OFOP0001345 Travel Logistics.pdf

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.U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Announcement Type: Request for Federal Assistance Award Applications

Funding Opportunity Title: Travel Logistics Support for Belize In-country Training Funding Opportunity Number: OFOP0001345 Program: Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 19.705 - Transnational Crime

Total Funding Available: $600.000 U.S. Dollars

Funding Source: Post-Funds

Application Ceiling: Up to $600,000.00 U.S. Dollars

Application Floor: At least $400,000.00 U.S. Dollars Anticipated Number of Awards: One (1) award

Initial Project Implementation Length: 24 months

Estimated Project Start Date: August 2024 NOFO Issuance Date: April 8, 2024

Deadline for Submission of Questions: May 8, 2024 by 11:59 PM EST via email

Deadline for Submission of Applications: June 7, 2024 by 11:59 PM EST via www.grants.gov

Assistance Type: Cooperative Agreement

Applicant Types and Eligibility Categories: Organizations only.

http://www.grants.gov/

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INL Points of Contact: Nelson Link (LinkN@state.gov)- PO Tia Allen (AllenLS2@state.gov) - GO

BUREAU MISSION

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

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

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

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

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

mailto:el@state.gov)-

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

F. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

APPENDIX A: PERFORMANCE MONITORING PLAN

APPENDIX B: PROJECT RISK ANALYSIS

APPENDIX C: BUDGET AND BUDGET NARRATIVE

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A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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

Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to provide logistics and administrative support to INL-Belize capacity building programs that provide training and other relevant activities to appropriate participants with the overall goal of enhancing the capacity of governmental institutions and to reduce crime. The logistics and administrative support services required are for programs implemented within the country of Belize only.

Priority Region/Countries: Belize

Problem Statement:

Belize has a significant murder rate; gang issues and gender-based violence crimes are increasing, all threatening public safety. Belize has seen an upsurge in narco-trafficking, transnational crime, illegal drugs, and irregular migration, each of which has the potential to affect the safety and security of the United States. The Belize Police lack professionalization and have minimal investigative skills. The police prosecutors struggle to present well supported cases, the lack of evidence and follow through results in a high percentage of cases being dismissed. This project supports INL’s efforts to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States, its citizens, and partner nations by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. This program seeks to enhance peace and security by stabilizing and strengthening security institutions and by combating narco-trafficking and other transnational crimes such as including money laundering and criminal gangs. This program will promote just and democratic governments by strengthening justice sector institutions, good governance and respect for human rights.

Project Vision:

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is building the capacity of Belize’s law enforcement and justice sector personnel through training, technical assistance, and mentoring. INL supports the travel of Belize personnel to attend local trainings in Belize. To facilitate this capacity-building work, and to accelerate implementation of training through travel, INL seeks to award a cooperative grant award for administering the logistics and support for training events, and for facilitating the travel of trainees attending local trainings in Belize. Training participants will travel from all areas of Belize to a specified venue within Belize.

The Bureau’s priority programs support three inter-related objectives:

1. BUILDING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS: Institutionalize rule of law by developing and expanding criminal justice systems to strengthen partner country law enforcement and judicial effectiveness, foster cooperation in legal affairs, and advance respect for human rights;

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2. COUNTER-NARCOTICS: Disrupt the overseas production and trafficking of illicit drugs through targeted counter-narcotics and institution-building assistance and coordination with foreign nations and international organizations, and;

3. TRANSNATIONAL CRIME: Minimize the impact of transnational crime and criminal networks on the U.S. and its allies through enhanced international cooperation and foreign assistance.

Project Goal(s) and Objectives:

Project Goal The goal of the award is to provide logistical and administrative support to distinct rule of law, citizen security, and law enforcement projects within the country of Belize. The selected organization will work closely with designated INL project managers, at Embassy Belize, to determine implementation needs, arrange travel, and coordinate training events in a timely and efficient manner.

Objective 1: Provide effective travel and logistical support to INL Belize capacity building projects in Belize for approximately 600 participants within the initial 24 months project period.

