Resilience of Information Space, Responsible Technology Practices, Responsible Cyberspace and Digital Ecosystems, and Points of Entry Security.docx

NEAAC-CSLRGFM-SOI-2024

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination

Resilience of Information Space, Responsible Technology Practices, Responsible Cyberspace and Digital Ecosystems, and Points of Entry Security

Announcement Type: New SOI Opportunity Number: SFOP093024

Funding Opportunity Synopsis

Program Synopsis: The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) announces a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) from organizations interested in submitting Statements of Interest (SOI) under this program. The objective of this foreign assistance is to strengthen information resilience, cybersecurity, responsible technology practices, and security of points of entry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This approach is consistent with U.S. foreign policy. Under this solicitation, applicants may propose activities in their SOIs that contribute to one or more of the following Lines of Effort (LOEs): LOE 1: Resilience of Information Space/Information Integrity, LOE 2: Responsible Technology Practices, LOE 3: Responsible Cyberspace and Digital Ecosystems, and LOE 4: Points of Entry/Ports Infrastructure Security.

The submission of a SOI is the first step in a two-part process. A prospective applicant must first submit a SOI, which is a concept note outlining a project idea and its objectives. If a project is determined to warrant further consideration based on the SOI provided, the applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal. An invitation to submit a proposal is not a guarantee of funding.

Funding Mechanism Type: Grant, Cooperative Agreement, IAA

Estimated Number of Awards: 4 - 7 awards

Total Program Funding: $3,700,000

Award Ceiling: $1,500,000

Award Floor: $100,000

Length of Project Period: 1 to 3 years

Eligible Countries and Territories: In this announcement, NEA/AC seeks to support activities benefiting countries in the MENA region. For the purposes of this SOI, the MENA region refers to the following countries and areas: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Activities benefiting multiple countries in the region as well as region-wide efforts are encouraged.

Background Information: NEA/AC offers assistance, training, and support to groups and individuals striving to create positive change in the MENA region. NEA/AC works in 19 countries and territories, partnering with civil society organizations (CSOs), community leaders, youth and women advocates, private sector groups, and where appropriate, national, regional, and local governments to advance their efforts.

Table of Contents

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY GOALS

This announcement serves as a call for statements of interest (SOIs) from potential prime bidders to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) for possible funding. This will be a two-stage competitive process. In this first stage, interested applicants are invited to submit SOIs for NEA/AC’s initial review. In the second stage, NEA/AC will invite successful applicants to submit full proposals, based on their SOIs, for funding consideration. Required SOI information is detailed in Section IV below and a recommended template is attached at Tab A.

The overall assistance objective is to enhance strategic competitiveness in the MENA region through advancing a secure, open, and rights-respecting digital future, countering illicit technological activities, promoting responsible innovation, ensuring the integrity and resilience of digital ecosystems, and safeguarding critical points of entry from potential security-sensitive breaches, thereby fostering regional stability and economic prosperity.

Applicants are invited to propose activities that contribute to one or more of the following Lines of Effort (LOEs):

LOE 1: Resilience of Information Space/Information Integrity - Counter problematic activities in the information space that influence established opinion leaders, emerging voices, and other key constituencies while building regional diplomatic relationships. Possible interventions include, but are not limited to:

1. Enhance civil society, media, and governments' resilience in the MENA region against information manipulation efforts, including propaganda, disinformation, influence operations, press manipulation, economic coercion, elite capture, and financial inducements by problematic foreign actors.

2. Foster expertise on various emerging geopolitical issues among policymakers, academics, and/or journalists, such as by leveraging the know-how of experts within and outside the region, with an emphasis on building the capacity of policymakers and publics to sustain independent conversations about problematic activity and influence.

3. Support civil society and media's ability to provide accurate and credible information on corruption, economic, security, and human rights issues of problematic foreign actors, including information manipulation.

LOE 2: Responsible Technology Practices - Counter or compete with efforts by problematic actors to leverage or make gains in the local development of advanced, sensitive, and/or emerging technologies. Possible interventions include, but are not limited to:

1. Provision of resources, advisory services, and financing for various trusted infrastructure options, including 5G and Open RAN, undersea cables, data centers, internet exchange points, fiber and tower infrastructure, satellite communications, and global cloud infrastructure (particularly those used for critical infrastructure and government operations).

