SCAKAB-24-CA-001-SCA-05092024 - Educational Advising NOFO.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. Mission Afghanistan (Doha)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Title: Educational Advising: Supporting Access to Higher Education for Afghans

Funding Opportunity Number: SCAKAB-24-CA-001-SCA-05092024 Deadline for Applications: July 07, 2024 [11:59p.m., U.S. Eastern time] Deadline for Questions: June 07, 2024 (11:59p.m., U.S. Eastern time) Assistance Listing Number: 19.501 Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan Total Amount Available: $500,000.00 Program Office: Public Diplomacy Section, U.S. Mission Afghanistan (Doha)

CONTACT INFORMATION

• For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800- 518-4726.

• To inquire about the process for obtaining a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) contact Donald Hunter at HunterDS@state.gov.

• For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact KabulPDSProposals@state.gov.

In order to be eligible to receive an award under this NOFO, organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please begin the registration processes immediately to ensure the registrations are completed well in advance of the submission deadline. The process can require several weeks for the registrations to be validated and confirmed. See Section D:

Submission Requirements for further details.

Due to the volume of applicants and inquiries, the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) does not accept letters of intent, concept papers, or requests for meetings or phone calls prior to application.

All application materials must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Application materials submitted via other means such as email will not be accepted.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package is received in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Applicants are urged to begin the application process well before the submission deadline. No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps.

mailto:HunterDS@state.gov mailto:KabulPDSProposals@state.gov http://www.sam.gov/

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Executive Summary

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Mission Afghanistan is pleased to announce an open competition for eligible organizations to submit applications to carry out a program providing educational advising services to public diplomacy program participants and alumni, and to current undergraduate and high school students in Afghanistan, with the goal of assisting qualified applicants in Afghanistan who are ready to pursue higher education at institutions in the region, and in the U.S. This program aims to provide a range of educational advising services, in group and individualized sessions, to promote awareness of educational opportunities for Afghans, and build Afghan capacity to successfully apply for and participate in international higher education opportunities. The primary audience for advising services is current participants and alumni of USG funded educational programs. As a pilot, the program should also include virtual and, when feasible, in-person sessions for participants in Afghanistan and training for local Afghan educators to serve as on-the-ground educators. This program supports increasing access to higher education and should focus on improving access to education for Afghan women.

PDS intends to issue an award for a period of performance of 24 months.

Background

More than 50% of Afghans are under the age of 35. This majority youth population is particularly vulnerable to influence by extremist voices and lacks opportunity to engage in discourse with other youth in Afghanistan and in the region due to the current environment in Afghanistan. Taliban restrictions threaten women and girls’ access to secondary schools and higher education. Within a generation, this will result in declining levels of achievement for women, and complete marginalization of women from the workforce. Young men are also reportedly forced to curtail their education to help support their families. It is of critical importance to U.S. policy objectives that educated Afghans have opportunities to build on their knowledge and skills, and that the next generation of Afghans retain access to higher education. The concept of educational advising, as commonly understood in other contexts, is virtually non-existent in Afghanistan and students are not equipped with the information and skills necessary to pursue higher education opportunities in other countries. There is an absence of resources, infrastructure, and support systems tailored to assist Afghans in navigating the complexities of foreign education systems and in accessing foreign higher education opportunities.

Program Goal:

The goal of this program is to fill this critical gap by establishing educational advising services so that Afghan students can identify, apply for, and participate in foreign higher education programs. As conditions permit, a pilot of this program should establish a network of advising services in Afghanistan through existing student recruitment and content delivery networks, through universities in Afghanistan or other established frameworks to reach current and former students, particularly women. Success will be measured by tangible improvements in access to education, increased enrollment rates for Afghan students and enhanced academic and career outcomes.

