PKG00263076-instructions.pdf

United States Department of State

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – SAMS Overseas

Announcement Type: Request for Federal Assistance Awards Applications

Public Opportunity Title: Colombian National Police Wounded Warriors Assistance

Project

NOFO Opportunity Number: INL20CA0063-WoundedWarriors-Colombia

Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance (CFDA) Number: 19.704 – Counter-narcotics

Funding Amount: Not to exceed the total amount of $2,000,000 U.S. Dollars

NOFO Issuance Date: August 19, 2020

Deadline for Receipt of Questions: October 1, 2020

11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time

Closing Date and Time for November 15, 2020

Submission of Applications: 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time via www.grants.gov

Program Type: INL/Eradication Program

Grant Program: INL/Bogota

Assistance Type: Cooperative Agreement

Eligibility Category: Eligible organizations may include: U.S. based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or educational institutions having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or private/state educational institutions. See complete eligibility criteria below.

Applicant Type: Organizations only

Award Ceiling: $2,000,000

Award Floor: $1,500,000

Cost Sharing Requirement: Not required but recommended http://www.grants.gov/

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The mission of the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement

Affairs (INL) 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. This mission, which centers on helping our partner nations establish a capable and accountable criminal justice sector, was expanded during the past decade to include stabilizing post-conflict societies through criminal justice sector development and reform. This mission supports peace and security by stabilizing and strengthening security institutions and by combating narco-trafficking and other transnational crimes such as money laundering and criminal gangs. It promotes just and democratic governments by strengthening justice sector institutions, good governance and respect for human rights.

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.

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement

Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified applicants for a Cooperative Agreement to implement a project entitled “Colombian National Police Wounded Warriors Assistance

Project.”

Any questions concerning this NOFO should be submitted via email at GAPP’s GO Katelyn

Smith - SmithKB@state.gov, INL CO/GO Julie Heumphreus - HeumphreusJ@state.gov and

INL GOR Pierry Ramirez - RamirezP@state.gov. The deadline for submission of questions for this NOFO is October 1, 2020, 11:59 PM EST. Responses to questions will be made available to all potential applicants as an attachment to this NOFO and posted on www.grants.gov.

The authority for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is found in the Foreign Assistance

Act of 1961, as amended.

Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400g, it is U.S. Department of State policy not to award profit under assistance instruments. All direct and indirect reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, mailto:SmithKB@state.gov mailto:HeumphreusJ@state.gov mailto:RamirezP@state.gov however, that are related to the agreement program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (2 CFR 200 for U.S. and overseas-based non-profit organizations, and education institutions) may be paid under the cooperative agreement. NOTE: overseas-based nonprofit organizations are legally required to comply with 2 CFR 200.

Subject to the availability of funds and pending Department of State management approvals, INL intends to issue an award in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 in total funding. The U.S.

Dollar amount will be funded from INL allocated funds, for an initial project period of two years.

INL may award up to three additional year contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approvals, and funding availability. INL 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).

Eligible organizations interested in submitting an application are encouraged to read this NOFO thoroughly to understand the type of project sought and the application submission requirements and evaluation process.

To be eligible for an award, the applicant must submit all required information and documents in its application through www.grants.gov including the requirements found in any attachments to this funding opportunity. This NOFO consists of the following Sections:

Contents

SECTION I – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SECTION II – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

SECTION III – ELIGIBLITY INFORMATION

SECTION IV – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

TAB A: PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

TAB B: PROGRAM MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN and

PROJECT RISK ANALYSIS

TAB C: BUDGET GUIDELINES

SECTION V – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

SECTION VI – FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

SECTION VII – AGENCY CONTACTS

This funding opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be amended. See Section IV for further details. Potential applicants should regularly check the website to ensure they have the latest information pertaining to this NOFO. Applicants will need to have available or download the most updated version of the Adobe program to their computers to view and save the Adobe forms properly. If you have difficulty registering on www.grants.gov or accessing the NOFO, please contact the www.grants.gov helpdesk at: 1-800-518-4726, International callers: 1-606-

545-5035, or via email at support@grants.gov for technical assistance. The Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except federal holidays).

See https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ for a list of federal holidays.

You may also obtain online assistance at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html or https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/GetStarted/Get_Started.htm.