2. Support the enabling environment in partner countries–including through policies, best practices, civil society strengthening, education, and others– to promote responsible development, use, and/or oversight of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology).

LOE 3: Responsible Cyberspace and Digital Ecosystems - Counter efforts from problematic state actors to dominate cyberspace and digital ecosystems by promoting rights-respecting practices, fostering responsible innovation, promoting national-level cybersecurity best practices, amplifying economic benefits, and promoting data flow across borders. Possible interventions include, but are not limited to:

1. Supporting efforts to shape and implement rights-respecting practices, policies, regulations, and other safeguards that govern the digital ecosystem consistent with international law to sustain an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet, while maintaining respect for human rights online.

2. Facilitating responsible innovation, development, and investment within the digital economy that supports national and regional security.

3. Amplifying the economic benefits of creating an open, interoperable, secure, and trusted Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment that meets international standards and best practices.

4. Promoting the free flow of data across borders in the digital economy.

LOE 4: Points of Entry/Ports Infrastructure Security - Counter efforts by problematic foreign state actors to provide technological equipment, infrastructure, training, and services that compromise the security and integrity of sensitive data for a country’s points of entry and state-owned ports. Possible interventions include, but are not limited to:

1. Assist with the provision of trusted alternatives to technology solutions, such as biometrics and security scanning equipment, traveler data and targeting equipment, commercial anti-spyware, or communications equipment at points of entry and state-owned commercial ports.

2. Assist countries to strengthen security protocols, including surveillance systems, biometric access controls, and data privacy at points of entry and commercial ports against the actions and influence of problematic foreign actors.

3. Advance transparent governance and procurement of technology solutions, at both the national and sub-national levels, for points of entry and state-owned commercial ports.

4. Offer training and engagement for host nation staff and policy makers on best practices for points of entry to support domestic and regional security.

Competitive SOIs will include clear, detailed project strategies that illustrate the logic behind the projects’ design, commencing with what problem is being addressed. They should include clear project-specific objectives and specify the link between the project-specific objectives and funding opportunity LOEs outlined in this section. This linkage should be clearly stated in the theory of change (ToC). The project deliverables should be clearly articulated.

NEA/AC encourages applicants to focus on a clearly articulated theme across their projects. SOIs may contribute to more than one LOE but NEA/AC recommends that applicants keep SOIs as targeted as possible. Addressing more than one LOE will not make a SOI more competitive. If SOIs propose multiple project components, they still should be presented in one results framework. Competitive SOIs also will elaborate on how the direct outputs and deliverables of activities will contribute to long-term outcomes.

NEA is committed to advancing equity and support for marginalized populations and underrepresented demographics. All projects should consider strategies for expanding the pool of individuals/organizations/ beneficiaries to afford opportunities for as diverse and inclusive a population as is feasible to bring perspectives based on religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, and age to implementation of the project.

To the extent feasible, each applicant should conduct a gender analysis and pay special attention to developing strategies and activities that increase women’s participation in the lines of effort. The SOI should include an understanding that describes beyond the output level (number of women attending a workshop), the participation of women; for example, describe how the new technology would benefit/impact women to assist in overcoming challenges or barriers that women may encounter considering the country context. The SOI will include the reflections from the internal gender analysis exercise in designated areas identified in the template. The reflections from the exercise capture the insights for a gender focus lens of the project. Answering the question, has the project strategy considered the implications it may have on women? SOIs should also seek to be inclusive of marginalized and underrepresented populations.

Follow-On Projects

Organizations may submit SOIs that propose a follow-on or expansion of existing projects, provided that the SOI proposes a new activity and makes a convincing argument for both the impact and relevance of that activity in support of one or more of the relevant LOEs.

Collaboration

Collaboration among organizations and the use of existing resources in project design is encouraged (i.e., existing manuals, training modules, translated texts, digital tools, online platforms, etc.). Project resources devoted to creating new training materials, websites, online portals, software, apps, video games, and other digital tools must be fully justified and carefully explained. Moreover, applicants who propose using resources to create new material must discuss how this material pertains to the overall projects’ goals and why existing tools are not appropriate.

Background

The following information provides additional background about each LOE.

