Statement of Interest (SOI)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. Embassy Mexico / Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement

Affairs

Announcement Type: Request for Statements of Interest (SOI)

Funding Opportunity Title: Undercover Backstopping Project

Funding Opportunity Number: OFOP0002752

Assistance Listing Number (CFDA): 19.705 - Transnational Crime

Funding Source: Post-Funds

Estimated Funding Amount: $1,500,000.00 U.S. Dollars

SOI Ceiling: $1,500,000.00 U.S. Dollars

SOI Floor: At least $1,000,000.00 U.S. Dollars

Type of Funding: Post-Funds

Number of Awards Anticipated: 1-2 awards (dependent on amounts)

Approximate Length of Project: 24 months

Estimated Project start date: October 2026

SOI Issuance Date: May 15, 2026

Deadline for Submission of Questions: May 29, 2026 by 11:59 PM EST via email

Deadline for Submission of

Applications:

June 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM EST via Grants.gov

Assistance Type: Cooperative Agreement (CA)

Applicant Type and Eligibility

Categories:

Organizations only.

Please see section B. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION for more information.

INL Points of Contact:

Submit questions to both INL contacts:

Najar Starr (StarrND@state.gov) - GO

Daniela Pedroza (PedrozaDG@state.gov) - GOR

MexicoCityINLGU@state.gov - PO

BUREAU MISSION

The mission of the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement

Affairs (INL) is to keep Americans safe by countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad.

INL is at the forefront of responding to these challenges, uniting these overarching themes through our foreign assistance programs, diplomatic engagement, and policy coordination.

mailto:PedrozaDG@state.gov mailto:MexicoCityINLGU@state.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. BASIC INFORMATION

B. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

D. APPLICATION CONTENTS and FORMAT

E. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS and DEADLINE

F. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

G. POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

A. Basic Information

1. Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Embassy International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section in Mexico City announces an open competition for organizations to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a project that protects American communities by enhancing Mexican agencies’ ability to carry conduct undercover operations against transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels threatening U.S. national security. This project will provide recommendations on how the Mexican government could close critical gaps in Mexico’s legal protections and enhance identity management systems for undercover agents, enabling Mexican federal and state law enforcement to safely and reliably conduct undercover operations that support U.S. and Mexican investigations targeting cartels and criminal networks. Additionally, the project should design and execute a basic undercover training course for Mexican undercover agents that Mexican officials could replicate.

By developing robust legal and policy frameworks, designing and piloting a secure backstopping program, and creating a basic undercover training course for replicators, the program aims to protect undercover officers and their identities, validate a scalable model for national expansion, and strengthen long‑term U.S.–Mexico cooperation against criminal networks that threaten communities in both countries.

Please carefully follow all instructions below.

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise 3-page statement of interest designed to clearly communicate projects idea and objectives.

This is not a full proposal and will not result in a federal assistance award at this step.

The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit project ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their project idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decision(s) are made.

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 24 months or less.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Project Description

Priority Region: Mexico

2. Executive Summary

The United States seeks to strengthen its national security and public safety by improving

Mexico’s ability to conduct secure, effective law enforcement operations against cartels and other transnational criminal organizations. A key component of these efforts is the use of undercover (UC) operations. Well-trained Mexican UC officers, whose cover identities are robustly established and protected, can more safely infiltrate criminal networks, collect actionable intelligence, and help build strong, prosecutable cross-border cases that directly support U.S. investigations and prosecutions.

This initiative advances American security interests through three components designed to maximize impact and sustainability. First, it will assess existing federal and state legal frameworks governing undercover operations and develop recommendations for robust protections that safeguard UC officers’ identities, ensure operational secrecy, and enhance accountability. Second, it will design a sustainable, technically sound “backstopping” system for creating, maintaining, and securing government‑issued identity documents for undercover personnel, addressing a critical vulnerability in current UC operations. Third, the program will develop and pilot a basic undercover training course tailored to the Mexican legal context and designed to build local instructor capacity for long‑term replication.