INL encourages applicants to submit their applications during normal business hours (Monday

– Friday, 9:00AM- 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time). If an applicant experiences technical difficulties and has contacted the appropriate help desk, but is not receiving timely assistance, (e.g. if you have not received a response within 48 hours of contacting the help desk), you may contact the INL point of contact listed in the NOFO. The point of contact may assist in contacting the appropriate help desk, but an applicant should also document their efforts in contacting the help desk. Applicants may also contact the INL point of contact listed in the NOFO if experiencing technical issues with grants.gov that may result in a late submission.

Applicants experiencing technical difficulties should follow these three steps:

1) Contact the help desk for Grants.gov immediately.

2) Document (including screenshots) technical issues AND efforts to contact the help desk. Provide ticket number(s) and/or reference number(s) provided by the helpdesk in order to assist with the technical issue(s).

Note: The INL Grants Officer will determine technical eligibility of all applications and allowability of acceptable proposal submissions if applicants experience technical difficulties without a resolution.

It is the responsibility of the recipient of this NOFO document to ensure that it has been received from www.grants.gov in its entirety. INL bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes associated with electronic or late submissions.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute 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 an application. In addition, final award of any resultant grant agreement cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal INL procedures. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/GetStarted/Get_Started.htm

SECTION I – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The United States and Colombia share common goals to deter significant illicit drug trafficking and other transnational criminal activity that threatens U.S. national security and public safety.

During decades of armed conflict in Colombia, drug traffickers and terrorist organizations used landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to protect illicit crops and target the

Colombian security forces. As a result, Colombia has one of the largest numbers of landmine and IED victims in the world. The victims include civilians and more than 400 members of the Colombian National Police (CNP) who are engaged in coca eradication, drug interdiction, and rural security operations. In addition to police officers, civilian manual eradication groups working for the police in coca eradication operations are at great risk of sustaining serious injuries.

INL-Bogota has supported members of the CNP who are wounded in counternarcotics operations through the donation of medical equipment such as wheelchairs and prosthetics and through facilitating the participation of officers permanently injured in the line of duty in local and international sporting events. INL also has supported CNP-led prosthetic donation campaigns for civilians in rural and conflict-affected communities. To institutionalize our support and embed these capabilities in the CNP structure, INL-Bogota has allocated

$2,000,000 for this project, for an initial period of two years. INL may award up to three additional year contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approvals, and funding availability.

PROJECT PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

This project will support U.S.-Colombia counternarcotics goals by building the CNP’s institutional capabilities to provide CNP wounded warriors in eradication and counterdrug operations with improved medical and psychological rehabilitation, access to vocational training and employment opportunities, and the ability to rebuild their lives and give back to their communities through social inclusion activities. The CNP will benefit by incorporating the skills of some of these dedicated and skilled officers into new or revised roles in its organization and helping the others to find appropriate employment outside the police force.

PROJECT GOAL

Enhance the CNP’s personnel system and medical and psychological rehabilitation capabilities, including elements that:

1. Improve the employment opportunities inside and outside the CNP for all officers permanently injured in the line of duty, with a focus on wounded warriors in INL-supported eradication, interdiction, and rural security operations.

2. Support the rehabilitation of officers permanently injured in the line of duty and raise public awareness of their sacrifice.

3. Build public confidence in the CNP through support for community service and social inclusion activities with civilians in rural and conflict-affected communities.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Objective 1: Improve CNP’s capability to support officers permanently injured in the line of duty with employment opportunities inside and outside the CNP.

Current Ministry of Defense policy requires police officers permanently injured in the line of duty to retire or leave the service. Many such officers, however, are the sole income earner for their families and do not have the educational or vocational skills to easily transition to a different job or career. In addition, they face new challenges and financial strain as a result of their injuries. This project should enable the CNP officers permanently injured in the line of duty to free or low-cost educational and vocational training so they can pursue different employment after their recovery, either within the police force or elsewhere.

Through a separate project, INL Bogota intends to work with the Ministry of Defense to modify its policy and replace it with a clause that requires the government to offer officers permanently injured in the line of duty an administrative or other position that accommodates their injury.

The CNP currently has approximately 15,000 officers assigned to administrative or clerical positions that could potentially be made available to officers with permanent injuries. The grantee should work with INL Bogota to implement the recommendations of this project, which may include re-training, so that those who wish to continue serving in the CNP can do so.

