Statement of Interest-Rural DDR-FINAL REVISED.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

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

Affairs Notice of Funding Opportunity: Statement of Interest (SOI)

Announcement Type: Request for Statements of Interest (SOI)

Public Opportunity Title: Drug Demand Reduction

NOFO Opportunity Number: INL23CA0064-PERU-DrugDemand-07192023

CFDA Number: 19.704 - Counternarcotics

Opportunity Issuance Date: July 19, 2023

Deadline for Questions: November 10, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST via email

Deadline for SOI Submission: December 8, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST via www.grants.gov

INL Points of Contact: Maria Eugenia Vizcarra (vizcarrame@state.gov) and Simonique Stallworth (stallworthsl@state.gov)

Estimated Funding Amount: $300,000 U.S. Dollars

SOI Ceiling: $300,000 U.S. Dollars

SOI Floor: At least $280,000 U.S. Dollars

Applicant Type: Organizations only

Eligibility Categories:

Applicant organizations must belong to one of the following categories in order to be eligible to submit a proposal:

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

• Overseas-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

• Overseas-based private/state educational institutions http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:vizcarrame@state.gov mailto:stallworthsl@state.gov

A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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.

The U.S. Government clearly identified transnational crime as a threat to public safety and national security and committed through the National Security Strategy to pursue transnational threats to their source. The Administration’s strategic approach recognizes that international security depends on the cooperation of strong, sovereign nations that respect the rights of their citizens while advancing safety and security. The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is at the forefront of responding to these challenges, uniting these overarching themes through our foreign assistance programs and diplomatic engagement.

Drug trafficking and associated violence—including violence that drives irregular migration to the United States—are not the only threats to our homeland against which we must remain vigilant.

Financial crime, cybercrime, and intellectual property theft cost the U.S. economy – including U.S. businesses and individual citizens – billions of dollars each year. Human smugglers and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that traffic in people, weapons, wildlife, and other contraband imperil the safety of the American people. We also see TCOs operating with hostile foreign powers. Our strategic competitors and rogue states skillfully operate below the threshold of military conflict, challenging U.S. interests and leadership through new methods of influence and coercion.

INL strengthens the criminal justice sector capacities of our partners and allies to manage transnational threats more effectively before they reach U.S. borders or impact U.S. interests.

Our work promotes U.S. leadership by advancing a rules- and norms-based international order grounded in the rule of law. We lead U.S. government efforts to develop new, and implement existing, international standards on drug supply and drug demand reduction and against corruption and organized crime. We draw from the widest range of U.S. expertise in our implementation of criminal justice capacity-building programs, and through our promotion of international cooperation, common standards, and interoperability, our work contributes to effective investigations of crimes. We work closely with U.S. law enforcement agencies to develop and deliver both foundational skills and advanced skills ranging from basic police training to complex cybercrime and money laundering investigative techniques. This work enhances critical relationships between U.S. law enforcement entities and their foreign counterparts. We deliver security through justice.

INL’s foreign assistance programs and diplomatic engagement are critical tools in advancing U.S.

policy objectives. One of our greatest strengths is our flexibility to confront emerging challenges, but we can be most effective if we are strategic in how and where we engage to build partner nation capacity. Accordingly, this strategy sets up a framework for understanding how INL prioritizes foreign assistance and diplomatic engagement, which identifies three strategic goals to guide INL’s efforts:

1. Disrupt or deter significant illicit drug trafficking and other transnational criminal activity that threatens U.S. national security, public safety, or drives irregular migration to the United States.

2. Reduce instability in strategically vital regions and strengthen the resilience of partners facing malign influence.

3. Drive global action through international engagement that promotes interoperable criminal justice systems and common standards to combat shared criminal threats.