LOE 1: Resilience of information space / information integrity

The challenge of disinformation is becoming more complex and consequential as the information space becomes more technically advanced, crowded, and confusing. State and non-state actors are using emerging (in some cases sensitive) technology, particularly social media and artificial intelligence (AI), to spread disinformation, sow suspicion, and undermine objective truths. Promoting an open and resilient information environment globally is crucial to combatting malign actors and ensuring credible and trustworthy sources are disseminated appropriately.

Proposals may partner with civil society organizations, media institutions and government entities to enhance open government and expand access to information where journalists and citizens alike can hold their government accountable. Proposals should reinforce governments’ responsibility to uphold media freedom and the safety of journalists on and offline. This will also ensure that media regulators are independent and serve the public interest while addressing manipulation and propaganda.

Applicants can also propose to assist countries in developing national strategies and policies for fighting disinformation to enhance their technical capabilities to detect and combat deceptive content. Assistance can include trainings to analyze disinformation, coordinate with stakeholders, building capacity and resilience to address this challenge and advocate for higher quality of information and transparency. Engaging local stakeholders and encouraging inclusive joint efforts is critical to building a more open and more resilient environment for information to deliver a better future for citizens in MENA region.

LOE 2: Responsible Technology Practices

Proposals should promote a digital environment that advances democracy and human rights, supports secure and resilient networks, and facilitates investments in digital infrastructure. These efforts should lead to promoting responsible governance and investments, broadening private sector investment and competition, advancing transparency and rights respecting regulation and policies, and enhancing capacity strengthening in cyber security and resilience.

Applicants should consider focusing on one or more activities in the following areas: supporting diverse technological partnerships in adherence to international security standards and best practices; developing and helping the target country or countries implement 5G technologies and digital infrastructure secure from malicious actors or government-backed companies that are harmful to network integrity and privacy; facilitating transparent procurement processes; strengthening regulatory policy frameworks; investing in innovative solutions such as AI; and performing adequate monitoring and evaluation to meet international standards and address emerging threats.

LOE 3: Responsible Cyberspace and Digital Ecosystems

The MENA region faces a range of cybersecurity and emerging technology threats that impact both its economic and national security, with many countries experiencing cyberattacks and cyber espionage from foreign state-sponsored actors often aimed at critical infrastructure or sensitive information. These attacks can be politically motivated and are part of broader geopolitical conflicts. A number of critical infrastructures are at risk in the absence of updated policies, technology and systems, such as energy facilities and transportation systems, are highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Disruptions to these systems can have wide-reaching economic, security and social impacts.

NEA/AC is seeking proposals that support public sector, private sector, and civil society organizations to enhance cybersecurity frameworks and implement comprehensive cybersecurity policies that align with international standards and best practices. Applicants may also propose activities that invest in trusted and reliable technology and/or provide training and education to increase awareness, improve overall resilience, and foster regional and international cooperation.

We encourage applicants to work with civil society partners and private sector to establish or strengthen locally led multi-stakeholder working groups to raise awareness of the economic, political, security, and social challenges resulting from cyber insecurity and weak digital economies. Fostering economic environments that enable competition and fair and transparent dealmaking, as well as incentivize diverse digital and cyber investments, create opportunities for U.S. digital and cyber companies and other responsible market actors.

LOE 4: Points of Entry/Ports Infrastructure Security

Applicants should assist the targeted country or countries to enhance transparency and accountability through sound points of entry management and oversight mechanisms in compliance with international standards and local law, which constitute a safeguard to predatory activities and prevent exploiting clauses in Public-Private Partnerships. The proposals can include activities to support countries to strengthen port security protocols by implementing cutting-edge security technologies, including surveillance systems, biometric access controls, and real-time monitoring to safeguard against both internal and external threats. Proposals may also support countries to develop and enforce robust regulatory frameworks that promote fair competition and prevent monopolistic or exploitative practices. Activities can focus on trainings and enhance knowledge and skills of ports security personnel, advocate for human rights and democratic governance in entry point operations as well as leveraging international partnerships.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

All proposed activities must clearly demonstrate the need or gap that the project will address related to strategic competition in the Middle East and North Africa.

Activities should be open to participation from a broad range of groups to encourage diverse actors to organize around common interests. NEA/AC will not consider proposals that offer support or endorsement to specific political parties, factions, candidates, or attempts to advance a particular political outcome in the Middle East and North Africa.