The project will implement a limited‑scope but fully functional pilot with selected Mexican agencies. This pilot will validate system design, demonstrate operational feasibility, and generate lessons learned for possible expansion. By improving the safety, reliability, and legal foundations of undercover work, the program will enhance shared U.S.–Mexico efforts to disrupt criminal networks before they threaten Americans, reducing illegal immigration driven by cartel violence, and protecting U.S. border security.

B. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

• U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the US 115 of the U.S. tax code;

• Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

• Foreign-based educational institutions

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost share is the portion of project costs not borne by the U.S. government. Cost share is recommended but not required for this project.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

C. Program Description

1. Goals and Objectives:

The project is intended to enhance the quality and effectiveness of UC operations in Mexico.

Goal. Strengthen U.S. national security and public safety by improving Mexico’s ability to conduct secure, effective undercover operations against organized crime and transnational criminal networks through comprehensive legal protections and a sustainable identity management system for undercover agents.

This program addresses critical gaps in Mexican legal frameworks and the absence of secure backstopping systems that currently jeopardize Mexican undercover agents and the cross-border investigations they support. By developing robust legal protections and creating a sustainable identity management system adopted by Mexico, this initiative will enable safer, more effective undercover operations that generate higher quality evidence for bilateral cases, reduce operational and security risks to joint investigations, and enhance long-term access to high‑value targets that threaten the United States.

This initiative pursues three primary objectives.

Objective 1. Access and strengthen legal protections: Mexican legal frameworks relevant to UC operations and develop a proposal of comprehensive legal and policy frameworks at both federal and state levels that guarantee robust protection of UC agents and their identities by building in identity protection mechanisms, operational secrecy protocols, post-mission security measures, and accountability standards.

Anticipated activities:

- Assess existing federal and state laws governing undercover operations in Mexico

- Identify gaps in current legal protections

- Draft a proposal for federal- and state-level legislation/policies and implementing regulations

- Develop standard operating procedures to carry out UC operations

Objective 2. Design sustainable systems and training: Mexico has an operational backstopping program to use during operations. Building on this, create a pilot backstopping program that provides UC agents with genuine government-issued identification documents—including passports, national identification cards, driver's licenses, and other official credentials—for use during undercover operations. It will also design a basic undercover operatives training course customized to the Mexican legal system. This program should include identity protection mechanisms, operational secrecy protocols, post-mission security measures, accountability and ethical standards, and rights protections for UC agents. (Applicants should propose a pilot program that is intentionally LIMITED in scope but COMPREHENSIVE in depth)

Anticipated activities:

- Assess current identity management practices in Mexico

- Design backstopping system architecture and technical specifications

- Develop protocols for issuing genuine government documents under cover identities

- Design a basic UC training program tailored to the Mexican legal system for Mexico agencies to implement

- Design a limited-scope, high-impact pilot program

Objective 3. Implement and validate: Execute the pilot program in at least one Mexican government agency to demonstrate effectiveness and generate a replicable model that serves long-term U.S. security interests without requiring perpetual American resources.

Anticipated activities:

- The developed UC backstopping program is piloted in agencies where adoption is feasible (according to the assessment)

NOTE. The pilot is not intended to serve all federal and state agencies or create hundreds of undercover identities. Instead, it should:

✓ Demonstrate the complete end-to-end process with a small number of cases

✓ Validate technical systems and protocols in real operational conditions

✓ Generate lessons learned to inform national-scale expansion

✓ Build institutional confidence and buy-in for broader adoption

✓ Remain within budget while completing all other program activities

Target Audience and Eligible Recipients:

The primary beneficiaries of this program are Mexican federal and state law enforcement agencies that conduct undercover operations against organized crime and corruption. Eligible recipients include relevant Mexican agencies responsible for law enforcement operations, identity document issuance, legislative development, and training and interagency coordination. The program will engage stakeholders across multiple government entities to ensure coordinated implementation, institutional buy-in, and sustainable long-term adoption of new systems and procedures.

