Combatting Anti-Semitism in EUR and SCA (Europe and Central Asia)

Combatting Anti-Semitism in EUR and SCA (Europe and Central Asia) is sponsored by United States Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). This program aims to counter the rise of antisemitism in OSCE member states in Europe and Central Asia by increasing documentation and reporting on hate crimes, promoting greater societal inclusion, and increasing public awareness of ways to combat hateful and discriminatory exp…

United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): DRL FY18/19 IRF Combatting Anti-Semitism in EUR and SCA This is the announcement of funding opportunity number SFOP0005669 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.

345 Type of Solicitation : Open Application Deadline: 11:30 PM (EST) on Friday, May 3, 2019 Funding Ceiling: $1,000,000 Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-2 > Type of Award : Grant or Cooperative Agreement Period of Performance: 24-36 months Anticipated Time to Award (pending availability of funds) : 4-6 months The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that counter the rise of anti-Semitism in OSCE member states in Europe and Central Asia.

Combatting Anti-Semitism in EUR and SCA- EUR/SCA REGIONAL $1,000,000 total DRL anticipates making one-two awards between $500,000-$1,000,000.

DRL's goal, in partnership with the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, is to counter the rise of anti-Semitism in OSCE member states in Europe and Central Asia, as manifested through acts of physical violence, desecration of religious sites, religion-based discrimination, and the use of hateful or inflammatory speech in public discourse, traditional media and online.

Currently, many governments are not collecting and maintaining aggregated data on hate crimes within their borders, in spite of existing guidelines outlined in OSCE commitments. These guidelines require disaggregating hate crime statistics by demographics that include ethnicity and religion and documenting and reporting on crimes motivated by anti-Semitism.

2 DRL will support one or more projects to counter anti-Semitism by increasing documentation and reporting on hate crimes, promoting greater societal inclusion and increasing public awareness of ways to combat hateful and discriminatory expression targeting Jews.

Efforts to increase reporting should also include training law enforcement to adequately and holistically respond to hate crimes from a legal, social, and community perspective; and to better equip police and prosecutors to engage effectively with local Jewish populations.

“Religious freedom” refers to the rights contained in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the freedom to adopt a religion or beliefs, change your beliefs, express your beliefs (including through publications, public and private speech, and the display of religious attire or symbols), gather with others who share your beliefs, construct places of worship, and teach your beliefs to your children.

Pro posed programming must be responsive to restrictions on religious freedom, and must be in line with the U.S. Government’s religious freedom, democracy, governance, and human rights goals. Helpful resources for applicants include the annual country -specifi c International Religious Freedom Reports https://www. state.

gov/j/drl/rls/irf/ and annual country-specific Human Rights Reports https://www. state. gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/ .

Applicants will be responsible for ensuring program activities and products comply with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution. Program activities may include but are not limited to:  Advocating for governments to collect data and report anti-Semitic crimes in compliance with existing OSCE commitments.

Reports should include disaggregating hate crime statistics by demographics that include ethnicity and religion as stipulated in the commitments;  Reporting on crimes motivated by anti-Semitism to national agencies and international governance organizations such as the OSCE, European Commission, Council of Europe bodies, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA);  Increasing the capacity of law enforcement, judiciary, civil servants and policymakers to identify, respond, and report on anti-Semitic crimes and other security concerns expressed by Jewish communities from a legal, social, and community level;  Establishing protocol, processes, or procedures for law enforcement to respond to anti-Semitic hate crimes incorporating legal, social and community perspectives;  Offering opportunities for relationship building between Jewish communities, law enforcement and civic leaders to increase reporting and responsivity; 3  Increasing awareness of hate crimes using gathered statistics to advocate governments, national agencies or international governance organizations to take appropriate action to counter anti-Semitism; Increasing public awareness of the threat posed by anti-Semitism (including Holocaust denial and distortion) to broader societal stability using data gathered from reporting.

For all programs, projects should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and should have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources. DRL’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches. This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.

Programs should seek to include groups that can bring perspectives based on their religion, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, and/or sexual orientation and gender identity. Programs should demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible.

DRL also requires all of its programming to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for integration of individuals/organizations regardless of religion, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, and/or sexual orientation and gender identity.

Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:  Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical  Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activiti es in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project  Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project with adjustments made as necessary .

