US-Colombia CPC Prevalence NOFO_final (1).pdf

U.S. Department of State Notice of Funding Opportunity:

Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership Colombia Prevalence Study

Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of State

Program Office: Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in

Persons, International Programs Section

Funding Opportunity Title: 2022 Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership

Colombia Prevalence Study

Announcement Type: 2022 CPC Partnership Notification of Funding

Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0008819

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 19.019

Deadline for Applications: 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, June 6, 2022

Total Funding Floor: $700,000

Total Funding Ceiling: $1,000,000

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

(TIP Office) announces an open competition for a prevalence study in support of a forthcoming Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership between the United States and the Government of Colombia. The CPC Partnership is jointly developed and implemented by the United States and the Government of Colombia through a multi-year plan (at least five years). The purpose of the CPC is to strengthen the efforts of the Colombian government and civil society organizations in Colombia to prevent child trafficking in Colombia; effectively investigate, prosecute, and convict perpetrators of child trafficking; proactively identify, protect, and provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care for child victims; and create an enabling environment to promote effective collaboration to prevent child trafficking. This will be the sixth CPC Partnership; the U.S. signed CPC

Partnerships with the Government of Ghana in 2015, the Governments of the Philippines and Peru in 2017, the Government of Jamaica in May 2018, and the Government of Mongolia in 2020. More information is available at:

https://www.state.gov/child-protection-compact-partnerships/.

The United States and the Government of Colombia have identified four trafficking types to address under the CPC Partnership: 1) child sex trafficking in the context of tourism; 2) livestreamed online sexual exploitation of children (‘webcam modeling’) amounting to sex trafficking; 3) forced child begging; and 4) forced recruitment of children into illegal armed groups.

The goal of the U.S.-Colombia CPC Partnership is that the Government of Colombia and other state entities work in close partnership with local authorities, governments and mayors, civil society, and relevant anti-trafficking stakeholders in a sustainable and coordinated fashion to combat child trafficking (with a particular focus on the four trafficking types stated above). The anticipated, broad objectives (pending the signing of the CPC Partnership) include:

Objective 1 (Prosecution): Justice sector actors, including the Judicial Police, the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, and the judiciary, utilize existing legal and procedural frameworks to increase identification of child trafficking victims, investigation of human trafficking cases in a child-friendly manner, and prosecution and conviction of perpetrators of child trafficking.

Objective 2 (Protection): The Government of Colombia oversees a functioning system of trauma-informed, victim-centered protection services that are accessible to child trafficking victims, and that supports civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders that administer protection and rehabilitation.

Objective 3 (Prevention): Child trafficking prevention efforts are tailored to ethnic, indigenous, gender, sexual orientation, disability, migration, and cultural differences, take into account the victim’s stage of childhood development, and are widespread in targeted communities.

Objective 4 (Partnership): The Government of Colombia strengthens its coordination efforts between government and civil society to combat child trafficking at the local level and ensures adherence to national policies at all levels.

This funding opportunity is specifically for a prevalence study that will inform programmatic interventions under the U.S.-Colombia CPC Partnership. The TIP Office will allocate funding for a child trafficking prevalence study in Colombia through an open, competitive process. Applicants are invited to submit proposals https://www.state.gov/child-protection-compact-partnerships/ describing how they will conduct a prevalence study, lasting no longer than one year (data collection must be collected by month eight), that uses rigorous quantitative methods to identify prevalence estimates in targeted geographic locations and populations. The applicant must incorporate the statistical definition of trafficking developed under the J/TIP funded Prevalence Reduction Innovation

Forum (PRIF), which can be accessed here:

https://apries.uga.edu/_resources/documents/HT%20Statistical%20Definitions%20 Updated.pdf/.

This study will inform targeted activities for programmatic interventions through the CPC Partnership. This study will not be nationwide. Applicants must focus data collection in the following departments: Cundinamarca/Bogotá, Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Norte de Santander, La Guajira, Bolivar, and Chocó. Applicants may also consider the departments of Nariño, Vichada, Risaralda, and Amazonas, but if they do, they should be coupled with at least one of the seven departments listed above. Applicants must tie one or more of the four trafficking types to each selected geographic location for the study, and all four trafficking types should be represented in the proposal. Recommendations from the study should identify no more than seven departments where CPC Partnership programmatic interventions should take place.

