Q&A_for INL24CA0068-ROL-CriminalDefense-05152024.pdf

Questions and Answers Strengthening Rule of Law and Criminal Defense Services in Georgia

INL24CA0068-ROL-CriminalDefense-05152024

Question 1:

Can INL please clarify the maximum page limits for the Proposal Narrative? Section D of the NOFO limits applicants to a maximum 5 pages that is inclusive of the required Cover Page, Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Project Context, Theory of Change and Implementation Plan, Gender, Equity, and Inclusion Analysis, Description of Prior Work, Future Funding Sustainability.

We note that it will be difficult for applicants to provide a meaningful narrative that addresses all 7 required sections within 5 pages. Would INL consider allowing applicants a 15-page maximum for the “Proposal Narrative” section of the proposal?

INL Response:

The maximum number of pages (15) for the proposal narrative will be considered acceptable for INL.

Question 2:

1. Section C of the NOFO requires that “Applicants must have the ability to establish a full-time in-country presence with at least one U.S. licensed attorney who possesses a minimum of fifteen years legal experience that includes at least five years criminal defense. Preferred qualifications include civil law criminal system and programming experience.”

a. Can INL please provide clarification about their expectations about the role and duration of US licensed attorneys under this program?

b. Can INL please clarify the expected level of effort the US licensed attorney(s) are expected to provide over the life of the program? We note that it would likely not be feasible for an applicant to pay the necessary salary and allowances for a full-time US licensed attorney for the duration of this award with these qualifications within the total funding parameters provided by this NOFO.

c. Alternatively, can applicants propose providing expertise from US licensed attorneys with these qualifications through a combination of paid short-term technical advisors and pro bono experts?

d. Would INL consider a hybrid approach where US attorney(s) provide a mix of in-person time and virtual time?

INL Response:

The NOFO clearly states “Applicants must have the ability to establish a full-time in-country presence with at least one U.S. licensed attorney…. “, however, it will be up to the applicant to decide and design the project proposal so that it best response to the need of GBA and LAS.

Question 3:

Can INL confirm that providing direct assistance to Legal Aid Services of Georgia is exempt from Secretary Blinken’s July 31, 2024 announcement that the United States would be pausing assistance that directly benefits the Government of Georgia?

INL Response:

Yes, we confirm that LAS is exempt from Secretary Blinken’s July 31, 2024 announcement that the United States would be pausing assistance that directly benefits the Government of Georgia.

Question 4:

Page 10, Eligibility Information. Could you please clarify what is meant by “Applicants must have the ability to establish a full-time in-country presence with at least one U.S. licensed attorney...”. Does the licensed U.S. attorney need to be the person in country-full time; or can the full-time presence include a partner who is full-time in Georgia (but not U.S. licensed) and a U.S. licensed attorney who collaborates and spends some time (but not full time) in Georgia?

INL Response:

Please see response for question 2

Questions 5:

Does the proposed project need to address all the five goals, and their associated objectives and activities laid out in the NOFO, or can it focus on one of the goals and its associated objectives and activities?

INL Response:

The proposed project needs to address all the five goals, and their associated objectives and activities.

Question 6:

Page 12, Proposal Narrative. Is it acceptable that the cover page, table of contents, and executive summary are excluded from the 5-page maximum for the proposal narrative?

INL Response:

Please see response for question 1

Question 7:

Page 16, Document Formatting. Is it acceptable that graphics included in the response be less than Calibri 12-point font if the text is legible?

INL Response:

Recommended font size is a standardized size to be legible on all devices. INL is not responsible for illegible text if font is different from the recommendation.

Question 8:

On p.12 of the NOFO, the Proposal Narrative maximum length is identified as 5 pages. We assume this is a typo; can INL clarify the page limit?

Please see response for question 1

Question 9:

In the Eligibility Information section, it is noted that applicants “must have the ability to establish a full-time in-country presence with at least one U.S. licensed attorney.” Are applicants who possess that ability free to propose alternative approaches other than having a U.S. licensed attorney physically present in Georgia for two years?

INL Response:

Please see response for question 2

Question 10:

The NOFO references the procurement of software, hardware, electronic devices and vehicles by the implementer. Does INL have plug figures for these procurements?

INL Response:

No, INL does not have plug figures or range for these procurements.

Question 11:

Does INL contemplate a minimum or maximum number of U.S. study visits, and a minimum or maximum number of Georgian participants on those visits?

INL Response:

It will be up to the applicant to decide and design the project proposal so that it best response to the need of GBA and LAS.

Question 12:

On page 12 of the above-mentioned NOFO for the Criminal Defense in Georgia, the Proposal Narrative is mentioned as a maximum of 5 pages. This is significantly lower than we have seen on recent INL NOFOs, so we wanted to confirm the number of pages for the Proposal Narrative for this project.

Please see response for question 1