NOFO SFOP0009896 - Republic of Marshall Islands Cooperative Agreement .pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

.U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

Office of Global Programs and Initiatives (PM/GPI) Posted June 14, 2023

Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Title:

Assisting the Republic of the Marshall Islands to Strengthen Security Frameworks

Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0009896 Program: Global Defense Reform Program

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

19.888, Global Defense Reform Program

Total Funding Available: $1,250,000 U.S. Dollars

Application Ceiling: $1,250,000 U.S. Dollars

Application Floor: $1,250,000 U.S. Dollars

Anticipated Number of Awards: One award Initial Project Implementation Length: 32-36 months

Estimated Project Start: September 25, 2023

NOFO Issuance Date: June 14, 2023

Deadline for Submission of Questions:

July 6, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST via email to OnchongaOX@state.gov and ParsonsH@state.gov

Deadline for Submission of Applications: August 21, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST via www.grants.gov

Assistance Type: Cooperative Agreement

Applicant Type:

Organizations only:

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

• Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations;

• Local non-profit/non-governmental organizations based in the Republic of the Marshall Islands

Eligibility Categories:

Refer to Section C: Eligibility Information for more information.

PM/GPI Points of Contact:

Onsomu Onchonga, Grants Officer, OnchongaOX@state.gov Huber Parsons, Grant Officer Representative, ParsonsH@state.gov mailto:OnchongaOX@state.gov mailto:ParsonsH@state.gov mailto:OnchongaOX@state.gov mailto:ParsonsH@state.gov

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A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

OVERVIEW OF THE GLOBAL DEFENSE REFORM PROGRAM

Managed by the U.S. Department of State / Bureau of Global Programs and Initiatives (PM/GPI), the Global Defense Reform Program (GDRP) is a flexible, multi-year State-funded program that seeks to build the institutional capacity of select U.S. partners’ security sectors at the service, ministerial, and national levels, to ensure security is provided in an effective, transparent, and accountable manner. GDRP presents an opportunity to leverage advisory and other strategic support services to advance institutional reforms that achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives. GDRP programs aim to build the resilience of U.S. partners and their security institutions, and enhance effectiveness and accountability, and better align the defense sector to the needs and challenges of the partner nation and its citizens. At the same time, GDRP projects advance U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives, reduce threats to the homeland, and avert the need for U.S.

military interventions through the promotion of alliances and partnerships needed to succeed in today’s competitive geopolitical environment.

In the course of their work, GDRP implementers must advocate for strengthened institutions and improved capabilities to always remain supportive of democratic civilian authority and oversight, must always have as its end-state to safeguard and protect the public, and must always uphold the rule of law and respect human rights. GDRP implementing partners should consistently integrate the characteristics of strong security sector governance:

• the fundamental approach of local ownership;

• the core objectives of effectiveness and accountability; and

• the essential dimensions for reform: holistic, political, and technical.

PM/GPI announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (GRMI) to enhance GRMI’s security sector governance. The institutional capacity building project aims to support RMI’s Office of the President and Office of the Chief Secretary in their goal to establish and operationalize a National Security Coordinator’s Office and a National Security Council; to develop a National Security Strategy (NSS); and to assist GRMI to implement the NSS.

This project will build RMI’s resilience and responsiveness to security and defense threats, while providing the U.S. government with a more capable partner to achieve shared security interests.

SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

RMI has a limited natural, human, and institutional resources. The economy is heavily dependent on fishing and is highly vulnerable to external shocks and other challenges including natural disasters; transnational crime and drug smuggling; communicable disease outbreaks and chronic obesity; environmental degradation; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated exploitation of marine resources. There is a lack of coordination with the national government to pursue national security and to have direct access to provide national security assistance. Rather than national strategic levels on resourcing priorities and vulnerabilities functions, capabilities can be limited

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due to salary gaps.

In addition to direct economic assistance, RMI benefits from a few U.S. federal programs and services, including the U.S. Postal Service. U.S. assistance constitutes a significant proportion of RMI’s government expenditures and a large percentage of GDP. RMI is a strong ally of the United States, and RMI’s Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the United States document responsibility for security and defense matters.

The impact of transnational crime and drug trafficking is noteworthy. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing from Asian countries is devastating one of RMI’s main economic sources.

ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTION TO SAFEGUARD RMI’S NATIONAL SECURITY

Currently, GRMI does not have a formal structure for identifying national security threats and addressing them in a coherent way. The current approach to national security has resulted in inadequate and ineffective interagency communication and coordination.

This multi-phased project will require an implementer to assist in drafting legislation to create and resource a National Security Coordinator’s Office and National Security Council; facilitating key GRMI stakeholder understanding of the legislation (so that the law can be adopted); providing training, technical assistance, and mentorship to the new institutions and their personnel;

assisting the new institutions to develop culturally appropriate, sustainable standard operating procedures and systems that integrate GRMI’s interagency; supporting the development of an NSS; and assisting the GRMI to oversee NSS implementation.

1. Project Goal

The project goal is – by end of 2026 – to establish a sustainable national security architecture that is effective in: identifying national security threats, creating a meaningful strategy for preventing and addressing those threats, harnessing the strengths of GRMI’s interagency to carry out the strategy, holding GRMI agencies accountable for their respective roles in strategy implementation, and gathering feedback to further refine RMI’s approach to national security. The project will assist the GRMI to put in place requisite national security structures, systems, processes, and procedures so as to institutionalize them, resulting in sustainability beyond the life of this project.

2. Project Objectives

This project should be implemented in multiple phases, bringing in relevant subject matter expertise and skillsets at appropriate points in the project. Phases could overlap, i.e. they do not necessarily need to be sequential. Such phases could include:

• ASSESSMENT - Gaining an understanding of the context, gathering information, meeting key stakeholders, learning about existing institutional reform efforts, and identifying institutional gaps.

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• COLLABORATIVE COUNTRY ACTION PLAN – Working closely with GRMI counterparts to outline their national security reform objectives and to identify actions they will need to take to get there, with assistance through this project.

• LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING – Drawing from best practices and comparable examples, the implementing partner drafts legislation to create efficient and effective national security frameworks, including their mandates, organizational structure, and funding for personnel, facilities, and operations. This phase could also include briefings for GRMI decision-makers to socialize the legislation, incorporate their input, and facilitate their approval.

• TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, MENTORSHIP – providing a mix of formal training, contributing subject matter expertise, and mentoring personnel assigned by the GRMI to the national security structures that are put in place. This may require tailored training on RMI laws and executive orders related to national security, curriculum development, instructor-led delivery of training modules, logistical support for training sessions, and expertise from a Senior Advisor for National Security (and possibly other subject matter experts). The intent is for GRMI national security personnel to achieve a common baseline of national security-related laws, policies, concepts, and analysis methodology.

• ADVISORY SUPPORT FOR GRMI-LED SYSTEMS AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

– Assisting GRMI national security organizations to develop culturally-appropriate and sustainable policies, processes, and systems that will enable them to effectively and efficiently carry out their mandates. Processes must incorporate regular input and two-way communication with GRMI’s interagency in order to develop a whole-of-government approach to national security. The objective during this phase is to institutionalize systems that transcend the longevity of specific individuals.

• DEVELOPING A NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY – Providing advisory support to GRMI national security organizations to assist in the process for developing a national security strategy. The implementing partner should assist GRMI in gathering input from a variety of stakeholders to ensure the NSS is a meaningful document that incorporates the range of perspectives across diverse groups within RMI, that identifies security threats to the country, that identifies RMI’s interests and opportunities, and that lays out a realistic strategy for safeguarding RMI’s security for the following 4-5 years.

• ASSISTING IN NSS IMPLEMENTATION – Providing advisory support to GRMI that assists in the implementation of the NSS. This could include briefings to socialize the NSS; technical expertise in budget planning, human resource management, and/or interagency coordination; and assisting GRMI to put in place institutional accountability mechanisms.

3. Coordination

The implementer must coordinate with other USG-funded organizations (e.g. the Asia-Pacific Center for Strategic Studies) involved in institutional capacity building efforts in RMI.