Program Objectives:

• Provide Educational Advising Services to Current USG Program Participants: To aid Afghan students currently participating in USG-funded programs in finding, applying for and attending higher education programs outside of Afghanistan. Advising services should be modeled after EducationUSA and be tailored to the unique context Afghans face, to include emphasis on pathways to obtain scholarships and options for transition programs for students whose educational programs were interrupted by the conflict.

• Pilot a Virtual and In-Country Advising Network: The program should establish a framework to provide advising services to Afghans in Afghanistan using existing networks for content delivery, student recruitment or other networks with the ability to reach prospective students, particularly women, across Afghanistan. When feasible, the program should build connections with local universities and make progress towards establishing virtual and/or in-person advising programs with current and former students, particularly women. The program should demonstrate proof-of-concept for a broad reaching advising network across the country, capable of raising awareness among Afghan youth, particularly women, of available international higher education programs and equip them with educational advising services sufficient to obtain placement at foreign universities. This includes assisting individuals in navigating the complexities of the higher education system, accessing financial aid, and identifying suitable academic programs.

Participants and Audiences

The primary audience for this project is Afghans currently participating in, or having recently completed, USG sponsored programs. The focus should be on those who are between the ages of 18-35, and primarily women.

A secondary audience for this project, through the pilot, are Afghans ages 15-35 particularly women, inside Afghanistan who have an undergraduate degree, some undergraduate study, a high school degree, or are less than one year for completing a high school degree and have a strong desire and commitment to furthering their education. The participants should reflect the diversity of Afghanistan and include women and men, Afghans from urban and rural areas, as well as a mix of ethnic groups.

Project Details

Proposals should include the following:

• Clear Objectives: The proposal should clearly outline the project's objectives and how they will be achieved.

• Target Audience and Beneficiaries: The proposal should identify the primary audience and beneficiaries of the project, as described above.

• Participant Recruitment Plan: All proposals should include a plan for recruiting a diverse set of participants, in addition to participants in USG-sponsored programs, who are likely to complete the program successfully and intend to use their knowledge in finding higher education opportunities. If potential awardees plan to partner with organizations inside or outside of Afghanistan, their proposals should detail which organizations they will work with and what capabilities they have in participant recruitment, including handling travel logistics.

o Details about the organization’s experience with international students from conflict zones.

o A detailed budget, including per-student breakdown of all costs.

o A plan for tracking student progress.

• Strategies and Activities: The proposal should describe the strategies and activities that will be implemented to achieve the project's objectives. The plans should include:

o Details on the type and number of activities that will be available to the participants.

o Key personnel or partner organizations – along with their requisite experience – who will help develop the program schedule and conduct trainings.

o Plan for any additional opportunities or support for the students.

• Media and Public Outreach: All proposals should include a plan to develop content— including text and multimedia content—that is both (1) suitable for public release to create awareness about U.S. government efforts to promote higher education support for Afghans in Afghanistan and outside Afghanistan, and (2) sensitive to the security concerns of individual participants. Content may take the form of results reports and vignettes, audio/video from online/in person sessions.

• Resource Allocation: The proposal should outline the resources needed to implement the project, including personnel, and equipment. It should also specify how these resources will be allocated to ensure that the project is efficient and effective.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: The proposal should include a plan for monitoring and evaluating the project's progress and impact. This should involve regular reporting on key performance indicators, as well as feedback from beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

• Long-term sustainability plan: The proposal should outline a sustainability plan to ensure that the project's impact is long-lasting.

In addition, proposals should address how projects will incorporate any of the following recommended activities:

Advising sessions and resources that help students understand available academic pathways, identifying suitable institutions and programs, and guide them through the application and enrollment processes. Educational advisors should offer personalized support to address academic, financial, and logistical barriers, ensuring that participants have the information and assistance they need to make informed decisions about their educational futures.

Key areas of support within the range of education advising could include:

1. Group and 1:1 advising sessions, virtual and in person, with USG sponsored program participants modeled on EducationUSA and tailored to prepare participants for further study in the region or at foreign institutions.

