FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees and
Vulnerable Populations in Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal.
Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0007634
Assistance Listings (CFDA) number: 19.517 – Overseas Refugee Assistance
Programs for Africa
Announcement issuance date: Monday, February 15, 2021
Announcement type: Cooperative Agreement
Proposal submission deadline: Monday, March 29, 2021 at 11:59:59 p.m. (23:59:59)
EST. We are unable to consider proposals submitted after this deadline.
Anticipated timeframe to award for selected proposals: Pending the availability of
funds, PRM anticipates, but makes no guarantee, that awards will be made less than six
months from the proposal submission deadline.
ADVISORY: All applicants must submit application packages through Grants.gov.
PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal application package early to
allow time to address any technical difficulties that may arise on the Grants.gov website.
If you are new to PRM funding, the Grants.gov registration process can be complicated.
We urge you to refer to PRM’s General NGO Guidelines “Application Process” section
for information and resources to help ensure that the application process runs smoothly.
PRM strongly encourages organizations that have received funding from PRM in the
past to read this section as a refresher.
PRM strongly recommends application packages be submitted in Adobe PDF, as
Microsoft Word documents may sometimes produce different page lengths based on
software versions and configurations when transmitted. Exceeding page length limits,
including through the inclusion of cover pages, will result in disqualification. All
documents must be in English.
Organizations can request copies of all PRM-recommended templates and NGO
guidelines, by emailing PRM’s NGO Coordinator with only the phrase PRM NGO
Templates (exactly as written in bold) in the subject line, to:
PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov. Organizations will receive an automated email reply
containing the templates.
COVID-19: PRM recognizes the difficult circumstances under which organizations are
currently operating due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will consider them in
application package reviews. To the extent possible, organizations should address how
COVID-19 and resulting risks, restrictions and limitations will factor into their
designated programs and attempt to ensure that proposed indicators and activities can be
implemented under the challenging circumstances created by the COVID-19 response.
Full Text of Notice of Funding Opportunity
1. Program Description
This announcement is designed to accompany PRM’s General NGO Guidelines,
which contain additional information on PRM’s priorities, and NGO funding strategy
with which selected organizations must comply. Please use both the NGO
Guidelines and this announcement to ensure that your submission is in full
compliance with PRM requirements and that the proposed activities are in line with
PRM’s priorities. PRM will not consider submissions that do not meet the
requirements outlined in these guidelines.
A. Current Funding Priorities: Proposed activities should primarily support
refugees and local hosting populations in Burkina Faso, Mauritania, or Niger, or
refugee returnees and local communities in Senegal. Because of PRM’s mandate
to provide protection, assistance, and sustainable solutions for refugees and
victims of conflict, PRM will consider funding only those programs that include a
target beneficiary base of at least 50 percent refugees and/or refugee returnees in
the countries listed in this Notice for Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
B. Program area: Proposals must align with one or more of the following program
areas:
(i) Humanitarian Protection and Assistance
(ii) Interim and Durable Solutions
C. Program Sectors: Proposals must focus on one or more of the following
programmatic sectors as listed in the country-specific guidance below. (See
PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for sector descriptions.)
Note: In order to ensure greater accountability for protection outcomes, all
overseas assistance program proposals must include the following protection
outcome indicator under one of the objectives: Percentage of beneficiaries
who report an improved sense of safety and well-being at the end of the program,
disaggregated by age and gender. (See the NGO Guidelines for more details.)
Cash and Voucher Assistance programs must include the relevant
indicator(s) from the selection contained in the NGO Guidelines in section
A.C.2. of Appendix C.
D. Organizations may submit a maximum of one proposal per country. Any
subsequent submissions received will be disqualified. (Note: Submissions by
organizations as part of a consortium do not count toward an individual
organization’s submission limit.)
E. Country-Specific Provisions:
1. Burkina Faso: Proposed activities should support Malian refugees in Goudebou
refugee camp and/or settled outside of camps, and conflict-victims, internally
displaced people, and local host populations, provided that refugees constitute at
least 50 percent of the target beneficiary base, in the Nord and/or Sahel regions,
in one or more of the following areas of intervention:
(i) Protection including Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response and
Child Protection
(ii) Livelihoods (must include a market analysis, or will be disqualified)
(iii) Education
In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Burkina Faso
funding, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:
Duration of Activity: PRM will consider program plans up to three years.
Period of Performance: Programs period of performance of up to 36 months.
Funding Limits: Proposed budgets must not be less $400,000 (funding floor)
and not more than the $1,000,000 (funding ceiling) per year.