Program Activities and Participants:

The implementing partner will provide technical assistance, skills and resource enhancement, identify gaps and vulnerabilities, develop draft legislation and policy recommendations, facilitate stakeholder consultations, support the creation of standard operating procedures for UC operations and basic training for undercover operatives.

For backstopping program design and implementation, activities will include assessing current identity management practices, designing comprehensive systems for creating and maintaining cover identities, developing protocols for issuing genuine government documents, establishing document lifecycle management processes, implementing security measures to prevent unauthorized access, and supporting pilot implementation at the federal level with plans for state-level scalability.

The interagency coordination component will facilitate coordination mechanisms between relevant agencies, support the development of information-sharing protocols, establish oversight and accountability structures, create feedback mechanisms for continuous program improvement and basic undercover training.

Expected Outcomes:

The program will deliver tangible products that strengthen U.S. security interests and bilateral law-enforcement cooperation, including:

• Comprehensive assessment reports that identify specific vulnerabilities exploited by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs)

• Policy recommendations at both federal and state levels to enable more effective joint

U.S.–Mexico investigations

• Complete backstopping program design with technical specifications that enhance the security and reliability of Mexican undercover identities used in cross-border cases

The program will also produce standard operating procedures for UC operations and identity management, a pilot program implementation plan, and a monitoring and evaluation framework that ensures sustained, reliable support to U.S.–Mexico investigations.

Quarterly progress reports and a final program report with lessons learned and recommendations for future expansion will help the United States and Mexico target resources more effectively, improve information sharing, and develop increasingly sophisticated joint operations against

TCOs that threaten U.S. safety.

Request for Information Purpose:

This Request for Information seeks input from qualified organizations regarding their capacity, experience, technical approach, risk mitigation strategies, budget considerations, implementation timelines, and monitoring and evaluation methodologies. Responses will inform the development of a formal cooperative agreement solicitation to implement this critical program supporting

Mexico's law enforcement capabilities.

Substantial Involvement

INL will maintain substantial involvement throughout the project’s implementation and continually evaluate the project to ensure alignment with U.S. foreign assistance priorities and objectives.

Specifically, the INL will:

• Approve key project milestones and deliverables to ensure quality control and policy coherence.

• Collaborate on stakeholder engagement, facilitating connections with relevant U.S. and

Mexican government entities.

• Participate in project activities, when relevant.

INL’s role will be collaborative rather than operational, providing ongoing technical and strategic input without assuming direct responsibility for day-to-day management.

D. Applicant Contents and Format

Please follow all instructions below carefully. SOIs that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

1. Mandatory application forms

Required Documents

(Application forms required below are available at Grants.gov

Complete applications must include both documents:

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

• Statement of Interest (SOI): 3 pages

SF-424 Guidance

The SF-424 is required for all applications for federal assistance. A template is included within the Grants.gov posting, under the “Related Documents” tab. The SF-424 must be signed and dated by an authorized representative of your organization.

2. SOI (3 pages maximum)

Content of SOI must include:

• A brief project description summarizing goals, objectives outcomes, performance indicators, beneficiaries, and proposed timeline.

• A clear statement of the applicant’s organizational capacity to carry out the proposed activity and manage U.S. Government funds.

• Additional requirements as needed.

• Documents fully in English

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

• The anticipated total budget amount (in U.S. dollars) – Budget Summary

CATEGORY

ESTIMATED

FEDERAL AMOUNT

APPLICANT COST

SHARE PROPOSED

A Personnel $X $X

B Fringe Benefits $X $X

C Travel $X $X

D Equipment $X $X

E Supplies $X $X

F Contractual $0 $0

G Construction $X $X

H Other Direct Costs $X $X

I Indirect Costs $X $X

J Total Cost $X $X

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms required above are available via Grants.gov.

