Questions and Answers - SFOP0009851 - GPS.pdf

Questions and Answers for Global Initiative to Galvanize the Private Sector as Partners in Combating Corruption

INL/GPP/SFOP0009851

Date: July 7, 2023

Question 1:

On p. 6 of the NOFO it is stated that: “Applications that address more than one project will not be given preference over ones that address only one.” On p.10 it is stated: “Applicants may submit multiple proposals, but each one may only address one project.” Please clarify it is it permissible to submit one application that includes Project 1 and Project 2.

INL Response:

It is permissible to submit one application that includes Projects 1 and 2. Applicants that do so should make clear which activities apply to which project in the narrative, budget, and budget narrative.

Question 2:

Is it permissible for an applicant to expend the entire “personnel” budget on consultants only, not staff?

INL Response:

It is permissible.

Question 3:

Would it be considered a potential conflict of interest if a member of the Anti-Corruption Leadership Hub was involved in submitting an application and/or implementing a project?

INL Response:

It will not be considered a conflict of interest if a member of the Anti-Corruption Leadership Hub is involved in submitting an application and/or implementing a project.

Question 4:

Will there be an opportunity for selected/awarded bidders to negotiate with INL on the scope of the project, including its value?

INL Response:

If selected, there will be an opportunity to discuss and negotiate the scope of the project with INL.

Question 5:

Earlier the template ‘INL Scope of Work Template FY23’ was shared in the announcement, but later on this file was removed. Please can you confirm that this template is no longer relevant?

INL Response:

This template is no longer applicable to this funding opportunity.

Question 6:

For both Project One and Project Two, which country would INL put a greater priority on, Malaysia or Indonesia?

At this point in the process, INL does not have priority countries. Priority countries will be determined during the negotiation phase according to the criteria laid out in the Priority Region/Countries section of the NOFO. Priority will be given to applications that take a global approach.

Question 7:

Given that “target countries will be determined during project implementation in consultation with INL”, is the expectation that the proposal specifies activities and regions only? Or is there an expectation to include also country specific activities subject to approval?

INL Response:

Preference will be given to applications that specifies activities and regions only, but country-specific activities can be proposed. Specific target countries will be determined in consultation with INL.

Question 8:

Would it be possible to get further guidance on current INL priority countries?

INL Response:

At this point in the process, INL does not have priority countries. Priority countries will be determined during the negotiation phase according to the criteria laid out in the Priority Region/Countries section of the NOFO. Priority will be given to applications that take a global approach.

Question 9:

Regarding the relationship to the OECD, should the project aim to add regions and countries of intervention to the current work of the OECD under GPS, or is the expectation to align with the OECD on priority areas?

INL Response:

Depending on project needs, project partners may align work in different countries or regions than OECD or in the same countries and region. Activities will be closely coordinated among all partners to amplify efforts and avoid duplication.

Question 10:

Which are your priority regions? And within each region, which are your three priority countries?

INL Response:

At this point in the process, INL does not have priority countries. Priority countries will be determined during the negotiation phase according to the criteria laid out in the Priority Region/Countries section of the NOFO. Priority will be given to applications that take a global approach.

Question 11:

Will you accept applications for projects to be delivered in a single country or would you prefer applications for projects to target multiple countries or regions?

INL Response:

Priority will be given to applications that take a global approach and target multiple regions or countries.

Question 12:

Could you please provide some more details about the Anti-Corruption Leadership Hub (governance, structure, goals, role, membership, operational responsibilities)?

INL Response:

Information about the Anti-Corruption Leadership Hub can be in the GPS section of this webpage. For more information, please reach out to the point of contact listed at this link.

Question 13:

Who are the current members of the ACLH and what were the criteria for their inclusion?

INL Response:

To protect the privacy of ACLH members, INL is unable to provide the list of members. For more information on membership, please reach out to the point of contact at OECD listed here.

Question 14:

Will OECD and/or members of the ACLH be involved in the evaluation and/or selection of the winning bids?

INL Response:

Only U.S. Government representatives will be involved in the evaluation and/or selection of the winning bids.

Question 15:

Which organization has the lead responsibility for engaging US multinationals in the project once it has started - INL, OECD, ACLH, the grantee?

INL Response:

While all partners may engage with US multinationals, the primary mechanism for engagement will be the ACLH.

Question 16:

What are the “GPS toolboxes” that are mentioned on p6 and p8? Do these already exist, and if so, where can we access them?

INL Response:

Current GPS materials can be accessed at this link. For more information, reach please reach out to the POC listed on this site.

Question 17:

The Project 1 objectives 2.1 and 2.2 mention SMEs and SOEs. Is it essential for projects to target both SMEs and SOEs, or could it be either/or?

INL Response:

This list is illustrative. It is not essential for projects to target both SMEs and SOEs. Projects may target either, both, or none.

Question 18:

https://www.oecd.org/daf/ca/trust-business.htm https://www.oecd.org/daf/ca/trust-business.htm https://www.oecd.org/daf/ca/trust-business.htm

Are other large private companies that are neither SMEs nor SOEs supply chains eligible to be targeted in the projects?

INL Response:

Other private companies that are neither SMEs nor SOEs are eligible to be targeted.

Question 19:

Could you please share a copy of the INL-OECD "Anti-Corruption Infrastructure Toolbox" (IACT)?

INL Response:

Information about IACT can be found at this link. For additional information, please reach out to the OECD points of contact listed at that link.

Question 20:

If our organization is applying for Project 1, do we have to cover both Goal 1 and Goal 2? (similar question for Project 2).

INL Response:

Preference will be given to applications that address all goals for each project.

Question 21:

p.7 of the NOFO: Under Project 1, Goal 2, how does INL define "small and medium-sized enterprises" (SMEs)?

INL Response:

Businesses that employ fewer than 250 people.

Question 22:

p.12 of the NOFO "Proposal Narrative": "Refer to Appendix A for additional guidance on drafting a proposal narrative". The Appendix A included in the NOFO however pertains to the Performance Monitoring Plan. Does INL have further guidance on drafting the proposal narrative?

INL Response:

The language will be removed from the NOFO as we do not have additional on drafting a proposal narrative.

Question 23:

p.12 of the NOFO "Proposal Narrative": "Include...suggestions for revision to NOFO goals and objectives, if needed". Could you please confirm that applicants can modify the goals and objectives listed under Project 1 and 2 in the NOFO?"

INL Response:

The NOFO states suggestions for revisions so applicants can suggest but modifications to the goals and objectives that are currently listed in the NOFO cannot be modified.

Question 24:

https://www.oecd.org/daf/ca/infrastructure-anti-corruption-toolbox.htm p.13 of the NOFO "Biographical Information of Applicant Organization": Could you please clarify if applicant organizations need to be registered in the target countries proposed, at the time of their proposal submission to INL?

INL Response:

Applicant organizations do not need to be registered in the target countries at the time of their proposal submission.

Question 25:

p.13 of the NOFO "List of Key Personnel": In addition to listing Key Personnel, could this 3-page section include short biographies of other relevant staff and experts to be deployed for the proposed work?

INL Response:

This requirement is for staff who will be deemed as “key personnel” only.

Question 26:

p.19 of the NOFO "Illustrative Indicator Reference Sheet includes selected standard indicators; provides three valid indicators for goals, objectives, or sub-objectives in the change map". Could you please clarify? Should the Illustrative Indicator Reference Sheet submitted as part of the proposal include all U.S. Government standard indicators selected for the application, and a minimum of at least three USG or custom indicators total?

INL Response:

The purpose of the illustrative indicator reference sheet is to demonstrate that the applicant understands what data would tell us if we are making progress toward our goals/objectives and completing activities as planned, as well as that the applicant understands what it takes to collect credible data. The illustrative indicator sheet only needs to include three total indicators.

Question 27:

p.25 of the NOFO, Appendix B: Could you please clarify if applicants have to rate the "potential impact of the risk" as "high", "medium" or "low", or only rate the "likelihood of the risk"?

INL Response:

Applicants should incorporate all assumptions and external factors identified in the Monitoring Plan and Proposal Narrative into the risk analysis. Applicants should rate the likelihood of a risk and potential impact of the risk as “high”, “medium”, or “low.”

Question 28:

The NOFO asks applicants to submit a Change Map. In addition to the template, would INL be able to share an example of a filled out Change Map from prior projects?

INL Response:

INL is unable to share change maps for existing programs.

Question 29:

Are applicants expected to include all the counterparts outlined in the NOFO in their proposals? For example, is the inclusion of state-owned enterprises required?

Applicants do not need to include all counterparts outlined in the NOFO.

Question 30:

Are applicants expected to have an established partnership with the OECD at the time of proposal submission?

INL Response:

Applicants are not expected to have an established partnership with OECD at the time of submission.

Question 31:

Under Project 1, can applicants include Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) compliance work with the private sector?

INL Response:

Yes, applicants can include Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) compliance work with the private sector.

Question 32:

Which level of cooperation is required since this is a cooperative agreement?

INL Response:

For cooperative agreements, INL will play a significant role in project administration. See the section on Assistance Type on page 9 for more information about INL involvement.

Question 33:

What is the maximum implementation time? We understand that it is a 12-24 month period of implementation with the possibility of extending up to 5 years?

INL Response:

Per the NOFO: 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 34:

What specific document should we submit regarding “commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment” practices?

INL Response:

There is not currently a specific document that should be submitted. Applicants should demonstrate their commitment through any documentation they deem relevant.

Question 35:

Is it strictly necessary to have a history of U.S. Government Federal Assistance Awards?

Per the NOFO: If the applicant has never received a U.S. federal assistance award, please list other projects the organization has implemented, including the information requested in the bullet above.

Question 36:

Under which circumstances is the applicant organization required to undergo an audit?

INL Response:

Per the NOFO:

Organizational Audit

• If the applicant organization is required to undergo an audit (per regulations outlined in 2 CFR 200.500

– Subpart F), a complete copy of the organization’s most-recent audit must be submitted. (The financial statement is not a substitute for a single audit report. The Single audit report is an additional requirement for domestic and foreign organizations that spend $750,000 or more in federal funds in the fiscal year.)

• If the applicant organization is not required to undergo an audit (per the regulation cited above), a brief explanation must be submitted with the application. This explanation shall include confirmation that the organization is under the threshold for which an audit is required and/or plans for the organization to undergo an audit in the future.

Question 37:

Given the vision of galvanising the private sector in the fight against corruption, can INL elaborate on the expected coordination and collaboration between the proposed program and other ongoing bilateral or global anti-corruption or private sector programs? Will any specific mechanism for coordination be established, or would INL play the coordinating/information-sharing role?

INL Response:

In the near-term, INL will play a coordination/information-sharing role between project partners and other U.S. Government stakeholders. INL and project partners will also work to amplify other existing bilateral and global efforts and avoid duplication where necessary.

Question 38:

What or if there is any level of support that INL may provide with regards to involving local stakeholders, such as government, civil society, and private sector actors, in project implementation?

INL will provide support with involving local stakeholders on a case-by-case basis.