 Inclusion of vulnerable populations.  Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities.  Systematic follow up with beneficiaries at specific intervals (3 months, 6 months, etc.) after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.

Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:  The provision of humanitarian assistance;  English language instruction;  Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;  Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;  External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;  Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;  Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building 4  Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;  Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Primary organizations can submit one (1) application in response to the NOFO. Organizations may be proposed as subgrantees for more than one application.

The U.S. government may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application, and (d) waive irregularities in applications received. The U.S. government may make award(s) on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions or negotiations.

Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. The U.S. government reserves the right (though it is under no obligation to do so), however, to enter into discussions with one or more applicants in order to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the project description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

DRL anticipates awarding either a grant or cooperative agreement depending on the needs and risk factors of the program. The final determination on award mechanism will be made by the Grants Officer. The distinction between grants and cooperative agreements revolves around the existence of “substantial involvement.

” Cooperative agreements require greater Federal government participation in the project. If a cooperative agreement is awarded, DRL will undertake reasonable and programmatically necessary substantial involvement. Examples of substantial involvement can include, but are not limited to: 1) Active participation or collaboration with the recipient in the implementation of the award.

2) Review and approval of one stage of work before another can begin. 3) Review and approval of substantive provisions of proposed subawards or contracts. 4) Approval of the recipient’s budget or plan of work prior to the award.

The authority for this funding opportunity is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA). To maximize the impact and sustainability of the award(s) that result from this NOFO, DRL retains the right to execute non-competitive continuation amendment(s). The total duration of any award, including potential non-competitive continuation amendments, shall not exceed 60 months or five years.

Any non-competitive continuation is contingent on performance and pending availability of funds. A non-competitive continuation is not guaranteed and the Department of State reserves the right to exercise or not to exercise this option. 5 DRL may require successful applicant(s) to incorporate coordination of an implementer and stakeholder meeting into the Scope of Work of the final project.

DRL will discuss this possibility with particular applicant(s) during the proposal negotiation phase and may include, but not limited to the following:  Additional funding to cover cost of the stakeholder meeting;  Coordinating all logistics and hosting the meeting;  Assisting applicants with visas;  Drafting the agenda in coordination with DRL;  Preparing all materials for the meeting;  Securing outside speakers for the conference; and  Hosting a networking event outside of the meeting space.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION FOR APPLICATION INFORMATION , PLEASE SEE THE PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses.

DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited. Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards.

Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures. Please see 2 CFR 200.

307 for regulations regarding program income. C. 2 Cost Sharing or Matching Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility factor or requirement for this NOFO, and providing cost share will not result in a more favorable competitive ranking.

Applicants should have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders, including private sector partners and NGOs, and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects. DRL encourages applications from foreign-based NGOs headquartered in the 6 geographic regions/countries relevant to this NOFO.

Applicants may form consortia in order to bring together organizations with varied expertise to propose a comprehensive program in one proposal. However, one organization should be designated in the proposal as the lead applicant, with the other members designated as sub-award partners.

DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis. DRL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities.

DRL welcomes applications irrespective of race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status. Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System in the System for Award Management (SAM)(www. sam.

gov) and/or has a current debt to the United Stated Government is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR,1986 Comp. , p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR,1989 Comp.

, p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension. ” Additionally, no entity or person listed on the Excluded Parties List System in SAM.

gov can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Excluded Parties List System in SAM. gov to ensure that no ineligible entity or person is included in their application.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION D. 1 Address to Request Application Package Applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply on www.

grants. gov and SAM S Domestic (https://mygrants. service-now.

com ) under the announcement title “ DRL FY18/19 IRF Combatting Anti-Semitism in EUR and SCA ”funding opportunity number “ SFOP0005669 . ” Please contact the DRL point of contact listed in Section G if requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or for security reasons. Please note that reasonable accommodations do not include deadline extensions.

D. 2 Content and Form of Application Submission For all application documents, please ensure: 1) All documents are in English and all costs are in U.S. dollars. If an original document within the application is in another language, an English translation must be provided (please note the Department of State, as indicated in 2 CFR 200.

111, requires that English is the official language of all award documents. If any document is provided in both English and a foreign language, the English language version is the controlling version); 2) All pages are numbered, including budgets and attachments; 3) All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper; and, 4) All documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins.

Captions and footnotes may be 10-point Times New Roman font. Font sizes in charts and tables, including the budget, can be reformatted to fit within 1 page width. 7 D.

2. 1 Application Requirements Complete applications must include the following: 1) Completed and signed SF-424 , SF-424A , and SF-424B forms. Please see SF-424 instructions in Section 2B of the PSI.

2) If your organization engages in lobbying the U.S. government, including Congress, or pays another entity to lobby on your behalf, the SF-LLL “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form is also required (only if applicable). Please see SF-LLL guidance in Section 2B of the PSI.

3) Cover Page (not to exceed one [1] page, preferably as a Word Document) that includes a table with the organization name, project title, target country/countries, project synopsis, and name and contact information for the application’s main point of contact. Please see Cover Page section 2C of the PSI for a template and more details.

4) Executive Summary (not to exceed one [1] page, preferably as a Word Document) that outlines project goals, objectives, activities, etc. 5) Table of Contents (not to exceed one [1] page, preferably as a Word Document) listing all documents and attachments with page numbers. 6) Proposal Narrative (not to exceed ten [10] pages, preferably as a Word Document).

Please note the ten-page limit does not include the Cover Page, Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Attachments, Detailed Budget, Budget Narrative, Audit, or NICRA. Applicants are encouraged to combine multiple documents in a single Word Document or PDF (i.e. Cover Page, Table of Contents, Executive Summary, and Proposal Narrative in one file). Please see Proposal Narrative Guidelines in Section 2E of the PSI for more details.

o DRL requests a Proposal Narrative that demonstrates the Applicant’s commitment to ensuring the participation of all people as a strategy for implementation. Please integrate inclusion strategies in all sections of the Proposal Narrative to enhance programmatic impact. 7) Budget (preferably as an Excel workbook) that includes three [3] columns containing the request to DRL, any cost sharing contribution, and the total budget.

A summary budget should also be included using the OMB-approved budget categories (see SF-424A as a sample) in a separate tab. Costs must be in U.S. dollars. Detailed line-item budgets for subgrantees should be included as additional tabs within the Excel workbook (if available at the time of submission).

Please see Budget Guidelines Section 2F of the PSI for more information. 8 o DRL requests a programming approach dedicated to strengthening inclusive societies as a necessary pillar of strong democracies. Please include costs associated with this commitment in the budget and budget narrative.

8) Budget Narrative (preferably as a Word Document) that includes substantive explanations and justifications for each line-item in the detailed budget spreadsheet, as well as the source and a description of all cost-share offered. Please see Budget Guidelines Section 2F of the PSI for more information. 9) Your organization’s most recent audit , if applicable.

This should be a single audit, program-specific audit, or other audit in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). Please see Audit Section 2G of the PSI for more information. 10) Logic Model (preferably as a Word Document).

Please see Logic Model Section 2H of the PSI for more information. 11) Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative (not to exceed four [4] pages, preferably as a Word Document). Please see Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative Section 2I of the PSI for more information.

o As stated within the DRL Guide to Program Monitoring and Evaluation (p. 6): DRL strongly encourages applicants to consider whether their monitoring and evaluation systems are utilizing human rights-based approaches, applying a gender and equity lens, or include the participation of sub-grantees and project participants.

Within the Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative, applicants should demonstrate their commitment to inclusive strategies and consider whether evaluation design, data collection, analysis, reporting and learning are conducted in an ethical and responsible way with all project participants (e.g. direct beneficiaries, sub-grantees).

Applicants should still make adequate provisions to protect the privacy of human subjects when collecting data from individuals. For instance, when collecting data from project participants, consider whether your organization will have the necessary informed consent forms, confidentiality agreements, and data security protocols. 12) Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (preferably as a Word Document or Excel Sheet).

Please see Monitoring and Evaluation Plan Section 2I of the PSI for more information. 13) Risk Analysis (preferably as a Word Document). Please see Risk Analysis Section 2J of the PSI for more information.

14) Key Personnel (not to exceed two [2] pages, preferably as a Word Document). Please include short bios that highlight relevant professional experience. Given the limited space, CVs are not recommended for submission.