2. Informational resources and workshops, virtual and in person, covering a range of topics relevant to higher education access, including standardized testing preparation, scholarship opportunities, financial aid options, and academic support services. These resources will empower participants with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the higher education journey effectively.

3. Peer mentorship and support networks: Participants in the program will have the opportunity to engage in peer mentorship and support networks, connecting them with fellow students and alumni who can provide guidance and encouragement throughout their educational endeavors. Peer mentorship programs will facilitate networking and community-building among individuals pursuing higher education.

4. Guidance in selecting suitable higher education institutions that align with student’s interests, strengths, and circumstances, thereby increasing their chances of admission.

5. Pilot: Establish a network to deliver advising services to Afghan youth in Afghanistan. As conditions permit, establish connections with domestic universities and their current/former student populations and design and being implementing a program to provide educational advising services to interested Afghan youth with at least 3 years of high school study. Prioritize services for Afghan women who have more limited domestic educational opportunities.

The safety and security of all participants and activities under this project are the sole responsibility of the award recipient. Due to the changing nature of security in Afghanistan, PDS requires all applicants to include in their proposal a security plan to accompany appropriate programmatic elements within their proposal. Security packages may include, but are not limited to, secure transportation, lodging, and emergency evacuation for personnel living or working in Afghanistan. Reasonable costs for necessary security are allowable expenses and may be included in the proposed budget. Additionally, applicants should submit their organizational policy for working within high-risk environments, which should include security operational procedures.

The U.S. Mission Afghanistan cannot stress enough that the security and safety of implementing partners and program participants is paramount. All program proposals must describe any safety precautions and measures that will be undertaken to minimize risks to implementors as well as participants. It is the responsibility of the prime recipient of the award to ensure protection of personally identifiable information (PII) and safeguard PII when collecting, maintaining using and disseminating such information. The U.S. Mission Afghanistan also reserves the right to suspend or adjust program elements as necessary to ensure the protection of implementing partners and participants.

This project will be funded by 0.7 Public Diplomacy Funds and is subject to the statutory limitations of such funding.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 24 months Number of awards anticipated: One award (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $200,000.00 to a maximum of $500,000.00.

Total available funding: $500,000.00 Type of Funding: FY24 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated programs start date: September 2024.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less.

The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

Support for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA): All programs should consider strategies for expanding the pool of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries to afford opportunities for as diverse and inclusive population as is feasible to bring diverse perspectives based on religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, and age to implementation of the program.

The Public Diplomacy Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the designated grants officer.

C. ELIGILIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligibility is open to non-profit organizations. Organizations may sub-award/contract with other entities, but only one non-profit entity may be the prime recipient of the award. For-profit entities are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award under this NOFO. When sub-awarding/contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. Individuals are not eligible for an award under this NOFO. Please refer to Section D for funding restrictions.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

• In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

• Applications that fail to furnish all documents and information outlined in Section D of this notice or comply with the stated requirements will not be considered for an award.

• Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in SAM is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p.

189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

• There is no limit on the number of applications an entity may submit for this NOFO.

• Previous federal award recipients that are not/were not in compliance with the terms of the award, including the financial and program reporting requirements, are not eligible for an award under this NOFO. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure it is in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of Management and Budget guidance and requirements.

• Applicants may be asked to submit information required by DS Form 4184 Risk Analysis Information about their organization and its principal personnel. Vetting information is also required for all sub-award and contractor performance on assistance awards identified by the Department as presenting a risk of terrorist financing. If an application is selected to move forward in the review process and when vetting information is requested by the Grants Officer, information may be submitted on the secure web portal at https://ramportal.state.gov or via email to RAM@state.gov . Questions about the form may be emailed to RAM@state.gov . Failure to submit information when requested or failure to pass Dept of State vetting may be grounds for rejecting your proposal.

