Statement of Interest - Research CJ-PAS-2024-TCO.docx

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez Notice of Funding Opportunity: Statement of Interest

Funding Opportunity Title: Investigating the Economic Impact of Transnational Criminal Organizations in Migrant Smuggling Funding Opportunity Number: CJ-PAS-2024-TCO Deadline for Applications: August 21, 2024 CFDA Number: 19.750 WHA Total Amount Available: $40,000

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for U.S. or foreign organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program (or programs) to investigate the economic impact of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) involved in migrant smuggling in the state of Chihuahua. 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 (2-page) statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program 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 program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decision(s) are made.

Priority Region: State of Chihuahua

Program Objectives:

Objective 1: To conduct a comprehensive research project that would help deepen our understanding of the economic impact of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) involved in migrant smuggling in the state of Chihuahua, to inform and guide the development of effective policies.

By investigating the methods, routes, and economic consequences of TCO activities on both transit communities and migrants, the project aims to provide evidence-based insights that will enhance international security and contribute to more resilient and supportive economic environments in affected regions. The study should identify key TCOs, analyze smuggling methods and routes, assess economic repercussions for transit communities, evaluate socio-economic effects on migrants, and propose evidence-based policy recommendations.

Outputs should include:

Output 1: a comprehensive data analysis report, a policy brief, and an academic paper.

Output 2: Conduct on-the-ground research to identify key TCOs and analyze smuggling methods and routes. Gather and analyze data on economic impacts and socio-economic effects on migrants and transit cities.

Output 3: Formulate evidence-based policy recommendations.

Budget should account for personnel, travel, indirect costs and a contingency fund.

Participants and Audiences:

1- Policy Makers and Government Officials: To inform and guide the development of policies and regulations 2- Law Enforcement Agencies: To enhance understanding of TCO operations and improve strategies.

3- International Organizations: Such as the UNICEF, UNHCR and OIM, to support global efforts in addressing human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and their impact on security and economies.

4- Academics and Researchers: To contribute to the body of knowledge on TCOs and migration, and to encourage further research in related fields.

5- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Focused on migrant rights, human trafficking, and community development, to aid in advocacy and program development.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 9 months Number of awards anticipated: approximately 1 award (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of ($20,000 ) to a maximum of ($40,000) Type of Funding: FY24 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: September 25, 2024

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Fixed Amount Award (FAA)

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 9 months or less.

The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez retains the right to execute non-competitive continuation amendment(s). Any amendment(s) is based on performance, pending availability of funds and is not guaranteed.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

· U.S. or foreign not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

· U.S. or foreign educational institutions

· U.S. or foreign Individuals

· For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching While cost sharing is preferred, it is not required.

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 E.4 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Content and Form of Application Submission

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.

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.

· Documents fully in English

· The anticipated total budget amount (in U.S. dollars)

2. Submission Dates and Times

SOIs are due no later than August 21, 2024

3. Funding Restrictions

4. Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted by email to cdjgrants@state.gov

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

Each SOI will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Quality of Program Idea – 50 points: The SOI demonstrates a clear understanding of the project's objectives. The idea is communicated well and is feasible. Innovative approaches or ideas for investigating the economic impact of TCOs and a brief plan to address potential challenges in conducting this research are welcome. The proposed timeline is reasonable.

Experience and skills –35 points: The SOI should demonstrate the relevant academic qualifications and experience with research particularly in areas related to criminal science, economics, international relations or a related field.

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. Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible SOIs. 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.)

3. 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) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals)

· SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

· SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) for individual or organization exempted from registering in SAM.

4. 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 with the 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.

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

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

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

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

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

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

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.

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):

Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if:

· An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.

· For an applicant, if the Federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a Federal award. In these instances, Federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the Federal award date.

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 a 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.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Terms and Conditions: Before submitting the SOI, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply if a full proposal application is requested and awarded, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include:

2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions which are available at: https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the SOI application process, please contact: cdjgrants@state.gov