SCAKAB-24-GR-002-SCA-04222024 Creative Employment Solutions for Afghan Women.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. Mission Afghanistan (Doha)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Title: Creative Employment Solutions for Afghan Women Funding Opportunity Number: SCAKAB-24-GR-002-SCA-04222024 Deadline for Applications: June 21, 2024 [11:59p.m., U.S. Eastern time] Deadline for Questions: May 22, 2024 (11:59p.m., U.S. Eastern time) Assistance Listing Number: 19.501 Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan Total Amount Available: $750,000.00 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.

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 to mailto:HunterDS@state.gov mailto:KabulPDSProposals@state.gov http://www.sam.gov/ empower Afghan women to conduct home-based, remote, and other creative employment arrangements tailored to fit the unique circumstances in Afghanistan. This initiative seeks to address the challenges faced by Afghan women, particularly in accessing employment opportunities, by equipping them with the skills and resources needed for home-based, remote, and other creative employment arrangements.

The program aims to accomplish the following:

• Empower Afghan women with skills and access to resources for home-based, remote work, and other creative employment arrangements.

• Reshape societal perceptions about women's participation in the workforce to foster an environment conducive to women making meaningful contributions to the local economy.

• Create sustainable pathways towards economic independence and progress for Afghan women.

Activities will primarily take place in Afghanistan, focusing on areas heavily impacted by restrictions on women's rights, which has significantly impeded their access to employment opportunities. PDS seeks proposals for projects that should address at least one or more of the following areas:

• Career Readiness Workshops: Enhancing women's skills for home-based and remote employment through targeted training sessions to explain these models and coach women on setting up these types of work arrangements.

• Mentorship Programs: Providing ongoing support and guidance to women participating in the initiative by establishing mentorship relationships. Guiding participants through the job search, application, and interview process, and in their first months of employment.

• Placement and Matchmaking Services: Establishing relationships with remote or home-based work-friendly employers, raising awareness among such employers about the skills available to them through remote employment arrangements with Afghan women, facilitating engagement between program participants and employers through virtual career fairs or other opportunities, etc.

• On-the-Job Training Programs: Facilitating practical experience and skills building in the remote work sector through virtual internship or job training experiences.

• Advocacy and Awareness: Raising awareness among Afghan women about the opportunities of remote work arrangements and best practices in seeking and maintaining such employment.

• Strengthening Partnerships for Remote/Home-based Work Empowerment:

Establishing collaborations with organizations specializing in remote and home-based work initiatives to enhance women's access to job opportunities in these environments, providing tailored resources and mentorship.

This funding opportunity provides an overview of the project's objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and resource needs. It underscores our commitment to promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment in Afghanistan. We encourage proposals that contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable society by addressing the unique challenges faced by Afghan women in accessing employment opportunities.

PDS intends to issue an award for a period of performance between 12 and 18 months.

Background

This initiative is intended to address a critical issue facing Afghan women in the aftermath of recent socio-political changes in Afghanistan. Restrictions on women's rights have significantly impeded their access to employment opportunities, hindering their economic independence and the nation's overall development. Consequently, there is an urgent need for interventions that empower Afghan women with the skills and resources necessary for engaging in remote and home-based employment. The Afghan economy is losing approximately $1 billion per year by leaving half of its population behind, according to the UN. The long-term ramifications for Afghanistan will only multiply exponentially with each generation that is kept out of the work force.

This initiative builds upon past projects and programming efforts aimed at promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment in Afghanistan. Previous projects funded by the U.S. Mission have focused on various aspects of women's entrepreneurship, workforce participation, and skills development.

Through careful analysis of past projects, we have identified best practices and lessons learned that inform the design of the Capacity Building in Creative Employment Solutions for Afghan Women project. Activities such as mentorship programs, targeted skill-building workshops, and collaborative partnerships will show promising results in empowering women and facilitating their economic inclusion. Conversely, challenges have been encountered in areas where societal attitudes and cultural norms pose significant barriers to women's participation in the workforce.

Program Goal:

The goal of this NOFO is to support projects that build on past successes and address existing challenges to empower Afghan women with the skills and opportunities needed for remote and home-based employment. Success will be measured by tangible outcomes such as increased participation of women in remote jobs or home-based works, improved employability and economic independence, and a shift in societal attitudes towards women's workforce participation. The project should aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society where Afghan women can thrive economically and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Program Objectives:

The project objectives should include:

• Empower Afghan women with the necessary skills, resources, and confidence to engage in remote and home-based employment.

• Facilitate access to job opportunities in remote or home-based work for Afghan women:

o By providing targeted training and support;

o By stablishing strategic partnerships with remote or home-based work-friendly organizations to provide direct job opportunities for Afghan women;

o By providing ongoing mentorship and support to women participating in the initiative to navigate professional challenges and build lasting connections, focusing on practical steps to ensure their success in remote or home-based work.

• Create sustainable pathways towards economic independence for Afghan women.

• Monitor and evaluate the progress of participants, training programs, and overall impact of the initiative to ensure effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

• Continuously adapt and improve the program to address changing circumstances and enhance its effectiveness over time, optimize opportunities for Afghan women in remote or home-based work.

Participants and Audiences:

This project is primarily designed to support and benefit women between the ages of 21-40 in Afghanistan, alongside a broad range of stakeholders including:

• Advocates for alternative work arrangements: Local community leaders and influencers, educational institutions, local NGOs, and civil society organizations interested in learning about and advocating for alternative work arrangements to facilitate Afghan women’s participation in the workforce.

