Opportunity Information: Apply for CTP CTAQM 16 009
Apply for CTP CTAQM 16 009
- The Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Technical Support to a Global Counterterrorism Forum Initiative on Soft Target Protection" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.700.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 30, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 30, 2016 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $990,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism (CT) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for one organization to serve as the implementing partner for a new Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) initiative focused on soft target protection. The core purpose is to help governments and their private sector partners strengthen their ability to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks against places that are open, heavily used by the public, and typically have limited security barriers. The opportunity is framed around the growing global threat of attacks on venues like hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, stadiums, and mass transit hubs, reflecting a shift in terrorist tactics toward easier-to-access civilian targets with high human and economic impact.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning CT expects to be substantially involved during implementation, with the recipient coordinating closely with a CT Program Officer before starting each major phase of work. The planned period of performance is 12 months, and the project is designed to be practical and output-driven: convene expert discussions, translate those discussions into internationally recognized (but non-binding) good practices, and then build a pathway for governments to apply those practices through expert support. The initiative emphasizes public-private cooperation, recognizing that many soft targets are privately owned and that effective protection requires coordination among national and local governments, law enforcement, emergency management, and industry.
The implementing partner is expected to deliver three main workstreams. First is the organization and facilitation of a series of expert and practitioner workshops at both global and regional levels, anticipated to total six to seven meetings. The outline described includes a global kick-off experts meeting in Europe, five regional workshops across regions such as West Africa, East Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Eastern or Southern Europe, and then one or more global meetings to review and refine the recommendations. For these workshops, the recipient is responsible for both the technical substance and the mechanics of execution. On the technical side, that includes identifying and recruiting relevant experts, drafting agendas, preparing concept notes, and producing meeting documents. On the administrative and logistics side, it includes tasks like sending invitations, arranging participant travel, securing hotels and conference venues, printing materials, providing interpretation/translation, and coordinating catering and other on-the-ground needs to ensure the meetings run smoothly and on schedule.
Second is the drafting of a document that captures the workshops results as a set of internationally recognized, non-binding good practices on soft target protection. The opportunity makes clear that the document should be informed not only by workshop discussions but also by consultations with outside specialists, U.S. government stakeholders, the GCTF Administrative Unit, and the initiatives co-chairs, while adhering to GCTF processes and rules. The intent is for the final product to be useful as a foundation for future international engagement, assistance, and training, helping governments build risk-based approaches, improve information sharing, and strengthen preparedness and response measures in partnership with the private sector.
Third is the development of a roster of international experts and trainers who can be deployed to help governments assess needs, identify capacity gaps, and support implementation of the agreed good practices. The implementing partner is expected to conduct targeted engagements with specific countries to understand their requirements and should budget for limited travel to support expert deployments. This component is meant to turn the good practices from a paper product into something operational, by creating a bench of credible specialists who can provide tailored advice and hands-on support.
The solicitation highlights what CT is looking for in a successful applicant. Strong proposals demonstrate a clear grasp of the urgency and complexity of soft target terrorism, plus real expertise in both policy and practical protective measures that involve law enforcement, civilian authorities, and private industry. Applicants need a proven track record of organizing multinational, regional, and global workshops, including the ability to deliver fast, reliable administrative and logistical support. CT also wants evidence that the applicant can draft consensus-oriented documents that reflect multiple stakeholder views (governments, international organizations, and external experts) and can manage a solid monitoring and evaluation approach to track progress and outcomes over the 12-month period.
From an application standpoint, submissions are capped at 15 pages for the main narrative materials (with specific exemptions). Required elements include a project narrative with a problem analysis, project design, and a notional 12-month timeline; a complete budget package (an Excel line-item budget plus a budget narrative, aligned with SF-424 categories); and one-page resumes for key personnel, including at least one program director. Applicants must also provide a demonstration of experience and expertise addressing their history convening expert workshops, working with foreign governments in the civilian security sector, familiarity with relevant regions, and experience producing actionable recommendations tied to counterterrorism, law enforcement, preparedness, and critical infrastructure security and resilience. Letters of intent from proposed partners or consortium members are required if the applicant plans to work with them, and these letters are exempt from the page limit (as are the budget spreadsheet and the one-page resumes).
Eligibility is broad: public or private academic institutions, NGOs, and for-profit entities may apply, though for-profits should note that State generally prohibits earning profit under assistance awards beyond allowable costs, and cost allowability follows federal rules (including FAR-based principles for commercial organizations). The total anticipated funding ceiling is $990,000, with one award expected, subject to funding availability. Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov or GrantSolutions.gov by 11:30 p.m. EDT on August 30, 2016, and applicants needed active registrations (DUNS and SAM; non-U.S. applicants also typically needing an NCAGE code). Proposals are scored on overall proposal quality (40 points), key personnel (20), organizational track record (20), and budget (20). The notice also flags standard requirements tied to State Department awards, including applicable federal assistance regulations, State standard terms and conditions, and vetting requirements for law enforcement units and personnel who may receive training or related support.
FAQs: GCTF Soft Target Protection Initiative (U.S. Department of State, CT)
1) What is this funding opportunity about?
This Notice of Funding Opportunity from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism (CT) seeks one organization to serve as the implementing partner for a new Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) initiative focused on soft target protection.
2) What does "soft target protection" mean in this opportunity?
In this context, soft targets are places that are open, heavily used by the public, and typically have limited security barriers, such as hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, stadiums, and mass transit hubs. The initiative focuses on helping prevent and respond to terrorist attacks against these types of venues.
3) Why is this initiative being prioritized now?
The opportunity is framed around a growing global threat: terrorist tactics shifting toward easier-to-access civilian targets that can cause high human and economic impact. The initiative is meant to help governments and private sector partners strengthen prevention, preparedness, and response in that environment.
4) Who is making the award?
The award is issued by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism (CT), in support of a Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) initiative.
5) How many awards are expected?
One award is expected (subject to funding availability).
6) What is the maximum funding amount?
The total anticipated funding ceiling is $990,000.
7) What is the award type?
The award is a cooperative agreement.
8) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means CT expects to be substantially involved during implementation. The recipient is expected to coordinate closely with a CT Program Officer and obtain coordination before starting each major phase of work.
9) What is the planned period of performance?
The planned period of performance is 12 months.
10) What is the overall project approach?
The project is intended to be practical and output-driven: convene expert discussions, translate those discussions into internationally recognized (but non-binding) good practices on soft target protection, and then build a pathway for governments to apply those practices through expert support.
11) What role does public-private cooperation play in the initiative?
Public-private cooperation is a central theme. Many soft targets are privately owned, and effective protection requires coordination among national and local governments, law enforcement, emergency management, and industry.
12) What are the main workstreams the implementing partner must deliver?
The implementing partner is expected to deliver three main workstreams: (1) organize and facilitate expert and practitioner workshops, (2) draft a good practices document based on workshop results and consultations, and (3) develop a roster of international experts and trainers to support country engagements and implementation.
13) How many workshops or meetings are anticipated?
The initiative anticipates a total of six to seven meetings.
14) Where are the workshops expected to take place?
The outline includes a global kick-off experts meeting in Europe, five regional workshops across regions such as West Africa, East Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Eastern or Southern Europe, and then one or more global meetings to review and refine recommendations.
15) What is the implementing partner responsible for in workshop delivery?
The recipient is responsible for both technical substance and the mechanics of execution.
16) What are the "technical substance" responsibilities for the workshops?
Technical responsibilities include identifying and recruiting relevant experts, drafting agendas, preparing concept notes, and producing meeting documents.
17) What are the "mechanics of execution" (logistics) responsibilities for the workshops?
Administrative and logistics responsibilities include sending invitations, arranging participant travel, securing hotels and conference venues, printing materials, providing interpretation/translation, and coordinating catering and other on-the-ground needs so meetings run smoothly and on schedule.
18) What is the required written product from the workshops?
The implementing partner must draft a document that captures workshop results as a set of internationally recognized, non-binding good practices on soft target protection.
19) What does "internationally recognized, non-binding good practices" mean here?
The deliverable is intended to be recognized and useful internationally, but it is not legally binding. It is meant to guide and support governments and partners in developing risk-based approaches and practical protective measures.
20) Who must be consulted when developing the good practices document?
The document should be informed by workshop discussions and consultations with outside specialists, U.S. government stakeholders, the GCTF Administrative Unit, and the initiative co-chairs, while adhering to GCTF processes and rules.
21) What is the intended use of the final good practices document?
The final product is intended to serve as a foundation for future international engagement, assistance, and training, helping governments improve risk-based approaches, information sharing, preparedness, and response in partnership with the private sector.
22) What is the "roster of experts and trainers" deliverable?
The implementing partner must develop a roster (a bench) of international experts and trainers who can be deployed to help governments assess needs, identify capacity gaps, and support implementation of the agreed good practices.
23) Are country engagements part of the project?
Yes. The implementing partner is expected to conduct targeted engagements with specific countries to understand their requirements and to support implementation planning.
24) Should the budget include travel for expert deployments?
Yes. The opportunity indicates the applicant should budget for limited travel to support expert deployments.
25) What types of applicants are eligible?
Eligibility is broad and includes public or private academic institutions, NGOs, and for-profit entities.
26) Are there special considerations for for-profit applicants?
For-profit entities should note that the Department of State generally prohibits earning profit under assistance awards beyond allowable costs. Cost allowability follows federal rules, including FAR-based principles for commercial organizations.
27) What characteristics does CT look for in a strong proposal?
CT is looking for a clear grasp of the urgency and complexity of soft target terrorism; demonstrated expertise in policy and practical protective measures involving law enforcement, civilian authorities, and private industry; a proven ability to organize multinational workshops with reliable logistics; demonstrated capability to draft consensus-oriented documents reflecting multiple stakeholder views; and a solid monitoring and evaluation approach appropriate for a 12-month period.
28) What are the required components of the application package?
Required elements include: a project narrative (including problem analysis, project design, and a notional 12-month timeline), a complete budget package (an Excel line-item budget plus a budget narrative aligned with SF-424 categories), and one-page resumes for key personnel (including at least one program director).
29) Is there a page limit for the application narrative?
Yes. Submissions are capped at 15 pages for the main narrative materials, with specific exemptions.
30) What materials are exempt from the page limit?
Letters of intent from proposed partners or consortium members (if applicable) are exempt from the page limit. The budget spreadsheet and the one-page resumes are also exempt.
31) When are letters of intent required?
Letters of intent are required if the applicant plans to work with proposed partners or consortium members.
32) What experience must applicants demonstrate?
Applicants must demonstrate experience convening expert workshops, working with foreign governments in the civilian security sector, familiarity with the relevant regions, and experience producing actionable recommendations tied to counterterrorism, law enforcement, preparedness, and critical infrastructure security and resilience.
33) How are proposals evaluated and scored?
Proposals are scored on overall proposal quality (40 points), key personnel (20 points), organizational track record (20 points), and budget (20 points).
34) How must applications be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov or GrantSolutions.gov.
35) What was the application deadline?
The deadline was 11:30 p.m. EDT on August 30, 2016.
36) What registrations were required to apply?
Applicants needed active registrations, including DUNS and SAM. Non-U.S. applicants also typically needed an NCAGE code.
37) Are there standard U.S. Department of State award requirements that apply?
Yes. The notice flags that standard requirements tied to State Department awards apply, including applicable federal assistance regulations, State standard terms and conditions, and vetting requirements for law enforcement units and personnel who may receive training or related support.
38) Does the initiative include monitoring and evaluation (M&E)?
Yes. CT expects applicants to be able to manage a monitoring and evaluation approach to track progress and outcomes over the 12-month period.
39) What is the expected role of CT during implementation?
CT expects substantial involvement, with the recipient coordinating closely with a CT Program Officer, particularly before starting each major phase of work.
40) What is the practical end goal of the initiative beyond producing a document?
Beyond producing non-binding good practices, the initiative aims to create a pathway for governments to apply those practices through expert support, needs assessments, capacity gap identification, and tailored deployments from an expert roster.
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