Questions and Answers-DFOP0014009-5-27-2024.pdf

Questions and Answers for Countering Wildlife Trafficking and Other Natural Resource Crime in Africa, Asia, and Latin

America, Opportunity Number: DFOP0014009 Date: May 27, 2024

Ques�on 1: Turkmenistan is not included on the list of countries under Goal 13. Would this be considered an omission?

INL Response: Turkmenistan was not included in the original list due to the complexities and limitations working in this country however, INL will consider proposals that include Turkmenistan if a robust justification is provided for its inclusion and that there is a demonstrated level of support from the Government of Turkmenistan such as an MOU or agreement in place with the applicant. Proposals should clearly indicate the need for interventions and demonstrate what robust measurable impacts and outcomes are expected from the inclusion of Turkmenistan.

Question 2: How strict you are on the 4-country limit on Goal 13?

INL Response: The language is not strict on four countries – INL ‘discourages’ proposals which attempt to cover more than four countries because we want to achieve a high level of impact in each target country. Applicants who want to include more than four countries are welcome to, but they must be able to demonstrate how they will achieve a high level of impact in each country.

Question 3: With regard to the India/Nepal funding area, it states “In Nepal, applicants must be local non-government, civil society organizations with an in-country presence”. Can you please clarify if this means only Nepalese civil society organizations can apply? Or is this funding stream also open to international NGOs working with partner organizations in Nepal?

INL Response: Regarding Nepal, INL are seeking applicants which are Nepalese non-government, civil society organizations. Local Nepalese NGOs can choose to partner with international NGOs on a proposal, but the local NGO must be the lead.

Question 4: Objective 16.3 states “…implementing collaborative, sub-regional investigations on IWT.” Does that mean that we could use INL funds to support investigative functions?

INL Response: Activities should be designed to build capacities such as systemic reforms and interagency coordination across borders to enable partner countries to cooperate to achieve specific goals. While INL may support specific investigative functions, it will not support operations.

Question 5: The NOFO states both that “applicants should address only one strategic goal per application but may address one or more objectives” (p.4) and also that “applicants may submit multiple proposals, but each one may only address one objective” (p.25). Could you please clarify if applicants are allowed to address more than one objective per application?

INL Response: Page 4 is correct. Page 25 should say: “applicants may submit multiple proposals, but each one may only address one goal.”

Question 6: Can the funds be used to pay per diem for police officials to conduct an environmental crimes (illegal logging, illegal mining or wildlife crimes) investigation?

INL Response: INL does not fund operational costs. However, INL funds may be used for items that support operations, such as equipment, vehicles, travel costs, and training. INL will not double pay salaries for the police officers but per diem for the police officers is an allowable cost.

Question 7: Under Section D on page 27, the NOFO lists several END Act indicators to report against. Would a project be required to report against all of these even if some are not applicable? Are they indicators to be reported against, as opposed to indicators for which we'd have to set numerical baselines and targets?

INL Response: Applicants are not required to report on any irrelevant END ACT indicators that don’t fit under the scope of the project. For END ACT indicators that are relevant, the applicant is not required to set baseline and targets.

Question 8: I have a new NGO that I am just starting to form, and I have a wealth of experience and a proven strategy to make considerable progress on several of the goals listed within this Notice of Funding Opportunity DFOP0014009. Am I eligible to apply for a grant?

INL Response: In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (also known as UEI), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. An organization must also be one of the following:

• U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

• U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the US 115 of the U.S. tax code;

• Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

• Foreign-based educational institutions

Question 9: Does the NGO need to have 501(c)(3) status in order to be eligible to receive an award, or does the NGO only need a unique entity identifier (UEI), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov?

INL Response: In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (also known as UEI), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. An organization must also be one of the following:

• U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

http://www.sam.gov/

• U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the US 115 of the U.S. tax code;

Question 10: Could you help to clarify which countries fall under the INL definition of Latin America? CI’s team in Suriname is interested in the call but Suriname does not fall under all definitions of Latin America.

INL Response: You may include Suriname.

Question 11: For the purpose of our proposal can we change “PARK” in Goal 3 and “PARK LEVEL’ in Objective 3.1 to “Other Relevant” as written in the introductory paragraph?

INL Response: The applicants must work within the parameters of the stated objectives.