• Applicants are advised that individuals proposed to participate in an award resulting from this NOFO (recipient employees, contractors, beneficiaries, etc.) are subject to vetting for involvement in corrupt practices, illicit narcotics production or trafficking, and violation of human rights. Successful vetting is a precondition to any award under this NOFO.

4. This opportunity will not support:

• Projects relating to partisan political activity;

• Charitable or development activities;

• Construction projects;

• Projects that support specific religious activities;

• Fund-raising campaigns;

• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs

• Scientific research or surveys;

• Commercial projects;

• Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;

• Projects that duplicate existing projects; or

• Illegal activities

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Address to Request Application Package

This NOFO document and any amendments can be found at www.grants.gov and Grant

Opportunities - U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan (usembassy.gov). If you require special accommodation to access any information contained in this announcement, please contact KabulPDSProposals@state.gov (preferred method of communication)

Content and Form of Application Submission Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

https://ramportal.state.gov/ mailto:RAM@state.gov mailto:RAM@state.gov http://www.grants.gov/ https://af.usembassy.gov/embassy/grant-opportunities/ https://af.usembassy.gov/embassy/grant-opportunities/

Content of Application Please ensure:

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

• All documents are in English

• All budgets are in U.S. dollars

• All pages are numbered

• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

• All materials are submitted in one of the following formats: .xls, .xlsx. .doc, .docx, .pdf, or.jpeg. Other file types will likely not be reviewed.

• Grants.gov does not accept all UTF-8 special characters in file attachment names.

Applicants are able to enter all special characters from the UTF-8 character set when submitting applications and information to Grants.gov. However, if the grantor's system is not yet compatible with these special characters, the grantor system may produce garbled or missing text in the application. As a result, the application may be rejected.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)

• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov)

All submissions must include the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the SF-424A Budget Information—Non-Construction. These forms and the instructions for completing them are available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html under the heading “SF-424 Family.”

NOTE: The SF-424B is required only for those applicants who have not registered in SAM.gov.

An authorized signature by the applicant must be provided on this form.

2. Technical Proposal (15 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

• Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact.

• Organizational Description and Capacity: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies as well as experience with and http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html expertise in areas related to those described in the NOFO. You may use the attached Applicant Organization Information Survey form to provide this information

• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed

• Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

• Program Methods, Design, Activities, and Deliverables: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

• Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

• Key Personnel: At a minimum the Program Manager and the Finance Officer position will be designated key personnel for this project. The proposal narrative should include names, titles, roles, and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program and communicate what proportion of their time will be devoted to this program. As a required attachment, applicants must include a 1-page CV or resume for each key personnel proposed for the program. If an individual for these positions have not been identified, the applicant may submit a 1-page position description identifying the qualifications and skills required for the position in lieu of a resume.

• Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.

• Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

• Support of Equity and Underserved Communities: A description of how the applicant plans on incorporating principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and engaging underserved communities in their program’s administration, design, and implementation. For more information, please reference Section F. Federal Award Administration Information.

• Program Monitoring & Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants.

Throughout the timeframe of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? Proposals must include a draft Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). The M&E PMP should show how applicants intend to measure and demonstrate progress towards the project’s objectives and goals. Annex 2 of this funding opportunity contains a template that may be used to fulfill this requirement. While the applicant is free to create their own template, completing Annex 2 will ensure a thorough PMP.

The required components to the PMP are as follows:

a. Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative: In narrative form, applicants should describe how they intend to monitor and evaluate the activities of their award and collect data that tracks award performance. In addition, the applicant should describe any M&E processes, including key personnel, management structure (where M&E fits into the overall program’s staff structure), technology, and as well provide a brief budget narrative explaining any line-item expenditures for M&E listed in the program’s budget.

