Qs and As SFOP0009311.pdf

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

Announcement Type: Open Competition Cooperative Agreement Funding Opportunity Title: Counter-IED work at the Tanzania – Mozambique Border Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0009311 NOFO Qs & As

Q1. Student access. Will ECC provide support / liaison to help with access to the security force personnel that will benefit from the training courses, mentoring and other CIED capacity building activities?

A1. EXBS will facilitate initial introductions where they already exist; however, implementers should look to expand their network independent of EXBS as the project evolves.

Q2. Has this access been agreed in principle with beneficiary organisations?

A2. Some access has been established. EXBS will facilitate initial introductions where they already exist; however, implementers should look to facilitate expansion of this access independent of EXBS as the project evolves.

Q3. Specialist C-IED Equipment. Will the grantee be expected to purchase, import, customs clear and transfer any specialist C-IED equipment (PPE, firing cables, detectors, EOD bags, forensic kits etc), or will the project be conducted with equipment that beneficiary organisations already process / own?

A3. The Grantee should expect to source all equipment required to conduct the requested trainings and exercises in consultation with ECC/ISN and Grants Officer.

Q4. Training Venues. Will the security force organisations provide any facilities to conduct training? Specifically, explosive demolition ranges, classrooms, and outside real estate?

A4. Our host nation organizations have established, specialized training venues suitable for these activities.

Q5. Can ECC/ISN share the names of existing organizations that are implementing projects on behalf of ISN in East Africa?

A5. ECC/ISN is unable to name existing implementers.

Q6. If justified, would ECC welcome proposals budgeted to have 1x senior liaison representative on the ground? Taking the other requirements into account and the potential need to purchase equipment, this may exceed the planned budget outlined in the NOFO.

A6. Adjustments to the proposal must fit within stated budgetary constraints. If a liaison visit can be accommodated without neglecting the stated objectives, it can be considered.

Q7. On page 17 of the NOFO, it states “All applications must be submitted by 5:00pm EST on February 28, 2022”. Is the actual deadline for submissions March 4, 2023, as stated in the first page of the NOFO?

A7. It was a typo in Page 17 that incorrectly shows February 28, 2022. The correct deadline for submissions is March 4, 2023.

Q8. What provisions for personnel security are to be expected from the Department of State or host countries?

A8. Grantees should expect to coordinate activities with host nation governments, U.S. Embassies, and other partners, understanding the U.S.

Government bears no responsibility for Grantee safety beyond what is recommended for U.S. citizens traveling abroad. Please consult the U.S.

Department of State security alerts and messages regarding the regions in which you plan to operate prior to travel. See https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for additional information.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

Q9. Does the government have a list of locations/cities where in person training is to take place in both Tanzania and Mozambique, or are training venues to be selected by the Offeror?

A9. Trainings can be held in any area of Mozambique or Tanzania known to experience active or potential infiltration by ISIS or other terrorist organizations but expect to begin in the Cabo Delgado region of northern Mozambique at Tanzania’s southern border.

Q10. Does the government have any requirements or limitations to the Offeror’s training courses regarding the length of the course by the number of days or hours of instruction each day?

A10. Grantees should draft plan specifics with the stated goals and objectives in mind. EXBS will provide guidance and input where possible but there are no predetermined parameters for how that breaks down within the stated period of performance.