(End of Burkina Faso provisions)
2. Mauritania: Proposed activities should support Malian refugees in and around
Mbera camp and local host populations in Bassikounou Department, provided
constitute at least 50 percent of the target beneficiary base, in one or more of the
following areas of intervention:
(i) Protection including Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response and
Child Protection
(ii) Livelihoods (must include a market analysis, or will be disqualified)
In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Mauritania
funding, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:
Duration of Activity: PRM will consider program plans up to three years.
Period of Performance: Programs period of performance of up to 36 months.
Funding Limits: Proposed budgets must not be less $400,000 (funding floor)
and not more than the $1,000,000 (funding ceiling) per year.
(End of Mauritania provisions)
3. Niger: Proposed activities should support Malian refugees in Tillaberi and
Tahoua regions and/or Nigerian refugees and conflict victims in Diffa region
and/or Nigerian refugees in UNHCR-supported “opportunity villages” in Maradi
region. Organizations are not required to work with both Malian and Nigerian
refugees in Niger – proposed activities may benefit both or either of the two
refugee populations. Host communities, internally displaced people, and other
victims of conflict can be included, provided that refugees constitute at least 50
percent of the target beneficiary base.
Regardless, applicants should submit one proposal for Niger activities, in one
or more of the following intervention areas as outlined below. The following
sub-sections breakdown the country-specific provisions for Niger
programming by refugee population and regional location.
a) For Malian refugees in Tillaberi/Tahoua: Proposals should focus on Malian
refugees living in camps, zones d’accueil, or those who have transitioned or are in
the process of transitioning out of camps as part of UNHCR “urbanization” efforts.
Proposals may focus on one or more of the following areas of intervention:
(i) Protection including Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response and
Child Protection
(ii) Livelihoods (must include a market analysis, or will be disqualified)
(iii) Education
In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Tillaberi/Tahoua
(Malian population) funding, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following
guidelines:
Duration of Activity: PRM will consider program plans up to three years.
Period of Performance: Programs period of performance of up to 36 months.
Funding Limits: Proposed budgets must not be less $400,000 (funding floor)
and not more than the $1,000,000 (funding ceiling) per year.
b) For Nigerian refugees in Diffa: Proposals should focus on Nigerian refugees living
in current or planned refugee camps or outside of camps. Programs should also
demonstrate how proposed activities intend to benefit affected host communities,
internally displaced people, and other conflict victims, including Nigerien returnees,
displaced by the conflict in Northeast Nigeria. Proposals may focus on one or more
of the following areas of intervention:
(i) Protection including Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response and
Child Protection
(ii) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Diffa only funding,
narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:
Duration of Activity: PRM will consider program plans up to three years.
Period of Performance: Programs period of performance of up to 36 months.
Funding Limits: Proposed budgets must not be less $400,000 (funding floor)
and not more than the $800,000 (funding ceiling) per year.
c) For Nigerian refugees in Maradi: Proposals should focus on Nigerian refugees
affected by the conflict in Northwest Nigeria who are currently or will be living in
UNHCR-supported refugee “opportunity villages” in one or more of the following
areas of intervention:
(i) Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response
(ii) Livelihoods (must include a market analysis, or will be disqualified)
(iii) Education
In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Maradi only
funding, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:
Duration of Activity: PRM will consider program plans up to two years.
Period of Performance: Programs period of performance of up to 24 months.
Funding Limits: Proposed budgets must not be less $300,000 (funding floor)
and not more than the $700,000 (funding ceiling) per year.
d) For Multiple Refugee Populations in Niger: PRM will only consider one proposal
submission for Niger. Proposed activities may benefit multiple refugee populations.
Proposals should focus on Malian and Nigerian refugees in the aforementioned
regions and areas of interventions, as specified above. Proposed program activities
must follow the specifications and guidelines, as provided above.
(i) Refer to the above provisions regarding areas of interventions by population
and location. Proposed sectors should align with the specific provisions as
outline above, as they relate to programs for the Malian and Nigerian refugee
populations in Niger.
In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for funding activities
benefitting both Malian and Nigerian populations in Niger, narratives and budgets
must adhere to the following guidelines:
Duration of Activity: PRM will consider program plans up to three years.
Period of Performance: Programs period of performance of up to 36 months.
Funding Limits (both populations): Proposed budgets must not be less than
$800,000 and not more than $1,400,000 per year.
(End of Niger Provisions)
4. Senegal: Proposed activities must support return and reintegration of Senegalese
refugees in the Casamance region, in one or more of the following areas of
intervention:
(i) Shelter
(ii) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for funding in Senegal,
narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:
Duration of Activity: PRM will consider program plans up to two years.
Period of Performance: Programs period of performance of up to 24 months.
