Questions and Answers_ Creative Employment Solutions for Afghan Women_Final.pdf

Creative Employment Solutions for Afghan Women

(SCAKAB-24-GR-002-SCA-04222024)

Questions and Answer

• Question: Can you advise if this funding opportunity – Creative Employment Solutions for Afghan Women - might be utilized to work with Afghan women who have resettled in the U.S.?

Answer: The primary objective for this funding opportunity is to support and benefit the

Afghan women residing in Afghanistan.

• Question: I have gone through the criteria explained in Section D and others, but I am not clear about our eligibility: we are a non-profit organization registered in Italy with ongoing programs supporting women and their livelihoods in Afghanistan and, as such, we are wondering whether we could still be considered for this opportunity in case.

Answer: This opportunity is open to all types of applicants except for individuals. Non-profit organizations, including Italian organizations, are eligible to apply for this opportunity.

• Question: Regarding this opportunity one question is how to handle in the budget the withholding tax from staff salaries, rent of cars and houses, services, etc.

Answer: U.S. Mission to Afghanistan cannot provide specific guidance on taxes, however the grantee should ensure that all necessary costs are included in the budget and all the expenses are in compliance with organizational policies, national law, and the U.S. | Office of Foreign Assets Control (treasury.gov).

• Question: The NOFO is clear about a prohibition of support to commercial activities. In the context of the NOFO, how is DOS defining support? For example, can capacity building workshops be offered to private enterprises/small businesses?

Answer: This project is not intended to generate profit for the grantee through activities such as selling or buying goods and services, including property, products, advertising, or any other revenue-generating actions. Instead, the goal is to empower beneficiaries. The project can assist beneficiaries in growing their businesses and increasing their revenue.

Private companies and small businesses are eligible to partner or serve as the prime recipient of the award under this funding opportunity. Workshops and other training for private entities/small businesses are acceptable activities.

• Question: Could you clarify whether the 15-page limit for the proposal includes all sections, such as the methodology, capability statement, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan, financial section, and other components?

https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/topic/8126#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20OFAC%20has%20issued%20Afghanistan%2Drelated%20GL%2020%2C,GTSR)%2C%20the%20Foreign%20Terrorist%20Organizations https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/topic/8126#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20OFAC%20has%20issued%20Afghanistan%2Drelated%20GL%2020%2C,GTSR)%2C%20the%20Foreign%20Terrorist%20Organizations

Answer: Yes, the project design, methodology, outline of the monitoring and evaluation plan, and capability statement included in the proposal narrative will count toward the 15-page limit. However, the PMP, budget narrative, resumes of key personnel, and other annexes should be submitted as attachments and are not included in the 15-page proposal narrative limit.

• Question: Subcontracting: Can we subcontract training solution companies or institutions for this project? If so, are there any specific guidelines or limitations we need to follow regarding subcontracting?

Answer: Yes, subcontracting under this funding opportunity is allowable. This opportunity is open to all types of applicants including private companies or institutions.

• Question - Funding Flexibility: The NOFO suggests that the State Department may consider financial proposals exceeding USD 750,000 under certain circumstances. Can you provide more details on what circumstances would justify a higher budget proposal?

Answer: The total available budget under this NOFO is $750,000. Awards may range from a minimum of $300,000 to a maximum of $750,000. The applicant's total budget should not exceed the total available budget of $750,000 under this NOFO. PDS reserves the right to award less or more funds than described in this NOFO only if additional funds are available.

The allocation of additional funds is at the discretion of the Public Diplomacy Section and aligns with the mission's priorities.

• Question- Business Sectors and Industries: Are there specific business sectors or industries that you prioritize for the training programs and mentorship initiatives?

Answer: The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is open to reviewing project ideas that are innovative, inclusive, and best support the overall project goal. We do not have any specific suggested sectors and defer to the applicants to propose industries and sectors they deem appropriate, along with a justification for the selection.

• Question: Are there specific data collection methods or tools recommended for evaluating the impact of gender-inclusive practices, as outlined in the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan?

Answer: We defer to the applicant to suggest tools and methods appropriate for the applicant to evaluate and capture the impact of gender-inclusive practices. At this time, we do not have a list of recommended tools and methods for data collections.

• Question: Are there specific criteria or guidelines for selecting women entrepreneurs and businesses for participation in the program?

Answer: The criteria for selecting women entrepreneurs and businesses will depend on the type of program proposed. We recommend applicants include a proposed plan for selection of participants, which can be adjusted in the pre-award phase for projects that are selected for funding consideration.

• Question- Are expenses related to an online Learning Management System (LMS) allowable under this NOFO?

Answer: Yes, expenses related to project activities, including the implementation of a learning management system that the applicant can justify as necessary, are allowable under this funding opportunity.

• Question: Could you provide more details on the specific security measures and protocols required for operations in high-risk areas? Are there particular considerations or standards we should adhere to when developing our security plan?

Answer: In your proposal narrative we strongly recommend you address the areas of risk you foresee as challenges to project implementation and how you intend to mitigate those challenges.

• Question: The RFP indicates a performance period of 12 to 18 months. Is there any flexibility in the program duration, and under what circumstances can an extension be requested?

Answer: Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission to Afghanistan anticipate supporting project activities with minimum of 12 months and maximum of 18 months.

• Question: Section C, #4 of the NOFO indicates that “Commercial Projects” will not be supported. Considering the long-term sustainability objectives identified in the NOFA as well as the aim for creative employment arrangements, will USDOS consider proposals that meet these objectives by generating revenues from remote work solutions, which would be used (in part) to fund the project's operations on a sustainable basis?

Answer: This project is not intended to generate profit for the grantee through activities such as selling or buying goods and services, including property, products, advertising, or any other revenue-generating actions. Instead, the goal is to empower beneficiaries. The project can assist beneficiaries in growing their businesses and increasing their revenue.

Private companies and small businesses are eligible to partner or serve as the prime recipient of the award under this funding opportunity.

• Question: Section D, #4d of the NOFO requires submission of “Proof of Non-Profit Status.” Please clarify whether entities other than Non-Profits may qualify for award under this NOFO.

Answer: This opportunity is open to all types of applicants except individuals. Private businesses and for-profit entities are eligible to apply. Applicants claiming non-profit status are required to submit proof of their non-profit status.

• Question: Regarding the eligibility criteria on page 8, it states that this NOFO is open to all types of applicants except for individuals. Can you please confirm that for-profit and private firms are eligible to apply, considering they are not specifically excluded?

Answer: This opportunity is open to all types of applicants except for individuals. Private businesses are eligible to apply for this opportunity.

• Question: On page 9, under the subheading "This opportunity will not support," it mentions that commercial projects are not supported. Can you provide further clarification on the definition of "commercial projects" to ensure that our proposed project aligns with the

NOFO's objectives and restrictions?

Answer: By commercial projects we mean that this project is not intended to generate profit for the grantee through activities such as selling or buying goods and services, including property, products, advertising, or any other revenue-generating actions.

However, this project can assist beneficiaries in growing their businesses and increasing their revenue. Private companies and small businesses are eligible to partner or serve as the prime recipient of the award under this funding opportunity.

• Question: On page 14, under "Proof of Non-profit Status," it specifies the need for documentation to demonstrate the applicant's non-profit status. However, considering the previous questions regarding the eligibility of private firms, can you please confirm once again if this NOFO is indeed open to private firms and, if so, what documentation should be provided instead of non-profit status evidence?

Answer: Applicants claiming non-profit status are required to submit proof of their non-profit status. Private businesses and for-profit entities are eligible to apply.

• Question: Can you advise if this funding opportunity – Creative Employment Solutions for Afghan Women - might be utilized to work with Afghan women who have resettled in the U.S.? The synopsis reads “Activities will primarily take place in Afghanistan” which seems to imply that perhaps employment solutions might also be considered outside of Afghanistan

Answer: The intended objective for this funding opportunity is to support Afghan women inside Afghanistan.

• Question: I am inquiring about the process for registering a new entity from Afghanistan in the NCAGE system as registration in NCAGE is a mandatory prerequisite before SAM.gov registration. Upon attempting to register our organization in the NCAGE system, we encountered an issue where Afghanistan was not listed as an available country for registration. As our organization is based in Afghanistan and we are keen to comply with all necessary regulations and procedures, we seek guidance on the appropriate course of action to proceed with our NCAGE registration.

Answer: As of November 2022, and February 2022 respectively, 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 Commercial and Government Entity

(NCAGE) code or CAGE code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove a CAGE or 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 using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of

Defense. I do not wish to obtain a CAGE or NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

• Question: My firm would like to apply for this opportunity. Do you have a formal bidding process to share with me? We specialize in global sourcing for private and government firms.

Answer: We welcome application from all potential grantees. Please review the notice of funding opportunity announced at Search Results Detail | Grants.gov as well as the website of U.S. Mission to Afghanistan - Grant Opportunities - U.S. Mission to Afghanistan

(usembassy.gov)

Please visit following links for additional information on how to register and submit your application. Grants.gov has a full set of instructions on how to apply for opportunities on its website at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html. Grants.gov provides customer support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and via email at support@grants.gov. For more information visit How to Apply for Grants | Grants.gov https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2Fgsafsd_sp%3Fid%3Dgsafsd_kb_articles%26sys_id%3Dc81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W2ShcazZBQbanYGj0cLOTnUJwv%2BGL4xfwr83%2BycQY2E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2Fgsafsd_sp%3Fid%3Dgsafsd_kb_articles%26sys_id%3Dc81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W2ShcazZBQbanYGj0cLOTnUJwv%2BGL4xfwr83%2BycQY2E%3D&reserved=0 http://www.fsd.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/353677 https://af.usembassy.gov/embassy/grant-opportunities/ https://af.usembassy.gov/embassy/grant-opportunities/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants