OpportunityTitle: Request for Proposals - Cuba
CategoryExplanation: The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Proposals from organizations interested in submitting proposals for projects that respond to the needs and interests of Cubans on the island and empower citizens on the island to meaningfully engage in key civic social activities and decisions that improve their lives.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: 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); or    * Be a comparable, non-U.S.-based non-profit organization; and    * Have demonstrated experience administering successful projects, preferably targeting the requested country, or similarly challenging program environment.  DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis; and    * Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with organization(s) in the target country.    * Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
Description: DRL seeks to complement and enhance its Cuba program by funding a grant or multiple grants with sub-grant components. DRL envisions the use of sub-grants as a flexible tool that can be used to meet (fund) the needs that arise from the island (within the program areas listed below) throughout the life of the award. Partners may include local groups; cooperatives; associations; informal groups; NGOs; student groups; and media outlets.Successful applicants will be responsible for 1) publicizing the availability of sub-grant funding, so that interested US-based NGOs and/or Cuban partners on the island may propose projects for potential funding as a sub-grant; 2) reviewing and selecting sub-awardees (identifying potential sub-grants and sub-grantees that are appropriate); 3) distributing funds and monitoring sub-awardees&apos; performance and funds administration; and 4) reporting on the impact of activities carried out through the sub-awards.Applicants and proposed US-based sub-grantees should be organizations that have contacts with verifiable Cuban partners on the island, from whom they can receive proposals put forth by Cubans for Cuban-conceived and Cuban-led projects worthy of support.Applicant organizations should demonstrate their capacity and propose a comprehensive plan for administering multiple sub awards and ensuring that funds are used strategically within the scope of the prime grant. Sub-grants may: 1) focus on non-traditional activities or activities that cannot be funded by other donors; and 2) use in-kind grants to support groups that lack financial and organizational capacity.Applicants should include with their proposal submission (as an Annex that will not count toward page limit) a draft proposed Sub-grant Implementation Manual in compliance with the Department&#146;s terms and conditions and applicable OMB circulars. Grantees will be required to provide DRL, on a quarterly basis, with record of all disbursements made to sub-grantees, breakdown of disbursements, activity funded, and goals reached to-date.DRL invites organizations to submit proposals outlining program concepts and capacity to manage projects with a sub-grant component, as outlined above, targeting one of the following issues. Proposals that combine topics may be deemed technically ineligible. Applicants who design a program using a sub-grantee mechanism will be considered highly competitive, but applicants who propose direct implementation of assistance will also be considered. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they have the requisite contacts on the island in order to effectively implement assistance directly.To ensure transparency and oversight, DRL reserves the right to request any programmatic and/or financial program information during the grant period.Political Prisoners (approximately $500,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that will provide humanitarian assistance to family members of Cuban political prisoners. DRL strongly encourages local procurement of food and/or non-food items when available. Humanitarian assistance may be provided in the form of cash or in-kind assistance. Successful proposals will outline the process through which recipients of humanitarian assistance will be selected.Freedom of Expression (approximately $1,500,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to support greater freedom of expression on the island, especially among performing artists, visual artists, musicians, poets, writers, journalists, and bloggers. Objectives are to increase civic space for expressing opinions openly and sharing ideas, generate increased demand not only for information, per se, but for freedom of expression overall. Freedom of Religion (approximately $500,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that would support initiatives put forward by on-island religious and spiritual groups to advocate for religious freedom. Labor Rights/Freedom of Association (approximately $500,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that would support initiatives put forth by Cuban partners such as independent labor unions and/or labor organizations on the island who wish to advocate for workers&#146; rights and/or the freedom of association. Women&#146;s Issues (approximately $350,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to strengthen the capacity of on-island independent Cuban civil society groups to advocate for the rights of women. Specifically, funds will support on-island efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls in order to minimize the likelihood that they would participate in commercialized sex for economic reasons, including by raising awareness, education women on their rights, and strengthening women&#146;s ability to advocate for and network among themselves, as well as provide immediate support for victims of sexual exploitation.Direct Civil Society Support (approximately $300,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to assist groups and individuals on the island, via providing funding to Cubans who request small grants for independent civil society initiatives that are Cuban-conceived and Cuban-led. Projects that emphasize outreach to sectors of civil society who have not previously received support, particularly in regions outside of Havana, will be considered particularly competitive. The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor furthers U.S. foreign policy goals by supporting innovative, targeted programs around the world that support the democratization process by strengthening democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and building the capacity of civil society, including a free and independent media. DRL funds projects that potentially can have an immediate impact leading to long-term sustainable reforms. Projects should have potential for continued funding beyond original resources. DRL-funded projects should be creative and must not duplicate or simply add to efforts by other entities. DRL will not consider proposals that reflect any type of support, for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization, whether or not elected members of government.The bulk of project activities must target the requested country and last between one and three years. U.S.-based activities, study tours, scholarships or exchange projects will not be deemed competitive. Projects that have a strong academic, research, conference, or dialogue focus will not be deemed competitive. DRL strongly discourages health, technology, or scientific projects unless they have an explicit component related to the requested program objectives listed above. Projects that focus on commercial law or economic development will be rated as non-competitive.Approximately $3,650,000 is available for programs in the country outlined above. The Bureau anticipates making awards in amount of $300,000 up to the maximum available figure listed for each topic. The Bureau will review all proposals for eligibility. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance of Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final signatory authority for assistance awards resides with the Department&#146;s Grants Officer. DRL and the Grants Office reserve the right to request any additional programmatic and/or financial information regarding the proposal.Proposals will be funded based on an evaluation of how the proposal meets the solicitation review criteria, U.S. foreign policy objectives, and the priority needs of DRL. A Department of State Review Committee will evaluate proposals submitted under this request. Each proposal will be rated along six criteria, which will be equally weighted. Review criteria will include: 1) Quality of Program Idea Proposals should be responsive to the solicitation and appropriate in the country/regional context, and should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau&apos;s mission of promoting human rights and democracy. The bureau typically does not fund programs that continue an organization&#146;s ongoing work (funded by the Bureau or other sources), but prioritizes innovative, stand-alone programs. In countries where similar activities are already taking place, an explanation should be provided as to how new activities will not duplicate or merely add to existing activities. In addition, the program idea should incorporate lessons learned from other relevant country programs implemented by the organization.2) Program Planning/Ability to Achieve ObjectivesA strong proposal will include a clear articulation of how the proposed program activities contribute to the overall program objectives, and each activity will be clearly developed and detailed. A relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and the logistical capacity of the organization. The work plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above. Objectives should be ambitious, yet measurable and achievable. For complete proposals, applicants should provide a monthly timeline of project activities. Proposals should address how the program will engage relevant stakeholders and should identify local partners as appropriate. If local partners have been identified, the Bureau strongly encourages applicants to submit letters of support from proposed in-country partners. Additionally, applicants should describe the division of labor among the direct applicant and any local partners. If applicable, proposals should identify target areas for activities, target participant groups or selection criteria for participants, and purpose/criteria for sub-grantees, among other pertinent details. Organizations should detail why a specific program intervention is proposed. For example, if training or workshops are required to achieve the desired result, organizations should specify how the training/workshops will support the overall program goal. Also, organization should ensure that proposed activities are linked to specific outcomes. For example, for trainings/workshops, organizations should detail how trainees will apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired through the training. In addition, organizations should identify and address gender considerations in all proposed program activities, and must provide specific means, measures, and corresponding targets to address them. Organizations should provide details on how women will benefit from and actively participate in project activities. In particularly challenging operating environments, proposals should include contingency plans for overcoming potential difficulties in executing the original work plan. 3) Multiplier Effect/Sustainability Proposals should clearly delineate how elements of their program will have a multiplier effect and be sustainable beyond the life of the grant. A good multiplier effect may include but is not limited to, plans to build lasting networks for direct and indirect beneficiaries, follow-on training and mentoring, and continued use of project deliverables. A strong sustainability plan may include demonstrating capacity-building results or garnering other donor support after DRL funding ceases. 4) Program Monitoring and Evaluation (M&amp;E) Plan Programs should demonstrate the capacity for engaging in outcome-based evaluations and identify proscribed outputs and outcomes to measure how program activities will achieve the program&#146;s strategic objectives. The M&amp;E Plan should include output- and outcome-based indicators, baseline and target for each indicator, disaggregation (including by gender) if applicable, monitoring and evaluation tools, data source, and frequency of monitoring and evaluation. For a more detailed explanation of what DRL is looking for in the M&amp;E Plan, please see the PSI and the DRL Monitoring and Evaluation Primer (www.state.gov/g/drl/p/c12302.htm). Projects that propose an independent evaluation, including a midterm and final assessment, with a clear monitoring and evaluation plan will be viewed favorably in this category.5) Institution&#146;s Record and Capacity The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past grants. Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the project&apos;s objectives. Roles, responsibilities, and brief bios demonstrating relevant professional experience of primary staff should be provided as one of the main attachments. 6) Cost Effectiveness The overhead and administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate. Given that the majority of DRL-funded programs take place overseas, U.S.-based costs should be kept to a minimum. Cost sharing is strongly encouraged and is viewed favorably by DRL reviewers. For a more detailed description of how DRL evaluates the cost effectiveness of its proposals, please see the PSI.The information contained in this solicitation is binding and may not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information provided by the Bureau that contradicts this language will not be binding. Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program evaluation requirements. This request for proposals will appear on www.grants.gov and DRL&#146;s website, www.state.gov/g/drl.Please contact Violeta Rom&#225;n at 202.261.8107 or RomanV@state.gov and/or Catherine Newling at 202.647.8257 or NewlingCE@state.gov with any questions.Once the RFP deadline has passed, U.S. Government officials - including those in the Bureau, the Department, and at embassies/missions overseas - must not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Please contact Violeta Roman regarding this solicitation.
GrantorContactText: Violeta Roman &lt;br/&gt;Program Analyst &lt;br/&gt;Phone 202-261-8107
CloseDateExplanation: Applicants have until midnight (12:00 a.m.), Washington, D.C. time of the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been uploaded to www.grants.gov.  There are no exceptions to the above deadline.  Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the www.grants.gov system and will be technically ineligible.    Please refer to www.grants.gov for definitions of various &quot;application statuses&quot; and the difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation.  Applicants will receive a validation e-mail from www.grants.gov upon the successful submission of an application. Again, validation of an electronic submission via www.grants.govcan take up to two business days. DRL will not notify you upon receipt of electronic applications.    Faxed, couriered, or emailed documents will not be accepted at any time.  Applicants must follow all formatting instructions in this document and the PSI.