Potential Employers: International and Domestic Businesses and Donor Organizations that are permissive of remote work arrangements.

• Women entrepreneurs currently or previously working in sectors conducive to home-based, remote work, and creative employment arrangements.

Project Details

The proposal should incorporate the following specifics to ensure a comprehensive and effective project plan:

• Clear Objectives: Clearly define the project's objectives, emphasizing the empowerment of Afghan women through remote and home-based employment. Proposals should outline strategies for achieving these objectives, including targeted capacity-building workshops, on-the-job training programs, advocacy campaigns, and strategic partnerships.

• Target Audience and Beneficiaries: Identify the primary audience and beneficiaries of the project, focusing on Afghan women affected by limited access to employment opportunities. Proposals should detail recruitment strategies to ensure participation from diverse backgrounds, encompassing both rural and urban areas.

• Strategies and Activities: Describe in detail the strategies and activities that will be implemented to achieve the project's objectives. This may include conducting capacity-building workshops covering topics such as CV writing, job interview techniques, and remote or home-based work-specific competencies. On-the-job training programs should be facilitated through partnerships with remote or home-based work-friendly organizations, offering practical experience and insights. Advocacy campaigns should aim to reshape societal perceptions and promote acceptance of women in remote jobs and home-based works.

• Resource Allocation: Outline the resources required for successful project implementation, including personnel, equipment, and materials. Proposals should specify how these resources will be allocated to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in achieving project goals.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop a plan for monitoring and evaluating the project's progress and impact. This should include regular reporting on key performance indicators, feedback mechanisms from beneficiaries and stakeholders, and data analysis to assess the effectiveness of interventions.

• Sustainability Plan: Provide a sustainability plan to ensure long-lasting impact beyond the project's duration. This may involve building partnerships with local organizations, empowering women to become leaders in their communities, and advocating for policy changes that support women's rights and gender equality.

Sample Approaches to Achieve the Project Objectives could include the following activities:

• Tailored Capacity Building Workshops o Develop specialized workshops covering essential skills for home-based and remote employment tailored to the needs and context of Afghan women.

o Engage experienced instructors who understand the cultural nuances and challenges faced by women in Afghanistan.

o Provide hands-on training in areas such as C.V. writing, job interview techniques, and remote job or home-based work-specific competencies.

• Strategic On-the-Job Training Programs o Forge partnerships with remote or home-based work-friendly organizations to provide practical experience and insights into the remote or home-based work sector.

o Establish mentorship programs within partnering organizations to provide ongoing support and guidance to women during their training.

o Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of on-the-job training programs to ensure alignment with participants' needs and industry requirements.

• Forming Strategic Partnerships o Establish partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders including remote or home-based work-friendly businesses, educational institutions, NGOs, and media outlets.

o Develop Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) outlining the terms of collaboration and mutual support including commitments for training, internship, and job placements where possible.

o Foster regular communication channels and networking events to facilitate knowledge sharing and resource mobilization.

• Robust Mentorship Programs o Design structured mentorship programs to provide personalized support and guidance to women throughout their journey in home-based and remote employment.

o Recruit mentors with relevant expertise and experience in the remote job and/or home-based work sector to offer valuable insights and advice.

o Conduct periodic progress reviews to assess the effectiveness of mentorship relationships and identify areas for improvement.

• Establishment of a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework o Develop a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress of participants and assess the impact of the initiative.

o Collect qualitative and quantitative data through participant feedback mechanisms, performance metrics, and regular assessments.

o Utilize data analysis to identify trends, measure outcomes, and make data-driven decisions for program improvement.

• Continuous Improvement Mechanisms:

o Establish feedback loops to gather input from participants, stakeholders, and partners for continuous program improvement.

o Regularly review program design and activities to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging needs.

o Encourage a culture of learning and innovation to ensure the initiative remains responsive and effective throughout its implementation period.

Proposals should include a commitment to implement the program for the base period of 12 to 18 months. Details specific to the base period program should be highlighted, with the understanding that the program design, duration, and beneficiary outreach will remain consistent for subsequent option periods. Performance evaluation will determine whether option periods will be exercised, contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.

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 Economic Support Funds, authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act, and is subject to the statutory limitations of such funding.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 12 to 18 months Number of awards anticipated: One award (up to three awards) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $250,000 to a maximum of $750,000 Total available funding: $750,000 Type of Funding: FY23/24 Economic Support Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: September 30, 2024

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 to 18 months.

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. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants Eligibility is open to all types of applicants except for individuals. Please refer to Section D for funding restrictions. Organizations may sub-award/contract with other entities, but only one entity may be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-awarding/contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.

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.

Content of Application 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/

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 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.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html

• 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 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, as well as 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 who receive job training or remote job or home-based work support

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

• Survey of participants regarding the quality and effectiveness of remote or home-based business awareness campaigns created by the project

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 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.

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 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl

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 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 resume, not to exceed one page in length, must be included for the proposed key staff persons, such as the Project Manager and Finance Officer, as 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 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 resume.

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)

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 its registration in SAM.gov at www.SAM.gov. To access SAM.gov, an organization is required to have a Login.gov account. Organizations can create an account at https://login.gov/. As a reminder, organizations need to renew their SAM.gov registration annually.

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.

http://www.sam.gov/ 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 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

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.”

Submission Dates and Times

Application Deadline: All applications must be received by June 21, 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 May 22, 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.

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 mailto:KabulPDSProposals@state.gov http://www.grants.gov/

• 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) must have current information at all times during which an organization has 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;

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.

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

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.

When PDS successfully retrieves the…