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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Liberia Mobile Training Teams Project (INL)

1) What is the Liberia Mobile Training Teams Project?

The Liberia Mobile Training Teams Project is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) grant opportunity focused on strengthening policing and the rule of law in Liberia. Its core purpose is to expand access to practical police training outside the capital region by building the Liberian National Police (LNP) capacity to deliver training in counties beyond Montserrado County.

2) What problem is this grant designed to address?

The opportunity is designed to address limited training opportunities for LNP officers located outside Monrovia and surrounding communities. Training access is often more available in Montserrado County, while leeward and more remote areas may not receive consistent, standardized instruction. The project aims to reduce this gap by enabling decentralized delivery of core policing training.

3) Who is offering and administering this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is offered and administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

4) What is the funding mechanism (grant vs. cooperative agreement), and what does that imply?

INL plans to make one award through a cooperative agreement. This means the U.S. government expects to remain actively involved in shaping and overseeing the work as it is implemented, rather than taking a fully hands-off approach.

5) How many awards does INL expect to make?

INL expects to fund one organization. Only one award was anticipated under this opportunity.

6) What is the project period (length of performance)?

The project period is 18 months.

7) How much funding is available?

INL anticipates an estimated total of up to $450,000 in FY 2011 International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) resources. The stated funding range is $300,000 (floor) to $450,000 (ceiling) for the 18-month project period.

8) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity specifies that no cost sharing or matching funds are required.

9) What is the primary goal of the project?

The primary goal is to strengthen policing and rule of law in Liberia by expanding practical police training access outside the capital region. The project supports Liberia's broader criminal justice reform efforts by improving the reach and capability of the LNP to deliver training across the country.

10) What are mobile training teams in the context of this project?

Mobile training teams are teams that, once developed and trained, travel to police units stationed outside Montserrado County to provide basic to intermediate training in core policing skills. They are intended to function as a multiplier force that expands training coverage to underserved counties.

11) Is the project intended to provide one-time workshops, or something more sustained?

The intent is not only to deliver one-off workshops. The project aims to build a more sustainable, decentralized training approach so officers in underserved counties can receive standardized instruction without needing to travel to main training hubs.

12) What are the expected starting activities for the selected implementer?

The selected implementer is expected to begin by assessing the LNP's existing training capacity and identifying gaps that prevent consistent, effective training delivery across Liberia.

13) What types of training are the mobile teams expected to deliver?

The mobile training teams are expected to provide basic to intermediate training in core policing skills to LNP units outside Montserrado County.

14) Which geographic areas are prioritized for training delivery?

The opportunity emphasizes expanding training beyond Montserrado County, particularly to leeward and more remote areas where access to training is limited compared to Monrovia and surrounding communities.

15) How does this opportunity relate to other international support in Liberia?

INL frames the project as complementary to ongoing support from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the United States Government, and other donor countries. INL emphasizes coordination and avoiding duplication, with the expectation that the mobile training model will reinforce and extend existing national and international efforts in Liberia's security sector.

16) Why was the timing considered important (Liberia context in 2011)?

The opportunity notes that Liberia's national elections were expected in 2011, which could increase demands on police countrywide. During elections, the police role can become especially critical, including managing potential unrest. This context added urgency to improving readiness and professionalism across the country rather than concentrating capacity mainly in the capital.

17) What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is Law, Justice, and Legal Services, reflecting the program's focus on practical law enforcement capability as a building block of rule of law.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S.-recognized nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, public or state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.

19) What is the official Funding Opportunity Number and title?

The Funding Opportunity Number is INL 11 CA 0009 AME 06302011. The title is "Liberia Mobile Training Teams Project."

20) When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The opportunity was posted on June 30, 2011. The application deadline was July 31, 2011. The archive date was August 30, 2011.

21) By when were applicants required to submit questions?

Applicants were required to submit questions by July 15, 2011 at 5:00 pm.

22) How were applicant questions and official answers handled?

INL planned to post submitted questions and official responses on Grants.gov as an attachment to the announcement. This was intended to ensure all applicants had equal access to clarifications.

23) What should an applicant do if they have technical difficulties accessing the full announcement?

For technical difficulties accessing the full announcement, the listed point of contact is Cheryl Price, Grants Management Specialist, at 202-776-8743.

24) What organization is expected to benefit from the project activities?

The project is designed to improve the training reach and capability of the Liberian National Police (LNP), particularly for units stationed outside Montserrado County.

25) What is the intended long-term effect of deploying mobile training teams?

The intended effect is to create a more sustainable and decentralized approach to police training delivery in Liberia, helping standardize instruction nationwide and reducing reliance on travel to central training hubs for officers in underserved counties.