

• Networking opportunities that extend beyond the training period including access to an alumni network, online forums for ongoing knowledge exchange, and invitations to future advanced training or conferences

• Career advancement pathways clearly articulated by DGSN leadership, demonstrating how forensic science expertise and instructor credentials contribute to promotion opportunities

• Practical tools and resources they can immediately apply in their work, ensuring training translates directly to improved job performance and investigative success

Critical Success Factors:

For the project to succeed, participants must:

• Commit to full attendance and active engagement in all training activities

• Complete pre- and post-training assessments to demonstrate learning and inform curriculum improvements

• Provide honest feedback on training content, delivery methods, and practical applicability

• Apply learned techniques in their professional work and document case studies or success stories

• For instructors, commit to delivering courses independently after the project period and continuously updating content based on evolving best practices

• For mobile facility operators, adhere to SOPs, maintain equipment, and report operational challenges or successes to inform future deployments

• For regional participants, share knowledge gained with colleagues in their home countries and maintain professional networks established during training

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The implementer must design all activities with these success factors in mind, creating opportunities for meaningful participation, addressing barriers to engagement, and ensuring all target audiences see clear value in their involvement that extends beyond the immediate training period.

Sustainability and Partnership Strategies:

Proposals should describe potential strategies for leveraging funding or partnerships with other organizations, donors, or regional bodies to maximize the project's sustainability and impact beyond

INL funding. This may include:

• Host government cost-sharing: Identification of specific areas where DGSN or other

Moroccan government entities could assume financial responsibility over time (e.g., instructor salaries, facility maintenance, consumable supplies, student stipends)

• Regional partnerships: Collaboration with African Union mechanisms, INTERPOL regional offices, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), or other multilateral bodies that support forensic science capacity building

• Bilateral donor coordination: Coordination with other countries providing security assistance to Morocco or the region (e.g., European Union, France, Spain) to align programming, avoid duplication, and create opportunities for joint initiatives

• Private sector engagement: Partnerships with forensic equipment manufacturers, technology companies, or professional associations that could provide in-kind support, discounted equipment, or ongoing technical assistance

• Academic partnerships: Linkages with universities or research institutions in Morocco, the

United States, or third countries that could provide ongoing curriculum development support, research collaboration, or student exchange opportunities

Addressing Emerging Needs:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how their approach could be adapted or expanded in future years to address emerging needs, foster regional cooperation, and further strengthen forensic science and law enforcement capacity across Africa and the Middle East. This should include consideration of:

• Evolving crime trends: How the training curriculum and mobile facility capabilities could be updated to address new or emerging transnational crime threats (e.g., cryptocurrency-enabled crimes, drone-facilitated smuggling, synthetic drug production)

• Technological advancements: How the project could incorporate new forensic technologies or methodologies as they become available and prove effective

• Regional security dynamics: How the project could support enhanced cross-border cooperation in forensic investigations, mutual legal assistance, or joint task force operations as regional security partnerships evolve

• Training as a Multiplier Effect: How Moroccan instructors trained through this project could serve as trainers for other countries in the region, creating a multiplier effect and establishing Morocco as a regional center of excellence

Demonstrating Scalability: In describing potential expansion, applicants should provide realistic cost estimates for scaled activities, identify prerequisites for successful expansion (e.g., completion of specific milestones, demonstrated host government commitment, availability of qualified personnel), and explain how lessons learned during the initial project period would inform expanded programming. Applicants should also address how they would maintain quality and effectiveness

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Note on Future Funding: While INL may consider project expansion based on demonstrated success, applicants should design their initial proposals to achieve meaningful, measurable results within the specified 24-month period of performance and $2,100,000 budget. Expansion opportunities are contingent on multiple factors including project performance, INL budget priorities, host government commitment, and alignment with evolving U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Applicants should not assume expansion funding will be available or design initial activities that require future funding to achieve core objectives.

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 reserves the right to decrease or increase the initial project implementation period in accordance with the needs of the INL project/program.

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 the 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 project will be a grant or cooperative agreement.

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 the availability of funding.

Length of performance period: 24 months

Anticipated program start date: October 2026

Number of awards anticipated: 1

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $1,500,000 to a maximum of $2,100,000

Total available funding: $2,100,000

Type of Funding: FY2018/2023 INCLE-OCO; FY2021 INCLE; FY2022 INCLE

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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 U.S. tax code;

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

• Foreign-based educational institutions

Applicants must also meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply to this NOFO:

• Applicants must demonstrate business registration in the Kingdom of Morocco.

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 costs hare 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 (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section D for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

• Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding. 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).

• 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 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) 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.

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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 would understand exactly what the applicant is proposing to do. 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.

