Questions and Answers July 19.docx

Emerging Cuban Leaders – Questions and Answers re Notice of Funding Opportunity SFOP0005948 published June 6, 2019

Q1. Is each cohort comprised of 25-40 Cuban leaders or is this the total across all 4 cohorts (so up to 10 leaders/cohort)?

A1. The project is intended to be 25-40 overall, so approximately 10 participants per cohort.

Q2. Regarding “each cohort will last no more than six months to a year in duration,” does this mean that this is the timeframe for total engagement with the cohort (both when they are in Cuba and when they come to the US or a third country for training) or does this mean that this is the timeframe for the cohort to be in the US or a third country for training?

A2. The six-month to one-year timeframe is intended to encompass the program time only – not including travel and/or recruitment time.

Q3. Our follow-up question regards “how long” cohort members are expected to be outside of Cuba to participate in this program. Thus, we’re asking whether the expectation is that (a) the cohort members will be outside of Cuba and “hosted” in the US or a third country for 6-12 months; or if, on the other hand, (b) the 6-12 months represents the “total time of engagement, including any remote engagement,” with the cohort members. Under (b) this would include, e.g., remote follow-up and remote support that the trainers may provide the cohort members once they (the cohort members) have returned to Cuba. Here are more details on what we’re thinking under each scenario:

The scenario envisioned by (a) is that the project is essentially a 6-12 month program hosted outside of Cuba (cohort members spend 6-12 months outside of Cuba to participate in this program), and the awardee of the award under this NOFO would train/mentor and host the cohorts for those 6-12 months that they (the cohort members) are outside of Cuba.

The scenario envisioned by (b), on the other hand could include this: The awardee of the award under this NOFO provides cohort members with 1-2 weeks (this timeframe is e.g. only; this training time could be longer, up to a month) of in-person training in the US or a third country. At that point, after in-person training concludes, the cohort members return to Cuba. Then the awardee provides the balance of the time on the program conducting remote follow-up, mentoring, guidance, and support for cohort members once they have returned to Cuba.

A3. Either one of those scenarios would satisfy the requirements as laid out in the NOFO. Implementers may and should plan to engage with all participants post-cohort for robust follow-up and evaluation. Past implementers have structured programs using a variety of models. WHA is unable to provide further advice about specific program design, but encourages all applicants to design the project they feel would best satisfy the goals and objectives of the NOFO and the capabilities of the applicant organization.

Q4. The NOFO states that “if project activities are to take place outside of the United States in a third country, each participant must be able to receive the appropriate visa(s) and commit to returning to Cuba upon completion of the project.” Is there an expectation that the implementing partner will facilitate the visa process with the Government of Cuba?

A4. The visa process must be handled by the implementing partner. The visas are necessary for Cubans to travel outside of Cuba, so this process will be conducted with whichever host country the implementing partner chooses.

Q5. The NOFO states that “staff of the implementing organization should not plan to travel to Cuba to conduct on-island recruitment. Therefore, applicants must provide detailed plans to recruit and interview candidates from the United States or a third country. Can personnel from an implementing organization in a third-country recruit candidates in Cuba with DoS funding? If not, can they do so with their own funds (cost-share)?

A5. Recruiting may be done with DOS funding. However, no personnel from U.S organizations may recruit on-island. WHA discourages third-country nationals from the implementing organization from traveling to Cuba, and instead recommends working with a partner organization to do so.

Q6. Will the DoS expect substantial involvement/approval of candidates for participation in the program?

A6. All proposed participants must be submitted to WHA prior to notification for approval.

Q7. Pg. 4 under Project Description and Objectives it states: “Each cohort will last no more than six months to a year in duration.” Can WHA specify what the minimum length of the program is expected to be for each cohort?

A7. WHA has not specified a minimum length for the program. The applicant is advised to organize their proposal in the manner that best accomplishes the goals and objectives of the program.

Q8. Pg. 4 under Project Description and Objectives it states: “The project will provide an in-depth training and development project in the United States or a single third country for up to four cohorts.” Does WHA have a preference between 2 or 3 cohorts?

A8. WHA does not have a preference on how the applicant designs their program.

Q9. Would 2 cohorts be considered equally as competitive as 3 cohorts across the 24-36 months of the project duration?

