Funding Opportunity Number: PRM-PRMOAPNE-14-007-049363

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 19.519 - Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Near East and South Asia

Announcement issuance date: Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Proposal submission deadline: Friday, May 16, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. noon EDT. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

**ADVISORY: All applicants must submit proposals through the website Grants.gov (NOT on GrantsSolutions.gov). PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal early to allow time to address any difficulties that may arise.**

There have been changes in requirements for PRM proposals, and the Grants.gov registration process can be complicated. We strongly encourage all organizations to refer to PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for information and resources to ensure that the application process runs smoothly. PRM expects all NGOs applying for funding to have read and comply with PRM’s NGO guidelines. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in these guidelines will not be considered.

Proposed program start dates: June 30 – September 29, 2014

Eligible Applicants: (1) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education; (2) Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education; and (3) International Organizations. International multilateral organizations, such as United Nations agencies, should not submit proposals through Grants.gov in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement. Multilateral organizations that are seeking funding for programs relevant to this announcement should contact the relevant PRM Officer (as listed below) on or before the closing date of the funding announcement.

Duration of Activity: Program plans for either 12 months or 24 months will be considered, depending on country of programming. Please see current funding priorities for requested program length in each country. Multi-year proposals should contain activities and budgets that do not exceed 24 months from the proposed start date.

Actual awards will not exceed 12 months in duration, and activities and budgets submitted in year one can be revised/updated each year. Continued funding after the initial 12- month award requires the submission of a noncompeting continuation application and will be contingent upon available funding, strong performance, and continuing need. In funding a project one year, PRM makes no representations that it will continue to fund the project 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.]

Current Funding Priorities for refugees and other vulnerable populations in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt and for Iraqi refugees in Syria:

PRM will consider funding proposed NGO activities that best meet the Bureau’s priorities for protection of and assistance to Syrian refugees, Iraqi refugees, and other populations of concern in Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq and Iraqi refugees in Syria. The sectoral funding priorities within each country at this time are identified under the host country headings below.

Applicants should submit a separate proposal for each country program. No regional proposals will be considered.

A. Sector Descriptions:

The following list provides guidance on the types of sectoral activities that PRM is seeking to fund through this funding opportunity. Please see the Country-Specific Instructions section below for greater detail on PRM’s sectoral priorities in each country. For general sectoral information and requirements, you should also consult PRM’s General NGO Guidelines.

• Protection includes:
  • Addressing vulnerability through identification and provision of emergency assistance (including targeted cash assistance) to meet basic human needs of identified vulnerable individuals (please see Section D); ensuring that services are appropriate and accessible based on gender, age, and/or disability; facilitating self-support of vulnerable cases; mitigating the risks of negative coping behavior; sharing information; and making referrals;
  • Dissemination of reliable information about registration (including birth registration), available services, and assistance through the use of information and communications technology, data management, and other outreach activities to enable refugees to make informed decisions and to inform local communities about refugee realities and the international humanitarian response;
  • Psychosocial support and mental health including individual as well as family/group counseling and/or therapy, conflict-mitigation, focused children’s, youth, and women’s groups and activities, support for vulnerable groups (please see Section D), and capacity-building of local mental health service providers;
  • Child/adolescent protection including support for unaccompanied minors and separated children, trauma-support and protection for children including through provision of family counseling, and safe spaces for children to learn and play;
  • Preventing and responding to gender-based violence through prevention, mitigation, and/or treatment programming (can include services for both female and male survivors);
  • Legal assistance and counseling including assistance with registration, residency, documentation, access to services and rights, and work authorization, as well as efforts to prevent and reduce statelessness. (Programs can include training for lawyers, judges and others who have frequent contact with asylum seekers.)
• Health: includes primary healthcare; health education and preventative healthcare; mental health; post-operative and rehabilitative care; sexual and reproductive health services; capacity-building for local service providers (staff, facilities, and systems) to meet the needs of both refugee populations and their host communities; mainstreaming into local healthcare infrastructure; and clinical management of rape and other forms of gender-based violence.
• Shelter and Infrastructure: includes emergency cash assistance for rent as well as renovations or repairs to existing structures.
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): includes activities that will strengthen the WASH infrastructure in host communities so that interventions have a long-term and sustainable impact for both refugees and local populations.
• Education: includes high quality primary education; teacher training and other activities to strengthen the capacity of primary schools and staff; increasing school enrollment; remedial education; non-formal education programs; refurbishing and/or equipping schools; providing school supplies; covering school fees and/or transportation; and support to informal/community schools. (Proposals should address, if possible, how the educational assistance will support integration into local educational structures over the long-term.)
• Livelihoods/Self-Reliance: includes job-placement; legal support for accessing work; community mentoring; and training in literacy, life skills, and vocational skills linked to local markets. (All proposed livelihood activities should be grounded in solid market and livelihoods assessments.)

B. Other Programming Criteria:

Coordination with host government authorities and UNHCR as well as with other UN agencies and local and international NGOs active in the same location and sectors is essential. Priority will be given to NGOs that can demonstrate they have coordinated their proposed activities with UNHCR.

The strongest urban programs will include efforts to:

• Identify and reach out to “hidden” refugees;
• Identify and build upon existing services;
• Provide information about and referrals to existing services (in close coordination with other assistance providers);
• Adhere to accepted international standards and promote development of national criteria to identify and assist the most vulnerable;
• Adopt a community-based approach that takes account of host community needs;
• Avoid creating refugee-specific, parallel services to those that already exists (and are available to refugees) in the community.

As the majority of the target beneficiaries of this funding opportunity reside in urban areas, NGOs are strongly encouraged to consult PRM’s urban principles and other relevant urban programming guidance, including UNHCR’s operational guidance on livelihoods and health care in urban areas.

Organizations should strongly encourage refugees to register with UNHCR and/or appropriate host government authorities, but registration is not required to receive assistance or services in any location. Proposals should indicate how the assistance would fill an identified gap, why that gap is a priority, as well as how the gap and the beneficiaries were identified.

NGOs submitting proposals and/or their implementing partners should be registered to operate with the national government in each of the countries of the proposed activities by the program start date. All applicants should provide documentation verifying their registration status as an attachment to their proposal submission. PRM recognizes that there may be some instances when an organization cannot complete the registration process for reasons beyond its control; however, proposals must clearly indicate the organization’s registration status.

NGOs submitting proposals to benefit Syrian refugees in any of the five target countries hosting Syrian refugees must demonstrate that that their priorities are in close alignment with the UN Regional Response Plan (RRP). NGOs should clearly indicate how they coordinate with the UN interagency process under the RRP, including through participation in relevant sector working groups. NGOs must also demonstrate their organizational capacity to operate in the proposed geographic areas and functional sectors. All applicants should demonstrate their plans to adhere to established vulnerability criteria in their beneficiary selection.

Proposals specifically designed to serve multiple refugee populations in a single country (for example, Iraqis and Syrians in Jordan or Lebanon; or Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans, and other populations of concern in Turkey) must state the approximate ratio of the populations who will be served and clearly identify where in the country the populations will access services. If a program is designed to target a single population but may incidentally benefit other populations of concern, this requirement may be disregarded.

Failure to adhere to the guidelines above and the General NGO Guidelines will disqualify an application.

C. Country-Specific Instructions:

Proposed activities should primarily support refugee populations (and in the case of Iraq, IDP populations) in targeted countries as identified below. Because of PRM's mandate to provide protection, assistance, and sustainable solutions for refugees and victims of conflict, PRM will consider funding only those projects that include a target beneficiary base of at least 50% refugees or other populations of concern (including IDPs exclusively in the case of Iraq). Programs in urban areas should, wherever possible, pursue a community-based approach that also benefits host communities.

I. TURKEY

As Turkey’s General Directorate for Migration Management (GDMM) assumes authority for registration of all those seeking international protection in Turkey, PRM seeks to fund capacity-building of local service providers as well as refugee outreach, counseling, awareness-raising, referrals, and interpretation - in order to support the GDMM’s implementation of the new law on Foreigners and International Protection and to facilitate the realization of refugee rights and refugee access to information, services, and assistance in Turkey. PRM encourages project proposals which include explicit coordination with the GDMM in addition to other relevant actors specified in this announcement.

Proposed project activities should be consistent with the goals of the UN Regional Response Plan for Syrian Refugees and thus be supportive of the Government of Turkey’s humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. Preference will be given to organizations which demonstrate coordination with Turkish government authorities, the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and other international and local humanitarian actors and partnership with Turkish NGOs and/or relevant Turkish ministries or government entities.

Turkey: Non-camp Syrian populations and other urban refugee populations

Requested Project Length: 12 or 24 months

Proposed projects should support Syrian refugees in urban areas and host communities in Turkey and/or Iraqis, Afghans, Iranians and other refugee populations of concern in satellite cities in Turkey. Applicants have the option to combine projects benefiting Syrian and non-Syrian refugee populations of concern. However, applicants should use PRM’s recommended budget template to provide an estimated breakdown of assistance costs by beneficiary population.

Proposals must focus on one or more of the following sectors or subsectors. Please review the Sector Descriptions above, as well as the General NGO Guidelines for further instructions.

• Protection: In the Turkey context, PRM strongly encourages a community center model to provide protection support in the sub-sectors below. Emphasis should be focused on support to facilitate refugee registration, access to services and assistance, realization of refugee rights, and protection of vulnerable refugees. May include vocational training, interpretation, language training, and community bridge-building activities, as well as targeted language and translation training for community leaders and medical professionals.
  • Addressing Vulnerability
  • Dissemination of Reliable Information
  • Psychosocial Support and Mental Health
  • Child/Adolescent Protection
  • Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence
  • Legal Assistance and Counseling
• Health
• Education, with an emphasis on efforts to enroll children in school and on remedial education and non-formal education programs.

II. JORDAN

Proposed activities should support Iraqi and/or Syrian refugees residing in host communities. Applicants have the option to combine projects to benefit both refugee populations. Proposals for projects assisting both Iraqi and Syrian refugees must break down assistance by nationality both in the project’s objectives and in its budget (on PRM’s recommended budget template).

Jordan: Iraqi and/or Syrian refugees living in host communities in Jordan

Requested Project Length: 12 or 24 months

Proposals must focus on one or more of the following sectors or subsectors. Please review the Sector Descriptions above, as well as the General NGO Guidelines for sectoral instructions.

• Protection (limited to the following sub-sectors):
  • Addressing Vulnerability
  • Dissemination of Reliable Information
  • Psychosocial Support and Mental Health
• Health, but not to include post-operative or rehabilitative care.
• Shelter and Infrastructure
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Proposals for projects assisting only Iraqi refugees in Jordan may also include (in addition to the possible sectors listed above) the following sectors/sub-sectors:

• Protection
  • Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence (Note: such proposals were previously solicited for the Syrian refugee population in Jordan under a previous FY14 Funding Opportunity Announcement.)  
• Livelihoods/Self-Reliance

III. LEBANON

Proposed activities should support Iraqi and/or Syrian refugees residing in host communities. Applicants have the option to combine projects to benefit both refugee populations. Proposals for projects assisting both Iraqi and Syrian refugees must break down assistance by nationality both in the project’s objectives and in its budget (on PRM’s recommended budget template).

Lebanon: Iraqi and/or Syrian refugees residing in host communities

Requested Project Length: 12 or 24 months

Please review the Sector Descriptions above, as well as the General NGO Guidelines for further instructions.

• Protection (limited to the following sub-sectors):
  • Addressing Vulnerability
  • Dissemination of Reliable Information
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Proposals for projects assisting only Iraqi refugees in Lebanon may also include (in addition to the possible sectors above) the following sectors/sub-sectors:

• Protection:
  • Psychosocial Support and Mental Health
  • Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence
  • Legal Assistance and Counseling

(Note: such proposals were previously solicited for the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon under a previous FY14 Funding Opportunity Announcement.)

• Health, but not to include post-operative or rehabilitative care.
• Livelihoods/Self-Reliance

IV. IRAQ

Proposals for Syrian refugees in Iraq should either focus on non-camp populations or combine programming for camp and non-camp populations.

Proposals for projects benefiting Iraqi IDPs and refugee returnees inside Iraq must target a beneficiary base of at least 50% Iraqi refugee returnees/IDPs/persons of concern and take place in areas with the highest levels of returns and displacement. Programs should make an effort to build community capacity and work to support durable solutions, including for IDPs in informal settlements.

Applicants may not combine refugee and IDP programming in a single proposal for Iraq.

Iraq: Syrian refugees

Requested Project Length: 12 months

Please review the Sector Descriptions section above, as well as the General NGO Guidelines for further instructions.

• Protection (limited to the following sub-sectors):
  • Addressing Vulnerability
  • Dissemination of Reliable Information
  • Psychosocial Support and Mental Health
  • Child/Youth Protection
  • Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence
• Health, but not to include post-operative or rehabilitative care
• Shelter and Infrastructure, with an emphasis on addressing the needs of refugees residing in host communities.
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
• Education, with an emphasis on remedial education and non-formal education programs and efforts to enroll children in school.

Iraq: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugee returnees

Requested Project Length: 12 months

Please review the Sector Descriptions above, as well as the General NGO Guidelines for further instructions.

• Protection: Limited to the subsectors below but may also address community capacity-building and provision of technical expertise to local governance structures involved with IDP settlements and populations:
  • Addressing Vulnerability
  • Dissemination of Reliable Information
  • Psychosocial Support and Mental Health, with a focus on individual and family/group counseling and/or therapy, and capacity-building of local mental health service providers.
  • Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence, including reintegration support for survivors.
  • Legal Assistance and Counseling, with an emphasis on assistance to refugee returnees and IDPs seeking documentation and access to basic services.
• Education: Prioritizing formal education reintegration support for youth with an interrupted educational career due to displacement, the need to generate income, or lack of documented prior education in Iraq. Also with an emphasis on remedial education aimed at facilitating re-entry into the formal school system; assisting families in obtaining necessary documentation; facilitating communication between IDP communities and local school administrations to ensure equality of access; and/or developing local solutions to promote school attendance in IDP communities.
• Livelihoods/Self-Reliance

V. EGYPT

Egypt is host to a diverse urban refugee population of various origins but with similar ongoing needs. PRM encourages activities that, where possible, build on and improve existing mechanisms to address the protection and assistance needs of the recent influx of refugees from Syria as well as non-Syrian refugee populations (mainly Iraqis and Sub-Saharan Africans).

In FY 2013, PRM issued a separate request for proposals from NGOs primarily to address the needs of urban-based Sub-Saharan African refugees. NGOs working with Sub-Saharan Africans in Egypt who wish to apply for continued or new PRM funding should do so under this current regional request for proposals. PRM will not issue a separate call for proposals for Sub-Saharan Africans in Egypt in FY 2014.

Proposed projects should support Syrian refugees, Iraqi refugees, and/or Sub-Saharan African populations of concern in urban areas in Egypt. Applicants have the option to combine project proposals benefiting Syrian and other populations of concern. Applicants should use PRM’s recommended budget template to provide an estimated breakdown of assistance costs by beneficiary population.

In the Egypt context, a focus on refugee protection includes advocacy and legal services, community outreach, and facilitating access to basic social services in urban settings. Proposed activities should support refugees and asylum seekers residing in urban areas such as Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta. Protection should be mainstreamed in all assistance activities.

NGOs applying for funding must demonstrate a working relationship with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and/or current UNHCR funding. A letter of support from UNHCR for the proposed activities is strongly recommended. This letter should highlight the gap in services the proposed program is designed to address.

Egypt: Refugees and asylum seekers in urban areas

Requested Project Length: 12 months

Proposals must focus on one or more of the following sectors or subsectors. Please review the Sector Descriptions above, as well as the General NGO Guidelines for further instructions.

• Protection, with a focus on community outreach:
  • Addressing Vulnerability
  • Dissemination of Reliable Information
  • Psychosocial Support and Mental Health
  • Child Protection
  • Addressing Gender-Based Violence
  • Legal Assistance and Counseling
• Health
• Shelter/Housing
• Education and Vocational Training
• Livelihoods/Self-Reliance

VI. SYRIA

Proposed activities should primarily support Iraqi refugees residing in host communities (50% or more of target population). (Note: this Funding Opportunity Announcement does not target Syrians in Syria.)

Syria: Iraqi refugees

Requested Project Length: 12 months

Proposals must focus on one or more of the following sectors or subsectors. Please review the Sector Descriptions section above, as well as the General NGO Guidelines for further instructions.

• Protection (limited to the following sub-sectors):
  • Addressing Vulnerability
  • Psychosocial Support and Mental Health
  • Child/Adolescent Protection
  • Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence
• Health, not to include post-operative or rehabilitative care.
• Livelihoods/Self-Reliance

D. Guidelines Applicable to all Proposals Submitted Under This Announcement:

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 new guidance on proposals for projects in urban areas. All proposals must adhere to PRM Standardized Indicators for health and livelihoods projects. Proposals should include their own custom indicators in addition to SPHERE minimum standard indicators where relevant.

Psychosocial Support and Mental Health: Proposals should adhere to the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, articulate how beneficiaries are identified, and explain coordination with other mental health providers, including through joint training; efforts to improve local capacity to provide adequate mental healthcare; the extent to which the NGO is able to utilize local organizations/resources to meet the mental healthcare needs of its beneficiaries; and an overview of the most prevalent mental health needs among the displaced Syrian population and how the NGO intends to address them. Proposals should demonstrate how clinical services for survivors of gender-based violence are incorporated into the project and should adhere to the IASC Guidelines on Gender-Based Violence.

Health: Proposals should demonstrate how clinical services for survivors of gender-based violence, including men, boys, and LGBTI individuals, are incorporated into the project. NGOs will be required to provide their health program/beneficiary information to UNHCR. NGOs should also comment in detail on how, if at all, the fees they charge for their services differ from UNHCR’s healthcare rates. NGOs should specify that they will only use generic medications unless they are unavailable.

Shelter: Programs for provision of shelter assistance in a camp setting should adhere to Sphere minimum standards, and proposals must indicate how the organization will work to avoid duplication of assistance.

Education: Education programs should adhere to the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) minimum Standards.

Additional Resources

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 specific sectors.

PRM strongly encourages programs that target the needs of potentially vulnerable and underserved groups among the beneficiary population (women; children; stateless persons and persons at risk of statelessness; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) individuals; older persons; the sick; persons with disabilities; and other minorities) and can demonstrate what steps have been taken to meet the specific and unique protection and assistance needs of these vulnerable groups effectively. NOTE: PRM partners must now complete a gender analysis (see PRM proposal template, section 3a) that briefly analyzes (1) gender dynamics within the target population (i.e., roles, power dynamics, and different needs of men and women, girls and boys); (2) associated risks and implementation challenges for the project posed by those dynamics; and (3) how program activities will mitigate these protection risks and be made accessible to vulnerable groups (particularly women and girls). A gender analysis is a requirement prior to PRM making a final funding award.

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 demonstrable working relationship with UNHCR, current UNHCR funding, or a letter of support from UNHCR for the proposed activities and/or overall country program (If a letter is provided, it should highlight the gap in services the proposed program is designed to address);
• a proven track record in providing proposed assistance both in the sector and specified location;
• evidence of coordination with international organizations (IOs) and other (local and international) NGOs working in the same area or sector as well as – where possible – local government authorities and/or relevant ministries or government entities;
• a strong transition plan, where feasible, involving local capacity-building;
• support and capacity-building for local and refugee community-based organizations;
• where applicable, adherence to PRM’s Principles for Refugee Protection in Urban Areas available online at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/187237.pdf.
• a budget that demonstrates co-funding by non-US government sources.

Funding Limits:

Turkey: Project proposals must not be less than $500,000 and not be more than $4 million per year, or they will be disqualified.

Jordan: Project proposals for either Iraqi or Syrian populations must not be less than $500,000 and not be more than $3 million per year or they will be disqualified. Proposals for projects targeting both Syrian and Iraqi refugee populations must not be less than $1,000,000 and not more than $4,500,000 per year.

Lebanon: Project proposals must not be less than $500,000 and not be more than $3 million, per year or they will be disqualified. Proposals for projects targeting both Syrian and Iraqi refugee populations must not be less than $1,000,000 and not more than $4,500,000 per year.

Iraq – Syrian Refugees: Project proposals must not be less than $500,000 and not be more than $3 million, or they will be disqualified.

Iraq – IDPs: Project proposals must not be less than $500,000 and not be more than $3 million, or they will be disqualified.

Egypt: Project proposals must not be less than $200,000 and not be more than $500,000, or they will be disqualified.

Syria – Iraqi Refugees: Project proposals must not be less than $500,000 and not be more than $2 million, or they will be disqualified.

Applicants should submit a separate proposal for each country where they propose to conduct a program. In Iraq, applicants should submit separate proposals for refugee response and IDP response. No regional proposals will be considered.

As stated in PRM’s General NGO Guidelines, PRM looks favorably on cost-sharing efforts and seeks to support projects with a diverse donor base and/or resources from the submitting organization. The proposal budget should include a specific breakdown of funds being provided by UNHCR, other USG agencies, other donors, and your own organization.

Proposal Submission Requirements:

Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov

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 “New to PRM Funding” 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 “Applicant Resources” page on Grants.gov for complete details on requirements (http://test.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html).

Please note the following highlights:

• Do not wait until the last minute 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 up to two weeks to finalize registration (sometimes longer for non-U.S.-based NGOs to get the required registration numbers). To register with Grants.gov, organizations must first receive a DUNS number and register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov which can take weeks and sometimes months. We 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 partners must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which they have an active federal award or an application under consideration by PRM or any federal agency.
• Applications must be submitted under the authority of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) at the applicant organization. Having proposals submitted by agency headquarters helps to avoid possible technical problems.
• 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. 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, and had a service request opened to research the problem, should contact the relevant PRM Officer to determine whether an alternative method of submission is appropriate.
• Pursuant to U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001, stated on OMB Standard Form 424 (SF-424), the Department of State is authorized to consolidate the certifications and assurances required by Federal law or regulations for its federal assistance programs. The list of certifications and assurances can be found at: http://fa.statebuy.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=161menu_id=68 )

Proposal Content, Formatting and Template: This announcement is designed to accompany PRM’s General NGO Guidelines, which contain additional administrative information on proposal content and formatting, and explain in detail PRM’s NGO funding strategy and priorities. Please use both the General NGO Guidelines and this announcement to ensure that your proposal submission is in full compliance with PRM requirements and priorities. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in these guidelines will not be considered.

PRM strongly recommends using the proposal and budget templates that are available upon email request from PRM's NGO Coordinator. Please send an email, with the phrase “PRM NGO Templates” in the subject line, to PRM's NGO Coordinator.

Single-year proposals using PRM’s templates must be no more than 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. 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.

To be considered for PRM funding, organizations must submit a complete application package, including:

• Proposal reflecting objectives and indicators for each year of the program period;
• Budget and budget narrative for each year of the program period;
• Signed completed SF-424.

In addition, proposal submissions to PRM should include the following information.

• 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 project.
• To increase PRM’s ability to track the impact of PRM funding, include specific information on locations of projects and beneficiaries (GPS coordinates if possible).
• Proposals should 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 project 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.
• The budget should include a specific breakdown of funds being provided by UNHCR, other USG agencies, other donors, and your own organization. PRM strongly encourages multilateral support for humanitarian programs.
• In FY 2014, PRM is asking applicants whose proposals address gender-based violence (GBV) through their projects to estimate the total cost of these activities as a separate line item in their proposed budgets. PRM’s budget template document has been updated to reflect this new requirement.
• Gender analysis (See above. Required before an award can be made).
• Copy of the organization’s Code of Conduct (required before an award can be made).
• Copy of the organization’s Security Plan (required before an award can be made).
• Proposals and budgets should include details of any sub-agreements associated with the program.
• Most recent Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable.
• NGOs that have not received PRM funding since the U.S. government fiscal year ending September 30, 2004 must be prepared to demonstrate that they meet the financial and accounting requirements of the U.S. government by submitting copies of 1) the most recent external financial audit, 2) proof of non-profit tax status including under IRS 501 (c)(3), as applicable, 3) a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, and 4) an Employer ID (EIN)/Federal Tax Identification number.
• Organizations that received PRM funding in FY 2013 for activities that are being proposed for funding under this announcement must include the most recent quarterly progress report against indicators outlined in the cooperative agreement. If an organization’s last quarterly report was submitted more than six weeks prior to the submission of a proposal in response to this funding announcement, the organization must include, with its most recent quarterly report, updates that show any significant progress made on objectives since the last report.