9 15) Timeline (not to exceed one [1] page, preferably as a Word Document or Excel Sheet). The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities, evaluation efforts, and program closeout. Applications that do not include the elements listed above will be deemed technically ineligible.

D. 2. 2 Additional Application Documents Strong applications will also contain the following:  Individual Letters of Support and/or Memorandum of Understanding.

Letters of support and MOUs must be specific to the project implementation (e.g. from proposed partners or sub-award recipients) and will not count towards the page limit. Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions on DRL’s website for detailed guidance on the documents above: https://www. state.

gov/documents/organization/286844. pdf . For an application checklist and sample templates please see the Resources page on DRL’s website: http://www.

state. gov/j/drl/p/c72333. htm .

The sample templates provided on the DRL website are suggested, but not mandatory. DRL reserves the right to request additional documents not included in this NOFO. Additionally, to ensure that all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the DRL Review Panel will review from the first page of each section up to the page limit and no further.

Note: If ultimately provided with a notification of non-binding intent to make a Federal award, applicants typically have two to three weeks to provide additional information and documents requested in the notification of intent. The deadlines may vary in each notification of intent and applicants must adhere to the stated deadline in the notification of intent. D.

2.

3 Additional Information Requested For Those Receiving Notification of Intent Successful applicants must submit after notification of intent to make a Federal award, but prior to issuance of a Federal award: ● Written responses and revised application documents addressing conditions and recommendations from the DRL Review Panel; ● If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA as a PDF file; ● Completion of the Department’s Financial Management Survey, if receiving DRL funding for the first time; ● Submission of required documents to register in the Payment Management System managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, if receiving DRL funding for the first time (unless an exemption is provided); and, ● Other requested information or documents included in the notification of intent to make a Federal award or subsequent communications prior to issuance of a Federal award.

10 D. 3 Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) All prime organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), formerly referred to as DUNS, and an active registration with the SAM. gov before submitting an application .

DRL may not review applications from or make awards to applicants that have not completed all applicable UEI and SAM. gov requirements. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

Note: The process of obtaining a SAM. gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

● If you are based in the United States or pay employees within the United States, prior to registering in SAM. gov you will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. ● If you are based outside of the United States and do not pay employees within the United States, you do not need an EIN from the IRS.

However, you will need a NATO CAGE (NCAGE) code before you can have an active registration in SAM. gov. All prime organizations must also continue to maintain active SAM. gov registration with current information at all times during which they have an active Federal award or application under consideration by a Federal award agency.

SAM. gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.

gov and to maintain that active registration. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements at the time of application, the applicant may be deemed unqualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. For further guidance on the registration process, please see the SAM.

gov Registration Guide on DRL’s website: http://www. state. gov/j/drl/p/c72333.

htm . Please refer to 2 CFR 25. 200 for additional information.

Also, please refer to Section D. 5 - Funding Restriction of the NOFO. Note: SAM.

gov is not the same as SAMS Domestic. It is free to register in both systems, but the registration processes are different . In October 2017, new information was added to the www.

SAM. gov website to help international registrations, including “Quick Start Guide for International Registrations” and “Helpful Hints. ” Navigate to SAM.

gov, click HELP in the top navigation bar, then click International Registrants in the left navigation panel. Please note, guidance on SAM. gov and the guidance on GSA’s website about requirement for registering in SAM.

gov is subject to change. Applicants should review the website for the most up-to-date guidance. An exemption from these requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if: 11 ● An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.

** Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM. gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.

gov exemption must come from the warranted Grant Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review. ** Note: Foreign organizations will be required to register with the NATO Support Agency (NSPA) to receive a NCAGE code in order to register in SAM.

gov. NSPA will forward your registration request to the applicable National Codification Bureau (NCB) if your organization is located in a NATO or Tier 2 Sponsored Non-NATO Nation.

As of March 2016, NATO nations included Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States of America; and Tier 2 nations included Australia, Austria, Brazil, Finland, Israel, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Serbia, and Singapore.

NSPA and/or the appropriate NCB forwards all NCAGE code information to all Allied Committee 135 (AC/135) nations, which as of March 2016 also included Afghanistan, Argentina, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Montenegro, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.