INL Belize supports multiple projects aimed at building the capacity of the justice sector, civil society, and police actors. This project requires coordinating travel for participants within the country of Belize; provision of venues for classroom trainings and workshops; effective tracking of courses delivered; and individuals trained, broken out by gender and by institutional affiliation.

The U.S. government, INL, and the grantee will work together to determine the appropriate assistance needed for each capacity-building event. Furthermore, INL and the grantee will meet after the award is made to develop a mutually agreeable work plan for conducting the assistance program. Applicants should provide a suggested work plan in the grant proposal. Additionally, applicant organizations should identify their own specific objectives and measurable outcomes based on these program goals and the specifications provided in this solicitation. Indicators could include timeliness of services, quality of interaction between the award recipient and program participants, etc.

Proposals should include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

Activity 1 – Receive logistics request from INL, conduct market research and prepare cost estimate of the logistic requirements, and submit the cost estimate to INL for approval.

Activity 2 - Travel Advances and Reimbursement: When required, the award recipient shall provide the participants, instructors, SMEs, speakers, and others with a travel advance up to the maximum per diem amount authorized by the U.S. Department of State or lesser amount as determined by the award recipient and INL. The applicant shall ensure the participant receives the travel advance with sufficient time, no later than two days prior to departure, to reduce the financial burden associated with the event. Recipients should provide options for transferring per diem before travel for travelers without a bank account. The recipient will provide participants with a monetary travel

6 | P a g e advance before travel to cover meals, incidentals, taxis, etc. whenever possible. The advance can be in form of cash, debit card, wire transfer, direct deposit or any other means not prohibited by U.S. or local laws.

The award recipient must track and account for any cost increase or decrease on the budget because of fluctuations in exchange rates, per regulations outline in 2 CFR 200.440 -Exchange Rate.

Activity 3 - Airline Tickets/Air Transportation: This request will be very minimal as travel will be within Belize only. However, when required, the organization shall provide the participant with an airline ticket. Recipient will be responsible for oversight of all arrivals and departures.

Activity 4 - Ground Transportation: When required, the award recipient shall arrange the use of rented vehicles for individuals or groups to support INL capacity-building events in Belize. Ground transportation includes taxis, rented vehicles, pickup trucks, vans, or buses. If required by the U.S.

Embassy Regional Security Office, the recipient organization shall take appropriate security measures to protect the safety of participants during the ground transportation process. Ground transportation could include transportation to and from hotels to meeting facilities, to and from the airport and hotel, between sites of interest, etc. The award recipient shall ensure participants arrive at the sponsored event location at least 15 minutes before the event begins and shall take the necessary measures to ensure the vehicles meet host-country and U.S. Government safety standards.

Activity 5 - Lodging: When required, the award recipient is responsible for providing participants with adequate pre-paid lodging such as hotels or apartments using the U.S. Department of State approved per diem rates. In some cases, the U.S. government may be able to obtain lodging at academy dormitories or other facilities. In these cases, the award recipient shall coordinate lodging arrangements directly with the U.S. government representative responsible for the capacity-building event. The award recipient could be required to provide bedding supplies such as pillows, blankets, and other associated supplies. The award recipient shall ensure the rented lodging facilities meet U.S. or host-country sanitary and safety standards. The recipient shall contract with lodging companies with flexible cancellation policies, to include agreement avoiding cancellation fees and those offering courtesy rooms and/or meeting rooms or parking. Recipient should negotiate prepaid lodging, when possible, to avoid participant payment and reimbursement.

Activity 6 - Conference and Training Facilities: When required, the award recipient shall rent conference facilities appropriate for the capacity-building events. The facilities could include small conference rooms with space for five to ten people or large conference centers with capacity for hundreds of people. In some cases, the U.S. government will coordinate with the host-country to obtain conference or training facilities such as training academies. The award recipient could be required to provide audio-visual, computer equipment, communications (such as Internet, radios, cell phones, or other communications services), reception, cleaning, interpreter/translation services, and training supplies, such as writing pads, labeled pens, banners, water bottles, lanyards, etc, to support capacity-building events. The award recipient shall take the necessary measures to ensure the rented conference/training facilities meet U.S. or host-country sanitary and safety standards.

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Activity 7 - Refreshments and Meals: When required, the award recipient is responsible for providing participants with meals such as hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner at locations where the participant cannot obtain meals at public facilities. When funding for meals and incidentals needs to be disbursed, the funds provided should not exceed the government approved rate for respective locations. When needed, the award recipient shall also provide snacks, coffee, tea, and non-alcoholic refreshments during capacity-building events. Snacks and beverages shall be provided in the early morning, a couple of hours before lunch, and a few hours after lunch. The award recipient shall ensure that coffee, tea, and drinking water are available throughout the duration of the event.

The award recipient shall take the necessary measures to ensure food and beverages meet U.S. or host-country sanitary standards.

Activity 8 - Prepare Event Materials and Presentations: When required, the award recipient is responsible for preparing and printing event materials, including travel and event agenda per participant, course packets, event guidebooks, attendance lists, event evaluation forms, name tags, diplomas, group pictures, notepads, pens, and other materials, as required by INL. The recipient may be responsible for the design of certain training manuals, banners, or other materials related to the event. Materials should be purchased by recipient through vendors. The recipients may be required to aid in the recruitment of appropriate speakers, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) or trainers with or without honoraria.

Activity 9 - Interpretation and Translation Service: The recipient may be responsible for providing translation of academic materials and interpretation services for events.

Activity 10 – Outreach events: when required, the award recipient is responsible for providing meals, refreshments, materials, equipment, and any logistical support for Host Government outreach events such as community outreach, open forums, town halls, etc. on topics related to INL programs. The award recipient shall take the necessary measures to ensure food and beverages are reasonable and modest, and meet U.S. or host-country sanitary standards. Events beneficiaries must be tracked separately from trainees and travelers.

Activity 11 - Event Close Out: The award recipient is responsible for gathering proof of participant attendance, and receipts/invoices to be reimbursed (where applicable) no later than 20 working days after the last day of the capacity-building event.

Activity 12: Unused Funds Settlement: When required, the award recipient shall take required actions to recover unused funds resulting from cancellations by participants, vendors, facilities, etc.

Voucher settlement includes obtaining receipts from hotels, and other documentation. In the event the award recipient owes money to a participant, settlement shall be made no later than 15 calendar days after the last day of the capacity-building event. Awardee should maintain a record of expenses and outstanding amounts per program.

Activity 13: Records Management: The award recipient shall maintain accurate digital records of each participant, including name, rank, parent organization, country of origin, event attended, dates, costs per participant, and other information such as evaluations of the training logistical services provided, in a format mutually agreed to by the U.S. government and the recipient

8 | P a g e organization. The recipient organization shall provide this information to the Grants Officer Representative (GOR) no later than 30 days after the completion of each capacity-building event.

Activity 14: Protection of Personal Identifiable Information (PII): The award recipient shall take the necessary measures to set up data/privacy safeguards to protect personal identifiable information of individuals such as their social security number, full name, email address, phone number, date of birth, etc.

Activity 15: Monthly Funding Status Report: Provide monthly report of detailed actual expenses per training event. This should include specific line-item expenses, administrative cost relating to each training event. Provide monthly accountability status of remaining funds to ensure awareness of balances before funds are depleted or go into the negative balance.

Activity 16: Leahy and Local Vetting: The award recipient will confirm with INL staff the Leahy Vetting status of personnel nominated to attend INL sponsored events. Recipient must receive vetting clearances for each participant before travel/event participation. A copy of the INL Leahy and Local Vetting policy is included in this NOFO for reference.

Activity 17 – Exceptional Circumstances: The award recipient may be responsible for providing ad-hoc administrative and logistical support for travel with 24 or 48 hours in advance on rare occasions.

The recipient will accommodate late travel and/or training requests whenever possible.

Activity 18 – Customer Service and Corrective Action Reports: Recipient will ensure employees maintain professional and customer-service oriented environment. Recipient should provide logistic support during official Embassy working hours. Recipient will provide incidents reports (e.g.

issues with travel arrangements, funds lost on last minute participant cancellation, etc.). Awardee will submit satisfaction surveys per event according to INL’s approved format.

Project activities and deliverables:

By the end of the initial project period, the selected applicant is expected to: provide administrative and logistical support for INL-Belize capacity building projects, for approximately 600 people in a 2-year period. The number of participants per training event can range from just a few to dozens. The length of events varies from three days to three weeks, with an average of five to seven days. The number of travelers can range from one (1) person to group travel up to thirty (30) participants.

The recipient will be required to collect baseline data for all the PMP indicators during the first year of the project. In addition, certain terms included in the outcomes and indicators will need to be defined at the very beginning of the project so, it is possible to measure the change during and at the end of the project. Baseline information will be critical for both monitoring and evaluation of project progress and results.

The recipient will develop a project-level PMP with annual and end-of- project targets and results anticipated for key performance indicators. The following table shows indicators that will be measured, as well as illustrative targets, upon which the recipient will be responsible for monitoring

9 | P a g e and reporting during and after the project. In addition, INL/Belize will regularly monitor the project’s performance to assess whether project activities are on track and targets are being achieved.

Illustrative required outcome indicators for the project are provided below. The recipient is expected to identify targets for these indicators based on what it can reasonably achieve within the performance period of the project, and propose additional indicators based on the expected overall project results described above.

Example Output Indicators Number of justice sector and police officers trained Number and type of programs and units benefitting by training activities Number of training events fulfilled Percent of travel requests that are executed on time (e.g. within 48 hours of receipt) Number of follow-up surveys performed

Example Outcome Indicators Percentage of travelers receiving advances within two days of travel Percentage of travelers satisfied with the service provided

The applicant should provide output and outcome indicators in addition to the required indicators listed above. Any data collection focused on individuals should be reported by gender, if possible.

Participants and Audiences:

The beneficiaries of this project will include law enforcement officials, justice sector officials and other officials involved in the efforts to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking and the overall effort in developing and expanding criminal justice system to strengthen law enforcement and judicial effectiveness, and advance respect for human rights.

Project Expansion: If the project is successful, INL will consider the option of an award modification to expand the project to other areas 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

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

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

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

2. Assistance Type

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

For this cooperative agreement, INL Office at the U.S. Embassy Belize will substantially be involved in the following ways:

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

• Approval of specified key personnel.

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

• Approval of Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.

• Participation in the design and direction of logistical activities.

• Approval and input on logistic timelines and agendas.

• Review and approval of all program publicity and recruitment materials.

• Assist with participant emergencies.

• Liaison with relevant U.S. and host-country personnel, and personnel from other governments.

• INL will generate and provide names of training participants and will conduct Leahy

Vetting of participants.

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

3. Funding Notices

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

Length of performance period: 24 months

Anticipated program start date: July 2024

Number of awards anticipated: 1 (one) award

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $400,000.00 to a maximum of $600,000.00

Total available funding: $600,000.00

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Type of Funding: FY22 International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

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

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

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

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

• Foreign-based educational institutions

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

• Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar projects, preferably in the target country or region. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.

• Applicants must have the ability to produce documents (e.g. trainings materials, reports), deliver training, and conduct evaluations. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.

• Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.

• Applicant must have a physical location/office in Belize City or Belmopan City.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

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

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

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

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

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

• Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal; however one organization should

12 | P a g e be designated as the lead applicant and other organization(s) listed as sub-recipient partner(s).

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

• Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub-awards issued under this grant award.

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

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

1. How to Apply and Submit Questions

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

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

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

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

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Standard Application Forms

SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations) Must be signed by an authorized signatory of the applicant’s organization.

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

SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) – Optional

The SF-424B is only required for applicants who are not registered in SAM.gov.

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

Proposal Narrative – Maximum 20 pages

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

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

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

Executive Summary: Provide a synopsis of the project.

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

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

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

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

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

Performance Monitoring Plan

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

• Change Map (see template) or equivalent

• Illustrative Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (see template)

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

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

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

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

Biographical Information of Applicant Organization – Maximum 4 pages

Introduce the applicant organization, including biographical information such as mission statement, organization size, relevant office location(s), etc.

Provide a summary description of past and present operations, demonstrating the applicant’s ability to carry out the project

Describe any experience the organization has in the target country or region Confirm whether the organization is a registered business entity within the target country or region List of Key Personnel – Maximum 3 pages

Names, titles, responsibilities, and relevant experience or qualifications of key personnel involved in the management of the project

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Partner Information (if subrecipient) is being proposed) – Maximum 3 pages

Introduce and provide relevant information about key partner organizations and sub-recipients

Briefly describe the division of labor and/or distinct roles and responsibilities among the applicant organization and its partners

If proposing a sub-recipient, please briefly describe the applicant organization’s experience related to managing sub-recipients

Letters of Support – Optional

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

Project Budget and Cost Documents

Summary and Detailed Budgets

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

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

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

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

Budget Narrative

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

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

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

Indirect Costs

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA):

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If the applicant has an approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, a copy of the organization’s most-recent NICRA must be included in the application

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

10% de minimis Rate:

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

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

History of U.S. Government Federal Assistance Awards

This document outlines the applicant organization’s experience with implementing U.S.

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

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

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

Organizational Audit

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

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

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

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

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

3. Document Formatting

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

The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity All documents are in English All budgets are in U.S. dollars All pages are numbered All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 inch paper, and All Word documents are, at minimum, single-spaced with 12 point Calibri font and 1-inch margins

4. Required Entity and Account Registrations for Applicants All prospective applicant organizations must register and/or maintain active registration in the systems outlined below in order to submit an application to this NOFO.

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

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

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

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

Effective April 4, 2022, the DUNS Number will be replaced by the Unique Entity Number (UEI) as the primary means of entity identification for all federal awards U.S. government wide. A DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications. For more information, please go to the following link: https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp

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

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

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

• NCAGE application instructions:

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

Help with NCAGE Code registration issues:

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

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

• Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil

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

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

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

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

• Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

• Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS, but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov. Please note that as of December 2022, organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO CAGE (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an NCAGE code from their sam.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov to seek guidance on how to do so.

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in SAM.gov is not eligible to apply for an assistance award. Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM.gov to ensure that no ineligible entity is included in their proposal.

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=c81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57 http://www.fsd.gov/

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NOTE: As of April 2021, any new or renewed SAM.gov registrations were given a Unique Entity Number (UEI). UEI does not expire, however you must renew your SAM.gov registration annually.

For more information regarding the transition from UEI (DUNS) to UEI (SAM), please click on the following link: https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp D.3.1 Exemptions

An exemption from these requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if:

● An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.

● For an applicant, if the Federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a Federal award. In these instances, Federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the Federal award date.

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

Note: As of December 2022, organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO CAGE (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities.

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

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

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

Help with grants.gov registrations and application submission:

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

• Call +1 800-518-4726

• Email support@grants.gov

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

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

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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.

Project Analysis & Design – Total Possible Points: 50

• Analysis of the problem is insightful and accurate. Insightful analysis includes a thorough discussion of the main causes and scope of the issue the project seeks to address.

Demonstrates ability to meet the planning, logistics, and monitoring requirements. (10)

• Suggested approaches and solutions (i.e., the theory of change) are: (5) o Based on good evidence; and o Appropriate given the problem, its causes, and its scope

• Proposed implementation plan is: (15) o Aligned with suggested approaches and solutions o Feasible given timeline, resources, and context o Designed such that activities, if implemented according to plan, should result in achievement of program objectives; and objectives, if achieved, should result in achievement of program goals

• Provides a comprehensive plan for delivering travel services required as outlined in the project objectives and activities description. (7)

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

• Description of likely challenges to implementation plan, including risks of harm to organization staff, project participants, and/or others, is thorough and mitigation strategies are appropriate (5)

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

• Analysis and planning for sustainability is realistic (3)

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Program Monitoring and Risk – Total Possible Points: 10

• Change Map includes indicators for each goal and objective; and proposed indicators are useful for decision making, accurate in measuring the intended result, reliable, and timely (3)

• Illustrative Indicator Reference Sheet includes selected standard indicators; provides three valid indicators for goals, objectives, or sub-objectives in the change map; and demonstrates a thorough plan for data collection (4)

• Risk assessment is thorough and…