PKG00261787-instructions.pdf

Department of State

Public Notice

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)

Announcement Title: Strengthening Private Sector Engagement to Counter Synthetic

Drug Trafficking

Announcement Type: Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI)

Funding Opportunity Number: INL20SOI0040-DrugTraff-05202020

CFDA Number: 19.704 – Counter-narcotics

Deadline for Applications: Complete SOIs must be submitted via grants.gov by 11:59pm on

June 22, 2020.

PLEASE NOTE: INL strongly urges applicants to access www.grants.gov immediately in order to obtain a username and password. It may take several weeks to register with www.grants.gov as organizations are required to have a DUNS number and register with the System for Award

Management (SAM) before setting up an account with www.grants.gov. Please see the section entitled, “DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS” below for specific instructions.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Organizations submitting proposals must meet the following criteria:

Be a registered U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal

Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Applicants in the process of registration must submit http://www.grants.gov/ proof that they are seeking non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service at the time of proposal submission. Should the applicant be selected for a cooperative agreement award, funding will be contingent upon 501(c)(3) status; or

Be a U.S. university or research institution meeting the provisions described in Internal

Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3); or

Be a local in-country non-profit organization that can demonstrate current country registration, competent programmatic ability, and meet reporting requirements; or

Be an international non-governmental organization that can demonstrate current country registration, competent programmatic ability, and meet reporting requirements.

AND

Have demonstrated experience administering similar successful projects, preferably targeting the requested country and/or region, or similarly challenging program environment. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal assistance awards.

Have demonstrated experience implementing projects of similar dollar amount as the one being announced;

Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with organization(s) in the target country and/or region and industry, in order to successfully fulfill the proposed program;

Be a registered user of www.grants.gov;

Be able to provide INL with a Unique Entity Identifier -- per the OMB policy directive published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2003, which requires all organizations applying for Federal grants and cooperative agreements to provide the issuing agency a UEI number;

and

Be registered with the– System for Award Management (SAM) www.SAM.gov and be able to maintain updated registration annually and during the period of performance. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier number and a CAGE/NCAGE number in order to complete the registry process. International organizations can obtain assistance for this process using the following link: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA

%20NCAGE.pdf.

Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO (once provided) and be able to mobilize in a short period.

NOTE: Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other organizations designated as sub-recipients. The lead applicant must meet the qualification criteria listed above.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ 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

PLEASE NOTE: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this public notice.

I. SUMMARY

Introduction

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

(INL) announces a Request for Statements of Interest to participate in a co-creation workshop to build sustainable mechanisms to strengthen public-private sector engagement globally to counter synthetic drug trafficking. The primary objective is to deny criminals access to the tools of 21st century trade that are exploited to facilitate the manufacture, marketing, movement, and financing of the illicit synthetic drug business model.

INL will review Statements of Interest (SOIs) and based on favorable evaluation, selected participants will receive an invitation to participate in the co-creation workshop, which will be held in a location to be determined in July 2020. The workshop may also be held virtually, if conditions related to COVID-19 do not allow for in-person gatherings. Please note that selected participants for the workshop are not guaranteed funding. The amount of resources made available under this RSOI will depend on the concepts received and the availability of funds. INL reserves the right to fund any or none of the proposals discussed at the co-creation workshop.

Following the co-creation workshop, participants will be invited to bid on a Notice of Funding

Opportunity with the end goal of signing a federal award.

INL’s mission is 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.

INL combines forces with other U.S. Government (USG) and international agencies and takes a regional approach to widespread problems. INL also encourages more developed governments to take responsibility as equal partners in global efforts to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking. The Bureau’s priority programs support three inter-related objectives:

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;

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;

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

Purpose

INL is seeking SOIs from qualified organizations to implement a program to strengthen private sector engagement to counter synthetic drug trafficking.