2. Department of State Contacts

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:

Najar Starr (Starrnd@state.gov); Daniela Pedroza (PedrozaDG@state.gov) and

MexicoCityINLGU@state.gov.

mailto:Starrnd@state.gov mailto:PedrozaDG@state.gov mailto:MexicoCityINLGU@state.gov

All questions should be submitted to all INL points of contact listed above by the deadline listed on Page 1 of this document. INL’s responses will be made available to all applicants. A question-and-answer document will be uploaded to the Documents tab of this announcement in grants.gov.

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations

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

Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in 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. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this

NOFO.

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

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 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 prior to registering in SAM.gov.

● 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 to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an 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 an NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

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

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx

NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

NCAGE Code Request Tool (nato.int)

Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

4. Funding Restrictions

i. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

ii. Prohibition on Funding Activities that Encourage Mass-Migration Caravans towards the

United States Southwest Border.

None of the funds awarded under this grant may be made available to encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the United States southwest border.

Funds may not be made available for legal counseling on the United States asylum process;

and/or for referrals to legal or representation in the United States.

Funds may only be used for cash cards for use in the country in which they are provided or to facilitate assisted voluntary returns and other purposes that do not encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. The provision of humanitarian assistance is permitted.

iii. Certification Regarding Compliance with applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws

If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this Statement of Interest will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feportal.nspa.nato.int%2FAC135Public%2Fscage%2FCageList.aspx&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=v3TLT8F%2FNfk5SuTcI2zw7SMhV4HK542OhP9XDx4ln%2BY%3D&reserved=0 https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110

1) Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;

2) It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

iv. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C. 1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements

Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs:

1) Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds.

v. Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan

Applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award for awards where the estimated value of services to be performed outside the

United States exceeds $500,000:

• To the best of the Recipient’s knowledge, neither the Recipient, nor any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the Recipient or any agent of the recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, is engaged in any of the activities described in 2 CFR 175.105(a);

The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with this plan; and the compliance plan must follow the minimum requirements described in 2 CFR 175(b)(5).

• That the Recipient has and will implement procedures to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175.105(a) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any subrecipient, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the recipient engaging in these activities.

Recipients do not need to submit a copy of the plan. However, they must provide it to the Grants Officer upon request, and as appropriate, must post the useful and relevant contents of the plan or related materials on their website and at the workplace. Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of performance.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-175

vi. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American

Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities

(a) Definitions.

American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on a list developed and maintained by the Federal Acquisition Security Council

(FASC) and published in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov.

FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity.

Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements

(including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

(b) Prohibition. Recipients of funding under this Statement of Interest (including subawards and subcontracts issued by the recipient) will be prohibited from:

(1) delivering any FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system, which includes unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and associated elements;

(2) On or after December 22, 2025, operating a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system in the performance of the award; and

(3) On or after December 22, 2025, using Federal funds for the purchase or operation of a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system .

(c) Exemptions, exceptions, and waivers. The prohibitions described above will not apply if the agency determines that an exemption, exception, or waiver applies and the award indicates that such a determination has been made. [See sections 1823 through 1825 and 1832 of Public Law 118-31 ( 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.) for statutory requirements pertaining to exemptions, exceptions, and waivers.].

vii. Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA)

Applicants for foreign assistance awards should be aware of requirements in 2 CFR Part

602, 603, and 604.

These policies are referred to collectively as the Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign

Assistance (PHFFA) Policy.

https://www.sam.gov/ https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fuscode.house.gov%2Fview.xhtml%3Freq%3Dgranuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title41-section3901%26num%3D0%26edition%3Dprelim&data=05%7C02%7CCarbullidoCC%40state.gov%7C237266465ee34b736eaf08de3442d869%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C639005658853841398%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vOOQC%2FqEnM0FmwOBiz0sKQU2rkL0QZZz6YPZDhMeP3o%3D&reserved=0

602: The award term imposes certain abortion-related requirements on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, public international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

603: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to gender ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

604: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to discriminatory equity ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

The Department recognizes there are costs associated with these policies. Potential one-time and recurring costs the Department identifies for recipients and grantees are for familiarization with the policy, development and delivery of organizational training and implementation guidance, routine compliance monitoring, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria

Each submission will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Quality of Program Idea – 50 points: The SOI is responsive to program framework. The idea is communicated well and is feasible. SOI’s that promote creative approaches to address program objectives are highly encouraged. The proposed timeline is reasonable. The proposal does not include any activities contrary to any standing Executive Orders. For a full list, see https://www.federalregister.gov/.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants –35 points: The SOI should demonstrate the organization’s expertise and previous experience in administering programs.

