Opportunity Information: Apply for DRL 09 IRAQ PROP 090710
Apply for DRL 09 IRAQ PROP 090710
- The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Elections Related Initiatives in Iraq" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 00.000 Not Elsewhere Classified.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 10, 2009 and posted on Jul 10, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 27, 2009 Applicants must submit proposals using www.grants.gov by 1159 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on July 27, 2009. Please note 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 that applications be submitted via www.grants.gov, but will work with applicants who have trouble in the actual submission process.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $22,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $12,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- 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 and/or region, 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 and/or region. Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) issued this Request for Proposals to fund election-related democracy and governance work inside Iraq using FY 2009 Economic Support Funds. The opportunity is framed around the United States Strategy for Democracy and Governance in Iraq (2007 to 2010), with projects expected to support the strategy's broader aim: Iraqi citizens, civil society, and democratic institutions working together to reduce violence and build a sustainable, accountable, and responsive system of governance. The competition is open, but funding is not guaranteed because awards depend on congressional approval of DRL's spending plan and internal State Department approvals.
Programmatically, DRL is looking for proposals that advance the first of the strategy's three strategic objectives, which focuses on institutionalizing democratic political and legislative processes that resolve disputes peacefully. The RFP prioritizes practical election support. Competitive concepts include building civil society capacity to conduct election activities such as voter education, voter registration support, election observation and observer training, polling-related activities, and get-out-the-vote efforts for the national Council of Representatives elections and other upcoming Iraqi elections. DRL also welcomes projects that provide election-related training for political parties or for media actors, initiatives that improve election communication between government officials and Iraqi citizens at local, provincial, and national levels, and programs specifically designed to increase participation by youth, women, and minorities in political processes. Where relevant, applicants are expected to explain how they will coordinate with Provincial Reconstruction Teams and with other international and U.S. Government funded efforts to avoid duplication and strengthen impact.
The solicitation makes clear what it does not want to fund. Proposals centered on U.S.-based activities such as study tours, scholarships, or exchanges are viewed as uncompetitive. Likewise, projects that are primarily academic research, conferences, dialogues, or similarly indirect approaches are discouraged. DRL also discourages health, technology, or scientific projects unless they clearly and explicitly connect to the election and democracy objectives listed in the RFP, and it says commercial law or economic development focused projects are not likely to be competitive. Separately, DRL will not consider proposals that provide any type of support to any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization, regardless of whether that individual is an elected government member.
On funding and scale, DRL indicates roughly $22 million total is available for these election-related awards, with an expectation of about 10 awards. Individual grant sizes are projected to range from about $2 million to $12 million, and typical project duration is expected to be about one to two years, with most activities taking place in Iraq. DRL anticipated making awards in summer or fall 2009. Although cost sharing is not required, it is strongly encouraged and is treated as a positive factor during review, especially where it improves cost effectiveness.
Eligibility is limited to U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and U.S. universities or research institutions that also meet 501(c)(3) requirements. Applicants still in the process of securing nonprofit status may apply if they can provide proof they are seeking IRS recognition, but any award would be contingent on obtaining the status. DRL also expects applicants to have demonstrated experience managing successful projects, ideally in Iraq or similarly challenging environments, and to have existing partnerships in-country or the ability to quickly build active partnerships. Consortia are allowed, but one organization must be designated as the lead applicant.
The application is heavily compliance-driven and must follow DRL's Proposal Submission Instructions (the revised June 2008 version). Each organization may submit only one proposal in response to this specific election-related RFP, and while an organization may also submit a separate proposal to a separate post-elections RFP, applicants are warned not to blend topics across the two solicitations because doing so could make a proposal technically ineligible. The required submission package includes standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), plus a short table of contents and executive summary, a proposal narrative capped at 10 pages, a detailed line-item budget and budget narrative, and up to 7 pages of attachments. Attachments must include a monitoring and evaluation plan, short bios for key staff, and a project timeline, with limited room for optional items like letters of support or MOUs. Formatting requirements are specific (page numbering, 8.5 x 11 layout, single-spaced 12-point Times New Roman with 1-inch margins). If the applicant charges indirect costs using a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, the NICRA must be included as a PDF and does not count against page limits.
