NOFO FY26 Pax Silica AI Assistance Project (2).docx

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Pax Silica Programming

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Opportunity number: DFOP0019193 Application deadline: 20 August 2026

Contents

U.S Department of State

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

Funding Instrument Types: Cooperative agreement – The Department of State will have substantial involvement in implementation. The Department’s involvement will include, inter alia, active collaboration with the recipient(s) in detailed project planning and award implementation, review and approval of each stage of work before the next stage begins, input and approval on project-related communications for external audiences, joint presentation of project objectives, messaging, and outcomes for foreign partners, etc.

Project Performance Period: The Department would prefer most projects be completed within 24 months from kick off to final report. Please budget for 24 months of program work, with three months of room if events are postponed. Projects with extremely strong justification may be given 36 months if sufficient need and funding is available. The project is envisioned as a pilot project that would be sustained by non-U.S. Government funding after the pilot’s successful completion.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

2. Executive Summary Priority Countries and Economies:

Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam

Executive Summary Pax Silica is the Department’s flagship programmatic and policy initiative to strengthen global Artificial Intelligence (AI) supply chain security, advancing new economic security consensus among allies and trusted partners. This U.S.-led initiative is working at speed to build a secure, resilient, innovation-driven technology ecosystem spanning critical minerals, energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics. The Pax Silica Fund, including funds appropriated to the Department of State under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund, supports programming with partner economies that advances President Trump’s America’s AI Action Plan, Executive Order 14320 on Promoting the Export of the American AI Technology Stack, and 14179 on Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence. The Pax Fund does this by disrupting strategic competitors’ efforts to disrupt secure and reliable semiconductor supply chains and critical emerging technologies, including AI, biotechnologies, quantum, semiconductor, and space technologies. Specifically, the Pax Fund provides seed funding for innovative pilot projects to leverage international partnerships that reduce coercive dependencies, secure global technology supply chains, address AI supply chain opportunities and vulnerabilities, explore joint investment, protect sensitive technologies, and build trusted digital infrastructure. Through Pax Silica, the United States partners with the world’s most advanced economies in the strategic regions of the Indo-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America to outcompete strategic competitors for decades-long economic partnerships, generating multi-billion dollar deals for U.S. companies and creating thousands of American jobs with every success. Leveraging foreign assistance from the Pax Fund, this NOFO launches the Pax Silica Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistance Project—a historic first-of-its-kind programmatic initiative to strengthen global AI supply chain security by creating a trusted supply chain credentialing and provenance platform to secure the AI supply chain in partner countries and economies.

Please see further eligibility requirements in the eligibility section of the NOFO below.

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses; U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without 501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code; U.S.-based private, public, or state institutions of higher education.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not required under this NOFO. However, any project that includes at least $25,000 in cost sharing, matching, or cost participation will receive five points during the review process. The points are non-scaling, no points above the five will be awarded if funding above $25,000 is included with the proposal. Please identify the source of funding internal or external to the organization, e.g. from saving or another developmental account, from a government of a country other than the U.S. All proposed cost sharing, matching, or cost participation must comply with 2 CFR §200.306. Items that are proposed for cost share must be allowable per 2 CFR §200, Subpart E—Costs Principles.

Voluntary cost-share: Should the applicant choose to contribute voluntary cost-share but does not meet the minimum amount of voluntary cost-sharing stipulated in the applicant’s budget, DOS’ contribution may be reduced in proportion to the applicant’s shortfall.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements 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.3 for more information.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take several weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

Applicants can submit one application in response to the NOFO. If more than one application is submitted by an organization, only the final application received, and time stamped by grants.gov will be reviewed for eligibility. Each application can include multiple projects that will be evaluated independently.

C. Program Description

1. Goals and Objectives

Proposals do not need to address all objectives and sub-objectives. Proposals that effectively address multiple objectives or fully address a single objective are more likely to receive a higher evaluation.

Line of Effort: Creating a Trusted Supply Chain Credentialing and Provenance Platform to Secure the AI Supply Chain in Panama and Likeminded Partner Economies

Specific Aim 1: Strengthen the security of global AI supply chains by enabling project participants in Panama (Phase 1) and other likeminded partner economies (Phase 2) to verify the origin, custody, and compliance status of goods, components, and technologies critical to AI supply chains that are transiting allied trade corridors.

Specific Aim 2: Deliver a tool that will enable Panama (Phase 1) and other select partner economies (Phase 2) to track credentials across an entire relevant supply chain for AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and critical minerals through a digital trust layer connecting mineral extraction, semiconductor fabrication, logistics, and end-use deployment under a unified verification framework that integrates with existing customs’ and shippers’ tracking platforms in participating economies.

Specific Aim 3: Accelerate logistics and compliance operations among Panama and Pax Silica partners via cryptographic cargo verification, AI-expedited risk assessment, and pre-approved expedited “Fast Lane” processing for Pax Silica AI Assistance Project-vetted shipments by participating economies’ customs authorities.

Background: Artificial intelligence represents a transformative force for the long-term economic security, national security, and prosperity of the United States and its likeminded partners worldwide. The technological revolution in AI is accelerating, reorganizing the world economy, and reshaping global supply chains. In recognition of this reality, the United States has partnered with sixteen of the world’s leading economies to build Pax Silica—an economic security order based on trust, technological complementarity, shared interests, and a shared commitment to a more prosperous future. A central focus of Pax Silica is to reduce participating countries’ excessive dependencies on strategic competitors who leverage economic coercion and unfair non-market practices that undermine innovation and fair competition across the global AI supply chain. Pax Silica partners understand the importance of cooperation on the enforcement of our respective policies to protect sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure from undue access, influence, or control. Pax Silica brings strategic partnerships and coordinated action across every layer of the supply chain.

To advance these critical objectives through real-world projects, on March 26, 2026, the Department of State announced the launch of a new Pax Silica Fund to support critical minerals extraction, processing, critical infrastructure, and manufacturing assets that enable secure and reliable semiconductor supply chains. Using foreign assistance to attract private and allied co-investment, the Fund advances the America First agenda by creating new commercial opportunities for U.S. and other trusted companies worldwide.

Leveraging the Pax Silica Fund, the Department of State announces this Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Pax Silica AI Assistance Project project. Pax Silica AI Assistance Project is intended to collaborate on a pilot basis with Panama, and subsequently other key partner countries and economies, to design, develop, and deploy a trusted supply-chain credentialing and provenance platform that integrates with existing customs’ and shippers’ tracking platforms in participating partner economies. The Pax Silica AI Assistance Project platform is envisioned to offer partner economies a secure one stop shop alternative to strategic competitors’ insecure national transportation and logistics platform which may be leveraged for economic coercion and national advantage, and instead to provide verified supply corridors that can serve as an alternative to supply chains tied to strategic competitors. Verifiable available alternatives would help countries avoid single-point dependencies, protect sensitive AI supply chain information from malign actors, and enable partners to develop and maintain trusted AI infrastructure.

Phase 1 of this project will be launched as a pilot for Panama. Phase 2 is envisioned to include other expected beneficiaries among Pax Silica signatories and countries targeted by the Department as potential partners. These countries and economies will benefit because the framework is meant to facilitate more efficient trade in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, critical minerals and other component products and service, which advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by strengthening global AI supply chain security. Sharing this framework with partners is aligned with American technology leadership and economic security objectives.

This NOFO seeks to fund the establishment of a Silicon Highway: a digital-physical corridor that accelerates logistics and compliance operations among partner countries with cryptographic cargo verification, AI-expedited risk assessment, and pre-approved expedited processing early in the supply chain. The Department maintains its rights of use to intangible property created under this project per 2 CFR 200.315.

Objective: Deliver an AI-powered customs data submission system for Panama (Phase 1) and other partner countries’ customs agencies (Phase 2) to ingest, correlate, and score mandatory importer security filing, air cargo advance screening, automated manifest system data, etc. with optional data such as commercial invoices. The AI system will check this data for anomalies and provide AI-enabled insights to customs, tax, and port authorities in participating economies. Training these stakeholders in independent use of the tool, and integrating the tool with existing customs’ and port authorities’ tracking systems, are part of this objective.

Objective: Provide an AI-accelerated preclearance service that adds physical inspection data such as x-ray images and high-resolution product photographs, etc., analyzed by AI models to target declared goods mismatch, density anomalies, quantity discrepancies, etc. Goods passing successfully through this preclearance system would be eligible for inclusion in a registry of known parties and trusted shippers suitable for “Fast Lane” processing by participating economies’ customs authorities.