Applicants should contextualize the study with qualitative research methods to understand stakeholder perspectives about child trafficking, identify gaps in policies and services to prevent and address child trafficking, and understand potential vulnerabilities to trafficking. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider meaningful survivor involvement, including through participatory research methods. Applicants should develop a clear strategy for how they will select and implement scientifically sound, representative survey methodology/ies for measuring prevalence of child trafficking for the selected trafficking types and geographic regions in Colombia. The selection of the methodology/ies should be grounded in existing research and experience and be applied consistently to determine a baseline prevalence estimate against which reduction could be measured. Baseline prevalence data will inform the nature and design of programmatic activities under the CPC Partnership, such that activities are evidence based, data-driven, and changes in prevalence are measurable post programmatic interventions (at least five years later). This will be done in conjunction with ongoing monitoring and evaluation of programmatic interventions as a means of strengthening and validating prevalence study findings.

The baseline prevalence study should be replicable in an endline study to measure https://apries.uga.edu/_resources/documents/HT%20Statistical%20Definitions%20Updated.pdf/ prevalence reduction of child trafficking in the regions, sectors, and communities targeted for intervention under the CPC Partnership in Colombia.

The selected applicant for the prevalence study will be expected to work closely with the TIP Office and implementing partner(s) of the CPC Partnership, once they are identified by the TIP Office. The goal is to help inform the design of programmatic interventions and their respective activities and target populations.

Potential deliverables, include, but are not limited to, the following: white papers, peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, PowerPoint presentations, press releases, social media posts, government reports, technical reports, data visualization product, etc.

Additional Prevalence Study Applicant Considerations

• If applicants are not a research institution, they must include in their proposals a pre-identified external research organization responsible for producing a baseline prevalence estimate, as well as a justification for the selection of the chosen research partner. The TIP Office strongly encourages applicants to select a research partner with expertise in quantitative research and experimental methodologies, expertise in researching vulnerable and/or hidden populations, and experience with partnerships operating in Colombia. Plans illustrating communication and coordination between the applicant and research partner should also be presented, in addition to a suggested timeline for prevalence research, including the integration of prevalence estimate results for the design of programmatic interventions. The applicant must ensure all research involving human beings is reviewed by an ethics committee, such as an

Institutional Review Board (IRB), to ensure that the appropriate ethical standards are upheld.

• Applicants may serve as prime implementers of prevalence research, initiate and manage sub-grants to conduct research, or undertake a combined approach.

• Applicants are expected to submit proposals that reflect an understanding of and utilize victim-centered, trauma- and survivor-informed approaches to human trafficking (See Section B below for definitions of these terms).

The TIP Office recognizes the importance and added value of partnerships and collaborative efforts in anti-trafficking work. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that reflect partnerships among organizations and are expected to work collaboratively with relevant regional government ministries and local authorities to coordinate with related activities supported by other donors. Applicants may form a consortia in order to bring together organizations with varied expertise to propose a comprehensive project in one proposal.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 USC 7101 et seq.), as amended (TVPA), established the TIP Office in the U.S. Department of State. The TIP Office leads the United States’ global engagement on the fight against human trafficking and seeks partnerships with foreign governments, civil society organizations, and multilateral organizations to combat human trafficking through the “3P” paradigm: prosecuting traffickers through victim-centered law enforcement, protecting trafficking victims through proactive identification and comprehensive, trauma-informed care, and preventing trafficking in persons. The TIP Office also recognizes the importance of partnerships and collaborative efforts with relevant governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders in anti-trafficking work. TIP Office programs and projects combat human trafficking—a crime involving the exploitation of someone for the purposes of labor or services or a commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion—in all its forms. Forms of human trafficking include sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, forced labor, forced child labor, domestic servitude, forced criminality, and the unlawful recruitment or use of child soldiers through force, fraud, or coercion.

“Trafficking in persons,” “human trafficking,” and “modern slavery” are umbrella terms – often used interchangeably – to refer to a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children by compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex. When a person younger than

18 is used to perform a commercial sex act, it is a crime regardless of whether there is any force, fraud, or coercion involved.

“Forced child labor” describes forced labor schemes in which traffickers compel children to work. Traffickers often target children because they are more vulnerable. Although some children may legally engage in certain forms of work, forcing or coercing children to work remains illegal. Forms of slavery or slavery-like practices – including the sale of children, forced or compulsory child labor, and debt bondage and serfdom of children – continue to exist, despite legal prohibitions and widespread condemnation. Some indicators of forced labor of a child include situations in which the child appears to be in the custody of a non-family member and the child’s work financially benefits someone outside the child’s family; or the denial of food, rest, or schooling to a child who is working;

“Child sex trafficking” is a form of human trafficking that occurs when a trafficker recruits, harbors, transports, provides, advertises, solicits, patronizes, obtains, or maintains a child for the purpose of performing a commercial sex act.

Force, fraud, or coercion are not required in cases of child sex trafficking. When traffickers use a live webcam or other device to broadcast over the Internet children performing commercial sex acts or other explicit sexual acts, it is a form of sex trafficking often included in the broader definition of online sexual exploitation of a child.

“Forced recruitment of children into illegal armed groups” is the recruitment or use through force, fraud, or coercion of any person under 18 years of age in combat or support roles by armed forces distinct from the armed forces of a state. “Forced recruitment of children into illegal armed groups” includes using any person under 18 years of age for sexual slavery, even if voluntarily recruited, by armed forces distinct from the armed forces of a state.

Trafficking in persons does not require the movement of a person. Under the TVPA and generally consistent with the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo

Protocol), individuals may be trafficking victims regardless of whether they once consented, they participated in unlawful acts their traffickers compelled them to commit, someone transported them into the exploitative situation, or they were simply born into a state of servitude. The TIP Office will not fund projects that use alternate definitions of trafficking.

The TVPA requires that the Department of State submit to Congress an annual report assessing the efforts of governments to address trafficking in persons. The annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report) is the primary tool for the Department’s engagement with other governments on human trafficking and informs U.S. policy and assistance priorities to combat this crime. The 2021 TIP Report is available at: https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/.

Since 2000, when the United Nations adopted the Palermo Protocol and the United States enacted the TVPA, the number of parties to the Protocol has reached 178.

Only 14 of the 188 countries and territories assessed in the Department of State’s 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report have yet to become parties. In addition, 154 countries have criminalized all forms of trafficking, and many countries have established specialized law enforcement units, set up trafficking victim assistance https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/ https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/ mechanisms, and launched public awareness campaigns. Nonetheless, the number of victims identified and assisted, and the number of traffickers investigated, prosecuted, and convicted remain low relative to the size of the problem.

Governments also face continued challenges in effectively implementing new anti-trafficking legal and policy frameworks.

The TIP Office works to address these challenges in a number of ways, including through its foreign assistance programs. Information on U.S. government anti-trafficking efforts is available at https://www.state.gov/humantrafficking/ and a summary of all CPC Partnerships is available at https://www.state.gov/child-protection-compact-partnerships/.

The TIP Office’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches. This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.

Applicants are expected to submit methodologies that reflect an understanding of victim-centered, trauma-informed, and survivor-informed approaches to anti-trafficking research. Applicants should also include these approaches in any plans for direct engagement with individuals with lived experience of human trafficking as they are critical for successful. If possible, applicants are encouraged to work with and/or consult individuals with lived experience of human trafficking in the development of their proposals.

Victim-Centered Approach Placing the crime victim’s priorities, needs, and interests at the center of the work with the victim; providing nonjudgmental assistance, with an emphasis on self-determination, and assisting victims in making informed choices; ensuring that restoring victims’ feelings of safety and security is a priority and safeguarding against policies and practices that may inadvertently re-traumatize victims. A victim-centered approach should also incorporate a trauma-informed, survivor-informed, and culturally competent approach.

Trauma-Informed Approach A trauma-informed approach recognizes signs of trauma in individuals and the professionals who help them and responds by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, practices, and settings. This approach includes an understanding of the vulnerabilities and experiences of trauma survivors, including the prevalence and physical, social, and emotional impact of trauma. A trauma-https://www.state.gov/humantrafficking/ informed approach places priority on restoring the survivor’s feelings of safety, choice, and control. Programs, services, agencies, and communities can be trauma-informed.

Survivor-Informed Approach

A program, policy, intervention, or product that is designed, implemented, and evaluated with intentional leadership, expertise, and input from a diverse community of survivors to ensure that the program, policy, intervention, or product accurately represents their needs, interests, and perceptions.

Comprehensive Services An array of services that should be made available to a trafficking victim. At a minimum, these services include: shelter; intensive case management; safety planning; crisis intervention; victim advocacy; legal assistance; mental health treatment, including individual and group counseling; support in family reunification and community reintegration; medical care; dental care; substance abuse treatment; assistance with educational and/or vocational needs; life skills training; transportation; and other necessary services.

Applicants may only submit one proposal in response to this funding opportunity, and the proposal may include prevalence studies in multiple regions and trafficking types. The U.S. government may: (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application, and (d) waive irregularities in applications received.

The U.S. government may engage in discussions and/or negotiations with applicants before making final award(s). Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant’s best terms from a cost and technical standpoint.

Any funds awarded under this funding opportunity will be provided through a grant or cooperative agreement. The distinction between grants and cooperative agreements revolves around the provision of “substantial involvement” or greater participation between the federal government – in this case the TIP Office – and the recipient during the award’s period of performance. Examples of substantial involvement can include, but are not limited to, reviewing and approving some or all project materials, training curricula, and evaluation plans. Projects funded by resources leveraged from other donors are not subject to TIP Office approval.

To maximize the impact and sustainability of the award(s) that result from this funding opportunity, the TIP Office retains the right to execute non-competitive continuation amendment(s). The total duration of any award, including potential non-competitive continuation amendments, shall not exceed 60 months, or five years. Any non-competitive continuation is contingent on performance and pending availability of funds. A non-competitive continuation is not guaranteed, and the Department of State reserves the right to exercise or not to exercise this option.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Organizations eligible to apply include U.S.-based and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations (including faith-based organizations), public international organizations (PIOs), institutions of higher education, and for-profit entities. Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

While foreign governments are not eligible to apply, governments may be beneficiaries of programs provided that funding does not pay salaries of government agency personnel and that such assistance is not restricted by U.S. law or policy.

The eligibility requirements for applying to this funding opportunity do not restrict applicants from receiving other sources of funding from the United States government, including funding from other bureaus within the Department of State.

However, the applicant must provide information on any work conducted with U.S. government funding related to human-trafficking issues or cross-cutting (e.g., child protection, health, education, labor, gender, etc.) human-trafficking issues within the project narrative.

Applicants should have existing active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders, including government interlocutors, private sector actors, and local civil society organizations and/or non-governmental organizations. Applicants should have demonstrable experience in administering successful prevalence studies, preferably in child trafficking or related areas in Colombia. The TIP Office reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.

Under this funding opportunity, applicants may form a consortia and partner with other organizations to implement the prevalence study. Applicants partnering with other organizations must clearly identify the lead applicant, and the applicant may designate one or more partner organizations as sub-recipients. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, a partner organization is any organization that would receive sub-award funding from a successful applicant to help the applicant organization implement anti-trafficking projects. All mandatory terms and conditions for a successful applicant also apply to any sub-awards awarded.

The TIP Office is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all its projects and activities. The TIP Office welcomes applications irrespective of race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.

The TIP Office encourages proposals that advance racial equity and support and promote equitable representation of underserved communities.

“Race Equity” is defined as the condition where one’s race identity has no influence on how one fares in society. Race equity is one dimension of racial justice and includes the elimination of policies, practices, attitudes, and cultural messages that reinforce unjustified differential outcomes by race.

“Underserved Communities” is defined as populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. In the international context, the terms “marginalized populations” and “vulnerable populations” are often used and may include, but are not limited to, women and girls, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, racial and ethnic minorities, refugees and internally displaced people, religious minorities, LGBTQI+ persons, rural residents, migrants, as well as those who are otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

Funding under this project cannot support reparations to conflict victims or compensation to demobilized combatants associated with a peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and illegal armed groups.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing, cost matching, and cost participation are not required to carry out a project under this funding opportunity. While not required, applicants may propose to include voluntary cost share. Applications that include voluntary cost share will NOT be evaluated differently than other applications. Applicants that voluntarily propose cost share must read the instructions below regarding budget documents that are required to be submitted under this announcement. Applicants should list the cost share amount in the SF-424 under Section C - 8b and Section D

- 14.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package

All proposals must be fully submitted via SAMS Domestic by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Monday, June 6, 2022. All application documents must be submitted in English. The TIP Office will NOT accept proposals or updated documents submitted by any other method, including email, fax, the postal system, delivery companies, couriers, or U.S. embassies. Each organization should submit their application once.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process and to submit the application in advance of the deadline. This will aid in addressing any problems with submission prior to the application deadline. No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps to submit applications on SAMS Domestic.

Applications Submitted Through SAMS Domestic

Organizations using SAMS Domestic for the first time must register on the SAMS Domestic site to create a New Applicant account as soon as possible. This application step must be completed before an application can be submitted.

To register with SAMS Domestic, follow the “create an account” link and complete the “SAMS Domestic User Registration Request” application form.

Users will receive an email requesting account verification. This verification step must be completed before an application can be submitted. If the applicant has previously received funding from the Department of State, please contact JTIPGrants@state.gov after the user account has been created to ensure the account is associated with the correct organization. If an applicant has not previously received funding from the Department of State, the TIP Office cannot associate a new account in SAMS Domestic to an organization. Please note a new user account does not need to be associated with an organization in order to submit an application. Electronic applications submitted via SAMS Domestic must contain completed SF-424 online forms and documents specified in this funding opportunity.

To upload the application, go to SAMS Domestic (https://mygrants.service-now.com/grants), select “Apply,” then “Funding Opportunities,” and select the

“Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Programs” funding opportunity. Select the “Apply Here” button, enter the applicant organization’s information, and click Save. Complete each section of the application in the corresponding section of the Additional Documents to Be Submitted Tab: SF 424 Information (SF-424, SF-424 A, SF-42B if applicable); Project Narrative (applicants MUST type within the grey box); Results Monitoring Plan (RMP);

Timeline; Security, Risk Mitigation, and Contingency Plan, Summary Budget, Line-Item Budget, and Budget Narrative; a NICRA Agreement (if applicable);

Resumes and Qualifications of Key Personnel; Letters of Agreement or Letters of Intent to Cooperate in Partnership; and Prevalence Research Methodology.

Please ensure that you select the box, “allow anyone in my organization to edit this application,” to ensure members of your organization have access to edit this application.

For assistance with SAMS Domestic, please contact the ILMS Support Desk at 1-

(888)-313-4567 (toll free for international callers) or submit a ticket using the ILMS Self Service Portal (https://afsitsm.service-now.com/ilms/home).

Customer Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note support hours may change on Federal holidays. Direct questions regarding the process of uploading applications to Customer Support. Technical difficulties not resolved by the Support Desk by the time of submission must be fully documented, including a ticket number documenting communication with Customer Support, and reported to the TIP Office at JTIPGrants@state.gov only. Please do not contact any other

Department of State personnel.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission about:blank https://mygrants.service-now.com/grants)%22%20/ https://mygrants.service-now.com/grants)%22%20/ https://afsitsm.service-now.com/ilms/home

To be considered for funding, applications must address prevalence study in one or more priority trafficking types listed in this funding opportunity and must identify specific geographic locations in Colombia for the prevalence study. All required documents submitted must be written in the English language using documents with one-inch margins formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper only, unless otherwise stated. All documents should use text that is black-colored and no less than 12 point in Times New Roman font.

The required project narrative template is set to a 30,000 character limit with Times New Roman font (applicants MUST type within the template’s grey box).

Spaces, footnotes, and charts are included within the character limit. Any application that does not submit the required project narrative template with these font restrictions will fail the technical review and will not be considered for funding. All budget figures must be in U.S. dollars.