All organizations are strongly advised to take this into consideration when assessing whether registration may result in possible endangerment. D. 4 Submission Dates and Times Applications are due no later than 11:30 p.

m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Friday, May 3, 2019 on www. grants.

gov or SAM S Domestic (https://mygrants. service-now. com ) under the announcement title “DRL FY18/19 IRF Combatting Anti-Semitism in EUR and SCA,” funding opportunity number “SFOP0005669.

” Grants. gov and SAMS Domestic automatically log the date and time an application submission is made, and the Department of State will use this information to determine whether an application has been submitted on time. Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered unless the DRL point of contact listed in Section G is contacted prior to the deadline and is provided with evidence of system errors caused by www.

grants. gov or SAM S Domestic (https://mygrants. service-now.

com ) that is outside of the applicant’s control and is the sole reason for a late submission. Applicants should not expect a notification upon DRL receiving their application. DRL will not consider applications that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization.

Please refer the link for Foreign Terrorist Organizations: https://www. state. gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.

htm 12 Project activities whose direct beneficiaries are foreign militaries or paramilitary groups or individuals will not be considered for DRL funding given purpose limitations on funding. In accordance with Department of State policy for terrorism, applicants are advised that successful passing of vetting to evaluate the risk that funds may benefit terrorists or their supporters is a condition of award.

If chosen for an award, applicants will be asked to submit information required by DS Form 4184, Risk Analysis Information (attached to this solicitation) about their company and its principal personnel. Vetting information is also required for all sub-award performance on assistance awards identified by the Department of State as presenting a risk of terrorist financing.

Vetting information may also be requested for project beneficiaries and participants. Failure to submit information when requested, or failure to pass vetting, may be grounds for rejecting your proposal prior to award. The Leahy Law prohibits Department foreign assistance funds from supporting foreign security force units if the Secretary of State has credible information that the unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.

Per 22 USC §2378d(a) (2015), “No assistance shall be furnished under this chapter [FOREIGN ASSISTANCE] or the Arms Export Control Act [22 USC 2751 et seq.] to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights. ” Restrictions may apply to any proposed assistance to police or other law enforcement.

Among these, pursuant to section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), no assistance provided through this funding opportunity may be furnished to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country when there is credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.

In accordance with the requirements of section 620M of the FAA, also known as the Leahy law, project beneficiaries or participants from a foreign government’s security forces may need to be vetted by the Department before the provision of any assistance. If a proposed grant or cooperative agreement will provide assistance to foreign security forces or personnel, compliance with the Leahy Law is required.

Federal awards generally will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs; however, the Grants Officer may approve pre-award costs on a case-by-case basis. Generally, construction costs are not allowed under DRL awards. For additional information, please see the DRL Proposal Submission Instructions for Applications Updated October 2018: https://www.

state. gov/documents/organization/286844. pdf .

D. 6 Application Submission All application submissions must be made electronically via www. grants.

gov or SAM SDomestic (https://mygrants. service-now. com ).

Both systems require registration by the applying organization. Please note: the Grants. gov registration process can take ten [10] business days or longer, even if all registration steps are completed in a timely manner.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that it has an active registration in SAMS Domestic or Grants. gov. Applicants are required to document that the application has been received by SAMS Domestic or Grants. gov in its entirety.

DRL bears no responsibility for disqualification that result from applicants not being registered before the due date, for system errors in either SAMS Domestic or Grants. gov, or other errors in the application process. 13 Additionally you must save a screen shot of the checklist showing all documents submitted in case any document fails to upload successfully.

Faxed, couriered, or emailed documents will not be accepted. Reasonable accommodations may, in appropriate circumstances, be provided to applicants with disabilities or for security reasons. Applicants must follow all formatting instructions in the applicable NOFO and these instructions.

DRL encourages organizations to submit applications during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00p. m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)).

If an applicant experiences technical difficulties and has contacted the appropriate helpdesk but is not receiving timely assistance (e.g. if you have not received a response within 48 hours of contacting the helpdesk), you may contact the DRL point of contact listed in the NOFO in Section G.

The point of contact may assist in contacting the appropriate helpdesk, but an applicant should also document their efforts in contacting the helpdesk. Applicants may also contact the DRL point of contact listed in the NOFO if experiencing technical issues with Grants. gov or SAMS Domestic that may result in a late submission.

Applicants experiencing technical difficulties should follow these three steps: