A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Harare of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a small, community-based development program. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Zimbabwe (all 10 provinces) Program Objectives: The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program awards grants to registered non-governmental, non-profit, community-based organizations to implement short-term (12-month), small-scale (between $5,000 and $10,000) development projects that include significant community involvement. Priority consideration is given to income generating projects that improve basic economic or social conditions at the village level. SSH supports projects in Zimbabwe with an average of $5,000 to $10,000 per project. Project activities and spending should be completed within 12 months with an anticipated start date between September 1 and September 30, 2021, depending on when funding is made available. The SSH Program receives hundreds of applications for funding each year. All submissions are reviewed in a competitive and transparent manner. However, given the limited funding available through the SSH Program, we can only fund a small number of projects each year. BACKGROUND Started in 1964 in Togo, the SSH Program spread across Africa as a grassroots program that allows U.S. embassies to respond quickly to local requests for small, community-based development projects that have an immediate impact. In 1980, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program started in Zimbabwe. SPECIFIC PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS The SSH Program in Zimbabwe has several funding sources, each with a specific mandate. When applying for funding, clearly identify which fund you are applying to. 1. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund The Ambassador’s SSH Fund focuses on community-initiated income generating projects. These projects can support access to healthy food, natural resource management, wildlife conservation, water/sanitation initiatives, and other community projects. • Examples of previous projects: Grinding mills, carpentry, weaving, boreholes, drip irrigation, water storage, fish farming, chicken rearing, and market gardens. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 8 awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $10,000 Total available funding: $70,000 (dependent on final figures from Washington) Type of Funding: FY20 Economic Support Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: September 20, 2021 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. C. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS a. Eligible Applicants • The applicant must be a Zimbabwe registered non-governmental, non-profit, or community-based organization. o Registered trusts, associations, schools, churches, etc. meet this eligibility requirement. o Individuals, businesses, and government entities do NOT qualify. • All applications must include and identify a significant community contribution (cash, labor, and/or materials). • The beneficiary members must be Zimbabwean citizens. • Applicants must display sound management in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against fraud, waste, and abuse. b. 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. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required below are available at the U.S. Embassy Harare website: https://zw.usembassy.gov/education-culture/ambassadors-special-self-help-program/ OR grants.gov 2. Content and Form of Application Submission 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 • All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and • All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms • SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website • SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website • SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov) 2. 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. 3. Proposal (10 pages maximum): 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 or Individual applying: 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/other donor organizations. • 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 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. 4. 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. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information. 5. 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 Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. • Official permission letters or MOUs with District Administrators, community leaders, local development committee, tribal authority, and/or local town or district council the grantee will be working with on program activities, and proof of land ownership if there will be any use of land. • Budget template provided (Annex B) • Copy of the organization’s registration certificate • Completed proposal narrative (Annex A) • Attach original pro-forma invoices/quotations for budgeted items. Three quotes for each item are required. 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (NOTE: This section is required and not optional) 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 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. The U.S. Department of State will not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements by the time the Department is ready to make an award. 4. Submission Dates and Times Applications are due no later than Friday, January 29, 2021 at 5:00 pm. Any applications received after this deadline will not be considered. 5. Funding Restrictions a. Ineligible Expenses Special Self-Help funds cannot be used: • For the cost of administering Self-Help activities, including travel expenses, whether incurred by the cooperating country government, or another implementing agency. • For religious or military activities, as well as those relating to police, prisons, or other law enforcement. • For surveillance equipment. • For creating, continuing, or supplementing technical assistance programs. • To duplicate other U.S. Government programs. • To benefit, either personally or politically, any employee (e.g. direct hire, contractor, part-time) of the U.S. Government, or the spouse or family member of a U.S. Government employee. • For the relocation or expansion outside the U.S. of an enterprise located in the U.S. if such activity results in the reduction of U.S. production or reduces the number of U.S. employees. • For the production of agricultural commodities for export that can be expected to have a significant impact on competing U.S. exports. • To contribute to the violation of internationally recognized rights of workers. • For any single SSH activity of $25,000 or more without prior written approval. • To support educational or other facilities used to a significant degree by U.S. employees or their dependents. • For abortion-related facilities and services. • For used equipment – to avoid recurring maintenance and support costs. There is a general policy for financing only new equipment unless it is simple in design and spare parts are available locally, thus providing operational and maintenance advantages in less developed countries. • For luxury goods and gambling equipment; or playgrounds and similar projects. • For toxic or otherwise unsafe products such as pesticides or hazardous chemicals. • To assist any individual or entity involved in illegal drug trafficking as noted in Section 487 of the Foreign Assistance Act. • For the support, benefit, or other services associated with those persons or entities listed under Executive Order 13224 , or determined to be subject to this order or other subsequent laws or orders, who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism. • For any activity barred under the FAA and legislation appropriating funds for foreign assistance. Special Self-Help funds are generally not used for the following activities that fall outside the Self-Help mandate, except as noted: • Refugees: Projects to assist refugees and returnees are covered by other specialized U.S. programs, and are highly discouraged. In certain, very limited, cases, however, SSH financing is permitted. For example, it is appropriate to assist local populations in refugee-impacted areas where refugees have limited agricultural, water, health, or other resources/services. Assistance may also be given to returnee populations that no longer receive United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or other international aid but need help to re-establish themselves in their country of origin. The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) can provide further guidance and suggestions. • Human Rights-Related Activities: Seminars, publications of journals and constitutions, and projects that are human rights related should be avoided; these activities should be considered under the Democracy and Human Rights Fund. • Multiple Grants: To avoid communities becoming overly dependent on U.S. assistance, posts should guard against providing multiple grants to one community. However, communities that identify very different needs several years apart might warrant future project consideration. • Pesticides, Fungicides, and Herbicides: Environmental procedures pursuant to Congressional regulations restrict development assistance funds for the purchase or use of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. • Revolving Loan Funds/Seed Money: SSH funds are intended for projects that produce a tangible end product. Revolving loan funds and grants for seed money for new enterprises do not fall under acceptable projects and therefore must be avoided. • Use of SSH Funds for Non-Project Purposes: SSH funds may not be used for any Embassy overhead or administrative costs. This includes the cost of travel of personnel managing the program. For personnel, travel, administrative and overhead costs, operating expenses must be used. The SSH Program grant funds may NOT be utilized for the following: • Ceremonies, parties, celebrations, or “representation” expenses. • Construction, refurbishment, or infrastructure activities are not recommended. • Payment for school fees, computers, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, medical and/or contraceptive equipment, or alcoholic beverages. 6. Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by email to
[email protected] (or: Applications may be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov) If you are unable to email your application, please deliver your application to: U. S. Embassy Harare Attn: Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program 2 Lorraine Drive Bluffhill Harare, Zimbabwe Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The grants team must receive all applications by 5:00 pm, January 29, 2021. Applications received after this deadline will be held and considered for 2022 funding. Retain a copy of your entire application for your own records. Application Deadline: January 29, 2021