The U.S. Department of State continually monitors the changing security situation in the Middle East and North Africa. Applicants should be aware that the security environment continues to evolve and project designs or activities that may have worked a few years ago may now be less practicable, safe, or impactful. While a security plan is not required as part of the SOI, NEA/AC encourages all applicants to develop each SOI with security in mind. Organizations invited to submit a full proposal may be required to include a detailed security plan. Security planning will have to address any issues involving operational security procedures for in-person activities and recruitment, online security procedures, and/or security procedures for digital tool or software development. SOIs that develop or rely on digital tools may be required to allocate funds for a third-party independent cybersecurity audit in the project budget or be prepared to demonstrate that one has recently occurred.

NEA/AC encourages projects that can demonstrate sustainability beyond the life of the grant. Sustainability (defined as the continuation of project activities after the end of grant funding) however is not a requirement of this announcement nor is sustainability a key deliverable. While a sustainability plan is not required as part of the SOI, NEA/AC encourages all applicants to develop each SOI with sustainability and transition planning in mind. Projects proposed in this announcement should have, wherever possible, some potential for diversifying funding from multiple sources or the potential for at least some deliverables to become independently sustainable. Applicants should be aware of duplicate or parallel efforts already being undertaken by other entities. SOIs should not merely augment efforts undertaken by other entities.

NEA/AC reserves the right to change the funding amounts, period of performance, and terms of the Award as a result of U.S. Government requirements, recipient performance, project results, and the availability of funds. The recipient will be notified in writing should such changes occur.

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

Applicants submitting SOIs should be aware that if their application results in an award, NEA/AC may be involved in the project and management performance of the grant in the form of a cooperative agreement, which allows NEA consultation and technical collaboration rights on specified project activities. Grants and Inter-Agency Agreements may also be awarded under this call for applications.

NEA/AC Responsibilities

Examples of NEA/AC responsibilities in a cooperative agreement may include:

· Collaboration in refining problem statement, needs, or gaps to be addressed by the project;

· Collaboration in establishing project objectives and approval of a work plan;

· Collaboration in assessing progress and identifying issues that might affect the success of the project;

· Approval of key personnel and any subsequent changes in the positions during the life of the award; and

· Collaboration in the creation of any training materials.

AWARD RESTRICTIONS

The following activities and costs will not be entertained under this announcement or in subsequent proposals submitted by applicants to NEA/AC:

· Projects that support individual political parties or attempts to advance a particular political agenda;

· Social welfare projects that purely provide service-delivery or humanitarian assistance;

· Activities that appear partisan or that support individual or party electoral campaigns;

· Medical and psychological research or clinical studies using human subjects;

· Projects of a commercial or profit-making nature;

· One-time events, such as stand-alone conferences and one-off round tables;

· Cultural presentations, cultural research, cultural clubs, or festivals, etc.; and

· Entertainment costs (e.g., receptions, social activities, ceremonies, alcoholic beverages, guided tours).

SOIs that include any of these activities or include costs for any of these above activities will not be evaluated as meritorious and will not advance to the second stage in the review process.

Additionally, none of the funds awarded under this agreement may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

AWARD INFORMATION

Subject to the availability of funds, approximately $3,700,000 in Economic Support Funds for approximately four to seven awards will be issued through this announcement. The Office of Assistance Coordination reserves the right to award more or less than the estimated program funding and reserves the right to award funding under this announcement for a period of up to two years after the announcement’s close date.

Non-Competing Continuation While NEA prefers innovative ideas and does not provide core funding, it reserves the right to cost extend an award should it determine that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Department of State.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

All applications will be screened by the Office of Assistance Coordination to determine whether they meet all the project eligibility requirements detailed below.

NOTE: SOIs that do not meet all the eligibility requirements described above will not advance to the Technical Review stage. Nothing can be added to a submitted application once the application deadline has passed.

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

All applicants must be legally registered or incorporated entities prior to submitting a SOI under this announcement. Applicants who receive this announcement are free to propose partnerships, sub-grants, or consortia with other entities to enhance the quality of their SOI.