Proposals are evaluated through a State Department review process that begins with an eligibility screen and then a technical review against defined criteria. Reviewers focus on the quality and originality of the program idea and its fit with DRL's mission; the strength and realism of program planning and the ability to achieve measurable objectives; the multiplier effect and sustainability, meaning whether the work builds lasting institutional capacity and can continue beyond the grant; the rigor of the monitoring and evaluation approach, with independent evaluation viewed favorably; the organization's record, staffing, and operational capacity, including fiscal management and compliance history; and overall cost effectiveness, with an expectation that overhead and U.S.-based costs are kept low and that budget items are clearly justified.
Submission was required through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 27, 2009, and the notice repeatedly stresses that registration steps can take time. Applicants needed to complete credentialing and authorization steps (including obtaining credentials through the Grants.gov credential provider, registering organizational details, and having a DUNS number and then-active CCR registration at the time) to be able to submit as an authorized organization representative. The RFP emphasizes that late preparation for these administrative steps would not be accepted as an excuse for missing the deadline. For submission questions, the solicitation lists DRL contacts Matt Hickey and Cheryl Harris.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund election-related democracy and governance work inside Iraq using FY 2009 Economic Support Funds.
2) What is the overall goal of the program?
Projects are expected to support the United States Strategy for Democracy and Governance in Iraq (2007 to 2010), with the broader aim of Iraqi citizens, civil society, and democratic institutions working together to reduce violence and build a sustainable, accountable, and responsive system of governance.
3) Is funding guaranteed if we apply?
No. The competition is open, but funding is not guaranteed. Awards depend on congressional approval of DRL's spending plan and internal State Department approvals.
4) What strategic objective is DRL prioritizing in this RFP?
DRL is looking for proposals that advance the first of the strategy's three strategic objectives, which focuses on institutionalizing democratic political and legislative processes that resolve disputes peacefully.
5) What types of activities are considered competitive for this RFP?
The RFP prioritizes practical election support. Competitive concepts include building civil society capacity to conduct election activities such as voter education, voter registration support, election observation and observer training, polling-related activities, and get-out-the-vote efforts for the national Council of Representatives elections and other upcoming Iraqi elections.
6) Are political party or media-related election activities eligible?
Yes. DRL welcomes projects that provide election-related training for political parties or for media actors.
7) Does DRL support projects focused on election communications between government and citizens?
Yes. The RFP welcomes initiatives that improve election communication between government officials and Iraqi citizens at local, provincial, and national levels.
8) Are projects to increase participation by youth, women, and minorities encouraged?
Yes. DRL welcomes programs specifically designed to increase participation by youth, women, and minorities in political processes.
9) Where are projects expected to take place?
Most activities are expected to take place in Iraq.
10) How much funding is available under this RFP?
DRL indicates that roughly $22 million total is available for these election-related awards.
11) How many awards does DRL expect to make?
DRL expects about 10 awards.
12) What is the expected award size?
Individual grant sizes are projected to range from about $2 million to $12 million.
13) What is the expected project duration?
Typical project duration is expected to be about one to two years.
14) When did DRL anticipate making awards?
DRL anticipated making awards in summer or fall 2009.
15) Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required.
16) Does cost sharing help an application?
Yes. Cost sharing is strongly encouraged and treated as a positive factor during review, especially where it improves cost effectiveness.
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and U.S. universities or research institutions that also meet 501(c)(3) requirements.
18) Can an organization apply if it has not yet received 501(c)(3) status?
Organizations still in the process of securing nonprofit status may apply if they can provide proof they are seeking IRS recognition. However, any award would be contingent on obtaining 501(c)(3) status.
19) Does DRL expect prior experience working in Iraq?
DRL expects applicants to have demonstrated experience managing successful projects, ideally in Iraq or similarly challenging environments.
20) Are in-country partnerships required?
DRL expects applicants to have existing partnerships in-country or the ability to quickly build active partnerships.