Objective: Facilitate AI-enabled supply-chain operations for known party and trusted shippers and extend the preclearance and continuous monitoring processes previously developed earlier in the supply chain. The anticipated capability outcome is an end-to-end product pedigree and chain of custody tracking system—an immutable, cryptographically signed event log from freight processing facility to destination port that integrates with users’ existing system for sustainability and ease of use.

Substantial Involvement for all Activities The Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs (E FO) and the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs (EEB) Trade Policy and Negotiations Office of Multilateral Trade Affairs will be closely involved in project development, planning, and implementation. E FO and EEB staff will work closely with the implementers to ensure the project aligns with the needs of the Pax Silica initiative and the economic and national security interests of the United States and its partners. E FO and EEB will approve all foreign participants and sub-awardees, advise on logistical implementation and burden sharing by foreign partners, and consult on all aspects of project planning, implementation, and monitoring.

D. Application Contents and Format Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

The Department requires one proposal package per application. Each package may include multiple standalone projects that can be evaluated independently. Proposal packets shall include one of the following documents that incorporate information on all proposed projects: SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B (Optional), SF-LLL (if Applicable), Summary Page, Key Personnel, Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan/Tracker, and a Consolidated Project List. To ensure that all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the review panel will review from the first page of each section up to the page limit and no further. Each proposed project should have a unique set of the following documents: Project Narrative, Detailed Line-Item Budget Document, and Budget Narrative Document.

Content of Application Please ensure:

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

· All documents are in English

· All budgets are in U.S. dollars (no cents)

· 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. Font sizes in charts and tables, including the budget, can be reformatted to fit within 1 page width.

· All application materials must be submitted through www.Grants.gov.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

· SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)

· SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction projects)

2. Optional Application Forms

· SF-424B forms (strongly encouraged for for-profit entities and other organizations (FPEs/PIOs)

· SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities)

3. Summary Page Include a table with the organization name, project title, target country/countries, name and contact information for the application’s main point of contact, and brief section that clearly outlines the (1) the problem statement addressed by the project (2) research-based evidence justifying the applicant’s approach, and (3) quantifiable project outcomes. Submit as a Word document, not to exceed one (1) page.

4. Key Personnel Identify staff within your organization or outside of your organization (sub-awardee, consultants, contractors), carrying out administrative and/or technical responsibilities, who are integral to the success of each project. Provides names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications, time they will support each project of key personnel involved in each project. The Department must approve all personnel and sub-recipients who implement economic and national security programming. Given the limited space, inserting CVs is not recommended but they may be submitted as an attachment. Generally limited to 3-5 individuals. (Template not provided, not to exceed two (2) pages, preferably as a Word document). Any information beyond the 2nd page of each CV will not be reviewed.

5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative and Plan/Tracker This is a two (2) component submission requirement.

(1) Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative: (2 pages maximum) Project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Narrative Overview This project’s M&E system should be designed to track progress toward objectives, measure both outputs and outcomes, and support sustainable partner actions. This should explain who on the project team will do what and when – e.g. tracking the performance to specific objectives over time with clear descriptions of approach and data collection strategies.

Outputs and Outcomes Tracking Outputs: (e.g., number of shipments screened, precleared, flagged, etc.) will be tracked in real time.

Outcomes: (short to medium term changes in behavior, practice, knowledge as a result of the project).

All data will be submitted in accordance with Department of State requirements and privacy guidelines. To ensure a robust understanding of project impact, the Department will conduct systematic post-project follow-up with participants at 6 and 12 months after the end of the award. This follow-up will gather data on longer-term outcomes and behavioral changes.

Evaluation Activities

· Baseline Assessment: Conducted at project inception to establish benchmarks.

· Mid-Term Evaluation: Internal review at the project’s midpoint to assess progress and inform course corrections.

· Final Evaluation: This should address key questions about effectiveness, sustainability, and lessons learned. This should occur within the period of performance of the award since any activity outside of the PoP will not be an allowable cost.

All evaluation activities will adhere to established research standards and provide actionable recommendations to supplement ongoing monitoring.