Submission of PDF files will not be accepted and will result in automatic failure of the technical review.

Please note there have been significant revisions in this funding opportunity.

Applicants are responsible for reviewing and incorporating the

Guidance for Submitting CPC Colombia Prevalence Study Proposals when preparing an application. The documents include guidelines for preparing the application. This guidance is available on the TIP Office website, SAMS Domestic, and grants.gov.

Complete applications must include the following documents in the required templates (found on SAMS Domestic) to be considered for funding:

• Online Forms/Standard Forms – SF 424, SF 424A and SF 424B

• Project Narrative – (must type within grey box) – Required template available on SAMS Domestic, 30,000 character limit with font no less than 12 point in Times New Roman, Microsoft Word Document (No PDF files) o Required components within the project narrative include:

▪ Problem Statement

▪ Prevalence Study Methodology

• Gender Integration

▪ Organizational Capacity

▪ Partnerships

▪ Coordination with Other Anti-Trafficking Stakeholders

• Proposal Annexes:

o Annex A – Results Monitoring Plan (RMP) o Annex B – Timeline o Annex C – Risk Mitigation and Contingency Plan o Annex D – Budget Summary o Annex E – Line-Item Budget o Annex F – Budget Narrative o Annex G – NICRA Agreement* o Annex H – Resumes/CVs for Key Personnel – Resumes may be no longer than five pages each, including charts, graphs, logos, and images o Annex I – Letters of Agreement or Letters of Intent to Cooperate in Partnership (letters from government and/or civil society will be accepted)

* Required only if Applicable

3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)—

Required

A valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) (formerly the Data Universal Numbering

System or DUNS) is required for submission of an application on SAMS Domestic. Organizations should verify their UEI number or take the steps needed to obtain one as soon as possible. The DUNS number will formally be replaced by a UEI (SAM) as of April 3, 2022, however, SAMS-Domestic will be asking for the UEI number in the SF-424 submission and organizations who have existing DUNS numbers need to instead input the UEI number they have been assigned in SAM.GOV in lieu of their pre-existing DUNS number.

All applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov/SAM/) and/or maintain an active registration prior to award issuance.

Selected applicants will be required to have an active registration in SAM.gov.

Organizations that have SAM.gov accounts must log in at least once every 13 months (395 days) to maintain an active registration. When submitting applications, please reactivate any accounts that have become inactive. SAM.gov is a free government-managed website; applicants do not need to pay to have their organization registered or renewed annually and should ignore any SPAM emails associated with payment for renewal.

Please note that selected grantees may not make a sub-award to a sub-recipient unless that sub-recipient has obtained and provided to the recipient a UEI. A sub-recipient is not required to be fully registered in SAM.gov but must complete a UEI-only request within SAM.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times

All applications must be submitted via SAMS Domestic (https://mygrants.service-now.com/grants ) by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Monday, June 6, 2022.

The TIP Office will not accept application materials submitted by any means other than uploading to SAMS Domestic. If an organization experiences difficulty submitting an application near the deadline, their application will only be considered for late acceptance if they open a ticket with the ILMS Support Desk to resolve the problem prior to the deadline. To be competitive under this funding opportunity, applicants must be fully responsive to all directions in this document.

The application process is not complete until the applicant receives notification from SAMS Domestic that its application has been validated and forwarded to the granting agency (TIP Office). Please allow sufficient time for entering the application into these systems and to troubleshoot any issues. It is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor its application to ensure that it is successfully received and validated.

5. Funding Restrictions

The TIP Office will not consider applications that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization.

Please refer the link for Foreign Terrorist Organizations:

https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/. Project activities whose direct beneficiaries are foreign militaries or paramilitary groups or individuals will not be considered for TIP Office funding given purpose limitations on funding.

The selected applicant will work with the TIP Office to develop a terrorist financing risk assessment.