Preventative efforts to stop illicit synthetic drug production, diversion, and trafficking requires expanded cooperation with industry. In partnership with other governments and international organizations, the Department of State is working to broaden cooperation with private sector actors to encourage voluntary measures to strengthen supply chains and prevent diversion of legitimate commodities toward drug production. This project should facilitate greater voluntary cooperation with private sector industries increasingly misused by traffickers – information communication technologies, social media platforms, express consignment shipping carriers, online-payment providers, and other relevant sectors – to share information on emerging threats, reduce vulnerabilities, and deny access to criminal actors.

The submission of an SOI is the first step in a multi-phased process. The next step is a co-creation workshop for select SOI applications. If you are selected to participate in the co-creation workshop, you will hear from INL within two weeks of the deadline for submission and will be invited to participate in a workshop in late July 2020.

II. SOI OBJECTIVES IN THE CONTEXT OF CO-CREATION

INL announces a RSOI from organizations interested in participating in the development of and potentially implementing a project focused on building private sector engagement globally to counter synthetic drug trafficking.

Proposals for this project will be developed through a multi-phased, co-creation process. The intent of the co-creation process is to foster collaboration across a variety of implementers with different areas of expertise, perspectives, and experiences to co-design, co-develop, and innovate practical and scalable solutions to complex problem sets. INL invites organizations and companies to participate with us to create strategic, focused, and results-oriented solutions to the exploitation of private sector goods, services, and platforms to facilitate illicit trafficking. The co-creation workshop may be held virtually, if conditions related to COVID-19 do not allow for in-person gatherings.

The submission of a SOI is the first step in a multi-phased, collaborative process. Applicants must first submit a SOI, which is a concise, three to four page concept note designed to clearly communicate a program idea, including goals, objectives, and sample activities, before the development of a full proposal application for this program. The concept note should include a clear and detailed analysis of the problem the program would aim to solve and describe how the stated goals and objectives would address this problem.

The SOI process allows applicants the opportunity to submit program ideas for INL to evaluate prior to a co-creation workshop and the development of full proposal applications. Upon review of eligible SOIs, INL will invite selected applicants to participate together in a co-creation workshop intended to develop some or all of their ideas into full proposal applications.

III. SOI OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM STATEMENT: Synthetic drugs can be manufactured virtually anywhere, in facilities ranging from sophisticated laboratories to remote hideouts. The extreme potency of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl and its analogues, allow criminals to reap high profits while trafficking in small volumes. Criminals adopt new production methods quickly to evade law enforcement detection, and are increasingly adjusting transit routes to exploit countries with limited enforcement and regulatory capacity. This adaptability increasingly challenges traditional enforcement paradigms. Traffickers now exploit the tools of modern global commerce to develop new methods for trafficking drugs and chemicals, including the use of internet-based marketing and sales, social media platforms, virtual currencies, and international postal and express consignment services. The perceived anonymity and convenience of the internet, including use of the “dark web” and encrypted peer-to-peer messaging, allow criminals to complete illicit transactions easily, often using unregulated cryptocurrencies, while also broadening their customer base. These modern tools afford traffickers greater physical security, lower operational costs, and reduced risk of arrest. As a result, a clear and urgent need has emerged for innovative ideas to prevent criminal exploitation of the tools of 21st century trade and to increase the difficulties associated with trafficking these drugs. New and enhanced partnerships between governments and the private sector globally play a critical role in preventative efforts to stop illicit synthetic production, diversion, and trafficking. Specific industries of interest include, but are not limited to, the chemical, pharmaceutical, express consignment shipping, postal services, e-commerce, social media, e-wallet and financial service providers, and drug manufacturing equipment industry sectors.

CHALLENGE: Secure private sector supply chains, digital platforms, and business practices from criminal exploitation, in a manner that is sufficiently cost-effective and time-efficient to attract private sector participation, including by strengthening information sharing and fostering innovative approaches to detecting criminal activity globally, or in a specified region.

The statement of interest should keep in mind the need for industry participation in new tools and processes.

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION:

Submissions are not evaluated against other submissions, but solely against the evaluation criteria.

Applicants should:

Demonstrate expertise in developing mechanisms to facilitate collaboration between institutions, ideally between private industry and law enforcement institutions, and between companies in similar industries.

Demonstrate understanding of emerging synthetic drug challenges and private sector crime prevention efforts and related challenges

Address a theory of change to develop an institutional framework, coordination mechanism, training or other technical approach. Applicants should also identify ways to engage with the array of civilian government and law enforcement actors, academia, research institutions, and other stakeholders who could contribute to successful development of global coordination mechanisms to address synthetic drug trafficking.

Propose potential goals, objectives, and activities to address the challenge

Present a flexible, practical, and cost-effective approach to addressing the primary objectives and factoring in monitoring and evaluation efforts.

TARGET POPULATION

Applicants should identify target audiences, specific demographics, and priority regions for the project. It is particularly important to specify the approximate number of beneficiaries to be directly and indirectly impacted by project activities.

CROSS-CUTTING AND ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

1. Coordination and De-conflicting of Projects: Project activities must be coordinated with and distinct from efforts of the International Narcotics Control Board to strengthen public-private partnerships under the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) program.

2. Community Involvement: The project should incorporate participation of industry and government actors from the relevant countries and regions.

3. Program Expansion: If the project is successful, INL will consider the option of 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.

IV. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SOI SUBMISSIONS

SOIs that do not meet the requirements of the announcement may not be considered and will be deemed technically ineligible.

For all application documents, please ensure:

1) No more than 5 pages for submission and all pages are numbered

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

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

Complete submissions should include the following:

1) Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424a and SF424b, as directed on grants.gov.

2) A copy of your organization’s most recent audit (as required per 2 CFR 200.500 – Subpart

F). If an audit cannot be provided, an explanation must be submitted with the proposal submission.

3) A list of previous and/or current U.S. federal assistance awards received; please include the awarding agency, point of contact, name of the project, start and end dates, and amount of the award. If a list of previous and/or current U.S. federal assistance awards received cannot be provided, an explanation must be submitted with the proposal submission.

4) Executive Summary (not to exceed two [2] pages in Microsoft Word) that includes:

A. Name of organization

B. Contact information (headquarters and in-country)

C. Point of contact, titles

D. Project title

E. Countries/regions targeted by project- Number and description of direct beneficiaries

F. Proposed period of activity

G. Total dollar amount of project – including the breakdown of the dollar amount requested from the specific Bureau/Office, the dollar amount provided through other sources, and the dollar amount of any in-kind contributions

H. Brief project description – describe the problem and how it will be addressed.

I. Also state the goal(s), objectives, activities, and expected results and intended impact of the project.

5) A signed letter acknowledging that the applicant agrees to participate in a co-creation workshop with other applicants and that applicant will share their information in an open format. Applicants will work with one another, USG participants, and potentially outside organizations to improve their ideas and connections.

BUDGET GUIDELINES

1. SUMMARY BUDGET:

Please include the title and duration of the project, and the following:

A. Personnel

B. Fringe Benefits

C. Travel

D. Equipment

E. Supplies

F. Contractual

G. Other

H. Total direct charges (sum a – h)

I. Indirect Charges

J. Total

Award Ceiling: $1,700,000

Award Floor: $1,000,000

Cost Sharing Requirement: Not required but recommended

The budget summary total should not exceed Award ceiling amount of $1,700,000

III. REVIEW PROCESS

INL will review all SOIs for eligibility. Eligible SOIs will be subject to compliance of Federal and

Bureau regulations and guidelines and may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements.

All technically eligible SOIs will then be reviewed by a State Department Review Panel to make selections on who will be invited to participate in the workshop.

Additionally, the Review Panel will evaluate how the SOI meets the solicitation request, U.S.

foreign policy goals, and the priority needs of the INL Bureau based on a “yes” or “no” review. Panelists review each SOI individually against the evaluation criteria, not against competing SOIs. To ensure all SOIs receive a balanced evaluation, the Review Panel will review the first page of the SOI up to the page limit and no further.

Once a SOI receives a “yes,” selected applicants will be invited to a co-creation workshop based on their SOIs. The co-creation workshop will take place in person or virtually, as conditions permit. If the co-creation workshop takes place in-person, all participants must fund their own travel to Washington, DC. Please note only two people from each organization are permitted entry into the co-creation workshop. It is important to send the appropriate two people to this workshop, as we are seeking participants who have extensive knowledge about the problem set and challenges and who can significantly contribute to the conversation as subject matter experts.

Unless directed otherwise by the organization, INL may also refer SOIs for possible consideration in other U.S. government related funding opportunities.

INL reserves the right to make a final determination regarding all funding matters, pending funding availability.

SOIs will be evaluated based on the review criteria listed below:

1) Originality, substance, precision and relevance to the Bureau’s mission.

2) Objectives that are ambitious, yet measurable and achievable.

3) Institutional record in implementing successful programs.

4) Conformity with the following INL program design standards, to the extent possible

a) Change: the goal and objectives are desired end states, external to INL, not activities.

b) Plausibility: it is reasonable we willachieve our goal given the planned interventions.

c) Alignment: the project/program fits within INL policy,strategies, and/or earmarks.

d) Relevance: the goal addresses a significant need and the activities are likely to catalyze the desired changes.

e) Maximize Contribution, Minimize Risk: when seeking systemic/institutional change, the goal and objectives reflect that; there is no assumption individual-level change adds up. Projects/programs should mitigate likely risks of causing inadvertent harm.

f) Clarity: all involved have a similar understanding of what the project/program seeks to accomplish and how.

g) One Concept: objectives articulate one concept each.

h) Target Population: objectives state the target population central to achieving change and activities engage those with the power to support/prevent the change.

VI. DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must submit SOIs using www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on(include date 30 days from posting) . INL will require SOI applications to be submitted via www.grants.gov.

Please note: In order to safeguard the security of applicants’ electronic information, www.grants.gov utilizes a credential provider. It is the process of determining, with certainty, that someone really is who they claim to be.

The credential provider for www.grants.gov is Operational Research Consultants (ORC).

Applicants MUST register with ORC to receive a username and password which you will need to register with www.grants.gov as an authorized organization representative (AOR). Once your organization's E-Business point of contact has assigned these rights, you will be authorized to submit grant applications through Grants.gov on behalf of your organization.

Each organization will need to be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and you will need to have your organization's Unique Entity Identifier and the CAGE/NCAGE number available to complete this process. After your organization registers with the SAM.gov, you must wait approximately 3-5 business days before you can obtain a username and password. This may delay your ability to post your proposal. Therefore, INL strongly urges applicants to begin this process on www.grants.gov well in advance of the submission deadline.

No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps to post applications on www.grants.gov.

VII. IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO APPLICANTS

The information contained in this solicitation is binding and may not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information provided by the Bureau that contradicts this language will not be binding. Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment on the part http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ of the Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase budgets in accordance with the needs of the program evaluation requirements.

Once the Request for Statements of Interest deadline has passed, U.S. Government officials -including those in the Bureau, the Department and at embassies/missions overseas - must not discuss this solicitation with applicants until the entire review process is completed. Applicants will be notified by the INL Grants Office only with regard to the status of an application. Funding commitments can only be made by an INL Grants Officer. All other commitments from any representative other than an INL Grants Officer will be deemed unauthorized.

For technical, programmatic, and/or administrative questions, please contact the Grants Officer

Representative Alan Piracha at PirachaA@state.gov and Grants Officer at

WashingtonND@state.gov. Questions must be received, in writing, no later than June 10, 2020

5pm EST. (Please Note: All programmatic and administrative questions received and their responses shall be posted via www.grants.gov.)

This document is for informational purposes only and does not represent a request for proposal, an award, or a commitment of funds.

mailto:PirachaA@state.gov mailto:WashingtonND@state.gov