Applicants and partners, subcontractors, or consortium members, include, but are not necessarily limited to, registered U.S. and non-U.S. non-profit organizations; for-profit organizations and small businesses; private voluntary organizations; foundations; private institutions of higher education, public or state institutions of higher education; and faith-based and community institutions. NEA/AC strongly encourages applications from civil society organizations headquartered in the Middle East and North Africa region. All applicants must be legally registered organizations prior to applying to this announcement.

The Department of State is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities and welcomes proposals irrespective of applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. We encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.

B. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To apply for NEA/AC (Federal) funding, organizations, whether based in or outside the U.S., must have an active account with the System for Award Management (SAM). Applicants who do not meet all registration requirements are NOT eligible for funding under the opportunity.

Entities can register in SAM.gov and will be assigned their Unique Entity ID (SAM) within SAM.gov. Entities no longer obtain or use a UEI (DUNS) for entity registration or reporting.

B.1 System for Award Management (SAM)

SAM is a U.S. government wide registry of vendors doing business with the Federal government and requires annual renewal. The system centralizes information about grant applicants/recipients and provides a central location for grant applicants/recipients to change organizational information.

Further, each applicant must maintain an active account, with current information, while its application is under consideration for funding. To keep an active SAM.gov account, an applicant must renew it at least once each year. If an organization’s account expires, the organization cannot submit a grant application until it is renewed.

To create a new SAM account, go to https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Organizations must have a UEI number and a CAGE number (US Domestic Organizations) or a NCAGE number (Foreign Organizations), to create an account. The CAGE code will be issued by SAM.gov. Overseas entities must request a NCAGE code at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/request-new-cage.

For help with SAM.gov, please visit their support page at https://www.fsd.gov or contact them at: 866-606-8220 (U.S.) or +1-334-206-7828 (international).

Note: Obtaining an active SAM.gov registration may take 12 - 15 business days to complete the process of creating an account in the system.

B.2 Applicant Vetting as a Condition of the Award

Applicants are advised that successful passing of vetting to evaluate the risk that funds may benefit terrorists, or their supporters may be a condition of the award. Applicants may be asked to submit information required by DS Form 4221, Risk Analysis Information, about their organization and its principal personnel. Vetting information is also required for all sub-awardees on assistance awards identified by Department of State.

NEA/AC can require U.S. government vetting of all individuals substantially involved with the project, including the board of directors from grantee and sub-award organizations, project staff, and any project participants receiving direct assistance through grant funds. The required information for each individual submission includes full name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, a government issued ID number (drivers licenses are not accepted for any country; if the individual is a U.S. person, a SSN is required), and two pieces of contact information (phone number, email address, or Skype account), or other personal information. Please keep these vetting requirements in mind when designing each project.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

SOI DOCUMENTS

All SOIs must include the components detailed below. All SOI documents must be submitted in English.

NOTE: SOIs that do not include all the required documentation described in Section A.1 will not be considered. Applicants may not add any other materials to their submitted SOI once the competition deadline has passed.

A.1 Required Documents

Statement of Interest (SOI):

The SOI will briefly state the concept or proposed project. It should include all the required elements below. A recommended template has also been provided in Tab A, which includes all of the required elements. The SOI must include the following elements:

· Target Country/Countries

· Proposal Name

· Proposal Cost

· Proposal Duration

· Project Summary (3-4 sentences)

· Organization UEI Number

· Contact information for a Point of Contact

· Organization Experience and Capacity: Provide a brief description of the applying organization and any information relevant to the organizations capacity to complete the proposed project.

· Problem Statement: 1-2 sentences identifying the problem the project will address.

· Context: Description of the causes and evolution of the problem, key stakeholders involved, and opportunities for change.

· SMART Objectives: Clearly describe the desired outcome, which should improve the situation and address the problem(s) identified in the problem statement [Note: An outcome is a result or effect that is caused by or attributed to the project, program, or policy. Outcome is often used to refer to more immediate and intended effects.]

· Theory of Change: Describes how and why a program is expected to achieve its stated objectives using if-then language.

· Narrative Statement (No more than two paragraphs): Provide an overview of what the project proposes to do and how it will align with the LOEs identified in this document.

· Background of Project Design: Please note here if this a follow-on to a previous project. If applicable, describe project studies, evaluations, or evidence used to inform proposal design.

· Timeline: Describe a realistic timeline of how long the project will take to achieve the project objective.