The Bureau’s priority programs support three inter-related objectives:

• BUILDING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS: Institutionalize rule of law by developing and expanding criminal justice systems to strengthen partner country law enforcement and judicial effectiveness, foster cooperation in legal affairs, and advance respect for human rights;

• COUNTER-NARCOTICS: Disrupt the overseas production and trafficking of illicit drugs through targeted counter-narcotics and institution-building assistance and coordination with foreign nations and international organizations, and;

• TRANSNATIONAL CRIME: Minimize the impact of transnational crime and criminal networks on the United States and its allies through enhanced international cooperation and foreign assistance.

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 (1-3 pages) statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program ideas 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 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 decisions are made.

Program Objectives:

The proposed program should seek to expand access to substance abuse treatment and prevention for rural and indigenous communities in Peru, using a recently published UTC curriculum for rural interventions.

This program will work in coordination with Peruvian government entities including, but not limited to, the National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (DEVIDA), the Ministry of Health (MINSA) Directorate of Mental Health, the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP), the Ministry of Education (MINEDU), the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (MINJUS), local and regional authorities, and civil society. Programs should focus on rural populations, prioritizing areas with indigenous populations and those at a high-risk for trafficking in persons.

The proposal must incorporate the UTC 53 Community-based Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) Treatment in Rural Settings from the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP). A Spanish translation of UTC 53 is forthcoming.

Proposals should consider, but are not required to include the following activities:

• Assess the prevalence of substance use disorders and drug offenses in prioritized rural and indigenous areas.

• Identify needs and gaps in rural health-care access related to treating substance abuse disorders.

• In coordination with community mental health centers, create unique rural outreach initiatives and programs to allow greater access to treatment and drug prevention interventions for isolated communities.

• Strong monitoring and evaluation plans for all program activities.

The applicant should budget for staff and instructor travel to rural areas, salaries, workshop costs, and printed materials, as many rural areas do not have access to computers or reliable internet, etc.

Participants and Audiences:

The activity is targeted at Peruvians living in rural areas, mental health professionals, and the local governments who serve those areas. In addition, the program may partially target national authorities and other key decision makers based in Lima.

C. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Approximate Length of Project: 24-36 months

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1 award

Approximate Award Amount(s):

Awards may range from a minimum of $280,000 to a maximum of $300,000

Anticipated Project Start: January 2024

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

Type of Funding: FY 20/21 and FY 21/22 INCLE

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in (36 months) or less.

The Department of State 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.

D. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

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

• Overseas-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

• Overseas-based private/state educational institutions

Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

While cost share is not required, it is highly desired, and will be considered during the merit review.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section E.4 for more information.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

Applicants must have demonstrated experience working in Peru.

Applicants from the United States must demonstrate they either have offices in Peru or can partner with a Peruvian organization to provide expertise and physical presence in country.

E. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Required Documents Complete applications must include both of these documents:

1. SF-424 (completed and signed)

2. Statement of Interest (SOI): 1-3 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.

Content of SOI must include:

The 1-3 pages Statement of Interest (SOI) should include the following:

• 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, 12-point Calibri font

• A summary budget that estimates expenses, at least among the following OMB-approved budget categories (in U.S. dollars).

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

Proposal Submission Requirements

• All application materials must be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov.

• Application materials must be in English only.

• All questions should be submitted to both INL points of contact listed above by the deadline listed on Page 1 of this document. After the question deadline has passed, INL will respond to all questions publicly through a Questions & Answers document uploaded to the Related Documents tab of this opportunity.

• Eligibility for this SOI is strictly limited to the organization types listed on Page 1 of this document.

• 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. Submission Dates and Times

All application materials must be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov

2. Other Submission Requirements

N/A

G. 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 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.

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.

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)

• SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

• SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) – Optional o The SF-424B is only required for applicants who are not registered in SAM.gov.

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, http://www.fsd.gov/ https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx

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: Maria Eugenia Vizcarra (vizcarrame@state.gov) and Danielle Parsons (ParsonsDM@state.gov).

https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ mailto:vizcarrame@state.gov mailto:ParsonsDM@state.gov