Southern Iraqi Universities Initiative is sponsored by U.S. Mission to Iraq. Supports educational initiatives in Southern Iraqi universities, potentially relevant for organizations with a focus on education in conflict zones.

# Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Southern Iraqi Universities Initiative # Announcement Type: Grant # Funding Opportunity: DOS -Baghdad -PD -20 22-00 3 # Total Amount Available: $1,000 ,000 . 00 # Deadline for Applications: 04/01/20 22 For information and questions about this announcement, please send all email inquiries to the U.S. Embassy Baghdad at baghdadpdgrants@state. gov .

All correspondence to baghdadpdgrants@state. gov regarding this NOFO should reference the title and Funding Opportunity Number locate d at the top of this announcement when making your request. Once the NOFO closing date has passed, baghdadpdgrants@state.

gov may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review proces s has been completed. Applicants can expect to be notified of the status of their application within thirty (30) days of the submission deadline. Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the United State s Government.

It does not commit the United States Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. The U nited States Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. If a proposal is selected for funding, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in connection with the award.

Renewal of an award to increase fun ding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Embassy. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad announces an open competition for eligible organizations to submit proposals to develop and implement the Southern Iraqi Universities Initiative program to support the four southern Iraqi u niversities of Basrah, Maysan, Al -Muthanna and D hi Qar under its Southern Iraq Universities Initiative .

Proposals should focus on the following two areas: (1) supporting the establishment of an Environment Research Center at the University of Basrah; and, (2) designing a r enewable energy project that will be adapted at each of the four southern universities.

The proposal sho uld include a work plan with each university to provide 2 capacity building programs, linkages with American universities, curricula, and the purchase of related equipment and educational materials. Proposals should also include faculty exchange programs t o foster collaboration and information sharing with American partner universities .

Applicants should have a track record of success in partnering with Iraqi and American higher education institutions and the demonstrated ability to implement complex projects in post - conflict areas.

Priority consideration will be given to proposals that clearly demonstrate how American academic expertise will be introduced to the target universities and that focus on preparing Iraqi students to enter the marke tplace through internships and practical skills development. Proposals that include efforts to foster national reconciliation and minority inclusion will also receive more favorable consideration.

Under the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) between the United States Government and the Republic of Iraq, education, exchanges, and research collaboration are key pillars of cooperation.

The U.S. Mission in Iraq, including the Embassy in Baghdad and its Consulate General in Erbil, supports the SFA through ac ademic initiatives that promote human and technical capacity building inside Iraq, bolster long -term stability, develop the next generation of leaders, and support Iraq’s integration into the global academic community.

Subject to the availability of fun ds, the Embassy expects to award a grant up to $ 10 00,000 to carry out the Southern Iraqi Universities Initiative program over a twenty -four -month time The Iraq Southern Universities project will: 1. Support the establishment of the University of Basra h’s Environment al Research Center .

The center will focus on several environmental issues, including but not limited to: • Water and Soil Pollution • Hazardous Waste Management 2. Facilitate the design of a renewable energy project that will be implemented at each of the universities in Basra h, M ay san, Al -Muthanna and Dhi Qar.

The project should include, but not be limited to, the following : • Designing and outfitting a r enewable ener gy laboratory that will support the design, testing, and dissemination of efficient, renewable energy resources.

• Providing technical assistance that facilitates the study of solar, wind, and Successful proposals will include, but not b e limited to, the following elements: • Capacity building programs 3 • Curriculum development and design U.S. university linkages, including faculty exchange programs Applicants must have demonstrated experience and ability to provide guidance to and monitor university partnership projects that focus on the following U.S. Mission education priorities: • Collaborative research projects, particularly in environmental research and renewable • Faculty development and exchange, both in -person and virtual .

In addition, the program implementer will: • Foster relationships between U.S. institutions of hig her learning and Iraqi universities. • Consult with officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (M OHESR), Iraqi university leaders and education experts, U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy section staff, and U.S. higher education inst itutions and university associations on program design and implementation .

• Provide quarterly reporting and budget update s to U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Diplomacy section on program activities . • Serve as the primary point of contact and source of information for Iraqi universities, U.S. institutions, and U.S. Embassy Baghdad . • Manage all logistical elements of the program, including facilitating Americans’ travel to Iraq and Iraqi travel to the U.S., should the proposal include such activities.

• Coor dinate with public and private sector institutions to develop an internship program • Plan and organize a closing session in Iraq or via on -line platforms to summarize and evaluate the program and foster ongoing collaboration between American and Iraqi The U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office will monitor this pro gram , including, but • Reviewing and approving proposals.

• Approving the selection of partner institutions, program participants , activities, and • Approving the purchase of necessary equipment and educational materials to carry June 2022: Grant is awarded.

July 202 2 - December 2022: Selected program implementer works with Iraqi government and university officials, U.S. Embassy representatives and U.S. universities and higher education 4 partnership experts to establishing Environment Research Center at the University of Basra h, and develop and prepare a work plan with each university to provide capacity building programs, linkages with American universities, and curricula that focus es on renewable energy theme .

January 202 3: Program implementer presents work plan and activity to U.S. Embassy to secure approval for implementation of Phase II of the project.

February 202 3 – May 202 4: Program implementer initiates and starts working on establishing Environment Research Center at the University of Basra h, and university linkages, faculty exchanges, and curriculum reform projects, and makes necessary purchases of equipment and educational materials for the Renewable Energy . June 202 4: Project completion; evaluat ion exercise and final report. B.

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION • Type of Award: Grant Agreement • The U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office ’s level of involvement in this program is listed under section A. Program Description above. • Approximate Total Funding: $ 1, 000 ,000 , pending availability of funds.

• Approximate Number of Awards: One • Anticipated Award Date: June 01 , 20 22 • Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 30 , 202 4 • Additional Information: Applicants' budget submissions should be realistic and reflect anticipated actual costs required to implement the program(s) and the varying costs specific to programming needs .

The U.S. Embass y Baghdad Public Affairs Office reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. Applications must be prepared and submitted using the Public Diplomacy Grants Program Application form, availa ble on www. grants. gov or by request from baghdadpdgrants@state.

gov . Please submit questions and completed application s to baghdadpdgrants@state. gov .

The recipient of funding under this announcement will be required to submit quarterly technical and financial reports during the term of the project, as well as a final assessment at the end of the C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION C.

1 Eligible applicants: Applications must be submitted by U.S. public and private non -profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC Eligibility: Applicants must: • Be a U.S. non -profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3). • Have demonstrated experience developing and administering similar programs.

• Have the capacity to operate in Iraq and have active partner ships with organization(s) operating in Iraq needed to support the program. All Federal assistance recipients must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS) and a CCR (CAGE) number prior to funds disbursement. A DUNS number may be acquired at no cost by ca lling the dedicated toll -free DUNS number request line at 1 -866 -705 -5711 or requesting on - C.

2 Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However , the U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be pai d by the Federal government.

Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in -kind contributions must be in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s Circular 2 CFR Parts 200 and 600, entitled the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, PAS Baghdad's contribution will be reduced in like proportion. C.

3 Other Eligibility Requirements: Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the Proposal Submission Instructions; non -compliance will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review proces s. Eligible applicants may not submit more than one proposal in this competition.

If more than one proposal is received from the same applicant, all submissions will be declared technically ineligible and will receive no further consideration in the revi ew process. Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name and EIN number as stated on their completed SF -424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the Proposal Submission Instructions document.

Application and Submission Information: Note: Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.

Once the NO FO closing date has passed, U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been To meet the announcement closing date, submissions must be received by on or before Friday , The applicant is requested to submit a completed proposal package that includes a project narrative and all mandatory appendices, per the solicitation instructions below.

Note: The applicant must provide a statement of explanation for any mandatory appendices that are not submitted wi th their application. Unsolicited appendices will not be read and should not be submitted for this award. All federal award recipients must maintain current registrations in the SAM database.

Recipients must maintain accurate and up -to -date information in www. SAM. gov until all program and financial activity and reporting have been completed.

Recipients must review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration and more frequently if required information ch anges or another award is granted. Failure to register in SAM will render applicants ineligible to receive funding. All applicants must complete the following registrations: • Register for a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number at http://fedgov.

dnb. com/webform . • Obtain necessary codes: for non -U.S. organizations, an NCAGE code at https://eportal.

nspa. nato. int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.

aspx . D. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION: Applications must be prepared and submitted using the Public Diplomac y Grants Program Application form, available on www.

grants. gov or by request from baghdadpdgrants@state. gov .

Please submit questions and completed applications to baghdadpdgrants@state. gov . A complete proposal package will contain (I) a proposal narrative that does not exceed ten (10) pages and (II) all mand atory appendices as listed below.

The proposal must be submitted in English, formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper in Microsoft Word document, written in size 12 font, single spaced, and have page numbers. Proposals should utilize the Proposal Template to address th e 1.

Begin with a one -page executive summary (which does not count against your page number limit) outlining the problem that describes what this project seeks to address, as well as your organization’s expertise, capacity, and experien ce in implementing the 2.

Give a clear description of assumptions, short -term and long -term project goal(s), objective(s), activities, outputs and intended results linked to your project; provide 7 matching indicators and a plan to demonstrate a baseline at project inception that mea sures the current status of conditions that the project seeks to affect. 3.

Please describe how your organization would incorporate the proposed program into its already existing programming, and opportunities you see for growth and expansion of the program. Describe where the initiative will be physically housed, and if in multiple locations, describe how communication will be maintained among project personnel. 4.

Full description of the program 5. Organizational expertise, competency, and past performance. 6.

Please describe your organization’s mission and the type of programs it has. 7. Where is the organization based and does it have operations in any other countries/regions?

Please describe. 8. How many communities does your organization’s work currently reach?

W hat kind of partnerships has your organization developed? 9. Describe areas of key competency, past domestic/international experience, if any, and structure of the organization.

How many people have you previously reached with prior projects? What changes ha ve resulted from it? Please include statistics (if appropriate) and specific examples as evidence of your previous impact.

10. Work Plan and Timeline 11. Submit a detailed implementation plan and a monitoring and evaluation plan that follows 12.

Also include a description of how the project will be sustained at the conclusion of award E.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR REQUIRED APPEN DICES: As an appendix and in addition to the proposal, applicants must submit a budget broken down by program year(s) with an accompanying detailed budget narrative (in Word 2000 or Word 2003 text accessible) which provides in detail the total costs for implement ation of the program as further detailed below.

Both of these components must specify the total amount of funding requested in U.S. dollars. The line -item budget can be submitted in MS Excel format and should show the organization’s technical and labor cost categories as it relates to the proposed project.

The line -item budget must be submitted in US dollars (USD) and include three [3] columns outlining the request to 8 U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office staff, any cost sharing contribution, and total budget. It should include detailed information on personnel and consultants with proposed salary and salary history.

In the case of sub -gr antee partner organizations, a detailed line -item budget for each sub -grantee should also be included. Costs should be identified in each of the budget categories listed below, and should detail estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other 1. Personnel – In general, employees receiving benefits from the applicant organization are considered staff.

Consultants hired to assist with the program who do not receive benefits should be included under Contractual. Identify staffing requirements by each positio n title and brief description of duties. Include dates the staff will be hired.

Each staff member’s salary calculation should include the annual/base salary of each position, percentage of time and number of months devoted to the project. (e.g., Administra tive Director: $30,000/year x 25% x 8. 5 months; calculation: $30,000/12 = $2,500 x 25% x 8.

5 months = $5,312.) This can be in the budget narrative if the organization prefers. 2.

Fringe Benefits – State benefit costs separately from salary costs and explain how benefits are computed for each category of employee (specify type and rate). 3. Travel – Staff and any participant travel: b) In -country travel overseas c) Domestic travel in the United States, if any d) Per diem/maintenance: includes lodgi ng, meals and incidentals for both participant and staff travel.

Rates of maximum allowances for U.S. and foreign travel are available from the following website: http://www. gsa. gov/portal/category/ 21287 and http://aoprals.

state. gov/content. asp?

content_id=184&menu_id=78 . Per diem rates may not exceed the published U.S. government allowance rates; however, institutions may use per diem rates lower than official government rates. Please explain differences in fares among travelers on the same routes (e.g., project staff member traveling for three weeks whose fare is higher than that of staff member traveling for four months).

Please note that all travel, where applicable, must be in compliance with the Fly America Act. For more information see http://www. gsa.

gov/portal/content/103191 . PAS Baghdad sh all approve all proposed travel under this budget. 4.

Equipment – Equipment is defined as having a per -unit cost of $5,000 and a service life of more than one year. If the item meets these criteria than all federal procurement policies and procedures must be followed. If an item does not meet these criteria it is cons idered a supply.

Please provide justification for any equipment purchase/rental. 5.

Supplies – List items separately using unit costs (and the percentage of each unit cost being charged to the cooperative agreement for photocopying, postage, telephone/fax, printing, and office supplies (for example, Telephone: $50/month x 50% = $25/month x a) Sub grants – For each sub grant/contract please provide a detailed line item breakdown explaining specific services.

In the sub grant budgets, provide the same level of detail for personnel, travel, supplies, equipment, direct costs, and fringe benefits required of the direct applicant. If indirect is charged on a sub grant please Please note that a sub grantee who receives equal to or more than $25,000 is required to have a DUNS number. Please visit www.

fsrs. gov for more information. Please Note: it is the applicant’s respons ibility to ensure that proposed sub -awardees are eligible for U.S. government funding.

b) Consultant Fees – For example lecture fees, honoraria, travel, and per diem for outside speakers or external evaluators: list number of people and rates per day (for example, 2 x $150/day x 2 days). 7. Construction – Due to the nature of U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office programs, construction costs are generally not allowable or applicable.

8. Other Direct Costs – these will vary depending on the nature of the project. The inclusion of each should be justified in the budget narrative.

A -133 audit costs can be included if they are not part of the indirect pool and only the portion of the cost associated with this program. 9. Indirect Charges – An organization with a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) from a cognizant federal government agency other than the U.S. Department of State should include a copy of the cost -rate agreement.

Applicants should indic ate in the proposal budget how the rate is applied and if any of the rate will be cost -shared. The U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office generally does not pay indirect costs against participant expenses, but each case may vary. Organizations claimin g indirect costs should have an established NICRA.

If sub grantees are claiming indirect costs, they should have an established NICRA that is also submitted with the proposal package. If your organization does not have a NICRA, the proposal budget should not have a line item for indirect cost charges. Rather, any costs that may be considered as indirect costs should be included in specific budget line items as direct costs.

10. Cost Share or Matching Funds: This project does not require cost sharing; h owever, applications that include additional in -kind and/or cash contributions from third party sources will reflect increased commitment to the overall project and demonstrates greater cost effectiveness.

If the proposed project is a component of a larg er program, identify other funding sources for the proposal and indicate the specific funding amount to be provided by those sources. In addition, it is recommended that the budget narrative 10 address the overall cost -effectiveness of the proposal, including leveraging of institutional or other resources.

When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs.

For accountability, project implementers must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such record s are subject to audit.

The basis for determining the value of cash and in -kind contributions must be in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s Circular 2 CFR Parts 200 and 600, entitled the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principl es, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, NEA contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

11. Budget Narrative : The budget narrative should provide additional information that might not be readily apparent in the detailed -line item budget, not simply repeat what is represented numerically in the budget, i.e. salaries are for salaries or travel is for travel. The budget narrative should briefly explain each line item to sufficiently justify each identified cost.

It should include a justification for how the cost in each category is • Personnel - Identify staffing requirements by each position title with a brief description of dut ies, including work locations, and other justifications for these costs as they relate to the project. Include resumes for any key personnel who are listed by • Fringe Benefits - Provide an explanation of fringe costs and how they are c alculated.

• Travel - Provide a description of travel costs, including the purpose of the travel and how the travel relates to the project. • Equipment - Provide justification for any equipment purchase/rental, including computers and related hardware, and the ir planned use for the project.

• Supplies - Specifically describe general categories of supplies and their direct use for • Contractual - Describe each contractual or consultant cost, and outline the necessity • Other Direc t Costs - Provide a narrative description and a justification for each cost under this category and describe how the costs specifically relate to this project.

• Indirect Costs - Provide approved NICRA for any indirect costs requested for the The U . S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office must determine that the costs paid for this award are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed project activities.

This will consist of a review of the line -item and narrative budgets to determine if the overall costs are realistic for the work to be performed. Costs shall be evaluated for realism, control practices, and efficiency. Emphasis will be placed on the cost -effectiveness of the proposal.

The overhead and administrative components of the p roposal, including salaries 11 and fringe benefits, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate. Cost -sharing is strongly encouraged, but not required.

Please see Section F for information on funding restrictions. A pplicants must also disclose any funding they are receiving or planning to receive from other entities [or] [including] other agencies of the U. S government or other Department of State offices.

Applicants may be subject to a pre -award financial and capacity survey by the Before a cooperative agreement is awarded, the U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the initiative and the availability of fund s.

Detailed Instructions on M&E Plan Submission Applications must contain a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan that provides sufficient detail as to how project objectives will be achieved and how the project wil l further program goals.

This document should clearly identify the project goal(s), objective(s), and activities, as well as the output and outcome indicators by year that will be used to measure progress towards planned results.

Baselines and targets for indicators should also be specified, along with a plan to complete a baseline assessment at project inception that measures the current status of conditions that the project seeks to affect as well as prior to completion of the project to assess impact of the project since inception. Output indicators should measure the products and services delivered directly by the program activities described.

Outcome or result indicators should measure transformation and higher -level results of each activity. A recommen ded U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office monitoring and evaluation plan template is included.

The M&E Plan shall include the following: (i) The results to be achieved by the program; (ii) Qualitative and quantitative indicators to be used to measure achievement of the results; (iii) The method of data collection to be used to obtain the indicator data; and (iv ) Targets for each indicator by year. The Recipient shall consult with the U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office staff in the development of the M&E Plan.

Applications must contain a risk analysis. Risks are unavoidable – all programs inherently contain both internal and external risks. However, with proper identification and management, risks can be prepared for, minimized or mitigated.

The purpose of a ris k analysis is to identify the internal and external risks associated with the proposed program in the application, rate the likelihood of the risks, rate the potential impact of the risks on the program, and identify actions that could help mitigate the ri sks. A risk analysis should not be considered a one -time exe rcise or 12 a static document.

The U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office defers to organizations to conduct adequate risk analysis and remediation for all of its operations and advises that risk analysis and remediation occur throughout the life of a program and should result in revisions to risk analysis documents and processes as necessary. Applicants should include all assumptions and external factors identified in the logic model in the risk analysis.

Applicants should rate the likelihood of a risk and potential impact of the risk as “High,” “Medium,” or “Low. ” A recommended U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office format for a risk analysis is The budget narrative should detail what cost sharing, if any, will be contributed to the program.

Applicants with a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with the USG should submit a copy of the NICRA to substantiate proposed indirect cost charges.

Applicants who do not currentl y have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) from their cognizant agency must also submit the following information: • Copies of the Applicant's financial reports for the previous 3 -year period, which have been audited by a certified public acco untant or other auditor satisfactory to U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office staff.

• Projected budget, cash flow and organizational charts; and a copy of the organization's • Applicants who intend to utilize sub -awardees should indicate the extent intended and a complete cost breakdown. Extensive agreement financial plans should follow the same cost format as submitted by the primary Applicant. A breakdown of all costs according to each partner organization or sub -awardee involve d in the program should be provided.

NOTE: If sub -awards are anticipated and not explained in the original applic ation, the Grant Officer and U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office staff approval (after award) will be required before the sub -agreement may be executed. • Required assurances, certifications and representations. • Information that confirms and ensures that proposed cost sharing will materialize.

• Applicants should submit additional evidence they deem necessa ry for the Grant Officer and U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office staff to make a risk assessment.

The information submitted should substantiate that the Applicant: • Has adequate financial resources or the ability to obtain such resources as required during the performance of the award; • Has the ability to comply with the award conditions, taking into account all existing and currently prospective commitments of the applicant, non -governmental and • Has a satisfactory record of performance.

Past relevant unsatisfactory performance is ordinarily sufficient to justify a finding of non -responsibility, unless there is clear evidence of subsequent satisfactory performance; • Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics; and • Is otherwi se qualified and eligible to receive a cooperative agreement under applicable laws and regulations (e.g., EEO).

Certain documents are required to be submitted by an Applicant in ord er for the Grant Officer and U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office st aff to make a risk determination. However, it 13 is U . S.

Embassy Baghdad policy not to burden Applicants with undue reporting requirements if that information is readily available through other sources.

If the Applicant has established a consortium among it s partners, the agreement should include a full discussion of the relationship between the Applicant and Sub -Applicant(s) including identification of the Applicant with whom U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Office staff will work with for purposes of A greement administration, identity of the Applicant which will have accounting responsibility, how Agreement effort will be allocated and the express agreement of the principals thereto to be held jointly and severely liable for the acts or omissions of the other.

Upon consideration of award or during the negotiations leading to an award, Applicants may be required to submit additional documentation prior to issuance of an award. Applicants should not submit the information below with their applications. The information