Data Management and Reporting All data will be securely stored, regularly analyzed, and reported to stakeholders through quarterly updates and final evaluation summaries.

(2) Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:

The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan should draw on the objectives, activities and expected changes outlined in the proposal, and link those areas to indicators. The M&E plan is generally structured as an Excel table with output- and outcome-based indicators. It explains how data will be collected (data collection methods) to measure the effect of programming against declared objectives. It outlines baselines (where your project is starting) and quarterly targets (what you would like to achieve) for each indicator. Please see “Sample Monitoring Indicator Plan” included as an attachment to the NOFO.

Note: If recommended for funding, the panel and/or bureau may negotiate the inclusion of additional Department of State Foreign Assistance indicators. These indicators assist the bureau in tying projects to larger bureau program objectives for Department’s Managing for Results framework. More information on this policy framework and access to the foreign assistance master indicator list is on the Foreign Assistance Resource Library. After award issuance, the M&E plan will accompany performance reports to document progress on indicators.

6. Consolidated Project List The proposal document should include all the identified project information for each project that your organization proposed to this NOFO. Each project should be an individual line on the Excel table, with all cells being filled in. This document will be used to ensure that all proposed projects are reviewed and accounted for.

7. Project Narrative The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. Please use the provided template. Not to exceed 15 pages.

i) EEB Unique Identifier: Please assign each project a unique identifier based on the following convention: Implementer_Fiscal Year_001 (IMPL_YR_001).

ii) Project Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

iii) Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on all previous awards from the State Department and/or U.S. government agencies.

iv) Project Title: Please provide a one-sentence project title that succinctly describes the project and outcome.

v) Problem Statement: Clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed project is needed.

vi) Project Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the project is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

vii) Project Activities and Deliverables: Describe the project activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

viii) Project Methods and Design: A description of how the project is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.

ix) Outcomes: The results or effects of the objective(s). What are the detailed, measurable statements that outline the end results?

x) Risk Analysis: Risks are unavoidable – all projects inherently contain both internal and external risks.

xi) Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the project activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

xii) Project Partners: If applicable, list the names and type of involvement of partner organizations and sub-awardees.

xiii) Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the project beyond the award period, what actions the foreign partner will be able to maintain on their own following this effort, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

xiv) Country of Impact: If a project will provide assistance to more than one country, please specify the estimated percentage of funds that will be provided to each country.

xv) Economic and National Security Objective and the Project’s Role in Meeting this Objective: Please provide a specific explanation of how your proposed activities will meet the objectives outlined in the NOFO.

xvi) Project Budget: Please include the top line total for the projects and complete the separate budget attachments.

xvii) Project Point of Contact (POC)

8. Budget Justification Documents After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), submit two separate files for each project proposed to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section I. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information. (Please use the provide template)

(1) Detailed Line-Item Budget Document:

Entities and organizations not recognized as PIOs are required to submit detailed budget information according to the OMB cost categories (see SF-424A as an example). Budget expenses should be submitted preferably as one Excel workbook and include three (3) columns describing the request to the Department, any required or voluntary cost sharing, and the total budget. If submitting multiple projects each project can have its own page in the workbook. Costs must be in whole U.S. dollars. Detailed line-item budgets for sub-awardees should be included as additional tabs within the Excel workbook (if available at the time of submission). If you are submitting multiple projects within your proposal, each project should have a separate tab. You should submit one document that covers all projects that information can be on tab or multiple.

(2) Budget Narrative Document:

Entities and organizations not recognized as PIOs are required to submit narrative information, preferably as a Word document, that explains the methodology considerations for each specific line identified in the Excel document. The budget narrative should support the activities described in the proposal and provide additional information that might not be readily apparent in the detailed line-item budget. Do not simply repeat what is represented numerically in the budget, i.e. salaries are for salaries or travel is for travel. If the detailed budget includes sub-awards, please include a separate budget narrative for each sub-award budget. Provide details on the purpose of costs, reasonability of costs, cost price analysis, allocation methodology, explain any yearly variances in unit prices, and tie expenses to project activities and/or objectives where appropriate. Information should describe prices used when costs have been averaged for the purposes of the calculation; when or if there is a reduction in a typical cost due to leveraging other resources; when costs are inflated due to specific considerations; or when untypical costs are included due to special circumstances. Provide information on considerations such as translations, multi-media approaches as also described in the proposal narrative, procurement by local vendors or the need to import due to unavailability, specific needs of different audiences, costs related to country limitations, etc. If you are submitting multiple projects within your proposal, each project should have a separate narrative.