· Indicators: Describe any demonstrated actions and behavior that would signal either success with the proposed activity or the need to re-evaluate or refine the activity. Propose at least one outcome indicator that reflects achievement of each of the targeted project objective(s) previously identified. Include any considerations derived from the gender analysis exercise to demonstrate how gender and marginalized communities have been considered in program design. Propose a set of output and any intermediate outcome (between outputs and the objective) indicators that reflect the project results that are most critical for achieving the objective. These indicators will be updated later during the design process and once a final project logic model has been approved.

· Assumptions: Describe the main assumptions that underpin the theory of change and on which success rests. Include any assumptions that are understood from the gender analysis exercise.

· Necessary Conditions: Describe any conditions that need to be in place before activities start. Conditions can include political (upcoming elections) or programming (must occur after rainy season) or baseline logistics and maintenance capabilities.

A.2 SOI Formatting Requirements A recommended template for SOI submission is provided in Tab A. For all SOI, the required font for the 12-point, Calibri. It is recommended that paragraphs have a single-spaced line between them. Moreover, applicants should ensure all pages are numbered consecutively.

Adhering to the standards outlined above will help to ensure the accurate submission of the document. SOIs that do not meet the formatting requirements will not advance to the Technical Review stage.

It is strongly recommended that applicants submit their SOIs using Microsoft Word. If applicants do not have access to Microsoft Office products, Adobe PDF files may be submitted.

SOI SUBMISSION

Applicants must submit their application via email to NEA-Grants@state.gov.

SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

SOIs must be timestamped before 16:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 31, 2024. There will be no grace period, and any SOI not received by the deadline will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their SOIs in advance of the deadline. NEA/AC will not grant exceptions to the submission requirements outlined in this announcement for any reason, technical or otherwise.

FUNDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

D.1 Awards to Commercial Firms or For-Profit Organizations:

The Department of State prohibits earning profits under an assistance award to a commercial, for-profit organization. No funds will be paid as profit to any grant recipient that is a commercial, for-profit organization. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200.

Audit Requirements

Domestic and foreign organizations that expend $1,000,000 or more in a fiscal year in federal assistance must perform an independent, recipient-contracted Single Audit or Project Specific Audit. (Project-specific Audit means an audit of one Federal award project. Single Audit means an audit which includes both the entity’s financial statements and the Federal Awards to be conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). The audits must be independently and professionally executed in accordance with GAGAS either prescribed by a government’s Supreme Audit Institution with auditing standards approved by the Comptroller General of the United States, or the host country’s laws or adopted by the host country’s public accountants or associations of public accountants, together with generally accepted international auditing standards. However, foreign entity audits consistent with International Standards for Auditing or other auditing standards are acceptable with the Grants Officer’s approval. More information can be found at https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/693136.pdf

For sub-non-Federal entities expending $1,000,000 or more in Department of State award funding during their fiscal year, Department of State standard audit provisions require that Prime non-federal entities certify that audits of sub-non-Federal entities are performed annually and according to the standards described above. The cost of audits required under this policy may be charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organizations established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget.

Compliance with Applicable Federal Funding Regulations and DOS Terms and Conditions

Payment of funds awarded under this Notice of Funding Opportunity will not be disbursed until the DOS has been assured that the Recipient’s financial management system will provide effective control over and accountability for all Federal funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600 as applicable. Awards issued under this NOFO are subject to the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions (https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/U.S.-Department-of-State-Standard-Terms-and-Conditions-10-21-2020-508.pdf) and 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600 as applicable.

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

REVIEW PROCESS

SOIs will be screened initially to determine whether applicants meet the requirements and priorities outlined in Part I; meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Part III; and submitted the required documents outlined in Part IV. SOIs that do not meet these requirements will not advance to the next review stage.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria presented below serve to: (a) identify the significant matters that applicants should address in their SOIs, and (b) set the standard against which all SOIs will be evaluated.

The SOI must set forth in detail the conceptual approach, methodology, and techniques for accomplishment of the stated project objectives and clearly link the project to the LOEs.

SOIs will be reviewed by the technical review panel on the criteria below and members vote to either “Recommend for Advancement” or “Not Recommend for Advancement.” Successful SOIs advancing to the next stage will be invited via a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to submit full proposals based on the original SOI outline.