If a local partner is identified SOI should briefly describe the partner’s role and experience. If subawards are proposed, applicant demonstrates experience managing subwards.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: The SOI should clearly articulate proposed program activities and expected results towards achieving program objectives and goal(s).

2. Indirect Costs

If two or more applications receive equivalent scores based on the evaluation criteria outlined in this NOFO, preference will be given to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate, as consistent with Executive Order 14332, Section 4(b)(iii). This preference will only be applied as a tie-breaking mechanism and does not supersede the primary evaluation criteria.

3. Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible SOI applications.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01519/protecting-life-in-foreign-assistance https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01516/combating-gender-ideology-in-foreign-assistance https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01517/combating-discriminatory-equity-ideology-in-foreign-assistance-rules https://www.federalregister.gov/

All eligible SOIs will be reviewed against the criteria listed above. SOIs are reviewed individually against the criteria and not against competing SOIs. For a fair review ,all panelists will review the first page of the SOI up to the page limit and no further. The panel may provide conditions and/or recommendations on SOIs to enhance the proposed program. Conditions must be addressed, and recommendations should be addressed, in a full proposal application.

Following the review, any successful SOI applicants will be contacted and instructed to submit full applications.

A full application will include:

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

• SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

• SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) – the SF424B are only required for individuals, organizations exempt from registration, and for organizations not required to fully register in SAM.gov.

Grants.gov Registration

If the second step is managed through www.grants.gov, then all eligible applicants would be required to submit a full proposal package through that website, and no applications would be accepted via email.

4. Risk Review

i. Risk factors – must include

Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

a. Financial stability

b. Management systems and standards

c. History of performance

d. Audit reports and findings

e. Ability to effectively implement requirements

f. If there are any program specific risk factors that will be considered, describe them here.

ii. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov (formerly FAPIIS)

The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of

Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

An applicant can review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 CFR 200.206, the Department will consider any comments by the applicant, along with information available in the responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov.

http://www.grants.gov/

F. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part

200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2

CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:

o Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205), o Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting

Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§

200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341), o Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and o .Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340). For the avoidance of doubt, the Department has sole discretion over the determination that an award no longer effectuates program goals or agency priorities, and this provision permits awards to be terminated at the Department’s convenience, including when it determines that the award no longer advances the national interest.

• 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT

• 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

INFORMATION

• 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

• 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE

WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

• 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.175&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.183&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2chapterVI.tpl

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Recipients must comply with Executive Orders as applicable. A searchable list can be found in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/

2. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify what reports are required and how often these reports must be submitted. Bi-weekly online meetings and bi-monthly progress reports, submitted in accordance with project progress.

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation.

In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

Applicants should be aware of the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 CFR 200

Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

3. Branding and Marking

The Department of State, its programs, and U.S. Government funding and assistance should be easily identifiable to the Department's global audiences.

Recipients of federal assistance awards must follow the branding guidance published at

Guidance for Contracts and Grants - U.S. Department of State Brand System. Branding policy exceptions are outlined in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual 10

FAM 416, Policy Exceptions.

For more information, visit: https://brand.america.gov/ https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ https://www.federalregister.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=027fb85899500d580fc71df69d11573a&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML%20-%20ap2.1.200_1521.i#ap2.1.200_1521.xii https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=027fb85899500d580fc71df69d11573a&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML%20-%20ap2.1.200_1521.i#ap2.1.200_1521.xii https://brand.america.gov/document/547370#/-/guidance-for-contracts-and-grants https://fam.state.gov/fam/10fam/10fam0410.html https://fam.state.gov/fam/10fam/10fam0410.html https://brand.america.gov/