21) Are consortia or partnerships between organizations allowed?
Yes. Consortia are allowed, but one organization must be designated as the lead applicant.
22) Are applicants expected to coordinate with other U.S. Government or international efforts?
Yes. Where relevant, applicants are expected to explain how they will coordinate with Provincial Reconstruction Teams and with other international and U.S. Government funded efforts to avoid duplication and strengthen impact.
23) What types of proposals are discouraged or viewed as uncompetitive?
The solicitation states that proposals centered on U.S.-based activities such as study tours, scholarships, or exchanges are viewed as uncompetitive. Projects that are primarily academic research, conferences, dialogues, or similarly indirect approaches are discouraged. Health, technology, or scientific projects are also discouraged unless they clearly and explicitly connect to the election and democracy objectives listed in the RFP. Commercial law or economic development focused projects are not likely to be competitive.
24) Are there restrictions related to designated terrorist organizations?
Yes. DRL will not consider proposals that provide any type of support to any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization, regardless of whether that individual is an elected government member.
25) How many proposals may an organization submit?
Each organization may submit only one proposal in response to this specific election-related RFP.
26) Can an organization submit another proposal to a different DRL solicitation at the same time?
Yes. An organization may submit a separate proposal to a separate post-elections RFP, but applicants are warned not to blend topics across the two solicitations because doing so could make a proposal technically ineligible.
27) What submission instructions must applicants follow?
Applications must follow DRL's Proposal Submission Instructions (revised June 2008 version).
28) What forms and documents are required in the submission package?
The required submission package includes: SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B; a short table of contents; an executive summary; a proposal narrative capped at 10 pages; a detailed line-item budget and budget narrative; and up to 7 pages of attachments.
29) What must be included in the attachments?
Attachments must include a monitoring and evaluation plan, short bios for key staff, and a project timeline. There is limited room for optional items like letters of support or MOUs.
30) Are there specific formatting requirements?
Yes. The RFP specifies formatting requirements including page numbering, 8.5 x 11 layout, single-spaced text, 12-point Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins.
31) Does a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) count against the page limit?
No. If the applicant charges indirect costs using a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, the NICRA must be included as a PDF and does not count against page limits.
32) How are proposals reviewed and evaluated?
The State Department review process begins with an eligibility screen and then a technical review against defined criteria. Reviewers focus on: the quality and originality of the program idea and fit with DRL's mission; the strength and realism of program planning and ability to achieve measurable objectives; multiplier effect and sustainability (lasting institutional capacity beyond the grant); the rigor of monitoring and evaluation (independent evaluation viewed favorably); the organization's record, staffing, and operational capacity including fiscal management and compliance history; and overall cost effectiveness, including expectations that overhead and U.S.-based costs are kept low and budget items are clearly justified.
33) How should applicants approach monitoring and evaluation (M&E)?
An M&E plan is required as an attachment, and the solicitation notes that independent evaluation is viewed favorably.
34) What does DRL mean by sustainability or multiplier effect?
Reviewers consider whether the work builds lasting institutional capacity and whether it can continue beyond the grant period.
35) What does DRL expect regarding cost effectiveness and overhead?
Cost effectiveness is part of the evaluation. The RFP indicates an expectation that overhead and U.S.-based costs are kept low and that budget items are clearly justified.
36) How and where was the application submitted?
Submission was required through Grants.gov.
37) What was the application deadline?
Proposals were due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 27, 2009.
38) What registrations or administrative steps were needed to submit through Grants.gov?
The RFP stresses that registration steps can take time. Applicants needed to complete credentialing and authorization steps, including obtaining credentials through the Grants.gov credential provider, registering organizational details, and having a DUNS number and an active CCR registration at the time, to be able to submit as an authorized organization representative.
39) Will DRL accept late submissions due to delays in Grants.gov registration?
No. The notice emphasizes that late preparation for these administrative steps would not be accepted as an excuse for missing the deadline.
40) Who were the listed DRL contacts for submission questions?
The solicitation lists DRL contacts Matt Hickey and Cheryl Harris.
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