Funding Limits for Senegal: Proposed budgets must not be less $400,000 (funding
floor) and not more than the $800,000 (funding ceiling) per year.
(End of Senegal Provisions)
a. General Guidance: Proposed activities must primarily support refugee and
refugee returnee populations in targeted countries, and must have a target
beneficiary base of at least 50 percent refugees as outlined in the country-
specific guidelines above. Where feasible, programs in non-camp areas should
pursue a community-based approach that also benefits host communities. PRM
strongly urges organizations to incorporate and mainstream protection
programming, in particular gender-based violence (GBV) risk mitigation and
prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, across proposed sectors and
activities. Proposals should include host government capacity building as an
aspect that supports other refugee assistance/protection activities. PRM
strongly encourages submitting multi-year proposals for multiyear activities
that build on previous year activities.
b. Funding Limits: Funding ceilings and floors pertain to the PRM cost per year.
Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than
the funding ceiling, as specified in the country-specific provisions, per year, or
they will be disqualified.
c. Anticipated Number of Awards: PRM anticipates, but makes no guarantee,
to fund as many as 6 awards total through this announcement, as follows:
– up to 1 award in Burkina Faso;
– up to 3 awards in Niger;
– up to 1 award in Mauritania;
– up to 1 award in Senegal.
d. Anticipated Amount to be Awarded Total: PRM anticipates, but makes no
guarantee, to award up to approximately $5.3 million in total, through this
announcement, as follows:
– up to approximately $2,500,000 in total for Niger;
– up to approximately $1,000,000 in total for Burkina Faso;
– up to approximately $1,000,000 in total for Mauritania;
– up to approximately $800,000 for Senegal.
2. Federal Award Information
A. Proposed program start dates: August, 1, 2021
B. Duration of Activity: See country-specific guidelines above. Applicants may
submit multi-year proposals with activities and budgets that do not exceed three
years from the proposed start date. Actual awards will not exceed three years in
duration and activities and budgets submitted in year one can be revised/updated
each year. Continued funding after the initial 12-month period of performance
requires the submission of a noncompeting single or multi-year proposal and will
be contingent upon available funding, strong performance, and continuing need.
In funding a program one year, PRM makes no representations that it will
continue to fund the program in successive years and encourages applicants to
seek a wide array of donors to ensure long-term funding possibilities. Please see
Multi-Year Funding section below for additional information. Livelihoods
programs are encouraged to be multi-year, and livelihoods proposals must include
a market analysis or will be disqualified.
3. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants: (1) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other
than institutions of higher education (U.S.-based NGOs must be able to
demonstrate proof of non-profit tax status); (2) Nonprofits without 501(c)(3)
status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education (overseas-based NGOs
must be able to demonstrate proof of registration in country of domicile); and (3)
International Organizations. International multilateral organizations, such as
United Nations agencies, should not submit proposals through Grants.gov in
response to this NOFO. Multilateral organizations that are seeking funding for
programs relevant to this announcement should contact the PRM Program Officer
(as listed below) on or before the closing date of the funding announcement.
B. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not a
requirement of an application in response to this funding announcement.
Proposals for consideration should describe the sources and amounts of other
additional funding that may be utilized to complement PRM funding, and meet
the following criteria:
Are not paid by the Federal Government under another Federal award;
Are verifiable from the non-Federal entity’s records;
Are not included as contributions for any other Federal award; and
Are necessary and reasonable for accomplishment of project or program
objectives.
Please include this information in the Budget Summary, Budget Detail, and
Budget Narrative of the proposal, and separated from the PRM share of the
proposed budget.
(Note: Though favorably looked upon, such will not result in a competitive
ranking increase when evaluated.)
4. Other
A. Proposals must have a concrete implementation plan with well-conceived
objectives and indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and
reliable, time-bound, and trackable (SMART), have established baselines, and
include at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective; objectives should
be clearly linked to the sectors.
B. Proposals must adhere to relevant international standards for humanitarian
assistance. See PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for a complete list of sector-
specific standards including guidance on proposals for programs in urban areas.
C. PRM strongly encourages programs that target the needs of vulnerable and
underserved groups among the beneficiary population (such groups may include:
women; children; adolescents; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and
Intersex (LGBTQI) persons; older persons; the sick; persons with disabilities; and
members of minority communities) and can demonstrate what steps have been
taken to meet the specific and unique protection and assistance needs of these
vulnerable groups effectively.
D. PRM will accept proposals from any NGO working in the above mentioned
sectors although, given budgetary constraints, priority will be given to proposals
from organizations that can demonstrate:
a working relationship with UNHCR;
a proven track record in providing proposed assistance both in the sector and
specified location;
evidence of coordination with international organizations (IOs) and other
NGOs working in the same area or sector as well as – where possible – local
authorities;
an emphasis on the outcome or impact of program activities;
a strong sustainability plan, involving local capacity building, where
feasible;
where applicable, adherence to PRM’s Principles for Refugee Protection in
Urban Areas;
an understanding of and sensitivity to conflict dynamics in the program
location.
5. Application and Submission Instructions
A. Address to Request Application Package: Application packages may be
downloaded from the website www.Grants.gov.
B. Consortia: Organizations may apply to this call as part of a consortium; however,
for consortia, one organization must be designated as the lead applicant. For
purposes of consortia applying for PRM funding, PRM’s considers consortium to
be a group of no less than three NGOs that comprise an agreement, combination,
or group formed to undertake, or propose to undertake, an assistance activity
beyond the resources of any one member. PRM may request to review and
approve of substantive provisions of proposed sub-awards. Applicants may form
consortia in order to bring together organizations with varied expertise to propose
a comprehensive program in one proposal.
Submissions by organizations as part of a consortium do not count toward an
organization’s individual submission limit. A description of how the consortia
will be organized and how lines of authority and decision-making will be
managed across all team members and between the lead applicant and associate
awardees should be included in the proposal.
C. Content and Form of Application: Organizations may submit a maximum of
one (1) proposal per country only. Any subsequent submissions received will
be disqualified. PRM strongly recommends using the proposal and budget
templates that are available upon email request from PRM’s NGO Coordinator.
Organizations may request copies of all PRM-recommended templates and NGO
guidelines, by emailing PRM’s NGO Coordinator with only the phrase PRM
NGO Templates (exactly as written in bold) in the subject line, to
PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov. Organizations will receive an automated email
reply containing the templates.
Single-Year Proposals:
Single-year program proposal page limits: Single-year proposals using
PRM’s templates must not exceed 15 pages in length (Times New Roman 12-
point font, one-inch margins on all sides). If the applicant does not use PRM’s
recommended templates, proposals must not exceed 10 pages in length.
Organizations may choose to attach work plans, activity calendars, and/or
logical frameworks as addendums/appendices to the proposal, but are not
required to do so. These attachments do not count toward the page limit total;
however, proposal applications cannot rely on annexes as a key source of
program information. The proposal narrative must be able to stand on its own
in the application process. For multi-year funding application instructions, see
section (e) below. PRM will not consider proposals exceeding the page
limit.
o PRM strongly recommends application packages be submitted in Adobe
PDF, as Microsoft Word documents may sometimes produce different page
lengths based on software versions and configurations.
o Exceeding page length limits, including through the inclusion of cover
pages, will result in disqualification.
o All documents must be in English.
Multi-Year Proposals:
Applicants proposing multi-year programs should adhere to the following
guidance: Applicants may submit proposals that include multi-year
strategies presented in one-year (12-month) cycles for a period not to
exceed three years (36 months) from the proposed start date. Fully
developed programs with detailed budgets, objectives and indicators are
required for each year of activities. Applicants should use PRM’s
recommended multi-year proposal template for the first year of a multi-year
application.
Multi-year funding applicants may use PRM’s budget summary and separate
budget detail templates, and should disaggregate budget by year, per year,
and for each program year. Partner organizations may update successful
multi-year proposals narratives and budgets yearly upon submission of new
noncompeting single-year proposal narrative template with an updated budget.
Multi-year program proposal page limits: Multi-year proposals using PRM’s
multi-year template must not exceed 20 pages in length (Times New Roman 12-
point font, one-inch margins on all sides). If the applicant does not use PRM’s
recommended templates, proposals must not exceed 15 pages in length.
Organizations may choose to attach work plans, activity calendars, and/or
logical frameworks as addendums/appendices to the proposal, but are not
required to do so. These attachments do not count toward the page limit total
however; annexes cannot be relied upon as a key source of program
information. The proposal narrative must be able to stand on its own in the
application process. Proposals exceeding the page limit will not be considered.
o PRM strongly recommends submitting application packages in Adobe PDF,
as Microsoft Word documents may sometimes produce different page
lengths based on software versions and configurations.
o Exceeding page length limits, including through the inclusion of cover
pages, will result in disqualification.
o All documents must be in English.
Multi-year programs selected by PRM will be funded in one-year (12-
month) increments based on the proposal submitted in the initial
application as approved by PRM. Continued funding after the initial 12-
month award requires the submission of a noncompeting single-year proposal
narrative and will be contingent upon available funding, strong performance,
and continuing need. Follow-on applications are submitted annually for years
two through three of proposals through non-competed directed announcements
for the continuation funding. NGOs are strongly recommended to submit
proposals as early as possible after the directed announcement for continuation
funding has been issued. Years two through three of proposals must be
submitted by the organization no later than 90 days before the proposed start
date of the new cooperative agreement (e.g., if the next program period is to
begin on September 1, submit your application by June 1). Late submissions
will jeopardize continued funding.
In the proposal narrative, please include an explanation of why multi-year
funding may be necessary for this program to succeed, how longer periods of
consultation with beneficiary populations will inform programming and enable
interventions to be studied and improved, and how the proposed activities in
year one will contribute to outcomes and impacts in years two and three.
Please, articulate and quantify cost efficiencies that could not otherwise be
attained through single year programs as well.
For Both Single and Multi-year proposals
i. To be considered for PRM funding, organizations must submit a complete
application package, including:
a. Proposal narrative including objectives and indicators for each year of the
program period, not exceeding the page limits above. PRM now requires a
specific outcome indicator to be included in each program application.
Please see NGO Guidelines for more details.
b. Budget summary
o disaggregated by year and for each year of the program period (for
multi-year proposals).
c. Budget detail
o disaggregated by year and for each year of the program period (for
multi-year proposals).
o Include total costs by objective,
o Total costs divided by country (if applicable)
o Organizations can request both Budget Summary and separate Budget
Detail templates as well as others by emailing PRM’s NGO
Coordinator with only the phrase PRM NGO Templates (exactly as
written in bold) in the subject line, to
PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov. Organizations will receive an
automated email reply containing the templates.
d. Budget narrative disaggregated by year and for each year of the program
period.
e. Completed SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B forms. PRM requires that Box
21 of the SF-424 be checked.
o Form SF-424B is now required only for those applicants who have
not registered in SAM.gov or recertified their registration in
SAM.gov since February 2, 2019 and completed the online
representations and certifications.
f. Information in support of any cost-sharing/cost-matching arrangements, if
applicable.
g. Information detailing the source of any in-kind contributions, if applicable.
h. Details on any sub-agreements associated with the program including the
budget detail (must be part of the budget submission as noted above), if
applicable.
i. Risk Analysis (separate from proposal narrative and from the security plan).
j. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Code of Conduct
o Consistent with the 6 IASC Principles and that there is a country or
regional implementation plan specific to the country or region of the
application. (See NGO Guidelines for more details).
k. Security Plan.
l. Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Framework
o The AAP section of a NOFO proposal narrative is specific to the
program being proposed, and is distinct from the organization-level
AAP framework requirement listed here, which is a separate
document.
m. Key Personnel for award applicant and sub-recipient(s)
o Applicants must furnish names, titles, and brief biographical
information on the education and experience of key personnel in
implementing the program and key supervisory personnel; (i.e., the
members of the professional staff in a program supervisory position
engaged for or assigned to duties under the award). Resumes of key
personnel must be provided in an annex (or provided for approval
prior to hiring).
n. A Market Analysis and a Beneficiary Competency/Capacity Assessment
for all proposals that include at least one livelihoods sector objective (or
will be disqualified). Please see the General NGO Guidelines for more
details.
o. Most recent Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if
applicable, or a de minimis rate calculation of Modified Total Direct Costs
(MTDC) if the applicant is eligible and elects to use the de minimis rate.
p. Most recent external audit report is required prior to issuance of an award, if
proposal is chosen for implementation.
ii. Additionally, organizations must submit the following documents as part of their
proposal package, if applicable:
a. In order to be considered a competitive proposal, the proposal narrative and
budget detail should include the following information:
o Focus on outcome or impact indicators as much as possible. At a
minimum, each objective should have one outcome or impact indicator.
Wherever possible, baselines should be established before the start of the
program.
o PRM requires a specific outcome indicator be included in each proposal
measuring the sense of safety and well-being of beneficiaries. Baseline and
end of program surveys should be used to measure the indicator. Please
see the NGO Guidelines for more details.
o Include specific information on locations of programs and beneficiaries
(GPS coordinates highly recommended) to increase PRM’s ability to track
the impact of PRM funding.
o Outline how the NGO will acknowledge PRM funding. If an organization
believes that publicly acknowledging the receipt of USG funding for a
particular PRM-funded program could potentially endanger the lives of the
beneficiaries and/or the organization staff, invite suspicion about the
organization’s motives, or alienate the organization from the population it is
trying to help, it must provide a brief explanation in its proposal as to why
it should be exempted from this requirement.
o PRM expects each proposal, regardless of sector, to demonstrate protection
mainstreaming, including by identifying potential protection risks
associated with the program and how they will be mitigated. Assistance
activities should mainstream protection by analyzing the protection risks in
relation to each specific programming sector. An analysis of the risks
should inform how assistance is designed to minimize them and maximize
protection of beneficiaries. Applicants may introduce gender-specific risks
in this section but should provide a full analysis in the gender analysis.
o Proposal narratives must include a brief gender analysis that explains: (1)
experiences of men, women, boys, and girls with a focus on the different
familial roles, community privileges, and gender dynamics within the
target population; (2) associated risks and threats experienced by women,
girls, and other vulnerable populations based on their gender; (3) power
imbalances and needs that arise based on gender inequalities that exist
within the family or community; and, (4) proposed responses that will
address the above and mitigate any gender differences in access,
participation, or decision-making that may be experienced by at-risk
groups, particularly women and girls.
o The gender analysis should specify and target at-risk sub-populations of
women and girls who are often unaware of and excluded from programs
and services and who may be the hardest to reach based on their gender.
For example, female-headed households, girls not attending school, women
and girls with disabilities who have higher needs in certain areas, survivors
of violence, child brides and girls forced into early marriages, adolescent
mothers, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex
(LGBTQI) persons.
o The budget should include a specific breakdown of funds being provided
by UNHCR, other USG agencies, other donors, and your own organization.
o Applicants whose proposals address gender-based violence (GBV) through
their programs must estimate the total cost of these activities as a separate
line item in their proposed budgets (see PRM’s budget template).
Proposals and budgets must include details of any sub-agreements
associated with the programs.
o For consortia only, a description of how the partnership will be organized
and how lines of authority and decision-making will be managed across all
team members and between the lead applicant and associate awardees
should be included in the proposal.
D. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number
and System for Award Management (SAM)
i. Each applicant is required to:
a. be registered in SAM at (www.sam.gov) before submitting its application;
b. provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and
c. continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at
all times during which it has an active PRM award or an application or plan
under consideration by PRM.
ii. No federal award may be made to an applicant until the applicant has complied
with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not
fully complied with the requirements by the time the PRM award is ready to be
made, PRM may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a PRM
award and use that determination as a basis for making a PRM award to another
applicant.
E. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov Grants.gov registration
requires a DUNS number and active SAM.gov registration. If you are new to
PRM funding, the Grants.gov registration process can be complicated. We urge
you to refer to PRM’s General NGO Guidelines “Application Process” section for
information and resources to help ensure that the application process runs
smoothly. PRM also strongly encourages organizations that have received
funding from PRM in the past to read this section as a refresher. Applicants may
also refer to the “For Applicants” page on Grants.gov for complete details on
requirements.
i. Do not wait until the deadline to attempt to submit your application on
Grants.gov. Organizations not registered with Grants.gov should register well
in advance of the deadline as it can take several weeks to finalize registration
(sometimes longer for non-U.S. based NGOs to receive required registration
numbers). We also recommend that organizations, particularly first-time
applicants, submit applications via Grants.gov no later than one week before the
deadline to avoid last-minute technical difficulties that could result in an
application not being considered. PRM has extremely limited ability to correct
or facilitate rapid resolution to technical difficulties associated with Grants.gov,
SAM.gov or DUNS number issues. PRM partners must maintain an active
SAM.gov registration with current and correct information at all times
during which they have an active federal award or an application under
consideration by PRM or any federal agency.
ii. When registering with Grants.gov, organizations must designate points of
contact and Authorized Organization Representatives (AORs). Organizations
based outside the United States must also request and receive an NCAGE
(https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx) code prior to
registering with SAM.gov. Applicants experiencing technical difficulties
with the SAM.gov registration process should contact the Federal Service
Desk (FSD) online or at 1-866-606-8220 (U.S.) and 1-334-206-7828
(International).
iii. Applications must be submitted under the authority of the Authorized
Organization Representative at the applicant organization. Having
proposals submitted by agency headquarters helps to avoid possible technical
problems.
iv. If you encounter technical difficulties with Grants.gov please contact the
Grants.gov Help Desk at support@grants.gov or by calling 1-800-518-4726.
v. Applicants who are unable to submit applications via Grants.gov due to
Grants.gov technical difficulties and;
who have reported the problem to the Grants.gov help desk;
received a case number;
have completed DUNS and SAM.gov registrations;
and had a documented service request opened to research the problem;
may contact the PRM NGO Coordinator before the submission deadline to
determine whether an alternative method of submission is appropriate. PRM
makes no guarantee to accept an application outside of the grants.gov system.
F. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure the appropriate registrations are
in place and active. Failure to have the appropriate organizational registrations in
place or are experiencing issues resulting from discrepancies across registration
platforms is not considered a technical difficulty and is not justification for an
alternate means of submission.
G. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.113, Mandatory disclosures, the non-Federal
entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in
writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of
Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially
affecting the Federal award. Non-Federal entities that have received a Federal
award including the term and condition outlined in Appendix XII—Award Term
and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to
report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM. Failure to
make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR
§200.338 Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See
also 2 CFR part 180, 31 U.S.C. 3321, and 41 U.S.C. 2313.)
H. Submission Dates and Times
1. Announcement issuance date: Monday, February 15, 2021
2. Proposal submission deadline: Monday, March 29, 2021 at 11:59:59 p.m.
(23:59:59) EST. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
I. Intergovernmental Review: Not Applicable.
J. Funding Restrictions: Federal awards will not allow reimbursement of Federal
Award costs without prior authorization by PRM.
K. Other Submission Requirements
i. Branding and Marking Strategy
The following provisions will be included whenever assistance is awarded:
The Recipient shall recognize the United States Government’s funding for
activities specified under this award at the project site with a graphic of the U.S.
flag accompanied by one of the following two phrases based on the level of
funding for the award:
Fully funded by the award: “Gift of the United States Government”
Partially funded by the award: “Funding provided by the United States
Government”
PRM highly encourages recognition of U.S. government funding on social
media and website platforms to be included in proposals branding and
marking strategy. Recipients should tag PRM’s Twitter account
@StatePRM and/or Facebook account @State.PRM (rather than using
hashtags). Additionally, the applicable U.S. Embassy should be tagged as
well.
Updates of actions taken to fulfill this requirement must be included in
quarterly program reports to PRM.
All programs, projects, assistance, activities, and public communications to
foreign audiences, partially or fully funded by the Department, must be marked
appropriately overseas with the standard U.S. flag in a size and prominence
equal to (or greater than) any other logo or identity. The requirement does not
apply to the Recipient’s own corporate communications or in the United States.
The Recipient must appropriately ensure that all publicity and promotional
materials underscore the sponsorship by or partnership with the U.S.
Government or the U.S. Embassy. The Recipient may continue to use existing
logos or project materials; however, a standard rectangular U.S. flag must be
used in conjunction with such logos.
Do not use the Department of State seal without the express written
approval from PRM.
Sub non-Federal entities (sub-awardees) and subsequent tier sub-award
agreements are subject to the marking requirements and the non-Federal entity
shall include a provision in the sub non-Federal entity agreement indicating that
the standard, rectangular U.S. flag is a requirement.
Exemptions from this requirement may be allowable but must be agreed to in
writing by the Grants Officer. (Note: An exemption refers to the complete or
partial cessation of branding, not use of alternative branding). Requests should
be initiated with the Grants Officer and Grants Officer Representative. Waivers
issued are applied only to the exemptions requested through the Recipient’s
proposal for funding and any subsequent negotiated revisions.
In the event the non-Federal entity does not comply with the marking
requirements as established in the approved assistance agreement, the Grants
Officer Representative and the Grants Officer must initiate corrective action
with the non-Federal entity.
ii. PRM Standardized Indicators: In an effort to streamline the proposal
writing/reviewing process and better measure the impact of the Bureau’s work,
PRM requires the use of standardized indicators for programs in the protection,
child protection, health, mental health and psychosocial support, WASH,
nutrition and food security, education, livelihoods, and shelter sectors, as well as
programs that include local government capacity-building and core relief items
(non-food items). Applicants must fill in numerical and/or percentage targets
for each indicator. Sphere standards should be used as targets, unless otherwise
noted. Proposals must include at least one standardized indicator per sector, as
applicable. Please refer to PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for a complete list
of all standardized indicators that may be included.
a. PRM requires a specific outcome indicator in each proposal measuring the
sense of safety and well-being of beneficiaries. All overseas assistance
program proposals must include the following protection outcome indicator
under one of the objectives: Percentage of beneficiaries who report an
improved sense of safety and well-being at the end of the program
disaggregated by age and gender. Please see the NGO Guideline’s section
A.C.1. of Appendix C for more details.
b. Cash and Voucher Assistance programs must include one indicator from the
selection contained in the NGO Guidelines in section A.C.2. of Appendix C.
6. Application Review Information
A. Criteria: Eligible submissions will be those that comply with the criteria and
requirements included in this announcement. In addition, the review panel will
evaluate the proposals based on the following criteria:
Gap/Analysis (5)
Profile of Target Population (5)
Program Description/3a Gender Analysis (20)
Objectives & Indicators (10)
Monitoring & Evaluation Plan (10)
Risk Management (10)
Accountability to Affected Populations (5)
o (Note: The AAP section of a NOFO proposal narrative is specific to the
program being proposed, is the criterion listed above being evaluated,
and is distinct from the organization-level AAP framework requirement,
which is a separate document.)
Coordination (5)
Sustainability and Capacity-Building (5)
Management and Past Performance (10)
Budget/Budget Narrative (15 points)
PRM will conduct a formal competitive review of all proposals submitted in
response to this funding announcement. A review panel of at least three people
will evaluate submissions based on the above-referenced programmatic criteria and
PRM priorities in the context of available funding. Examples of PRM scorecards
can be found in Appendix H of the NGO Guidelines.
Department of State review panels may provide conditions and recommendations
on applications to enhance the proposed program, which must be addressed by the
applicant before further consideration of the award. To ensure effective use of
limited PRM funds, conditions or recommendations may include requests to
increase, decrease, clarify, and/or justify costs and program activities.
7. Federal Award Administration Information
A. Federal Award Administration. A successful applicant can expect to receive a
separate notice from PRM stating that an application has been selected before
PRM actually makes the federal award. That notice is not an authorization to
begin performance. Only the notice of award signed by the Grants Officer is the
authorizing document. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified following
completion of the selection and award process.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. PRM awards are made
consistent with the following provisions in the following order of precedence: (a)
applicable laws and statutes of the United States, including any specific
legislative provisions mandated in the statutory authority for the award; (b) Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR); (c) Department of State Standard Terms and
Conditions of the award; (d) the award’s specific requirements; and (e) other
documents and attachments to the award.
C. Reporting: Successful applicants will be required to submit:
ii. Program Reports: PRM requires program reports describing and analyzing the
results of activities undertaken during the validity period of the agreement. A
program report is required within thirty (30) days following the end of each
three-month period of performance during the validity period of the agreement.
The final program report is due ninety (90) days following the end of the
agreement. The submission dates for program reports will be written into the
cooperative agreement. Partners receiving multi-year awards should follow this
same reporting schedule and should still submit a final program report at the end
of each year that summarizes the NGO’s performance during the previous year.
The Bureau suggests that NGOs receiving PRM funding use the PRM
recommended quarterly program report template (also used for final reports).
The suggested PRM NGO reporting template is designed to ease the reporting
requirements while ensuring that all required elements are addressed. The
Quarterly Program Report Template may be requested The Bureau suggests that
NGOs receiving PRM funding use the PRM recommended quarterly program
report template (also used for final reports). The suggested PRM NGO
reporting template is designed to ease the reporting requirements while ensuring
that all required elements are addressed. The Quarterly Program Report
Template may be requested by emailing PRM’s NGO Coordinator with only the
phrase PRM NGO Templates (exactly as written in bold) in the subject line, to
PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov. Organizations will receive an automated
email reply containing the templates.
iii. Financial Reports: Financial reports are required within thirty (30) days
following the end of each calendar year quarter during the validity period of the
agreement (January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30). The final financial
report covering the entire period of the agreement is required within ninety (90)
days after the expiration date of the agreement. For agreements containing
indirect costs, final financial reports are due within sixty (60) days of the
finalization of the applicable negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).
Reports reflecting expenditures for the recipient’s overseas and United States
offices should be completed in accordance with the Federal Financial Report
(FFR SF-425) and submitted electronically in the Department of Health and
Human Services’ Payment Management System (HHS/PMS) and in accordance
with other award specific requirements. Detailed information pertaining to the
Federal Financial Report including due dates, instruction manuals and access
forms, is provided on the HHS/PMS website.
iii. Audit Reports: When a recipient-contracted audit is not required because the
Federal award amount is less than the $750,000 threshold, the Department may
determine that an audit must be performed and the audit report must be
submitted to the responsible grants office(r) for review, dissemination, and
resolution as appropriate. The cost of audits required under this policy may be
charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award, or included in the
organizations established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget.
8. PRM Contacts
A. Applicants with technical questions related to this announcement should contact
the PRM staff listed below prior to submission. Please note that responses to
technical questions from PRM do not indicate a commitment to fund the program
discussed.
PRM Program Officer: Kristin Alderman, AldermanKL@state.gov,
Washington, D.C.
Regional Refugee Coordinator: Geoffrey Parker, ParkerGA@state.gov, Dakar
Deputy Regional Refugee Coordinator: Emily Cintora, CintoraEK@state.gov,
Dakar
Refugee Assistance Officer: Russel Bernstein, BernsteinR@state.gov, Dakar
Disclaimer: External websites linked above may not be supported or accessible by all
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connecting to external resources, please contact PRM’s NGO Coordinator.