However, applicants are free to propose activities that support other enforcement agencies that may fall outside of protected areas, as necessary under the project goal.

Question 12: In the CWT NOFO we read, "In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (also known as UEI), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov." Does this apply for the lead organizations submitting the proposals, or for co-applicants as well?

INL Response: All organization are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) prior to receiving an award. For SAM.gov registrations, the prime applicant is required to have a SAM.gov registration but sub-recipients are not required to have a SAM.gov registration.

Question 13: Is it feasible to provide equipment’s (e.g. camera trap) as a part of continuing our monitoring program within our core species populations areas or to quantify the levels of different types of illegal human activities in protected area; spatio-temporal variation in illegal human activities; to identify perpetrators.

INL Response: It is feasible to provide camera traps for all noted purposes.

Question 14: Is it feasible to have an operational cost for patrol could be supplied or funded through INL 2024?

INL Response: INL does not fund operational costs. However, INL funds may be used for items that support operations, such as equipment, vehicles, travel costs, patrol rations, supplies, and training.

Question 15: Would it be possible for this INL 2024 proposal to have a co-funding with US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for Rhino Tiger Conservation Fund (RCTF) scheme (NOFO on July 2024)?

INL Response: You may pursue complementary objectives and funding under another agency.

However, this would be a separate agreement from the INL proposal. Other funds provided or anticipated from the U.S. government should be well identified in your proposal, and cannot be calculated as cost share.

Question 16: Does a foreign NGO need a 501(c)(3) in order to apply?

INL Response: Foreign NGOs do not require a 501(c)(3) - that's an IRS designation for US-based orgs.

Question 17: We are a special district government and are registered on Grants.Gov.

Additionally, the fundraising arm of the organization, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Would we be eligible to apply for this opportunity using our current registration on Grants.gov?

INL Response: U.S. State Government entities are not listed as a qualified applicant type in the NOFO, therefore, we cannot accept applications from U.S. government entities.

Question 18: One section states that it could be for a period of no more than five years but then in the initial section it mentions only two years. Which is correct?

INL Response: The initial project implementation length is the amount of time (e.g., months) applicants should plan to implement the project. Which is 24 months, unless otherwise specified.

Applicants should propose a realistic project length within that range. INL may extend the project implementation period, contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approvals, and funding availability. INL projects shall not exceed five (5) total years of project implementation.

Question 19: Goal 14 on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade, notes an award floor of USD500k and ceiling of USD 2 million, with an anticipated 2-4 awards. Can an individual submission reach the ceiling of USD 2 million, or should it be lower?

INL Response: An individual organization may apply for a grant up to the $2 million ceiling. 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).

Question 20: We are a membership based International Organization with country offices in India and Nepal. The document states “To be considered for awards under this goal, applicants from India must be FCRA registered, non-government organizations. In Nepal, applicants must be local non-government, civil society organizations with an in-country presence.” We are not FCRA registered but are considered a FCRA exempt source of funding in India. We are not registered as a Trust or Society in India. We can potentially apply from our side or even from the Asia Regional Office located in Bangkok. Please do let us know if we are eligible to apply from the country programs or from the Asia Regional Office.

INL Response: Please note, this requirement applies to Goal 12 ‘India/Nepal’ only and not to other Goals under this solicitation.

INL is seeking proposals from organizations who are FCRA registered, non-government organizations in India, and from local non-government, civil society organizations with an in-country presence in Nepal. If your organization does not meet these requirements, you should reconsider applying for funding under Goal 12.

Question 21: Can funds be split between two institutions: onxww.SAM.gov. All proposed sub-grantees are required to have a Unique Entity Number (UEI), regardless of the proposed budget amount, prior to receiving funding. An active SAM.gov registration is not required for sub-grantees.

Organizations must also be one of the following:

• U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

• U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the US 115 of the U.S. tax code;

Question 22: We will not be able to complete our 501(c)(3) status in the US in time for this deadline of June 24th, 2024. If we are able to officially start the formation process prior to the submission deadline, can we apply for this grant?

INL Response: An active 501-C3 status must be active prior to submitting an application to this funding opportunity.

Question 23: Is a University in Turkey an eligible recipient for this fund?

INL Response: Foreign-based educational institutions are eligible. In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (also known as UEI), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.

Question 24: Does the NGO have to have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS on the date the application is submitted on June 24, 2024, or does the NGO have to have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS on the date the grants will be awarded in October 2024?

INL Response: An active 501(c)(3) status must be active prior to submitting an application to this funding opportunity.

Question 25: Regarding Goal 8: To reduce the ability of criminal groups to carry out and profit from illegal logging and trafficking of timber in West and Central Africa - is it possible to include Nigeria, Co-Chair of the WAN Steering Committee, within the list of target countries?

INL Response: Applicants may include other West/Central African countries as long as at least one of the target countries is included in the application.

Question 26: Regarding #14 illegal logging and associated trade in Southeast Asia, are there any restrictions to providing funding to government funded rangers under this award?

INL Response: INL cannot provide payment in the form of a consultant fee or honorarium to host government officials. Host government officials are salaried employees; therefore, they should not receive consultant fees, honorarium payments, or salaries in additional to their current salary. Even if the work is performed during the weekend or if the work is not related to their daily duties as an employee, INL should not provide payment to host government officials. INL can only cover airline tickets, lodging, and per diem for host government officials in support of program activities.

Question 27: The NOFO asks a question about previous grants of various types, which appears to pertain to the University as a whole. That is a massive number. Is that really what you are asking or do you want to know about previous grants of various types received by our Center?

INL Response: INL must assess each potential applicant for organizational risks related to the financial and programmatic management of a federal assistance project. It is helpful to know of a history of Awards. To accurately display your history, you could provide a list of awards your specific center, office, branch, or team has worked on.

Question 28: Parrots can be released to the wild more easily than many other traded live animals; however, due to physical trauma during capture, they generally need rehabilitation. Can the cost of the logistics and infrastructure involved in rehabilitation and release be included in this “Countering wildlife trafficking …” application?

INL Response: The legitimacy of costs are dependent on how they support activities to achieve the stated goal. In some cases, rehabilitation costs may be supported with appropriate justification. The applicant should adequately describe the necessity of all proposed costs.

Question 29: Is a single organization allowed to serve as a subgrantee on more than one application for the same goal?

INL Response: Yes.

Question 30: Is a single organization allowed to serve as a Prime on one goal of the application and also serve as a subgrantee on a different application for the same goal?

INL Response: Yes.

Question 31: Are applicants required to provide a Glossary/Acronym list?

INL Response: No, however this can be useful. It may be provided as a separate document or addendum.

Question 32: Is the Glossary/Acronym list excluded from page count?

INL Response: This is not a requirement and may be provided as a separate document or addendum.

Question 33: Would INL allow the use of Arial Narrow 10 pt font for tables?

INL Response: Yes.

Question 34: Would INL allow the use of 9 pt font for graphics/figures?

INL Response: Yes.

Question 35: The document formatting requirements require that all documents are in English and budgets are in U.S. dollars. Is it permissible for the official audit that is in English, but consists the local non-U.S. currency of that country?

INL Response: The Audit may be in non-U.S. currency but must be translated to English.

Question 36: Can you please provide the requirements and components for the Social Safeguards Plan?

INL Response: The proposal must clearly articulate an understanding of how the work outlined in the proposal may negatively impact local communities (including human rights considerations), if relevant. Applicants must provide a detailed social safeguards plan within their risk analysis that clearly outlines the social risks and measures applicants will put in place to mitigate those risks. It is incumbent upon the applicant to write a social safeguards plan tailored to their organization and proposed program. Depending on the type of project components, social safeguards plans can include but are not limited to: redress mechanisms, impact assessments, human rights training, ranger monitoring, community engagement programs, the establishment and enforcement of SOPs on rules of engagement, established ethics and codes of conduct for rangers and support staff, and policies around Free and Prior Consent.

Question 37: Does the award also cover expenses made outside the focal countries?

INL Response: Yes. All costs must be allowable, allocable, reasonable, necessary, and consistent with OMB guidelines. There are unallowable costs and costs requiring specific approvals.

However, it is acceptable and understood that not every cost will take place in a country of focus for the objectives.

Question 38: For Goal 15, would INL prefer applications that are regional or would a proposal for activities in one country in Latin America be equally competitive?

INL Response: Regional and country specific proposals will be evaluated on their individual merit without a preference, in-line with the evaluation criteria on page 21 of the NOFO.

