Request for
Proposals:
To Expand Cuban
Civic Participation and Leadership
in Social Relationships and Independent Civil Society Groups
June 28, 2010
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/p/127829.htm
[NOTE: This link no
longer works, but this is what I downloaded when it was posted there...wl]
Department of State Public Notice
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Proposals: To expand
Cuban civic participation and leadership in social relationships and independent
civil society groups with a view to supporting the ability of Cuban citizens to
freely determine their own future.
SUMMARY The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a
Request for Proposals from organizations interested in submitting proposals for
projects that respond to the needs and interests of Cubans on the island and
empower citizens on the island to meaningfully engage in key civic social
activities and decisions that improve their lives.
PLEASE NOTE: DRL strongly urges applicants to access immediately www.grants.gov
in order to obtain a username and password. It may take two full weeks to
register with www.grants.gov. Please see the section entitled, “DEADLINE AND
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS” below for specific instructions.
REQUESTED PROPOSAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES DRL seeks to complement and enhance its
Cuba program by funding a grant or multiple grants with sub-grant components.
DRL envisions the use of sub-grants as a flexible tool that can be used to meet
(fund) the needs that arise from the island (within the program areas listed
below) throughout the life of the award. Partners may include local groups;
cooperatives; associations; informal groups; NGOs; student groups; and media
outlets.
Successful applicants will be responsible for 1) publicizing the availability of
sub-grant funding, so that interested US-based NGOs and/or Cuban partners on the
island may propose projects for potential funding as a sub-grant; 2) reviewing
and selecting sub-awardees (identifying potential sub-grants and sub-grantees
that are appropriate); 3) distributing funds and monitoring sub-awardees'
performance and funds administration; and 4) reporting on the impact of
activities carried out through the sub-awards.
Applicants and proposed US-based sub-grantees should be organizations that have
contacts with verifiable Cuban partners on the island, from whom they can
receive proposals put forth by Cubans for Cuban-conceived and Cuban-led projects
worthy of support. Applicant organizations should demonstrate their capacity and
propose a comprehensive plan for administering multiple sub awards and ensuring
that funds are used strategically within the scope of the prime grant.
Sub-grants may: 1) focus on non-traditional activities or activities that cannot
be funded by other donors; and 2) use in-kind grants to support groups that lack
financial and organizational capacity.
Applicants should include with their proposal submission (as an Annex that will
not count toward page limit) a draft proposed Sub-grant Implementation Manual in
compliance with the Department’s terms and conditions and applicable OMB
circulars. Grantees will be required to provide DRL, on a quarterly basis, with
record of all disbursements made to sub-grantees, breakdown of disbursements,
activity funded, and goals reached to-date.
DRL invites organizations to submit proposals outlining program concepts and
capacity to manage projects with a sub-grant component, as outlined above,
targeting one of the following issues. Proposals that combine topics may be
deemed technically ineligible.
Applicants who design a program using a sub-grantee mechanism will be considered
highly competitive, but applicants who propose direct implementation of
assistance will also be considered. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate
that they have the requisite contacts on the island in order to effectively
implement assistance directly. o ensure transparency and oversight, DRL reserves
the right to request any programmatic and/or financial program information
during the grant period.
Cuba:
Political Prisoners (approximately $500,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that
will provide humanitarian assistance to family members of Cuban political
prisoners. DRL strongly encourages local procurement of food and/or non-food
items when available. Humanitarian assistance may be provided in the form of
cash or in-kind assistance. Successful proposals will outline the process
through which recipients of humanitarian assistance will be selected.
Freedom of Expression (approximately $1,500,000 available): DRL seeks proposals
to support greater freedom of expression on the island, especially among
performing artists, visual artists, musicians, poets, writers, journalists, and
bloggers. Objectives are to increase civic space for expressing opinions openly
and sharing ideas, generate increased demand not only for information, per se,
but for freedom of expression overall.
Freedom of Religion (approximately $500,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that
would support initiatives put forward by on-island religious and spiritual
groups to advocate for religious freedom.
Labor Rights/Freedom of Association (approximately $500,000 available): DRL
seeks proposals that would support initiatives put forth by Cuban partners such
as independent labor unions and/or labor organizations on the island who wish to
advocate for workers’ rights and/or the freedom of association.
Women’s Issues (approximately $350,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to
strengthen the capacity of on-island independent Cuban civil society groups to
advocate for the rights of women. Specifically, funds will support on-island
efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls in order
to minimize the likelihood that they would participate in commercialized sex for
economic reasons, including by raising awareness, education women on their
rights, and strengthening women’s ability to advocate for and network among
themselves, as well as provide immediate support for victims of sexual
exploitation.
