SFOP0005119 WEE Questions and Answers Version 2.docx

SFOP0005119 Questions and Answers Version 2 This updated version further clarifies partner and sub-recipients for #9.

1. The NOFO states that “no activities may take place inside Egypt, […].” Does this refer to data collection activities only? We are interested in applying for this opportunity but want to confirm if staff time for program planning, management, data analysis (not collection), and other activities may take place in Egypt.

Answer: No activities are permitted to take place inside Egypt including staff time for program planning, management, and data analysis or collection.

1. We would like to confirm that for this funding opportunity MENA is defined as only the countries listed on the Countries and Other Areas page of the Bureau of NEA website. Sudan is sometimes included in MENA, so we would like to ask if it should also be considered under this proposal.

Answer: Correct, this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeks to support projects in the MENA region, which is limited to those detailed on the Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs “Countries and Other Areas” website (https://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/index.htm). As such, Sudan is not considered an eligible country.

1. Please confirm if all countries listed in the Bureau’s definition of MENA should be included in the index on the status of women in the MENA economies.

Answer: There is no minimum or maximum requirement for country inclusion. However, including as many countries as possible listed in the NEA Bureau’s definition of MENA is strongly desired.

1. Alternatively, is there a minimum number of countries that must be included?

Answer: There is no minimum or maximum requirement for country inclusion. However, including as many countries as possible listed in the NEA Bureau’s definition of MENA is strongly desired.

1. Kindly advise if Sudan (Northern) is considered among MENA countries.

Answer: No, neither Sudan nor South Sudan are considered eligible countries for this NOFO.

1. Is this grant opportunity available to citizens of the United States?

Answer: The NOFO details eligible applicants on page 11 and 12, which includes: U.S. or foreign: Non-profit organizations; For-profit organizations; Private institutions of higher education; Public or state institutions of higher education; and/or Public international or intergovernmental organizations. As such, an individual is not eligible to apply to this NOFO.

1. I am currently filling out the SF-424 form on SAMS Domestic. The guidance outline specifies "Item #3 - #4—Date Received/Applicant Identifier: Leave blank." However, on the SAMS Domestic website (opposed to the same item on the web form on grants.gov), there is an asterisk (*) next to item #3, indicating this field cannot be left blank. Which date do I enter for "date received"?

Answer: Please provide us with the guidance you are reviewing to complete the SF-424. In completing the application, the date entered into the field should be the date you are submitting the application.

1. Is it possible for an organization based in Cairo to be a partner? We understand that no activities, such as conferences, etc. will take place in Egypt.

Answer: No activities or partners should be based in Egypt.

1. Do all partner organizations need to register on both the DUNS and the SAM?

Answer: All organizations that are being proposed as sub-awardees must have a DUNS/Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) prior to any sub-awards being issued though a registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) for the sub-awardee(s) is not a requirement. An organization can include proposed sub-awardees that do not yet have an UEI. A partner does not necessarily need to be a sub-recipient. For further guidance on determining if a proposed partner would be a sub-awardee, refer to 2 CFR 200.330.

1. How do we acquire the status of Authorized Official Registered (AOR) role?

Answer: You should be prompted to indicate who the AOR is at your organization when completing the application. If you are facing difficulty with this aspect of the application, please contact the help desk corresponding to the platform which you are utilizing to complete your application. For SAMS Domestic, you can contact the support desk at 1.888.313.4567 and for Grants.gov, email support@grants.gov.

1. Where do we obtain Forms SF-424 and SF-424a?

Answer: These documents are available on both the SAMS Domestic and Grants.gov websites when completing the application.

1. Would NEAAC consider eliminating or reducing the cost share requirement for this project? As a service oriented survey/research activity it is typically challenging to secure cost share from implementing partners.

Answer: NEA/AC has made cost-sharing at 10% required, which is also included as an element in the evaluation criteria. The cost-share does not need to come only from implementing partners but can also be proposed from the organization itself that is applying to the NOFO.

1. For the countries where in-country activities are not permitted (i.e. Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Syria, the UAE and the West Bank/Gaza), can remote data collection activities take place as long as there is no staff presence or travel in the country in question?

Answer: Remote data collection activities can take place and is highly encouraged.