Submission should demonstrate an ability to adjust project activities based on new information. If the proposal is from a prior grantee, the proposal discusses how the grantee has adapted, improved, or otherwise modified their approach based on learning from previous experience. This narrative is limited to two pages.

b. Theory of Change Diagram: Applicants will be expected to submit either a Theory of Change diagram or an If-Then Statement that illustrates how project activities will lead to intended outcomes. Annex 2 includes a suggested format for these requirements.

c. Monitoring and Evaluation Datasheet: The applicant must include their proposed activities and their expected outputs and outcomes as well as the goals and objectives as written in the NOFO. The datasheet’s purpose is to explicitly illustrate how a project’s activities lead to tangible results (such as increased beneficiary skills, knowledge, or attitudes) that ultimately address a PDS objective. For more information, please see Annex 2.1: Instructions.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Datasheet must include the following components (depending on the proposal’s focus), which demonstrate progress toward the program objectives set out in the NOFO:

• Survey of participants before and after they receive educational advising.

• A before and after survey of participants in any capacity training/ workshops.

• Survey of participants at the end of the program to determine whether they were accepted or enrolled at higher education institutions and whether they received any funding.

The selected applicant’s M&E PMP is subject to review and approval before any award will be issued under this NOFO. The selected applicant will be required to work with PDS Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to ensure the applicant’s M&E PMP achieves an expected level of expertise and meets PDS objectives. The potential grantee will also be required to track Department-mandated performance indicators, per funding regulations.

Expenses directly associated with monitoring and evaluation are considered allowable. The suggested template includes a space to list the portion of the total budget amount directly associated with monitoring and evaluation activities.

3. Detailed Line-Item Budget: Applications will not be considered complete and eligible for consideration unless they include budgets that respond to the NOFO guidelines. Complete budgets must include detailed line items outlining specific cost requirements for proposed activities. Applicants must adhere to the regulations found in 2 CFR 200 Uniform http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl

Administrative Requirements, Costs Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR Part 30 and Part 31.

Applications must include a detailed line-item budget (in Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet format) that delineates funds requested from the Embassy and cost-share (see below for more information on budget format). Costs must be in U.S. dollars. The budget must identify the total amount of funding requested, with a breakdown of amounts to be spent in the following budget categories: personnel; fringe benefits; travel; equipment; supplies;

consultants/contracts; other direct costs; and indirect costs. See Annex 1 for a description of the types of costs that should be included in each category.

Additional Budget Considerations

• Please note the audit requirements for Department of State awards in the Standard Terms and Conditions https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm and 2 CFR 200, Subpart F – Audit Requirements. The cost of the required audits may be charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organization’s established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget.

• Organizations claiming indirect costs should have an established Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). A copy of the NICRA should be provided with the proposal package. If sub-grantees are claiming indirect costs, they should have an established NICRA, and it should also be submitted with the proposal package. Information on how to obtain a NICRA rate is listed in Section G. If a non-profit organization does not have a NICRA and the proposal budget has a line item for indirect cost charges, those indirect charges may not exceed 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs. The 10% maximum does not apply to for-profit entities. For-profit entities that do not have a NICRA but do have a formally established General and Administrative (G&A) rate may apply the G&A rate. For-profit entities that do not have a formally established G&A rate should allocate indirect costs to the appropriate direct cost category.

• Grant funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

a. Budget Justification Narrative: The purpose of the budget justification narrative is to supplement the information provided in the budget spreadsheet by justifying how the budget cost elements are necessary to implement project objectives and accomplish the project goals. The budget justification narrative is a tool to help PDS staff fully understand the budgetary needs of the applicant and is an opportunity to provide descriptive information about the requested costs beyond the constraints of the budget template. Together, the detailed budget spreadsheet, the budget justification narrative, and the SF-424A should provide a complete financial and qualitative description that http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=faafd0fce318cf3701c4ba848b603624&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1101 supports the proposed project plan and should be directly relatable to the specific project components described in the applicant’s proposal.

