A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Department of State Office of the Assistance Coordinator for Europe and Eurasia (EUR/ACE) has launched the eighth round of the DCP to continue building U.S. foreign assistance partnerships with 11 partner donor governments in Central and Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Through the DCP initiative, the United States builds partnerships with these partner donor countries by co-financing joint foreign assistance activities aimed at sharing the PDGs’ transition and EU integration experiences with Ukraine. EUR/ACE has identified the following priority objectives for DCP funding: Energy and Cyber Security Access to Western Markets Strengthening Resilience through Democratic Consolidation Tackling the Secondary Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Preparing for Future Outbreaks of Infectious Diseases Participants and Audiences: A typical assistance activity will likely be a joint project, implemented with one emerging donor partner in Ukraine, for which the U.S. cost share will be no more than 50 percent. No single U.S. contribution may exceed $100,000. Multiple PDG partners may contribute to the same activities, and implementing organizations may include government entities, research institutions, and/or nongovernmental organizations. Most DCP activities will likely entail co-financing new projects. Embassy, however, may consider other means of collaboration, such as co-financing existing U.S. or PDG assistance activities or enhancing ongoing U.S. assistance activities by facilitating the participation of PDG officials or PDG-identified experts. Selected activities should include a significant amount of content from institutions, advisors or other sources of knowledge in the PDG countries in order to meet the DCP objective of fostering the transfer of transition experience to the beneficiary country. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Funding Instrument Type: Grant Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: · Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations · Public and private educational institutions, research institutions Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Most DCP activities will likely entail co-financing new projects. Embassy, however, may consider other means of collaboration, such as co-financing existing U.S. or PDG assistance activities or enhancing ongoing U.S. assistance activities by facilitating the participation of PDG officials or PDG-identified experts. Selected activities should include a significant amount of content from institutions, advisors or other sources of knowledge in the PDG countries in order to meet the DCP objective of fostering the transfer of transition experience to the beneficiary country. 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 D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations. Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.gov. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Content of Application Please ensure: The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity All documents are in English · All budgets are in U.S. dollars · All pages are numbered Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. Proposal: The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. · Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact. Introduction to the Organization: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies and international donors. Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed. Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. Program Budget: Please indicate how you plan to expense the funds under the program. Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate. Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program? Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees. Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. Attachments · 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program · Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner · If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. · Official permission letters, if required for program activities Submission Dates and Times Applications are due no later than Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 11:59 PM EEST Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by email to
[email protected] E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Criteria Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. Budget – 10 points: Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured. Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. 2. Review and Selection Process The DCP Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications. F. PRE-AWARD STAGE The final approval of successful applicants is subject to submission of the following documents and application forms prior to issuance of a Federal award: Documents and application forms required below are available at a request from
[email protected] Mandatory application forms · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) · SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) · SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) Detailed budget and Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. Please contact
[email protected] for details. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov): 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. Note: The process of obtaining a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible. Required Registrations: Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included. All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge: · Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number) · NCAGE/CAGE code · www.SAM.gov registration Step 1: Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously) DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet. If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform NCAGE application: Application page here: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx Instructions for the NCAGE application process: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf For NCAGE help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423 For NCAGE help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766 Email
[email protected] for any problems in getting an NCAGE code. Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. Other requested information or documents necessary to make a Federal award. G. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. Federal Award Notices The grant award will be written, signed and awarded by the Grants Officer, and administered by the Grants Officer Representative. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer. If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State. Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 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. 3. Reporting Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.