Question 39: Would it be possible to apply for a 36 month grant rather than a 24-month grant, even though the Zimbabwe component is not specifically listed as having a longer timeframe?

INL Response: Applicants should abide by the specifications described in the funding opportunity.

Question 40: Can firearms and ammunition be purchased with INL funds (providing all national laws and requirements are followed)?

INL Response: Firearms and ammunition are unallowable costs. Please refer to the full list of unallowable costs under U.S. federal assistance awards outlined in 2 CFR §200.

Question 41: Could INL please confirm if it prefers proposals that are a fraction of the goal ceiling as opposed to the full ceiling? On Goal 13, for instance, with 1-4 awards anticipated from a pool of $2,500,000, would a regional proposal for $1,000,000 or $1,500,000 be more competitive than a proposal for the full $2,500,000 ceiling?

INL Response: Applicants are encouraged to request funding dependent on the available budget required to fulfill the activities needed to address each goal. Unless specifically stated, there is no preference for proposals at one value amount over another. Proposals are not compared against one another: they are evaluated only against the criteria included in the funding opportunity.

Question 42: For Goal 2, there are an anticipated 1-6 awards with an award floor of $300,000 and a ceiling of $1,000,000. Recognizing this floor may only allow for up to 3 awards, could INL please clarify how many awards are preferred under this Goal?

INL Response: The number of potential awards indicated in the funding opportunity is an estimate. Dependent on available funding, it is possible that more or less awards may be issued under each goal. 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).

Question 44: Page 22 of the NOFO notes that applicants “must allocate a portion of their budget to monitoring and evaluation of program activities and outcomes (this must be reflected as a line item in the detailed budget).” If the costs associated with M&E activities are comprised of staff time and travel, should they still be included as a separate line item? Or should they be incorporated into the staff and travel lines with an explanation in the budget narrative?

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INL Response: Applicants should utilize more than one line if multiple lines of effort will be used for monitoring and evaluation.

Question 45: Would an individual with extensive experience working on similar environmental projects for US federal agencies and international institutions be more likely to secure a grant if they: (a) Apply as the head of a new NGO, which becomes an associate of a more established NGO or (b) Apply as the head of a new NGO and submit the application independent of any other NGOs?

INL Response: INL is unable to comment on strategy regarding application submission. Individual program proposals are evaluated against the Technical Evaluation Criteria that is outlined in the solicitation.

Question 46: Would INL allow the use of another font (such as Arial Narrow) for graphics/figures?

INL Response: Yes.

Question 47: Are For-Profit Organizations eligible to serve as a sub-grantee to an application?

INL Response: For profit organizations can receive contracts or consultancy agreements under an eligible prime awardee. They are typically unable to serve as a subgrantee partner.

Question 48: Are For-Profit Organizations eligible to serve as a consultant on an application vs a subgrantee?

INL Response: For profit organizations can receive contracts or consultancy agreements under an eligible prime awardee. They are typically unable to serve as a subgrantee partner.

Question 49: Would the Government accept an organization's Safeguarding Policy to fulfill the Social Safeguards Plan?

INL Response: The social safeguards plan should outline how the project may negatively impact local communities and provides detailed mitigation measures including but not limited to: redress mechanisms, impact assessments, human rights training, ranger monitoring, community engagement programs, the establishment and enforcement of SOPs on rules of engagement, established ethics and codes of conduct for rangers and support staff, and policies around Free and Prior Consent. If the applicant submits an organizational safeguarding policy to fulfill this requirement, it must meet this criteria to be eligible. Typically, safeguarding policies will vary by operational environment and proposed activities.

Question 50: Can the government provide a good example of the Social Safeguards Plan?

INL Response: Social Safeguards plans will vary by organization, operational environment, and program proposal. It is the responsibility of the organization to submit a plan that adequately outlines how the project may negatively impact local communities and provides detailed mitigation measures including but not limited to: redress mechanisms, impact assessments, human rights training, ranger monitoring, community engagement programs, the establishment and enforcement of SOPs on rules of engagement, established ethics and codes of conduct for rangers and support staff, and policies around Free and Prior Consent.

Question 51: Does the Government expect the Social Safeguard Plan to be at the activity level or objective level?

INL Response: Social Safeguard Plans will be unique to the program scope of work and operating context in which the activity is implemented. It is up to the applicant to decide to what degree of detail is required for their proposed program.