Construction The TIP Office generally restricts the use of Federal assistance for construction purposes. Construction costs are defined as non-major costs for rearrangement and alteration or reconversion or renovation of facilities. Construction would include ordinary or normal alterations, restoration, or rehabilitation such as any work that modifies buildings and/or grounds. This includes but is not limited to adding, replacing, modifying, relocating, removing, or painting doors, walls, windows, https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ flooring, or the alterations of ceilings, adding on to or dividing existing space or work on any building utility system, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning, controls systems, fire alarms, fire sprinklers, security systems and telecommunication equipment. Federal assistance funds cannot be used for capital improvements unless specifically approved in advance by the TIP Office.

Equipment and Supplies Equipment is herein defined as an article of non-expendable, tangible, personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost in excess of $5,000. Please note, if equipment costs are included in an application, the organization must retain ownership of all equipment obtained throughout the lifetime of the federal award. This includes any equipment funded with cost sharing or matching funds. At the end of the award, the awardee must complete federal SF-428 forms in order for the TIP Office Grants Officer to evaluate whether the item(s) in question be retained, sold, or disposed of without any further obligation to the Department of State.

Supplies are herein defined as all tangible personal property other than those described in Equipment. Note that if there is a residual inventory of unused supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate value upon completion of the project and the supplies are not needed for any other Federal award, your entity must retain the supplies for use on other activities or sell them, but must, in either case, compensate the Department of State for its share. The amount of compensation will be computed in the same manner as for Equipment.

Foreign assistance funds may not benefit countries or entities that are not eligible recipients of United States foreign assistance or for which there are applicable assistance restrictions. Applicants shall work with the Department of State to ensure that any applicable restrictions and requirements are addressed prior to awarding any sub-awards.

In addition, applicants should refer to the U.S. Department of State Policy on the Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, which is described under the “Administrative and National Policy Requirements” section of this NOFO.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

Reviewers will evaluate applications based on their own merits. Reviewers will use the below evaluation criteria. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the criteria below to fully understand how applications will be reviewed and evaluated for potential funding. Applications will be evaluated against their responses to the requirements listed in the Guidance for Submitting CPC Colombia Prevalence

Study Proposals, as listed below:

• Problem Statement: Describe how your organization understands child trafficking issues and child trafficking types selected within your chosen locale/region(s) and justify why a prevalence study in this region would be transformational for the CPC Partnership in Colombia. All four trafficking types should be reflected in the proposal, and the proposal should cover more than one region in Colombia.

• Prevalence Study Methodology: Describe how your organization will conduct prevalence estimates that will be used to inform the development of targeted programmatic interventions for the U.S.-Colombia CPC Partnership. Under some circumstances the use of outcome indicators (aka proxy indicators) will be considered instead of a direct estimation of the prevalence of victims of human trafficking, provided there is a strong justification, and the link is grounded in empirical evidence. Applicants should provide an overview of planned quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to be applied for the prevalence study and should include a rationale for the chosen research methods. Methodologies must establish a prevalence estimate baseline. As noted above, the applicant must incorporate the statistical definition of trafficking developed under the J/TIP funded Prevalence Reduction Innovation Forum (PRIF), which can be accessed here:

https://apries.uga.edu/_resources/documents/HT%20Statistical%20Definitio ns%20Updated.pdf/.

o Gender Integration The TIP Office encourages that all research activities and research methodologies, including tools and approaches, fully address gender considerations, ensuring that all individuals benefit from inclusion in the study where applicable, and that gender awareness is a built-in component of research activities. Gender integration entails the identification and subsequent treatment of gender differences and gender inequalities around human trafficking issues during the design of the prevalence study. Where applicable, this should be documented in the project narrative, specifically by addressing any relevant gender gaps and ways the proposed research activities will address those gaps. Applicants should demonstrate how addressing relevant gender gaps will enhance the research study.

• Organizational Capacity: Describe the capacities and qualifications that enable your organization to address the problem(s) stated above in the proposed location(s) for the proposed trafficking types. Please also describe any demonstrable experience in administering projects of similar size and scope, and experience administering projects within similar or related subject matter areas.

• Partnerships: Describe your organization’s existing partnerships or ability to develop future partnerships with governments, academia, civil society, the private sector, other funders, and international organizations to advance the goals of the prevalence study and improve collaboration on the reduction of the prevalence of human trafficking. The applicant demonstrates how they plan to leverage partnerships with local actors to enhance the prevalence study’s ability to carry out activities effectively, meet the objectives, and contribute to the study’s goal. The proposal describes existing or proposed partnerships with anti-trafficking stakeholders on the ground. In cases where an applicant is not able to partner with a local organization or institution, does not consider it feasible to do so, or does not consider it in the project’s best interest, the application must clearly explain why.

Applicants are encouraged to work with survivor-led organizations as sub-grantees or partners. The TIP Office also encourages proposals that include partnerships with organizations that advance racial equity and support and promote equitable representation of underserved communities.

• Coordination with Other Anti-Trafficking Stakeholders: The applicant identifies how they will coordinate with anti-trafficking stakeholders on the ground, including but not limited to, donors, implementers, and governments, to identify sources of information (e.g., communities, survivors, hot-spots). Applications demonstrate a clear understanding of the role those local organizations and institutions play in combating child trafficking and describe how they will coordinate efforts to ensure the prevalence study is context appropriate.

2. Review and Selection Process

Following the submission deadline, all proposals will be screened to determine whether they meet the technical requirements stated in this announcement. As a reminder, the TIP Office will only consider proposals that meet the specific considerations outlined in Section A of this funding opportunity, and that also meet all the technical requirements.

In addition to not using the templates, applications will be deemed ineligible during the technical review process and will not be considered for funding if they

(1) include activities in countries other than Colombia; (2) do not address conducting a prevalence study in Colombia; or (3) do not meet the technical review requirements listed in Section D: Application and Submission Information.

Following the technical review, a formal content review of each proposal that passes the technical review will commence. Proposals will be reviewed by members of the TIP Office and by an intra- and interagency review panel. Panel recommendations will be presented to the Ambassador-at-Large or Senior Official for Monitoring and Combating Trafficking in Persons for consideration and final approval. Funding will be notified to Congress through a congressional notification before the award is officially signed.

Final award decisions will be influenced by whether the application meets the CPC Partnership’s programmatic goals and objectives for a prevalence study, and how it supports the Department’s overarching foreign policy priorities.

The U.S. government reserves the right (but is not under obligation to) obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the program description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

Please note, except for technical submission questions during the funding process, U.S. Department of State staff in Washington and overseas shall not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire review process has been completed and rejection and approval letters have been transmitted. All questions related to the funding process and content of this funding opportunity must be submitted via email to JTIPGrants@state.gov.

3. Pre-Award Risk Assessment

Applicants will be subject to a TIP Office risk assessment process that may include a pre-award site visit. The assessment may consider a variety of risk factors, including: (1) financial stability of the applicant; (2) quality of management systems and ability to meet prescribed management standards; (3) past performance in managing previous federal awards, if applicable, including compliance with reporting requirements, conformance to the award’s terms and conditions, and the extent to which previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards; (4) reports and findings from available audits; and (5) applicant ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements applicable to non-federal entities.

4. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see §200.88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants:

i. That 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 any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. §2313),

ii. That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through

SAM; and,

iii. That the Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

5. Anticipated Federal Award Dates

The TIP Office anticipates making decisions on the applications by September 2022 and will notify all applicants of their proposal status at that time through JTIPGrants@state.gov. Shortly after applications are selected, the CPC Program Officers will work with the selected organization(s) to clarify aspects of their application and award the funds. All funding decisions are conditional until a final award is signed by both the TIP Office and the applicant selected to receive the award.

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F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

Following the internal review process, applicants can expect to hear from the TIP

Office via email regarding the status of their application between July-August 2022. However, a letter stating an applicant is chosen for further consideration does not constitute authorization to begin performance on the proposed project.

All selected applications are conditional until the funds have officially been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal bureau procedures, and are authorized and awarded by the Grants Officer.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Standard Terms and Conditions: 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:

2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at:

https://www.statebuy.state.gov/fa/pages/home.aspx

Note the U.S. Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions.

Anti-Prostitution Policy and Requirements: Grantees are required to agree to the following conditions prior to a grant being awarded:

1. None of the funds made available herein may be used to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude assistance designed to combat trafficking in persons, including programs for prevention, protection of victims, and prosecution of traffickers and others who profit from trafficking in persons,…