Budget Documents for Public International Organizations: Entities and organizations recognized as PIOs are not required to submit detailed budget information according to the OMB cost categories. (1) A detailed budget, preferably an excel document broken down by activity may be provided instead. Costs must be in full U.S. dollars. (2) A budget narrative, preferably as an Excel workbook, an activity based detailed budget with information identifying lines associated with labor (inclusive of contractual or consultancy staff), participant support costs, travel, and other activity related expenses as appropriate for each activity identified. While 2 CFR 200, Subpart E—Costs Principles does not apply to PIOs, it should be used as a guide to assist in determining reasonableness. Budget narrative information, preferably as a Word document, should explain the methodology considerations for each activity and other cost considerations or special circumstances that are helpful in determining reasonableness.

9. Attachments that will be included in evaluation

· 1-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the project.

· If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file.

· Past Performance statement: please provide a list of recent USG funded awards (max 10) that have been active in the last twenty-four (24) months with references and award numbers.

· Official permission letters, if required for project activities.

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required above are available at grants.gov.

2. Department of State Contacts If you have any questions about the project application process, please contact PaxFund-NOFO-DL@state.gov The Department will not conduct individual meetings to discuss the specifics of a proposal or provide additional information on the needs of the NOFO before they close. The Department will collect all questions about this NOFO submitted to the distro above and post the questions and answers as an attachment to the NOFO in Grants.gov every Friday through August 14, 2026.

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations 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.

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 some 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 War (DoW) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoW 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 War. 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 DoW 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 DoW 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/Agreement Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

4. Submission Dates and Times Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on August 20, 2026.

5. Funding Restrictions

The Department requires all recipients of federal assistance funding to comply with all applicable Department and Federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to the following:

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

Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA)

Applicants for foreign assistance awards should be aware of requirements in 2 CFR Part 602, 603, and 604.

These policies are referred to collectively as the Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA) Policy.

602: The award term imposes certain abortion-related requirements on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, public international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

603: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to gender ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

604: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to discriminatory equity ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

The Department recognizes there are costs associated with these policies. Potential one-time and recurring costs the Department identifies for recipients and grantees are for familiarization with the policy, development and delivery of organizational training and implementation guidance, routine compliance monitoring, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include:

· 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

· 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

· 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

· 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

· 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

· 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following:

· The President’s September 2, 2020, memorandum, entitled Memorandum on Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients of Federal Funds that Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities;

· Executive Order on Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence (E.O. 13933); and

· Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 85 FR 49506 on August 13, 2020, particularly on:

· Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),

· Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),

· Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and

· Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

Additional requirements may be included depending on the content of the program.

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. Prohibition on Funding Activities that Encourage Mass-Migration Caravans towards the United States Southwest Border None of the funds provided under this award may be made available to encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. Funds may not be made available for legal counseling on the United States asylum process; and/or for referrals to legal representation in the United States.

Funds may only be used for cash cards for use in the country in which they are provided or to facilitate assisted voluntary returns and other purposes that do not encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. The provision of humanitarian assistance is permitted.

iii. 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.

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

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

· Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of Title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements that are material to purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, for receipt of Federal award funds.

v. 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 the activities described in 2 CFR 175.105(a);

The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with this plan; and the compliance plan must follow the minimum requirements described in 2 CFR 175(b)(5).

2) That the Recipient has and will implement procedures to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175.105(a) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any subrecipient, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the recipient engaging in these activities.

Recipients do not need to submit a copy of the plan. However, they must provide it to the Grants Officer upon request, and as appropriate, must post the useful and relevant contents of the plan or related materials on their website and at the workplace. Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of performance.

vi. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). If your project involves the purchase or use of an UAS, see this link for requirements and information you must include in your application.

The Department will not consider applications that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization. Please refer to the link for Foreign Terrorist Organizations: https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/. Consistent with Department guidance on State Funding and the Risks of Terrorist Financing for all State Department funded projects and requirements, Department bureaus must assess the likelihood that the funds or Department funded activities, goods, services, training, expert advice or assistance, or other benefits to be provided, could inadvertently or incidentally benefit terrorist organizations or their members or supporters, and must put in place appropriate risk mitigation measures to mitigate such risk. In accordance with 14 FAM 247, and consistent with 2 FAM 050, Counterterrorism (CT) name-check vetting may be performed in countries and projects designated by the Department.

The Leahy Law prohibits Department foreign assistance funds from supporting foreign security force units if the Secretary of State has credible information that the unit has committed a gross violation of human rights. Per 22 USC §2378d(a) (2017), “No assistance shall be furnished under this chapter or the Arms Export Control Act [22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.] to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.” Restrictions may apply to any proposed assistance to police or other law enforcement. Among these, pursuant to section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), no assistance provided through this funding opportunity may be furnished to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country when there is credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights. In accordance with the requirements of section 620M of the FAA, also known as the Leahy law, project beneficiaries or participants from a foreign government’s security forces may need to be vetted by the Department before the provision of any assistance. If a proposed award will provide assistance to foreign security forces or personnel, compliance with the Leahy Law is required.

U.S. foreign assistance for Burma or Burmese beneficiaries is subject to restrictions. This includes restrictions pursuant to section 7043(a)(3) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020 (Div. G, P.L. 116-94) (SFOAA), on funds appropriated under Title III of the Act for Assistance for Burma. Section 7043(a)(3) provides that such funds “may not be made available to any organization or entity controlled by the armed forces of Burma, or to any individual or organization that advocates violence against ethnic or religious groups or individuals in Burma, as determined by the Secretary of State.” In addition, funds cannot be made available to any individual or organization that has committed serious human rights abuse.

The Department has a legal requirement, established by section 861 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 and implemented through subsequent regulations, to report and account for all contractors working under foreign assistance-funded awards in contingency operations outside the United States that involve combat operations. The common database to collect this information, called the Synchronized Pre-deployment Operational Tracker (SPOT), is managed by the Department of War. A Department SPOT Program Manager, based in A/OPE/AQM/BOD (AQMops@state.gov) generally enters information provided by the recipients directly into the SPOT system. Currently the Department applies this requirement to awards operating in Iraq or Afghanistan.

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

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

· Projects seeking funds for personal use;

· Administration of a project that will make a profit; however, projects may generate program income;

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

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

· Alcoholic beverages;

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

Representation by Organization Regarding a Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Criminal Conviction: In accordance with section 7073 of Division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76) none of the funds made available by that Act may be used to enter into an assistance award with any organization that –

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

· (2) Has any “unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, unless the Federal agency has considered, in accordance with its procedures, that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.”

For the purposes of Section 7073, it is the Department of State’s policy that no award may be made to any organization covered by (1) or (2) above, unless the Procurement Executive has made a written determination that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the U.S. government.

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

Due to the determination made under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) for FY 2025, certain assistance that benefits the governments of the following countries may be subject to a restriction under the TVPA. New determinations will be made for FY 2026 and 2027 later in FY 2026. The Department of State determines on a case-by-case basis what constitutes assistance to a government; the general principles listed below apply.

Assistance to the government includes:

· All branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) at all levels (national, regional, local);

· Public schools, universities, hospitals, and state-owned enterprises, as well as government employees;

· Cash, training, equipment, services, or other assistance provided directly to the government, assistance provided to an NGO or other implementer for the benefit of the government, and assistance to government employees.

The following countries are designated as Tier 3 under the TVPA for funds obligated during FY 2026. EEB may not be able to fund projects to engage these counties:

AF: Eritrea (partial waiver), South Sudan (partial waiver), Sudan (partial waiver), Djibouti (full waiver) EAP: Burma, Brunei (full waiver), Cambodia (partial waiver), China (partial waiver), Macau (partial waiver), North Korea, and Papua New Guinea (full waiver) EUR: Belarus (partial waiver), Russia (partial waiver) NEA: Iran, Syria SCA: Afghanistan (partial waiver), Turkmenistan (full waiver) WHA: Cuba, Nicaragua, Saint Maarten (partial waiver), Venezuela (full waiver) Additional funding restrictions and/or requirements may be applicable depending on the country and content of programming.

6. Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted through www.Grants.gov unless you are a U.S. government entity applying for Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA) funding.