4. Required Attachments:

a. Key Personnel Resumes: A résumé, not to exceed one page in length, must be included for the proposed key staff persons, such as the Project Director and Finance Officer, as well as any speakers or trainers (if applicable). If an individual for this type of position has not been identified, the applicant may submit a 1-page position description, identifying the qualifications and skills required for that position, in lieu of a résumé.

b. Letters of support from program partners: Letters of support should be included for sub-recipients or other partners. The letters must identify the type of relationship to be entered into (formal or informal), the roles and responsibilities of each partner in relation to the proposed project activities, and the expected result of the partnership.

The individual letters cannot exceed 1 page in length.

c. Indirect Costs: If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included in the application submission.

d. Proof of Non-profit Status –Documentation to demonstrate the applicant’s non-profit status (e.g., U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service determination letter, and non-U.S. organizations should provide evidence of non-profit status issued by a government entity).

e. Proof of Registration: A copy of the organization’s registration should be provided with the proposal application. U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter. Afghanistan-based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization.

f. Security plan: All proposals must include a security plan. We require award recipients to notify the Public Diplomacy Section in advance of any travel by staff, program participants, or other individuals to Afghanistan in connection with the program. The applicant should submit their organizational policy for working in high-risk environments.

Other items NOT required/requested with the application submission, but which may be requested if your application is approved to move forward in the review process include:

a) Copies of an organization or program audit within the last two (2) years

b) Copies of relevant human resources, financial, or procurement policies

c) Copies of other relevant organizational policies or documentation that would help the Department determine your organization’s capacity to manage a federal grant award overseas.

d) Information to determine what financial controls and standard operating procedures an organization uses to procure goods and services, hire staff and track time and attendance, pay for grant-related travel, and identify other financial transactions that may be necessary to undertake the project activities

e) The Embassy reserves the right to request any additional programmatic and/or financial information regarding the proposal.

Applications are accepted in English only, and final grant agreements will be concluded in English. Budgets should be submitted in U.S. dollars, and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars.

Required Registrations:

Unique Entity Identifier and registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (NOTE:

This section is required, with no exceptions.)

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the www.SAM.gov . A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and

Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

Any applicant with an exclusion in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp.,

p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.”

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. SAM.gov is the Federal government's primary database for complying with FFATA reporting requirements. OMB designated SAM.gov as the central repository to facilitate applicant and recipient use of a single public website that consolidates data on all federal financial assistance. Under the law, it is mandatory to register in SAM.gov.

Starting April 2022, the UEI will be assigned when an organization registers or renews it’s registration in SAM.gov at www.SAM.gov. To access SAM.gov an organization is required to have a Login.gov account. Organization can create an account at https://login.gov/. As a reminder, organizations need to renew its sam.gov registration annually.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sam.gov%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C8a179f425ec644553b0a08da0c446ace%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C637835785239027166%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=1O%2BquRWkk5TWZ9R%2FzeWA%2BjVqSPwgts5FKs5lUXBCVGU%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flogin.gov%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C8a179f425ec644553b0a08da0c446ace%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C637835785239027166%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=tZgLWndOJE4QfgsenOHTZxlAyGwD1%2FcsHk9zT0XqO9g%3D&reserved=0 www.sam.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.gov.

If an organization plans to issue a sub-contract or sub-award, those sub-awardees must also have a unique entity identifier (UEI number). Those entities can register for a UEI only at SAM.gov.

If an organization does not have an active registration in SAM.gov prior to submitting an application, the application could be deemed ineligible. All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations, the latter are free of charge.

Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from

4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

• Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

• Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

• Please note that as of November 2022 and February 2022 respectively, organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code or CAGE code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove a CAGE or NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain a CAGE or NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sam.gov%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C8a179f425ec644553b0a08da0c446ace%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C637835785239027166%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=1O%2BquRWkk5TWZ9R%2FzeWA%2BjVqSPwgts5FKs5lUXBCVGU%3D&reserved=0#_blank https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2Fgsafsd_sp%3Fid%3Dgsafsd_kb_articles%26sys_id%3Dc81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W2ShcazZBQbanYGj0cLOTnUJwv%2BGL4xfwr83%2BycQY2E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t32ANWzgpiB93pMWoq%2BFCSHz4YJY9QF1S1iQzCsS6RM%3D&reserved=0

Submission Dates and Times

Application Deadline: All applications must be received by July 07, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. U.S.