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 outcomes, i.e., the specific changes the project could expect to achieve within the period of performance.

Theory of Change & Implementation Plan: Describe the implementation plan

(specific activities to implement suggested solutions); and explain how or why they should result in accomplishment of the outcomes. Projects should be designed such that activities, if implemented according to plan, should result in achievement of the outcomes. The Theory of Change should clearly address why

13 | P a g e the outcomes do not exist in practice, and how the project will address those constraints. Finally, discuss likely challenges to implementation, including any risks of harm to project implementers or participants, along with mitigation strategies.

Evidence: The theory of change should demonstrate a clear understanding of where previous relevant interventions have succeeded or failed and demonstrate how those lessons will inform the proposed intervention(s). Projects are also expected to incorporate insights from the evidence on what has been shown to be promising in related areas of the intervention(s). The Center for Evidence-Based

Crime Policy provides a good overview of the available systemic reviews in criminal justice policy, linked here. In addition, the National Academies of

Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine publishes consensus reports including those on international crime and justice issues such as policing, linked here, that should be reviewed if relevant to the intervention(s). Where feasible, it is highly recommended that projects incorporate research or evaluation components to ensure lessons developed through the course of implementation can inform the broader stakeholder community for future projects.

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). Note: The Change Map will eventually include INL Standard Indicators, as determined by grantee responses to the Standard Indicator Form. These do not need to be reflected in the

Change Map at the application stage.

• Illustrative Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (see template)

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

Note 2: Grantee must generate quarterly performance reports using INL’s performance monitoring system (DevResults). Grantee must submit several forms and templates (see

Appendix A) within 30 days of award to enroll in the system. INL will provide user accounts and training for new users.

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 https://cebcp.org/systematic-reviews/ https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/evidence-to-advance-reform-in-the-global-security-and-justice-sectors

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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

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

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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

De Minimis Rate:

The applicant can elect to charge the de minimis rate up to 15% 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 De Minimis Rate.)

If the applicant elects to utilize the De Minimis Rate, that rate may be used indefinitely.

If an award is issued utilizing the de minimis rate and the recipient subsequently negotiates a NICRA, the GO may consider amending the award to reflect the new

NICRA rate under the following conditions:

o If the applicant intends to negotiate a NICRA, the applicant must inform the

GO during the application period that they plan to negotiate a NICRA, or are in the process of doing so, and would like to amend the award in the future after a rate is finalized.

o Once the recipient receives a rate, they may submit a written request for a budget realignment. The new rate may only be applied to costs incurred during the effective period of the NICRA.

o The NICRA cannot be applied to costs incurred during a period of performance that is prior to the effective date of the new 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.

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.

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The list must 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.

FY2026 INL Applicant Pre-Award Risk Survey

This risk survey reviews the applicant organization’s financial capacity, policies, and infrastructure. The FY2026 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.

Submission of an outdated INL Applicant Pre-Award Risk Survey does not satisfy the FY2026 INL Applicant Pre-Award Risk Survey submission requirement.

Organizational Audit

If the applicant organization is required to undergo an audit per 2 CFR 200.501

(Subpart F – Audit Requirements), a complete copy of the organization's most recent audit must be submitted. Organizations (domestic and foreign) that expend

$1,000,000 or more in federal awards during their fiscal year must submit a single audit report conducted in accordance with 2 CFR 200.514. The submission of financial statements alone does not satisfy the audit submission requirement.

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. A brief explanation can be included in the FY2026 INL Applicant

Pre-Award Risk Survey.

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 fit 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

4. Required Entity and Account Registrations for Applicants

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique

Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

(FFATA), for all Federal awards. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO.

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The 2 CFR 200 requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI. Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient.

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 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 prior to registering in

SAM.gov.

● 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 to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an 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 an NCAGE code. I understand that

I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

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):

NCAGE Code Request Tool (nato.int)

Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

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.

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 https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110

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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

Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that their application is correctly submitted through www.grants.gov. INL is not responsible for errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes during application submission. If applicants cannot resolve technical issues with the system, they should email the INL points of contact listed on the first page of this NOFO, providing an explanation of the issue and proof of attempts to resolve it (e.g., correspondence with grants.gov support). The INL Grants Office will then determine whether the applicant may submit application materials via email.

5. Funding Restrictions

i. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

ii. Certification Regarding Compliance with applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws

If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

1) Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;

2) It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

iii. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C. 1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements

Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs:

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

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1) Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds.

iv. Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan

Applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award for awards where the estimated value of services to be performed outside the United

States exceeds $500,000:

1) To the best of the Recipient’s knowledge, neither the Recipient, nor any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the Recipient or any agent of the recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, is engaged in any of…