Question 52: Will the US State Department consider an extension to the current submission deadline?

INL Response: Yes, the new deadline to submit all applications is now by 11:59pm (EST) July 1, 2024 via Grants.gov.

Question 53: Will only the past performance of the prime grantee be considered in the evaluation?

INL Response: No.

Question 54: Are we able to submit the past performance examples of our subcontractor?

INL Response: Yes.

Question 55: Can an applicant submit a grant project as an example of current US gov’t past performance if has been awarded by USAID, but it is still under the review by the Vietnamese government and pending implementation?

INL Response: To identify management capabilities, we ask for a history of U.S. Government federal assistance awards. This document outlines the applicant organization’s experience with implementing U.S. government-funded federal assistance awards, including current and completed projects. This list should include the awarding agency, point of contact, name of the project, start and end dates, and amount of the award. Proposals should also ensure that they deconflict with and complement, as much as possible, similar programs taking place within the focus country/region. INL encourages applications that demonstrate knowledge of similar efforts in the target region and to ensure that their proposals complement rather than duplicate this work. Applicants should work to identify baseline capacity levels and goals, existing and past project efforts, and previous implementation issues when building a proposal. Applicants should also display an understanding of national policies, governmental structures and entities.

Question 56: Does the budget require a full estimate of travel for the duration of the grant upon submission?

INL Response: Yes.

Question 57: Can we confirm whether an organizational audit is required? If audited financials have not been completed yet for 2023, can we submit previous years audited financial statements in addition to current financial statements?

INL Response: A complete copy of the organization’s most-recent audit must be submitted.

Question 58: Given the regulations in Vietnam for project approval which are required for all internationally funded projects, will the US State Department accept a proposed timeline of up to 9 months at the beginning of the project award for our organization to go through the required Vietnamese government project approval process?

INL Response: The initial project implementation length is the amount of time (e.g., months) applicants should plan to implement the project. Which is 24 months unless otherwise specified.

Applicants should propose a realistic project length within that range. INL may extend the project implementation period, contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approvals, and funding availability. INL projects shall not exceed five (5) total years of project implementation.

Question 59: OMB is set to issue some major revisions to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) effective Oct 1, 2024, including increases to the fixed-amount subaward threshold as well as the de minimis indirect cost rate, which would greatly influence budget construction. Although proposals for this INL funding opportunity are due before Oct 1, the period of performance for this award would be substantively after Oct 1. Should proposed budgets for this funding opportunity align with the current guidance, or with the new/forthcoming guidance? If the current guidance, would there be opportunities for a post-award budget modification to align with the new regulations?

INL Response: Budgets for this funding opportunity should align with the current guidance. The new guidance will dictate whether or not current awards must align with the new guidance.

Question 60: For a Vietnam-based prime grantee, any transfer of funds to a foreign sub-awardee or subcontractor will cause the prime grantee to incur a Foreign Contractor Tax (FCT) (usually 10% of the transfer) levied by the government of Vietnam. Would such FCT be an allowable expense on the award/budget?

INL Response: INL will review and consider applications in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance. All budgets will undergo a thorough review during the evaluation process, during which changes can be made.

Question 61: Is Nigeria excluded from target countries of Goal #8: Illegal Logging and Associated Trade in West and Central Africa?

INL Response: Applicants may include other West/Central African countries as long as at least one of the target countries is included in the application.

Question 62: Please confirm the award ceilings, number of awards expected, and total funding available for each geography are correct. Currently, the total funding available in the NOFO is listed as $30m but the award ceilings – for one award only in each goal – add up to $30,850,000.

INL Response: 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).

Goal 15 and 16 are incorrect.

15.

Natural Resource Crimes in Latin America Award Ceiling: $5,000,000, the correct ceiling amount is $3,000,000 Award floor: $500,000 Anticipated number of Awards: 2-4 16.

Counter Wildlife Trafficking Latin America Award Ceiling: $8,000,000, the correct ceiling amount is $2,600,000 Award floor: $500,000 Anticipated number of Awards: 3-4

Question 63: For goals #7 (Miombo Woodlands) and #14 (southeast Asia) could one applicant submit an application for the total award ceiling of USD 2 million?

INL Response: An individual organization may apply for a grant up to the ceiling as indicated for each goal. Applicants should not submit proposals that include more than one goal.

Question 64: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently announced revisions to several chapters of the Code of Federal Regulations. Should applications take into consideration the upcoming changes to the CFR?

INL Response: Budgets for this funding opportunity should align with the current guidance.

The new guidance will dictate whether or not current awards must align with the new guidance.

Question 65: In regard to Goal #5, INL is inviting applicants to ‘enhance the capacity of Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) member states’. However, the list of INL target countries includes only three IOC members states: Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles, out of the total five. Have Réunion and Madagascar been deliberately excluded? Or should applicants include Réunion and Madagascar in their assessments of the maritime security landscape, legal frameworks, and law enforcement capabilities in the region?

INL Response: Applicants may include Madagascar and Réunion in their assessments of the maritime security landscape, legal frameworks, and law enforcement capabilities in the region.

Question 66: In regard to Goal #14, target countries do not include all countries in Southeast Asia. Can applicants plan activities inviting participants from non-target countries, but members of ASEAN? If yes, will the travel/subsidence costs be eligible for those participants, if they are invited to participate in activities organized in the target countries?

INL Response: Yes, applicants may include other Southeast Asia countries as long as at least one of the target countries is included in the application. The countries listed are not exhaustive, and INL would consider other countries with sound justification. Travel and subsistence costs may be allowed; all costs must be allocable, reasonable, necessary, and consistent with OMB guidelines.

Question 67: Will INL allow a project that incorporates activities in two separate countries (specifically under either Goal 6 or 7)?

INL Response: Applicants may propose activities in one or more of the target countries.

Question 68: Regarding the following excerpt from NOFO on page 23, please, clarify if a NGO from Brazil should use a grant or cooperative agreement. As far as we could understand the document is not clear enough about this point: “The type of assistance is determined by scope of INL’s involvement in the implementation of the project. Refer to the table on the first page(s) of the NOFO to determine whether this particular project will be a grant or cooperative agreement.” Any additional information on the “2. Assistance Type” will be helpful.

INL Response: Per page 1 of the NOFO, the assistance type should be “grant”.

Question 69: Should letters of support and MOUs be translated to English to accompany the proposal? This question seemed important to us because for some Brazilian counterparts, signing in two official languages can slow down the process a little.

INL Response: We will accept letters of support in other languages.

Question 70: Regarding the recommended “development of local NGOs” (page 23), should the proposal forecasts transfer of funds or it could focus on benefiting NGOS in the context of project activities and products”?

INL Response: Support the development of local NGOs and partner organizations within the focus countries does not have to include a transfer of funds.

Question 71: Are there specific recommendations from the INL regarding the project's interface with indigenous communities and other traditional peoples, such as quilombo communities?

INL Response: INL values involving local community experts to help conduct programming, as their knowledge of the local context and persons involved in illegal trade may strengthen the program’s outcomes. We encourage collaborating with local resources and experts when possible if it could affect the overall successes of a project. We encourage applicants to engage, empower, and support the development of local communities if those activities are linked to the successes of the objectives in the project.

Question 72: Under Latin America, page 19/20, (15) Natural Resource Crimes in Latin America, and (16) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Latin America, does INL have target countries that may be the focus of assistance?

INL Response: Applications will be judged and selected on their ability to achieve the focus objectives and have host country buy-in and commitment to implement the proposed activities.

Letters of support from the host government are required, and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between the applicant and the host government lead agency are preferred. INL will prioritize proposals with the highest demonstrated government buy-in and support.

Question 73: Under Latin America, page 19/20, are government counterparts or non-governmental partners in Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela eligible beneficiaries of assistance under this NOFO?

INL Response: We do not have the ability to support grant awards to support Chile, Haiti, or Venezuela at this time.

Question 74: Under Latin America, page 19/20, (16) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Latin America, does this include elements of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the definition of wildlife trafficking and/or poaching?

INL Response: Yes.

Question 75: Relevant to Goal 13, would INL allow for project funds to cover DSA (food and incidentals, estimated at roughly $5-10 per day) for government and community patrollers?

INL Response: INL can cover per diem for government and community patrollers participating in grant activities such as workshops, trainings, and events. We cannot, however, cover salaries and support for food and incidentals outside of project activities or as a daily supplement.

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