Direct Civil Society Support (approximately $300,000 available): DRL seeks
proposals to assist groups and individuals on the island, via providing funding
to Cubans who request small grants for independent civil society initiatives
that are Cuban-conceived and Cuban-led. Projects that emphasize outreach to
sectors of civil society who have not previously received support, particularly
in regions outside of Havana, will be considered particularly competitive.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Proposals should conform to DRL’s posted Proposal
Submission Instructions (PSI), available at
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/p/c12302.htm. (For this solicitation, applicants
must use the Revised PSI dated March 2010.)
An organization may submit no more than two (2) proposals. Proposals that do not
meet the requirements of the announcement and PSI may not be considered.
Proposals that combine themes may be deemed technically ineligible. Proposals
that request less than the award floor or more than the award ceiling will be
deemed technically ineligible.
For all application documents, please ensure: 1) All pages are numbered,
including budgets and attachments, 2) All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11
paper, and 3) All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New
Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.
Complete applications should include the following for proposal submission: 1)
Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424a (Budget Summary) and SF424b (Assurances),
as directed on www.grants.gov.
2) Table of Contents (not to exceed one [1] page in Microsoft Word) that
includes a page-numbered contents page, including any attachments.
3) Executive Summary (not to exceed one [1] page in Microsoft Word) that
includes: The target country, Name and contact information for the project’s
main point of contact, A one-paragraph “statement of work” or synopsis of the
program and its expected results, A concise breakdown of the project’s
objectives and activities, The total amount of funding requested and program
length, and A brief statement on how the project is innovative, sustainable, and
will have a demonstrated impact. 4) Proposal Narrative (not to exceed ten [10]
pages in Microsoft Word). Please note the ten page limit does not include the
Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Attachments, Detailed Budget, Budget
Narrative or NICRA. Applicants may submit multiple documents in one Microsoft
Word file, i.e., Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, and
Budget Narrative in one file or as separate, individually submitted files.
Submissions should address four specific criteria (Quality of Program, Program
Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives, Multiplier Effect/Sustainability, and
Institution’s Record and Capacity). Details about these criteria are described
in the Review Process section below.
5) Budget Narrative (preferably in Microsoft Word) that includes an
explanation/justification for each line item in the detailed budget spreadsheet,
as well as the source and description of all cost-share offered. For ease of
review, it is recommended that applicants order the budget narrative as
presented in the detailed budget. For each line item included in the budget,
provide an explanation/justification and demonstrate that the costs are in
proportion to the benefits received. Primarily Headquarters- and Field-based
personnel costs should include a clarification on the roles and responsibilities
of key staff and percentage of time devoted to the project. In addition,
cost-effectiveness is one of the key criteria for rating the competitiveness of
a program proposal. It is recommended that budget narratives address the overall
cost-effectiveness of the proposal, including any cost-share offered (see the
PSI for more information on cost-sharing and cost-effectiveness).
6) Detailed Line-item Budget (in Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet format),
in 11 point font that contains three [3] columns including DRL request, any cost
sharing contribution, and total budget. A summary budget should also be included
using the OMB approved budget categories (see SF-424 as a sample). See the PSI
for more information on budget format. Costs must be in U.S. Dollars.
7) Attachments (not to exceed seven [7] pages total, preferably in Microsoft
Word) that include the following in order:
Pages 1-2: Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (see PSI for more information on this
section). Page 3: Roles and responsibilities of key program personnel with short
bios that highlight relevant professional experience. Given the limited space,
CVs are not recommended for submission. Page 4: Timeline of the overall
proposal. Components should include activities, evaluation efforts, and program
closeout. Page 5-7: Additional optional attachments. Attachments may include
additional timeline information, letters of support, memorandums of
understanding/agreement, etc. For applicants with a large number of letters/MOUs,
it may be useful to provide a list of the organizations/government agencies that
support the program rather than the actual documentation.
8) If your organization has a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA)
and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be sent as a
.pdf file. This document will not be reviewed by the panelists, but rather used
by program and grant staff if the submission is recommended for funding. Hence,
this document does not count against the submission page limitations. If your
proposal involves sub-grants to organizations charging indirect costs, and those
organizations also have a NICRA, please submit the applicable NICRA as a .pdf
file (see the PSI for more information on indirect cost rate).
Organizations must also fill out and submit SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B forms
as directed on www.grants.gov. Please refer to the PSI for directions on how to
complete the forms.
Note: To ensure all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the DRL Review
Committee will review the first page of the requested section up to the page
limit and no further. DRL encourages organizations to use the given space
effectively.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor furthers
U.S. foreign policy goals by supporting innovative, targeted programs around the
world that support the democratization process by strengthening democratic
institutions, promoting human rights, and building the capacity of civil
society, including a free and independent media. DRL funds projects that
potentially can have an immediate impact leading to long-term sustainable
reforms. Projects should have potential for continued funding beyond original
resources. DRL-funded projects should be creative and must not duplicate or
simply add to efforts by other entities.
