Proposals should be submitted online via e-mail to the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro at the following e-mail address:
[email protected] Proposals will be considered in two separate cycles of funding. Applicants should apply well in advance of funding need, to ensure time for proposal review, selection, and funding. The first deadline for proposals is April 10, 2020 at 23:59 PM local time. Proposals received by this date will be reviewed by the Grants Committee in May 2020. The second deadline for proposals is May 29, 2020 at 23:59 PM local time. Proposals received by this date will be reviewed by the Grants Committee in June 2020. Proposals will be accepted only as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) or Microsoft Word documents in English, Times New Roman 12 font, double-spaced with numbered pages. A complete application under this announcement MUST include: 1. Proposal Document, which includes: a. Cover page with project title; name of project manager; contact information (e-mail, phone number); and project summary: description of project in 100 words or less. b. Background: This section should describe the institution in a couple of paragraphs including the relevant experience and capabilities of the project manager. c. Justification: This section should also include the following: ▪ The problem or critical issue that the proposal seeks to address, including geographic scope of the project; ▪ How the proposal relates to the U.S. Mission Brazil and advances the U.S.-Brazil bilateral relationship; ▪ Who will be the intended audience for this project; ▪ Whether there are other programs and activities that will complement the proposal; ▪ How the need for the project was determined; ▪ Timeline for the project; and ▪ Key personnel. d. Objectives: This section should describe what the project is expected to achieve in terms of effects on the intended audience. Specifically, the section should discusss the changes that are expected to occur among the intended audience if project operations are successful. Changes can include results such as new and improved technical skills and knowledge, increased income-generating capacities, and greater public awareness at the community. The proposal should specify how and when these objectives will be measured and evaluated. e. Detailed Budget: The budget for the proposal should be prepared in U.S. dollars. A list describing costs authorized by the U.S. Government can be found at Cost Principles. This section should also briefly describe the institution’s procurement procedures and financial policies. The description should include the institution’s standard accounting procedures and any relevant information regarding its financial situation. f. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This section should discuss proposed mechanisms and procedures for monitoring project operations to ensure that activities occur as planned, that they remain focused on stated objectives, and that appropriate corrective action is taken if required. Incorporating a well-designed monitoring and evaluation component into a project is one of the most efficient methods of documenting the progress and potential success of a program. Successful monitoring and evaluation depend on the following: o Setting SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, results-focused, and placed in a reasonable time frame) objectives; o Linking project activities to stated objectives; o Developing key performance indicators that measure realistic progress towards the objectives. g. Risk Assessment: This section should identify any possible risk that would keep the grantee from concluding the project as described, as well as a plan for mitigating and addressing those risks. 2. Completed SF-424 Grant Application Forms. o Organizations/Institutions must include: Forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B o Individual applicants must include: Form SF424i and SF-424B 3. Required Registrations. All organizations applying for federal awards (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge. a. Unique Identifier Number from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number) b. NCAGE/CAGE code c. www.SAM.gov registration Step 1: Apply for a DUNS number: 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/index.jsp Step 2: Apply for NCAGE by visiting: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx Step 3: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ **for help, visit: https://sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/help/samInternationalUserGuide.jsf SAM registration must be renewed annually. These databases interface with each other, so the information in DUNS should match exactly with the NCAGE application and the same with SAM. Submissions that do not include all required documents, including relevant SF-424 forms, may not be considered. There is no need to contact the Mission to ask about the status of your proposal once you have received the confirmation e-mail acknowledging receipt of your proposal. IV. Review and Selection Process Applications will first be reviewed to ensure all required documents have been submitted, including required registrations. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applications that do not address the Priority Program Areas stated above may be rejected. Complete applications that address the Priority Program Areas state in this document will be evaluated based on the following criteria, which are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project and to determine the likelihood of its success. The Grants Committee will only review application materials submitted as directed in this program announcement. Application Evaluation Criteria: Goals and Objectives: The project is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. The applicant demonstrates ability to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress towards stated goals. Strategy: Applicant clearly describes how the proposal will address the problem within the proposed time frame and articulates a plan. The project builds civil society leadership and capacity, and demonstrates sustainable capacity building. Budget and Budget Justification: The program is cost-effective given the number of individuals that will participate or be affected. The budget and narrative justification are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities. Anticipated results, given the planned expenses, are realistic. V. Award Administration Award Notices: The grant award or cooperative agreement shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The Grants Officer is a U.S. government official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement Executive to write, award, and administer grants and cooperative agreements. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient. Organizations whose applications are chosen for funding will be notified in writing. Reporting Requirements: All awards issued under this announcement will require both program and financial reports per a schedule specified in the award agreement. The disbursement of funds may be tied to the timely submission of these reports. All other details related to award administration will be specified in the award agreement as well.