A9. Unfortunately, WHA cannot provide further guidance on the specific program design as submitted by applicants. Competitive applications will provide appropriate program design and justification for proposed activities.

Q10. Pg. 5 under Location of Activities and Visa Requirements it states: “The project should be conducted in the United States and/or one third-country location identified by the applicant.” Does WHA prefer a 3rd country location over the U.S.?

A10. Unfortunately, WHA cannot provide further guidance on the specific program design as submitted by applicants. Competitive applications will provide appropriate program design and justification for proposed activities.

Q11. Will a proposal including U.S. in addition to a 3rd country be considered more or less competitive than project activities only in a 3rd country location?

A11. Unfortunately, WHA cannot provide further guidance on the specific program design as submitted by applicants. Competitive applications will provide appropriate program design and justification for proposed activities.

Q12. Pg. 5 under Location of Activities and Visa Requirements it also states: “all participants in U.S.-based activities must receive intensive English-language training to enable adaptation to life in the United States. For U.S. activities, participants should have basic English language ability when applying, although fluency/advanced skills are not required.” If orientation is taking place outside of the U.S. (in 3rd country), can the intensive English language training be delivered as part of the orientation before arriving in the U.S.?

A12. This is permissible as long as the applicant can provide adequate justification for the activity and location thereof.

Q13. How can I apply for this opportunity if I do not belong to an organization and I do not have a DUNS?

A13. Unfortunately, this solicitation is not open to individuals.

Q14. The NOFO indicates in Section II that the proposals will be rated on Organizational Capability and Record of Performance. Can past performance information be included as an annex to the proposal?

A14. This is permissible.

Q15. The NOFO requires an external evaluation. Can we budget for travel to Cuba for an external evaluator to conduct the evaluation? Please confirm that the external evaluation will be completed within the project timeframe.

A15. Staff of the organization may not travel to Cuba. WHA does not advise affiliated personnel to travel for grant business. The evaluation must be completed prior to submission of the final report.

Q16. The NOFO indicates that one of the required output indicators is “number of people who have completed USG assisted civic education projects.” Can DOS provide guidelines for these civic education projects? Does DOS anticipate that these projects will be implemented in the United States or in the third country selected by the applicant during the Project timeframe?

A16. There is no formal definition for civic education projects; activities under this award would be counted as civic education projects. The location of project activities is at the discretion of the applicant in forming the organization’s proposal.

Q17. The Travel line under the Budget guideline provided is reserved for staff travel; however, ICMA anticipates to budget pro bono and participant travel. Can these two line items can be budgeted under Travel or ODCs?

A17. Participant and staff travel may be listed under the travel line.

Q18. Does the programming for one cohort have to be 6 months long? Or would more or less be acceptable?

A18. The cohort may be up to one year in length. The suggested minimum is six months, but the applicant may propose a suitable length that makes sense for the proposal.

Q19. Would the participants we choose apply for a visa or would we do this for them?

A19. The participants would apply for the visa, but it is expected that the organization would assist them.

Q20. What if a visitor has visa issues, will DOS assist in securing visas for participants?

A20. The Department cannot guarantee visa issuance for participants.

Q21. Who provides the English language skills training, how long does that have to be/to what level?

A21. In the event project activities take place in the United States, the level of English must be such that the participants can successfully interact in English.

Q22. Does the award amount need to include meals for visitors?

A22. The organization may propose whatever costs are necessary or helpful to the success of the program. Past applicants have included stipends for food costs and/or meals for participants.

Q23. Is this a home stay program or would the award also need to cover housing for visitors?

A23. The organization may propose whatever makes sense for the proposal; housing is an allowable cost.

Q24. Do we insure visitors for medial/health? If so would this be covered by the award?

A24. It is recommended, and an allowable cost.

Q25. Would the independent evaluator need to be approved by DOS?

A25. Yes.

Q26. Can we split the award among several institutions? Ex: Two NGOs and a University?

A26. This is allowable, but one entity must be the lead and/or coordinating (prime) organization on the award.

Q27. Will we receive additional information about allowable costs and payment schedule for award?

A27. Please consult the 2 CFR 200 for further information about allowable costs.