Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers

Micro-Enterprise Reforms, Opportunities, and Growth in Iraq

Opportunity Number: SFOP0008705

The open question period for this NOFO was from March 8, 2022, to April 5, 2022. Below are the following questions that were submitted by potential applicants and the answers from NEA/AC.

1. The appendices are not on the announcement, where can they be found?

Answer: Please refer to the link to additional information in the grants.gov announcement to SAMS Domestic. The link to the opportunity in SAMS

Domestic is:

https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/grants?id=grants_funding_opportu nity&table=u_domestic_funding_opportunity&sys_id=60929c361bc2c9104 e7185dae54bcb1b&view=Default

2. On p.11 of the NOFO, it states that applicants should "demonstrate ability to form relationships/partnerships with MENA-based technology organizations" - Could you please clarify what the NEA/AC is seeking from applicants in this area?

Answer: This sentence should have been, “Demonstrate ability to form relationships/partnerships with MENA-based organizations and

U.S. private sector entities to ensure that all project activities can be implemented effectively and efficiently."

3. On p.2 of the NOFO, it is noted that proposals should pay special attention that "both northern and southern regions benefit". Is the NEA/AC seeking applications that cover any specific cities within these two broad regions?

Answer: NEA/AC is not seeking proposals for any specific cities.

4. Are there any restrictions or preferences as to which sectors private-sector

MSMEs (beneficiaries) operate in?

Answer: NEA/AC does not have a preference on any business sector. Any restrictions would be in accordance with applicable cost principles.

5. On p.10 of the NOFO, it is noted that activities, budget and timeframes need to specify funding increments. Should M&E targets and indicators, as well as the Logic Model, also be broken down by funding increment? Should the

Logic Model, Results Monitoring Plan and Project Timeline cover one year or three years?

Answer: It is not necessary to break down M&E targets and indicators or the Logic Model by funding increment. However, the logic model, RMP, and project timeline should all cover the full span of the award.

6. Are there any restrictions related to the type of local organization that implementers can provide a subaward to? Are universities or business incubators allowed?

https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/grants?id=grants_funding_opportunity&table=u_domestic_funding_opportunity&sys_id=60929c361bc2c9104e7185dae54bcb1b&view=Default https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/grants?id=grants_funding_opportunity&table=u_domestic_funding_opportunity&sys_id=60929c361bc2c9104e7185dae54bcb1b&view=Default https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/grants?id=grants_funding_opportunity&table=u_domestic_funding_opportunity&sys_id=60929c361bc2c9104e7185dae54bcb1b&view=Default

Answer: Institutions of Higher Education and business incubators are allowed. All subawards must be in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and 2

CFR 25.

7. On p.23 of the NOFO, it is noted that "recipient performance may require the use of armed private security personnel" – Does the NEA/AC have specific security companies it would prefer implementers to use in Iraq?

Answer: No, NEA/AC does not have specific security companies for organizations to use in Iraq.

8. In Appendix 3, p.7 "Approach", it is noted that applicants should articulate

"potential challenges to project implementation and propose contingency plans" in the Program Narrative. Could these be covered under the

"Security, Risk Mitigation, & Contingency Planning Summary" document?

Answer: A summary could be included in the program narrative or the applicant may submit the full detailed contingency plan as an attachment.

9. On p.15 of the NOFO, for the required document "Job

Descriptions/Biographical Info for Key Personnel Positions" - could this document include a description of other non-key personnel staff to be deployed for the proposed program as well as short biographies of potential experts to be used?

Answer: It is acceptable to include job descriptions and biographies for all known proposed staff.

10. Could you please specify what minorities should be targeted in this program?

Answer: NEA/AC expects potential applicants to conduct research on vulnerable minorities in Iraq.

11. Could you please provide the USG local compensation plan for Iraq?

Answer: NEA/AC expects potential applicants to conduct research on local market salaries.

12. The NOFO template shared in Appendix 1 does not include a breakdown of the budget by year under the Detailed Budget tab. Should applicants include a breakdown by year?

Answer: Please provide a budget with a breakdown for each year. A new Tab can be added to the template for each year. NEA/AC will also accept a budget in the applicant’s own template, but a proprietary template must be based on the major cost categories.