1) Project Objectives:

· Project Objectives & Problem Analysis: Applicants include project-specific objectives distinct from the LOEs. Objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time bound. The application includes an informed analysis of the specific problem the proposed project seeks to address, proposes a strong idea to address the issues identified, and appraises the potential results that the project seeks to achieve. The project should include a robust theory of change and describe the longer-term effects that are anticipated to occur past the period of performance.

· Responsiveness to solicitation: Explains how the proposed activities respond to the LOEs listed in this solicitation and it is clear how the project supports efforts to enhance strategic competitiveness in the MENA region.

· Operating Environment/Context: The application makes a convincing case for the proposed approach’s relevance/resonance in the context of the proposed country/countries.

2) Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives:

· Project Approach: The SOI needs to demonstrate a sound approach built upon best practices, proven development methods, and lessons learned from successful projects. Applicants are encouraged to develop innovative approaches, but such innovative approaches should also be well-explained and justified.

3) Theory of Change (ToC) and Expected Results:

· Theory of Change: The SOI should articulate a ToC that is in consideration of the entire project expected long-term outcomes and results by addressing the stated problem/need/gap.

· Expected Results: The application clearly and convincingly articulates the specific expected results, benefits, and deliverables to be achieved within the performance period. Application describes how the proposed approach will lead to these expected results. Outcomes linked to the project objectives are measurable and reasonable, as demonstrated by proposed indicators.

4) Institution’s Record and Capacity:

· Applicant should demonstrate an institutional record of successful projects. Applicant should demonstrate the capacity to design and manage activities.

ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

BRANDING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTEES

Provision XVII of the Standard Terms and Conditions for U.S. Department of State assistance awards requires that materials produced under an award must be marked appropriately to acknowledge the support of the U.S. Department of State.

No waiver is granted for this project. Therefore, as a condition of receipt of this assistance award, the U.S. Flag should be included in a prominent or easily visible place on all materials published or mass produced under this award.

Exceptions to the branding and marking requirements may be determined upon request on a case-by-case bases and must have the prior written approval from the NEA/AC Grants Officer.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Reporting is critical to effective project management and oversight. Reports are required as a means of evaluating the recipient’s progress and utilization of resources. They are divided between a performance progress report and a financial status report.

Recipients will, at a minimum, be required to submit Quarterly Progress Reports and a Quarterly Financial Report. Progress Reports will compare actual to planned performance, indicate the progress made in accomplishing each assistance award tasks/goals noted in the grant agreement, and contain analysis and summary of findings, both quantitative and qualitative, for key indicators. Financial Reports provide a means of monitoring expenditures and comparing costs incurred with progress.

Recipients must report immediately when a project faces unplanned delays in implementation, fails to meet project targets or milestones, or costs increase. Any changes or revisions to the approved budget require prior approval from the NEA/AC Grants Officer.

Recipients are required to report project and beneficiary achievements on a quarterly basis (or provide written confirmation that there is no related news for the given quarter) beginning with the second quarter’s project report.

UEI NUMBER REQUIREMENT FOR SUB-AWARDEES

All sub-awardees are required to have a UEI number. For information on obtaining a UEI number, please see Part III, Section B.1. Proposed sub-awardees are not required to have a UEI number prior to the submission of an application but must have one prior to a sub-award being issued.

APPLICANT VETTING AS A CONDITION OF AWARD

Applicants are advised that successful passing of vetting to evaluate the risk that funds may benefit terrorists, or their supporters is a condition of award. More information on eligibility requirements related to vetting is under Part III. Eligibility Requirements Section B.2. Please keep these vetting requirements in mind when designing each project.

SENSITIVITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS AWARD

In all public communications, Recipients will be held accountable for appropriate protocol and decorum during the term of an award, given that Recipients of federal funding are associated with the Government of the United States.

AWARD NOTICES

We expect to notify applicants about the status of their SOI within eight months of the close of this announcement. NEA/AC reserves the right to solicit a full proposal under this announcement for a period of up to one year after the announcement’s close date.

AGENCY CONTACTS

The agency contact for this opportunity is NEA-Grants@State.gov. NEA/AC intends to hold virtual office hours in order to respond to questions about this opportunity. Information will be posted shortly as an addendum to this announcement.

DISCLAIMER

The terms and conditions published in this solicitation are binding and may not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be binding. Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the project and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements listed in this solicitation.