4. Key Personnel

Key Personnel for this Cooperative Agreement include the following:

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1) Project Manager

The purpose of a Project Manager is to plan and manage project activities, to serve as project continuity, to bring in needed expertise and resources at appropriate times during each phase of the project, to ensure effective communication with key stakeholders, and to ensuring compliance with grant requirements such as written reporting.

a. Required Qualifications:

1. At least 3 years of project management experience in an international context or in RMI,

2. At least 3 years experience managing people and finances,

3. Demonstrated experience in national security affairs,

4. Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation,

5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language.

b. Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience living and working in the Pacific Islands region.

2) Legislative Drafter A Legislative Drafter will be needed during the earlier phases of the project.

a. Required Qualifications:

1. Knowledge of RMI’s legislative system,

2. Knowledge of national security structures,

3. Experience drafting legislation.

b. Preferred Qualification:

1. Experience living and working in the Pacific Islands Region.

3) Senior Advisor for National Security

The expertise of a Senior Advisor for National Security will be needed during various phases of the project, but possibly not all phases, depending on the technical approach of the implementing partner.

a. Required Qualifications:

1. U.S. citizen,

2. Experience at a senior level in the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S.

Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S.

National Security Council, or other national security-related organization

3. Experience in interagency planning and coordination,

4. Experience living and working outside the United States.

b. Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience living and working in the Pacific Islands region.

5. Project Reporting Requirements

Bi-monthly conference calls

The Project Manager will participate in a conference call (approximately every 2 months)

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comprising key members of the project team, including but not limited to the U.S. Embassy and the PM/GPI office to ensure additional updates on the program on a regular basis.

Landscape Assessment Inclusive of a Gap Analysis (LAGA) During the first several months of the project, the implementing partner should conduct an initial Landscape Assessment inclusive of a Gap Analysis (LAGA) of the GRMI’s national security institutions. The process of gathering information (such as current national security-related policies, strategies, and frameworks) for the LAGA deliverable should be used as a way to develop a rapport with RMI counterparts while gaining an understanding of current institutional capacities and barriers to effective national security structures and systems. Through the LAGA, the implementing partner should aim to collaborate with GRMI counterparts to understand other efforts and conditions that impact GRMI’s capacities and barriers to achieving project objectives. Given the importance of acquiring a deep understanding of the existing capacity and specific issues which enable and stand in the way of effective defense activities, the LAGA process and document will lay a foundation for the rest of the project.

Collaborative Country Action Plan (CAP) After the assessment phase and LAGA deliverable have been completed, the implementing partner should collaborate with relevant host government counterparts to draft a Country Action Plan (CAP) which may take a few months. The CAP deliverable should include extensive input from the partner and should also include input from the U.S. Embassy Political Section.

Throughout the development of the CAP deliverable, the implementing partner shall keep PM/GPI informed on progress. Ideally, the CAP will be a document that is ultimately approved by a senior GRMI official.

The CAP should include a high-level overview, objectives, and sub-objectives illustrating the actions and steps needed to achieve GRMI’s desired outcomes. The CAP will be a roadmap for generating a shared vision for actions the GRMI will take over multiple years. Note that PM/GPI can provide a template for the CAP deliverable, for use by the implementing partner.

Quarterly written reports

PM/GPI requires quarterly written reports, to include the following information:

Scope

• Summary of significant achievements related to the project objectives. Please provide relevant quantitative and qualitative data, and relevant photos.

• For each project objective, are actual achievements Exceeding, Meeting, or Trailing in relation to the project plan? Provide brief analysis of each, including any needed adjustments to the project.

• Provide a map of RMI that shows the locations of major project activities during the reporting period.

Cost

• Is the project Over budget, On budget, or Under budget (based on Percentage of period of performance completed vs Percentage of funds expended).

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Schedule

• Are all project personnel positions filled?

• Are project activities Ahead of schedule, On schedule, or Behind schedule?

• List significant project activities/events planned for the next 4-6 months.

Other

• Provide brief remarks on any assistance that the U.S. Embassy or PM/GPI could provide to contribute to the objectives of this project.

Monthly Smartsheets Input PM/GPI requires that on a monthly basis, the implementing partner will upload current data into a system called Smartsheets, which allows PM/GPI to aggregate data and conduct analysis. This data includes Country Action Plan objectives and status updates. More specific information on this requirement will be provided after an award is made.

Annual Virtual Briefing PM/GPI requires that the implementing partner will provide a comprehensive briefing each year on the project, to include results to date, identification of key RMI stakeholders and their engagement with the project, activities that the implementing partner conducted to contribute to those results, identification of challenges and what the implementing partner has done to overcome them, project plans for the next 6-12 months, and any requests for U.S. Embassy and/or PM/GPI support to contribute to project objectives. The audience for the briefing will be PM/GPI, the U.S. Embassy, and other USG representatives invited by PM/GPI.

6. Potential Future Project Expansion

If the project is successful, and subject to availability of future funding, PM/GPI will consider extending the period of performance, adding funds for additional activities, and/or expanding the project to other areas or countries in the region, subject to availability of future funding.

Applicants may include in their proposal a brief section outlining how additional funds could potentially be used to expand work into additional activities or countries in future years.

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

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Please reference the table on the first page of this NOFO for the basic federal award information.

Additional award information is included in this section.

1. Project Implementation Period

The initial project implementation length is the number of months that an applicant should plan to implement the project.

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

2. Assistance Type

The type of assistance (cooperative agreement) is determined by scope of PM/GPI’s involvement in the implementation of the project.

For cooperative agreements, PM/GPI may be substantially involved in the following ways:

• Approval of specified Key Personnel;

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

• Approval of Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.

3. Funding Notices This award will be supported with Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. This notice is subject to availability of funding.

• Length of performance period: 32-36 months

• Number of awards anticipated: One award

• Award amount: $1,250,000

• Total available funding: $1,250,000

• Type of Funding: FY 2023 PKO funds under the Foreign Assistance Act

• Anticipated program start date: September 25, 2023

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

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

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

• Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations;

• Local non-profit/non-governmental organizations based in the Republic of the Marshall Islands

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.

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

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

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

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

• Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. 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.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

1. How to Apply and Submit Questions

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

Applicants are encouraged to closely review the NOFO and email questions to the PM/GPI points of contact by the deadline listed on the first page(s) of this document. After the question deadline has passed, PM/GPI 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 Found here: https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

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) http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

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

Project Proposal The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant is proposing to do. The following documents may be submitted separately or combined into one document. If combined, please be sure to adhere to the page limits for each section.

Proposal Narrative – Maximum 15 pages

Applicants may use their own proposal template, but it must include all the sections below.

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: include a synopsis of the project, including the goal, objectives, main activities, and Key Personnel. Include a brief statement on why the project is likely to achieve the goal and how it will be sustainable.

Context: describe the current context and provide analysis, while describing relevant opportunities and challenges.

Technical Approach: explain the proposed technical approach, and provide a justification for why this approach has been selected. Explain how the proposed activities will achieve the project objectives, and how the project objectives / sub-objectives / milestones are necessary and sufficient for achieving the project goal. Include a section that identifies project risks and how they will be either accepted or mitigated.

Staffing Plan: Include a chart showing the staffing plan, and information explaining how this plan aligns with the technical approach and is cost effective.

Explain the strengths and skillsets of each member of the project team, and their proposed roles and responsibilities during project implementation.

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). Applicants may also include a brief section outlining how additional funds and time could potentially be used to reinforce project success in the target country or to expand to other countries.

Timeline - Maximum 2 pages

Graphically show a monthly timeline with each phase of the project, including start-up, programmatic activities and milestones, monitoring and evaluation activities, closeout.

Logic Model Provide a logic model that shows how the planned inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes are logically and causally related to one another.

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

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This document outlines how activities will be monitored to ensure they are executed in a timely manner, and how the project will be evaluated to ensure the goals are met.

This should include outputs, outcomes, targets, indicators, frequency of data collection, and a quarterly assessment of whether intended outputs and outcomes have been achieved, are on track, or are lagging.

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 3 pages Introduce the applicant organization, including 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 5 pages Names, titles, responsibilities, and relevant experience or qualifications of key personnel involved in the management of the project

Partner Information (if relevant) – Maximum 3 pages Provide relevant information about key partner organizations and sub-awardees Briefly describe the division of labor and/or distinct roles and responsibilities among the applicant organization and its partners If proposing a sub-grantee, 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.

Mandatory Disclosures – If Required If your organization engages in lobbying activities, a Disclosure of Lobbying

Activities (SF-LLL) form is required

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 included under the Related Documents section of this NOFO announcement on www.grants.gov. Refer to Appendix A for additional guidance on drafting a proposal budget.

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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

Note that travel costs must be broken down to reflect transportation expenses and per diem, with per diem reflecting correct rates for destination cities. For further information and current foreign per diem rates, please visit:

https://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp

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

Budget Narrative

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

The Budget Narrative should communicate to PM/GPI 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

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

If the applicant does not have an approved NICRA, then the applicant could include a 10% de minimus indirect cost rate in its budget.

Applicant Management Capabilities PM/GPI 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.

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

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

Organizational Audit

If the applicant organization is required to undergo an audit (per regulations outlined in 2 CFR 200.500 – Subpart F), a complete copy of the organization’s most-recent audit must be submitted

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.

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

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

3. Document Formatting

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

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

All documents are in English

All budgets are in U.S. dollars

All pages are numbered

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

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

4. Required Entity and Account Registrations for Applicants

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

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

• www.SAM.gov registration which will generate a UEI

• NCAGE/CAGE code

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www.SAM.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.gov.

If an organization plans to issue a sub-contract or sub-award, those sub-awardees must also have a unique entity identifier (UEI number). Those entities can register for a UEI only at SAM.gov.

If an organization does not have an active registration in SAM.gov prior to submitting an application, the application will be deemed ineligible. All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations, the latter are free of charge.

Any applicant with an exclusion in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.”

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 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. SAM.gov is the Federal government's primary database for complying with FFATA reporting requirements. OMB designated SAM.gov as the central repository to facilitate applicant and recipient use of a single public website that consolidates data on all federal financial assistance. Under the law, it is mandatory to register in SAM.gov.

Starting April 2022, the UEI is assigned when an organization registers or renews its registration in SAM.gov at www.SAM.gov. To access SAM.gov an organization is required to have a Login.gov account. Organization can create an account at https://login.gov/. As a reminder, organizations need to renew its sam.gov registration annually.

Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code U.S.-based organizations: A CAGE code will be automatically assigned when the U.S.

organizations registers in www.SAM.gov. CAGE must be renewed every 5 years. Site for CAGE: https://cage.dla.mil/Home/UsageAgree. Grantees may be asked for more information to finalized and must comply.

NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code Foreign-based organizations: Must apply for a NCAGE code before registering in SAM.gov. Go to: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home to apply for a NCAGE code.

NCAGE codes must be renewed every 5 years.

Help with NCAGE Code registration issues:

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

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

• Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil http://www.sam.gov/ https://login.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://cage.dla.mil/Home/UsageAgree https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil

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It is in the organization’s best interest to check if their CAGE/or NCAGE codes are active.

Organizations are required to register/or renew their CAGE or NCAGE codes prior to registering or renewing www.SAM.gov. Both registration and renewals for both CAGE and NCAGE can take up to 10 days. Organization’s legal address in NCAGE/CAGE must mirror www.SAM.gov.

Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required.

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, CAGE/NCAGE Code, and SAM.gov registration.

Help with grants.gov registrations and application submission:

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

• Call +1 800-518-4726

• Email support@grants.gov

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

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Technical Evaluation Criteria

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

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

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

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Drafters are encouraged to edit the following evaluation criteria and/or point values to fit the specific needs of their project.

Project Design – Total Possible Points: 30

• Strong understanding of the current context, including opportunities, challenges, and key stakeholders (10)

• Responsive to the solicitation and appropriate in the country/regional context (3)

• Technical approach is logical, feasible, and provides confidence that the goal and objectives can be achieved (10)

• Integrates the required deliverables into the project plan (5)

• Proposed technical approach addresses ways for overcoming systemic barriers to reaching the goal and objectives (2)

Ability to Achieve Objectives – Total Possible Points: 30

• Key Personnel, partners, and sub-grantees are well-qualified for the contributions they are intended to provide to the project team (10)

• Clearly articulates how each proposed activity contributes to project objectives, and level of effort is appropriate for achieving targets while also considering absorptive capacity of partner (5)

• Provides a realistic yet aggressive timeline for project activities (5)

• Logical staffing structure and institutional resources with lines of authority, roles, and responsibilities (5)

• Identifies project risks and a plan to either accept or mitigate each risk (5)

Project Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation – Total Possible Points: 15

The Project Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation Plan includes:

• Narrative explaining how project management and monitoring will be carried out and by whom (5)

• Description of the required deliverables, including the LAGA, CAP, Workplan, and submitting status updates in Smartsheets (5)

• Includes an external midterm and/or final evaluation or justification for why one is not included (5)

Institution’s Record and Capacity Rating – Total Possible Points: 15

• The applicant demonstrates an institutional record of successful programs in the proposed country/region and program area (10)

• Applicant is a current/former Department of State grantee and they successfully manage/managed the project OR the applicant has not worked with the Department of State previously but demonstrates experience in managing projects of similar-size and scope (5)

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Cost Effectiveness – Total Possible Points: 10

• Activity-related costs are realistic, appropriate, and clearly linked to project objectives (4)

• Personnel costs (e.g. staff salaries, contractor rates, and honoraria) are reasonable given the amount of work and oversight needed to manage the project (3)

• Administrative costs (e.g. staff travel, supplies, office costs) are necessary, justified, and in good proportion to direct activity costs (3)

2. Review and Selection Process

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

The Grants Office will notify successful applicant(s) via email and pass along any conditions, recommendations, or questions from the review committee. The Grants Office will notify unsuccessful applicants via email after an award has been issued to the successful applicant(s);

therefore, this notification process may take several months.

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

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

i. The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the U.S. government designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

ii. An applicant, at its option, may review and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. Currently, federal agencies create integrity records in the integrity module of the Contractor Performance Assessment and Reporting System (CPARS) and these records are visible as responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov;

iii. The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.206 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

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F. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The DS-1909 award agreement is the authorizing document and will be provided to the recipient for review and signature via email or SAMS Domestic. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the official project start date, unless pre-award costs are authorized in the award agreement.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO neither constitutes an award commitment on the part of the U.S.

government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

2. Administrative and National Policy 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

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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: NOTE:

• 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:

o 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), o Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 115—232) (2 CFR part 200.216), https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.175&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.183&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2chapterVI.tpl https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5

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o 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), o 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 o 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).

3. Program-Specific Requirements

State Department Leahy Amendment Vetting Requirements

Funds provided under this award will be subject to Section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, a provision titled “Limitation on Assistance to Security Forces” (the

“Leahy Amendment”). Subsection (a) of that provision states: “(a) In General.—No assistance shall be furnished under this Act [the Foreign Assistance Act] or the Arms Export Control Act 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 violations of human rights.” Accordingly, none of the funds under this award may be used to provide training or other assistance to any unit or member of the security forces of a foreign country if the Department of State has credible information that such unit or individual has committed a gross violation of human rights.

The recipient will be required to exercise due diligence to ensure compliance with the Leahy provision and State Department policy, and to cooperate with the State Department in implementation of the Leahy requirement for funds under this award. The Department implements the Leahy requirement by vetting units or individuals proposed for training or other assistance to check for credible information of a gross violation of human rights by such units or individuals. To facilitate State Department vetting, the Recipient must provide the required information for proposed participants at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to commencing award activities. This information should be submitted to the U.S. Embassy in the country where the award will be implemented in order to initiate Leahy vetting procedures.

4. Reporting Requirements

Foreign Assistance Data Review As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Recipient(s) will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, 20 | P a g e

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indicated within their award documentation. In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

Applicants should be aware of the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

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APPENDIX A: BUDGET AND BUDGET NARRATIVE

Before grants are awarded, PM/GPI reserves the right to reduce, revise,…