DRL will not consider proposals that reflect any type of support, for any
member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization,
whether or not elected members of government.
The bulk of project activities must target the requested country and last
between one and three years. U.S.-based activities, study tours, scholarships or
exchange projects will not be deemed competitive. Projects that have a strong
academic, research, conference, or dialogue focus will not be deemed
competitive. DRL strongly discourages health, technology, or scientific projects
unless they have an explicit component related to the requested program
objectives listed above. Projects that focus on commercial law or economic
development will be rated as non-competitive.
Approximately $3,650,000 is available for programs in the country outlined
above. The Bureau anticipates making awards in amount of $300,000 up to the
maximum available figure listed for each topic.
APPLICANT/ORGANIZATION CRITERIA Organizations submitting proposals must meet the
following criteria:
Be a registered U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions described in
Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3). Applicants in the process of
registration must submit proof that they are seeking non-profit status from the
Internal Revenue Service at the time of proposal submission. Should the
applicant be selected for a grant award, funding will be contingent upon
501(c)(3) status; or Be a U.S. university or research institution meeting the
provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3); and
Have demonstrated experience administering successful projects, preferably
targeting the requested country, or similarly challenging program environment.
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on
organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal grant
awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis; and
Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with
organization(s) in the target country. Organizations may form consortia and
submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as
the lead applicant.
REVIEW PROCESS The Bureau will review all proposals for eligibility. Eligible
proposals will be subject to compliance of Federal and Bureau regulations and
guidelines and may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by
other Department elements. Final signatory authority for assistance awards
resides with the Department’s Grants Officer. DRL and the Grants Office reserve
the right to request any additional programmatic and/or financial information
regarding the proposal.
Proposals will be funded based on an evaluation of how the proposal meets the
solicitation review criteria, U.S. foreign policy objectives, and the priority
needs of DRL. A Department of State Review Committee will evaluate proposals
submitted under this request. Each proposal will be rated along six criteria,
which will be equally weighted. Review criteria will include:
1) Quality of Program Idea Proposals should be responsive to the solicitation
and appropriate in the country/regional context, and should exhibit originality,
substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's mission of promoting human
rights and democracy. The bureau typically does not fund programs that continue
an organization’s ongoing work (funded by the Bureau or other sources), but
prioritizes innovative, stand-alone programs. In countries where similar
activities are already taking place, an explanation should be provided as to how
new activities will not duplicate or merely add to existing activities. In
addition, the program idea should incorporate lessons learned from other
relevant country programs implemented by the organization.
2) Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives A strong proposal will include
a clear articulation of how the proposed program activities contribute to the
overall program objectives, and each activity will be clearly developed and
detailed. A relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and
the logistical capacity of the organization. The work plan should adhere to the
program overview and guidelines described above. Objectives should be ambitious,
yet measurable and achievable. For complete proposals, applicants should provide
a monthly timeline of project activities. Proposals should address how the
program will engage relevant stakeholders and should identify local partners as
appropriate. If local partners have been identified, the Bureau strongly
encourages applicants to submit letters of support from proposed in-country
partners. Additionally, applicants should describe the division of labor among
the direct applicant and any local partners. If applicable, proposals should
identify target areas for activities, target participant groups or selection
criteria for participants, and purpose/criteria for sub-grantees, among other
pertinent details. Organizations should detail why a specific program
intervention is proposed. For example, if training or workshops are required to
achieve the desired result, organizations should specify how the
training/workshops will support the overall program goal. Also, organization
should ensure that proposed activities are linked to specific outcomes. For
example, for trainings/workshops, organizations should detail how trainees will
apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired through the training. In
addition, organizations should identify and address gender considerations in all
proposed program activities, and must provide specific means, measures, and
corresponding targets to address them. Organizations should provide details on
how women will benefit from and actively participate in project activities. In
particularly challenging operating environments, proposals should include
contingency plans for overcoming potential difficulties in executing the
original work plan.
3) Multiplier Effect/Sustainability Proposals should clearly delineate how
elements of their program will have a multiplier effect and be sustainable
beyond the life of the grant. A good multiplier effect may include but is not
limited to, plans to build lasting networks for direct and indirect
beneficiaries, follow-on training and mentoring, and continued use of project
deliverables. A strong sustainability plan may include demonstrating
capacity-building results or garnering other donor support after DRL funding
ceases.
4) Program Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan Programs should demonstrate the
capacity for engaging in outcome-based evaluations and identify proscribed
outputs and outcomes to measure how program activities will achieve the
program’s strategic objectives. The M&E Plan should include output- and
outcome-based indicators, baseline and target for each indicator, disaggregation
(including by gender) if applicable, monitoring and evaluation tools, data
source, and frequency of monitoring and evaluation. For a more detailed
explanation of what DRL is looking for in the M&E Plan, please see the PSI and
the DRL Monitoring and Evaluation Primer (www.state.gov/g/drl/p/c12302.htm).
Projects that propose an independent evaluation, including a midterm and final
assessment, with a clear monitoring and evaluation plan will be viewed favorably
in this category.
5) Institution’s Record and Capacity The Bureau will consider the past
performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new
applicants. Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful
programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all
reporting requirements for past grants. Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the project's
objectives. Roles, responsibilities, and brief bios demonstrating relevant
professional experience of primary staff should be provided as one of the main
attachments.
6) Cost Effectiveness The overhead and administrative components of the
proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible.
All other items should be necessary and appropriate. Given that the majority of
DRL-funded programs take place overseas, U.S.-based costs should be kept to a
minimum. Cost sharing is strongly encouraged and is viewed favorably by DRL
reviewers. For a more detailed description of how DRL evaluates the cost
effectiveness of its proposals, please see the PSI.
DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Applicants must submit proposals using
www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on July 26, 2010.
Please note that over the next several months www.grants.gov will experience
higher than normal application volume due to Recovery Act-related opportunities.
DRL will still require applications to be submitted via www.grants.gov but will
work with applicants who have trouble in the actual submission process.
Several of the steps in the www.grants.gov registration process can take several
weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate staff within their
organizations immediately after reviewing this solicitation to confirm or
determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
Please note: In order to safeguard the security of applicants’ electronic
information, www.grants.gov utilizes a credential provider to confirm, with
certainty, the applicant organization’s credentials. The credential provider for
www.grants.gov is Operational Research Consultants (ORC). Applicants MUST
register with ORC to receive a username and password which you will need to
register with www.grants.gov as an authorized organization representative (AOR).
Once your organization's E-Business point of contact has assigned these rights,
you will be authorized to submit grant applications through www.grants.gov on
behalf of your organization.
Each organization will need to be registered with the Central Contractor
Registry (CCR), and you will need to have your organization's DUNS number
available to complete this process. For more information regarding the DUNS
number, please visit www.dnb.com or call 1-866-705-5711. After your organization
registers with the CCR, you must wait approximately three to five business days
before you can obtain a username and password. This may delay your ability to
post your proposal. Therefore, DRL strongly urges applicants to begin this
process on www.grants.gov well in advance of the submission deadline.
No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the
necessary steps to post applications on www.grants.gov.
Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an application will
vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and
the speed of your internet connection. In addition, validation of an electronic
submission via www.grants.gov can take up to two business days. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the
submission process through www.grants.gov.
The www.grants.gov website includes extensive information on all phases/aspects
of the www.grants.gov process, including an extensive section on frequently
asked questions, located under the "For Applicants" section of the website. DRL
strongly recommends that all potential applicants review thoroughly
www.grants.gov, well in advance of submitting a proposal through the
www.grants.gov system.
Direct all questions regarding www.grants.gov registration and submission to:
www.grants.gov Customer Support Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726 Business
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7AM – 9PM Eastern Standard Time Email:
support@grants.gov
Applicants have until midnight (12:00 a.m.), Washington, D.C. time of the
closing date to ensure that their entire application has been uploaded to
www.grants.gov. There are no exceptions to the above deadline. Applications
uploaded to the site after midnight of the application deadline date will be
automatically rejected by the www.grants.gov system and will be technically
ineligible.
Please refer to www.grants.gov for definitions of various "application statuses"
and the difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation.
Applicants will receive a validation e-mail from www.grants.gov upon the
successful submission of an application. Again, validation of an electronic
submission via www.grants.govcan take up to two business days. DRL will not
notify you upon receipt of electronic applications.
Faxed, couriered, or emailed documents will not be accepted at any time.
Applicants must follow all formatting instructions in this document and the PSI.
It is the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that proposals have been
received by www.grants.gov in their entirety. DRL bears no responsibility for
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The information contained in this solicitation is binding
and may not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Bureau that contradicts this language will not be binding.
Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment on the part
of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase
proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program evaluation
requirements.
This request for proposals will appear on www.grants.gov and DRL’s website,
www.state.gov/g/drl.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Please contact Violeta Román at 202.261.8107 or
RomanV@state.gov and/or Catherine Newling at 202.647.8257 or
NewlingCE@state.gov with any questions.
Once the RFP deadline has passed, U.S. Government officials - including those in
the Bureau, the Department, and at embassies/missions overseas - must not
discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review
process is completed.
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A partial summary of this remains posted as of November 8, 2010:
http://www.rgs.uky.edu/pdo/FundingOpportunities/LimitedSubmission/DepartmentofState.htm