Eastern Time. For the purposes of determining if an award is submitted on time, officials will utilize the time stamp provided by Grants.gov. This deadline is firm and is not a rolling deadline. If organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above, their applications will be considered ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

Question Deadline: For questions on this solicitation, please contact KabulPDSProposals@state.gov Questions must be received on or before June 07, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time. Applicants should not expect an email response to questions, as questions received before the deadline will be answered in a question and answer document and posted at http://www.grants.gov and Grant Opportunities - U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan

(usembassy.gov).

Funding Restrictions

• Construction: Any award made as a result of this NOFO will not allow for construction activities or costs.

• Pre-award Costs: Any costs incurred prior to the award start date in the Federal Notice of

Award are incurred at the recipient’s own risk. Approval of these costs requires authorization of the Grants Officer to be considered allowable, will only be considered on a case-by-case basis, and will only be authorized in extraordinary circumstances. Applicants should assume that any costs incurred before the start date on the Federal Notice of Award will not be authorized.

Submission Requirements This section provides the application submission and receipt instructions for program applications. Please read the following instructions carefully and completely.

Electronic delivery via www.grants.gov PDS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. PDS requires applicants to submit their applications electronically through Grants.gov. Applications submitted via any other means such as email will not be accepted.

To submit an application via Grants.gov, all organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge:

1. www.SAM.gov registration (which will generate a UEI). An active SAM registration (www.SAM.gov) with current information at all times during which they have an active federal award or an application under consideration by a federal awarding agency. Applicants must be fully registered in SAM before submitting an application;

mailto:KabulPDSProposals@state.gov http://www.grants.gov/ https://af.usembassy.gov/embassy/grant-opportunities/ https://af.usembassy.gov/embassy/grant-opportunities/ applicants that do not have an active SAM registration will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for an award. For information on how to register with SAM, see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html and https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx#show-video-popup. Note that when SAM registration is complete the organization will be issued a SAM.gov-generated UEI. SAM registration must be renewed annually. The Department may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use this determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

2. A Grants.gov account. Instructions on how to register for a Grants.gov account can be found here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

The registration process can take up to five weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not affect your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

Grants.gov has a full set of instructions on how to apply for opportunities on its website at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html.

Grants.gov does not accept all UTF-8 special characters in file attachment names. Please note the file name restrictions at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf-8-special-characters.html.

Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package 24-48 hours prior to the submission deadline to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that disrupt the initial application submission. Grants.gov provides customer support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and via email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact KabulPDSProposals@state.gov . Please note, PDS cannot assist with questions on or technical issues with www.grants.gov. Applicants experiencing issues with Grants.gov should contact the Grants.gov Help Desk.

Timely receipt requirements and proof of timely submission All applications must be received by the deadline communicated in this NOFO. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. Applicants should print this receipt and save it as proof of timely submission.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx#show-video-popup https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx#show-video-popup https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf-8-special-characters.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf-8-special-characters.html mailto:support@grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/

When PDS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt to the email address of the Authorized Organization Representative. Proof of timely submission shall be the date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding.

Applicants using dial-up connections should be aware that transmission should take some time before Grants.gov receives it. Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission message. The Grants.gov Contact Center reports that some applicants abort the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application. Uploading and transmitting many files, particularly electronic forms with associated XML schemas, will take some time to be processed.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria: Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the criteria enumerated below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.

• Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea should be innovative and well developed, with sufficient detail about how project activities will be carried out. The proposals should demonstrate originality and outline clear, achievable objectives. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

The project scope is appropriate and clearly defined. Proposals should also demonstrate how the program will support diversity, equity, inclusion and…