Activity 1: Work with the CNP to identify universities, vocational institutes, and other job-training providers (including online programs). Work with these providers to create free or low-cost opportunities for police officers permanently injured in the line of duty, including preferential admission to such programs.

Activity 2: Work with the CNP to create a database of resources and to advertise these opportunities to those permanently injured in the line of duty. Work with existing police benefit organizations or another non-profit organizations to increase the number of available scholarships for officers permanently injured in the line of duty to attend educational or vocational training.

Activity 3: Identify any specific challenges officers permanently injured in the line of duty face in attending training, such as accessibility concerns, mobility, etc. and provide recommendations and a plan to address these challenges.

Activity 4: Work with the CNP to strengthen and expand its existing job-skills program for officers permanently injured in the line of duty.

Objective 2: Enhance the CNP’s physical and psychological rehabilitation and professional training capabilities.

The CNP provides both physical and limited psychological rehabilitation to wounded warriors in the line of duty through its main hospital in Bogota and several regional clinics. However, full rehabilitation services are only available in Bogota, making it more difficult for wounded warriors from rural communities to receive the same standard of care or requiring them and their families to travel to Bogota. The CNP has established low-cost residences in Bogota and other major cities for families of victims, but some rehabilitation centers lack these facilities. In addition, psychological support and professional development opportunities for victims are quite limited.

Activity 1: Conduct a needs assessment of the CNP’s regional rehabilitation centers and provide recommendations to improve the quality of care. This activity would include support for purchasing additional medical equipment, providing training, small infrastructure projects to improve accessibility, provision of psychological care or trauma counselors, etc.

Activity 2: Conduct a needs assessment of the Dirección de Sanidad and/or Dirección de

Bienestar’s psychological and professional support programs and identify ways to strengthen and expand psychological and professional support.

Objective 3: In conjunction with the rehabilitation programs discussed in Objective 2, build a durable partnership between the CNP and other organizations to support the rehabilitation of officers permanently injured in the line of duty and raise public awareness of their sacrifice through facilitating their participation in sports, arts, and other activities, with a focus on those wounded in INL-supported eradication, interdiction, and rural security operations.

Many wounded warriors’ physical, professional, and psychological rehabilitation is enhanced by participation in Paralympic sports activities. INL-Bogota has partnered with Achilles

International to provide officers permanently injured in the line of duty with the equipment

(hand-cycles), training, and logistical support to participate in international races and with La

Ruta Colombia and/or United for Colombia for local races. These events improve the rehabilitation process of the Colombian police in pursuit of a safer Colombia and United States.

Activity 1: Provide financial and logistical support for a program with CNP that enables wounded warriors to participate in sport events, provides specialized equipment for Paralympic events, and organizes Paralympic sport camps to develop and strengthen relationships between

CNP officers permanently injured in the line of duty and other Paralympic athletes as a strategy of collaborative integral rehabilitation.

Activity 2: Provide financial and logistical support for a program with CNP that enables wounded warriors to participate in arts, music, photography, journalism, or other such activities as a strategy of collaborative integral rehabilitation.

Objective 4: Build public confidence in the CNP through support for social inclusion activities with civilians in rural and conflict-affected areas.

Building public trust in the police in rural communities that have historically lacked state presence is a key component of INL Bogota’s rural security strategy and is critical to sustaining

U.S. and Colombian counternarcotic goals. INL Bogota has for many years supported the

Colombian police to conduct prosthesis donation brigades in rural areas with large numbers of civilian landmine victims, working closely with non-profit foundations. Such activities not only allow CNP wounded warriors to engage in community service and connect with other survivors, but these public campaigns are an excellent opportunity for the police to carry out community engagement and build confidence with rural communities.

Activity 1: Work with the CNP to organize at least three “donation brigades” per year in which police officers permanently injured in the line of duty and active duty police provide prosthetics and/or mobility aids to civilian survivors in targeted rural communities.

CROSS-CUTTING AND ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

1. Communication and De-conflicting with INL: The program will be run as a cooperative agreement with significant input from INL Bogota and will de-conflict all activities with existing programs.

2. CNP Ownership: The selected awardee must work closely with the CNP to design and institutionalize the program in accordance with relevant Colombian laws, policies, etc. This should be accounted for in all submissions.

3. Utilize Local Resources and Expertise: The grantee is encouraged to elaborate on abilities and experiences working with the Colombian National Police, populations with disabilities, and community groups and organizations with whom the CNP has developed relationships.

TARGET POPULATION

Applicants should identify target audiences, specific demographics, and the region(s) in which the project will be implemented. It is particularly important to specify the approximate number of beneficiaries to be directly and indirectly impacted by project activities. Target population must be determined in conjunction with CNP and must be extensive to Army and Navy personnel injured in eradication and counter-narcotics operations

DESIRED RESULTS AND ILLUSTRATIVE INDICATORS

By the end of the first two years of the project, the selected applicant is expected to increase employment opportunities for officers permanently injured in the line of duty; improve access to and quality of medical and psychological care; support their participation in local and international sporting activities; build public confidence in the police through wounded warriors’ outreach to survivors; and strengthen the CNP institutions charged with.

The recipient will develop a project-level Performance Monitoring plan (PMP) with annual and end-of- project targets and results anticipated for key performance indicators. The following table shows indicators that will be measured, upon which the recipient will be responsible for monitoring and reporting during and after the project. In addition, INL Bogota will regularly monitor the project’s performance to assess whether project activities are on track and targets are being achieved.

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 based on the expected overall project results described above.

Outcome Indicators

An increased number of wounded warriors pursue education or vocational training with

CNP/program assistance.

Wounded warriors have improved access to medical, rehabilitation, and psychological care from the CNP.

Wounded warriors report improved physical and mental health as a result of participation in

Paralympic sports and other cultural activities.

Percent of community members from communities that received a CNP donation brigade who report increased confidence in the police (measured by baseline and at end of grant)

Output indicators and illustrative targets 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 based on the expected overall project results described above.

Output Indicators

Number of regional rehabilitation centers that receive increased funding, equipment, or training to improve services.

Number of wounded warriors who report improved access to medical, rehabilitation, and psychosocial care from the CNP.

Number of wounded warriors accepted into university or vocational school as a result of

CNP transition assistance program.

Number of wounded warriors gainfully employed two years after their accident.

Number of wounded warriors participating in sports and other cultural social inclusion activities.

Number of communities and individuals who have received donation brigades from the

CNP.

The recipient may propose additional outputs, indicators, and/or targets as appropriate. 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. Examples of such terms are “capacity”, “spread effect”, etc. Baseline information will be critical for both monitoring and evaluation of project progress and results.

[END OF SECTION I]

SECTION II – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

INL expects to award one cooperative agreement based on this NOFO, in an amount not to exceed the total ceiling amount noted on page 1. The anticipated total federal funding amount is

$2,000,000. The period of performance is two (2) year(s) with an anticipated start date of January

2021. INL may extend the award up to three (3) additional years contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approval, and funding availability.

The U.S. government will issue award(s) to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s), conforms to this NOFO, and is the most responsive to the objectives and criteria set forth in this

NOFO. The U.S. government may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application, (d) accept alternate applications, and/or (e) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

The U.S. government may make an award on the basis of the initial application received, without discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. The U.S. government reserves the right (but is not under obligation to do so) to enter into discussions with one or more applicant(s) to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the program description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

Applicants please be advised that the following will be required if your organization is selected for this announcement.

State Department Leahy Amendment Vetting Requirements:

Funds provided under this award are 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.

In signing this agreement, the Recipient agrees 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 following 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:

Information needed: Full name, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, gender, rank, title, and organizational affiliation. Please also include the activity and date that the activity will take place—if the person will participate throughout an extended program, please note the timeframe. Participant information should be submitted in the format attached.

Information required for “security forces” personnel: The above information is needed for each member of a foreign police or military unit (security forces, broadly defined) who will participate in any activity under this award. This includes both civilian and military employees of security forces participating in any activities funded under this award, including training, workshops or meetings, conferences, or other activities.

The Recipient must collaborate with the relevant U.S. Embassy on a case-by-case basis to determine if the Leahy requirement applies to specific activities or proposed participants.

Individuals who are not members of the security forces but who participate in activities under the award (e.g., politicians, academics, etc.) generally do not need to be vetted.

Submission Deadline: Each candidate must be cleared under Leahy vetting in advance of participation in activities funded under this award. The vetting process typically takes approximately one month, but may take longer if there are a large number of candidates or if issues arise. Thus, all information on proposed candidates must be received by the Embassy at least sixty (60) days in advance of the training event or other activity.

The Recipient agrees that it will not include any security forces candidate in training or other activities funded under this award until the State Department advises that the candidate has cleared Leahy vetting and is approved for participation.

[END OF SECTION II]

SECTION III – ELIGIBLITY INFORMATION

(1) Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to:

Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants and meet one of the following organization types:

o U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

o U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code;

o foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); or o foreign educational institutions, AND

Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Colombia, if required by the country of project implementation.

Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education, civil society engagement, social inclusion and/or capacity building programs, preferably in

Colombia or Latin America; applicant must demonstrate experience with disability population. 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 materials, conduct evaluations, and interact with project beneficiaries in Spanish and English. 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.

Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.

Please note: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.

To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, 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 of 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.

(2) INL encourages applications from potential new partners.

[END OF SECTION III]

SECTION IV – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

INL urges prospective applicants to immediately confirm their organization’s Unique Entity Identifier

Number (formerly Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number) as well as a current Central Contractor

Registration via www.SAM.gov.

All organizations must also continue to maintain active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times during which they have an active Federal award or application under consideration by a

Federal award agency. SAM.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. If an applicant has not fully complied with the http://www.sam.gov/ requirements at the time of application, INL may determine that the applicant is unqualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

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

Important Note:

Organizations physically located OUTSIDE of the U.S. and territories and wishing to conduct business

(contracts/grants) with the U.S. Government, must FIRST request a NCAGE Code, followed by a

DUNS Number and then complete the registration process in SAM.gov.

U.S. based Organizations, wishing to conduct business (contracts/grants) with the U.S. Government to include Foreign Government, please proceed directly to SAM.gov. A U.S. CAGE Code will be assigned at the end of the SAM.gov Registration process.

CAGE/NCAGE Registration

For US-based organizations, a CAGE code will automatically be assigned to your entity once you submit your entity’s registration in SAM.gov and the TIN validation has been returned.

NCAGE Codes are required for all foreign entities prior to starting a SAM registration. PLEASE

NOTE: The organization’s name, address, and email information must match what you used to request your Unique Entity Identifier (DUNS Number) Please ensure that alphabets, numerical characters, symbols, etc. and spacing is the same in both systems during the registration process..

Otherwise, you will receive error messages when applying for the NCAGE code. Organizations can submit a request for an NCAGE Code using the NCAGE Request Tool at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAG

E.pdf. Detailed instructions are posted at that site. For additional information, please call 1-269-

961-4623 or send an email message to NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil.

NCAGE registrations for overseas organizations can take up to 10 days (or more) to finalize once a request has been received. Please plan accordingly.

Unique Entity Identifier (DUNS Number)

All applicant organizations (foreign and domestic) must obtain a DUNS number. US-based organizations may request a DUNS number by calling 1-866-705-5711 or email:

SAMHelp@dnb.com; the DUNS number is usually provided immediately.

Foreign organizations that do not have a Unique Entity Identifier (DUNS number) will need to go to the Dun & Bradstreet website at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/CCRSearch.do?val=1 to start the process for obtaining a DUNS number. If further assistance is required, please email:

SAMHelp@dnb.com. NOTE: The organization’s name, address, and email information used to request the NCAGE Code must match what is used to request your Unique Entity Identifier (DUNS 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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/CCRSearch.do?val=1 mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com

Number). Please ensure that alphabets, numerical characters, symbols, etc. and spacing is the same in both systems during the registration process.

SAM.gov Registration

SAM.gov registration is required of all INL applicants prior to registering with www.grants.gov. If your organization was previously registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR), you must still create a new Individual User Account in SAM.gov prior to receiving a future federal grant.

Applicant organizations can obtain assistance for SAM.gov registration by using the following link:

https://www.fsd.gov or by calling 1-866-606-8220 (U.S. calls)/or 1-324-206-7828 (international calls). PLEASE NOTE: The organization’s name, address, and email information used to request your organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (DUNS number) and the NCAGE Code must match what is used to request the SAM.gov validation Please ensure that alphabets, numerical characters, symbols, and spacing is the same in both systems during the registration process. Otherwise, you will receive error messages when registering in SAM.gov.

For U.S.-based organizations that already have a TIN (taxpayer identification number), your SAM registration should take approximately 3-5 business days to process. For U.S.-based organizations applying for an EIN (employer identification number), please allow up to 2 weeks.

Foreign organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier number and an NCAGE code prior to completing the SAM.gov registration process. Please follow the above listed instructions to obtain each.

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) 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.” 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 ineligible entities are excluded from their applications.

All organizations must also continue to maintain active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times during which they have an active Federal award or application under consideration by a Federal award agency. SAM.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements at the time of application, INL may determine that the applicant is unqualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Please note: If your organization is registered with SAM.gov and your status is NOT listed as

ACTIVE, you will need to update your registration prior to submitting an application through www.grants.gov. SAM.gov requires ALL organizations (foreign and domestic) to register on an

ANNUAL basis.

In October 2017, new information was added to the www.SAM.gov website to help international registrations, including “Quick Start Guide for International Registrations” and “Helpful Hints”.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.fsd.gov/

Navigate to SAM.gov, click HELP in the top navigation bar, then click International Registrants in the left navigation panel.

Grants.gov Registration

To apply for a grant, your organization must complete the Grants.gov registration process. The registration process can take 10 business days or longer, even if all registration steps are completed in a timely manner.

Please log into http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html to obtain complete instructions on the registration process.

Foreign Registrants: Anyone residing and doing business outside of the United States is still required to complete the five steps of the Grants.gov registration process, in addition to fulfilling supplementary requirements for doing business with the United States government. Please ensure that you have obtained an NCAGE code, a UEI number (also referred to as DUNS number), and an

“ACTIVE” status in SAM.gov prior to registering in Grants.gov.

Grants.gov Applications

Please refer to the Grants.gov website for definitions of various "application statuses" and the difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation. Applicants will receive a validation e-mail from Grants.gov upon the successful submission of an application. Validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can take up to two business days.

Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered unless the INL point of contact listed in the

NOFO is contacted prior to the deadline and is provided with evidence of a system error caused by

Grants.gov that is outside of the applicant’s control and is the sole reason for a late submission.

Applicants should not expect a separate notification from INL upon receiving their application.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that it has an active registration in Grants.gov.

Applicants are required to document that the application has been received by Grants.gov in its entirety. INL bears no responsibility for disqualification that result from applicants not being registered before the due date, for system errors in Grants.gov, or other errors in the application process.

TECHNICAL FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

For all application documents, please ensure:

A. All pages are numbered, including budgets and attachments, B. All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

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

TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Technically eligible applications are those that:

Arrive electronically via Grants.gov by the designated due date and time noted in the NOFO.

If reasonable accommodations are granted for persons with disabilities or for security reasons, applications must still be received by INL by the designated due date and time noted in the NOFO;

Are in English and all costs are in U.S. dollars. If an original document within the application is in another language, an English translation must be provided. If any document is provided in both English and a foreign language, the English language version is the controlling version. (Please note: the Department of State, as indicated in 2 CFR 200.111, requires that English is the official language of all award documents);

Heed all instructions contained in the NOFO, including length and completeness of application, including all required documents; and

Do not violate any of the guidelines stated in the NOFO.

It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all of the documents submitted in the grant application package are complete, accurate, and current. INL strongly encourages all applicants, especially foreign or first-time applicants, to submit applications before the designated due date to ensure that the application has been received and is complete.

APPLICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must include all the following items:

1. Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424A, as well as SF-424B if applicable

• Submitted via www.grants.gov

Please see Tab D for instructions for completion of Standard Forms 424, 424A, and

424B.

The SF-424B is required only for those applicants who have not registered in SAM.gov or recertified their registration in SAM.gov since February 2, 2019.

2. Proof of business registration in Colombia

• Applicants must submit proof of active or pending renewal of business registration in

Colombia. Any document that can demonstrate business registration is acceptable.

3. Proposal Narrative

• The Proposal Narrative (approx. 12-16 pages) should:

i. Fully explain the project’s goals, objectives, and activities. Objectives should be ambitious, yet measureable, results-focused, and achievable in a reasonable time frame. Applicant should explain the project’s significance or contribution to the

INL mandate specified in the NOFO.

ii. Activities should be clearly developed and detailed. Narrative should articulate how the proposed activities contribute to objectives and overall project goal.

iii. Outline the applicant’s organizational capacity to implement the proposed project,

iv. Outline in detail the project approach, sustainability, potential impact, and complementarity to ongoing efforts.

v. Identify target areas for activities, identify target participant groups or selection criteria for participants, address how the project will engage relevant stakeholders, and identify local partners as appropriate, among other pertinent details. If partners are included, the narrative should clearly describe the division of labor between the direct applicant and partners.

vi. Expand upon the risk analysis to provide greater context, operational or programmatic security concerns, and a contingency plan for overcoming potential difficulties in executing the original work plan.

• Must also include the following components (approx. 4-5 pages):

i. Cover page that includes the following information:

1. Applicant organization name

2. Project title

3. Contact information for applicant organization’s main point of contact

4. Project length (estimated months or dates)

5. Total requested funding amount in U.S. Dollars

ii. Table of Contents

1. Should list all sections and attachments with page numbers

iii. Executive Summary

1. Not to exceed two (2) pages

2. Summary should include a brief statement of work or synopsis of the project, including a concise breakdown of the project’s goals, objectives, and results

3. Summary should include a brief statement on the project’s innovativeness, sustainability, and impact.

• Not to exceed twenty (20) total pages.

4. Summary and Detailed Line-Item Budget

• In spreadsheet; includes the following columns: amount requested from INL, cost sharing contributions (if any), and total budget.

• Applicants must submit a budget summary using the OMB-approved budget categories

(see SF-424-A as a sample). Costs must be in U.S. dollars.

• A sample template is provided as an attachment under the announcement via www.grants.gov.

5. Budget Narrative

• Includes an explanation and justification for each line item listed in the detailed budget spreadsheet, as well as the source and a description of all cost-share offered.

• The budget narrative should communicate to INL any information that might not be readily apparent in the budget rather than simply repeating with words what is stated numerically in the budget.

• For ease of review, INL recommends applicants order the budget narrative as presented in the detailed budget.

• Personnel costs should include a clarification of the roles and responsibilities of key staff and percentage of time devoted to the project.

• Applicants that have other USG-funded projects must confirm that the total time devoted by personnel assigned to more than one project does not exceed 100%.

• A sample template is provided as an attachment under the announcement via

6. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

• See TAB B below for more information on this section

• Sample templates provided as attachments under the announcement via

7. Activity Map

Delineates goals, objectives, activities, and indicators.

A sample template is provided as an attachment under this announcement via www.grants.gov.

Note: INL will work with the selected applicant(s) to further refine this document prior to award issuance.

8. Timeline of the overall proposal

• Components should include activities, evaluation efforts, and program closeout

9. Program Risk Analysis

• Provides the required risk analysis information as noted in TAB B of this NOFO

• Sample template is provided as an attachment under the announcement via

10. Roles and responsibilities of key program personnel

• Includes short bios that highlight relevant professional experience that relates to the organization’s capacity. Given the limited space, CVs are not recommended for submission.

11. A list of previous and/or current U.S. federal assistance awards received

• Includes 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.

12. INL Pre Award/Grantee Annual Survey

• Provide responses in the template provided by INL that reviews the organization’s financial capacity and infrastructure.

• Sample template is provided as an attachment under the announcement via

13. A copy the applicant organization’s most recent audit, if applicable

• Required per 2 CFR 200.500 – Subpart F).

• If an audit cannot be provided, an explanation must be submitted with the application.

14. NICRA, if applicable

• If the applicant organization has a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) and will include NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA must be included as a

PDF file. This document will not be reviewed by the panelists, but rather used by program and grant staff if the submission is recommended for funding, and therefore does not count against the submission page limitations, as described above.

• If a proposal includes subgrants to organizations charging indirect costs, please submit the applicable NICRA(s).

• See “Indirect Cost Rate” below for more information on indirect cost rates

• If the applicant organization does not have a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement

(NICRA) please specify if the organization elects to charge the de Minimis rate of 10% of the Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward in excess of

$25,000.” The de Minimis rate must be included in the detailed budget and an explanation must be provided in the budget narrative.

15. Attachments (optional)

• Not to exceed five (5) pages total, preferably in Microsoft Word, which may include:

further timeline information, letters of support, memoranda of understanding

(MOU)/agreement, etc.

i. For applicants with a large number of letters/MOUs, it may be useful to provide a…