Multi-Year Funding: Applicants proposing multi-year programs should adhere to the following guidance:

Applicants may submit proposals that include multi-year strategies presented in 12-month cycles for a period not to exceed 24 months from the proposed start date. Fully developed programs with detailed budgets, objectives and indicators are required for each year of activities. These can be updated yearly upon submission of continuation applications. Applicants should note that they may use PRM’s recommended multi-year proposal template for this application, which is different from the single year template. Multi-year funding applicants may also use PRM’s standard budget template and should submit a separate budget sheet for each project year. Multi-year proposals using PRM’s templates must be no more than 30 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 25 pages in length. Organizations may choose to attach work plans, activity calendars, and/or logical frameworks as addendums/appendices to the proposal. These attachments do not count toward the page limit total.

Multi-year applications selected for funding by PRM will be funded in 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 continuation application and will be contingent upon available funding, strong performance, and continuing need. Continuation applications must be submitted by the organization no later than 90 days before the proposed start date of the new award (e.g., if the next project period is to begin on September 1, submit your application by June 1). Continuation applications are submitted in lieu of responding to PRM’s published call for proposals for those activities. Late continuation applications will jeopardize continued funding.

Organizations can request multi-year funding and continuation application templates by emailing PRM's NGO Coordinator with the phrase “PRM NGO Templates” in the subject line.

Reports and Reporting Requirements:

Organizations will be required to submit Program and Financial Reports throughout the course of the program period and at its end. Please Review Section 5 of General NGO Guidelines.

Proposal Review Process: PRM will conduct a formal competitive review of all proposals submitted in response to this funding announcement. A review panel will evaluate submissions based on the above-referenced proposal criteria and PRM priorities in the context of available funding.

PRM may request revised proposals and/or budgets based on feedback from the panel. PRM will provide formal notifications to NGOs of final decisions taken by Bureau management.

Assistance Award Provision – SPOT: The following provisions will be included in the Bureau specific component of the Notice of Award for performance in a designated combat area (currently Iraq and Afghanistan). Recipients are required to include this provision in any sub-grant awards or agreements.

SPECIAL PROVISION FOR PERFORMANCE IN A DESIGNATED COMBAT AREA (CURRENTLY IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN) (Revised January 2011)

All recipient personnel deploying to areas of combat operations, as designated by the Secretary of Defense (currently Iraq and Afghanistan), under grants over $100,000 or performance over 30 days must register in the Department of Defense maintained Synchronized Pre-deployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) system. Recipients of federal assistance awards shall register in SPOT before deployment, or if already in the designated operational area, register upon becoming an employee under the assistance award and maintain current data in SPOT. Information on how to register in SPOT is available from your Grants Officer or Grants Officer Representative.

Recipients must enter all U.S. and Third Country National (TCN) personnel into SPOT. If the Recipient has concerns about the safety of locally hired Iraqi or Afghan personnel because of personal data entered into SPOT, arrangements may be made with the Grants Officer or the Grants Officer Representative to report anonymous aggregate data.

Locally-hired Iraqi or Afghan personnel can be added anonymously through the use of the aggregate count template except as noted in the following paragraph.

Recipients utilizing personnel who are performing a private security function; are performing duties as a translator or interpreter; require access to U.S. facilities, services, or support; or desire consideration for refugee or special immigrant status under the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act of 2007 (subtitle C of title XII of Public Law 110–181) must be entered into SPOT individually with all required personal information. If a locally-hired Iraqi or Afghan national falls into one of these categories, the Recipient must enter all of the required identification data into SPOT.

When the Grantee is ready to enter locally-hired individuals using the Aggregate Count method, the Grantee will notify the Grants Officer who will contact the Department SPOT Program Manager (A/LM/AQM) to obtain the “Aggregate Count” template. The Grantee will complete the “Aggregate Count” template and return to the SPOT Program Manager who will ensure that aggregate counts are loaded into SPOT. The Grantee SPOT Administrator is responsible for updating the aggregate locally hired national count on a quarterly basis by providing updated information via the “Aggregate Count” As template to the GOR/GO for each award who will forward to the Department SPOT Program Manager for SPOT entry.

Recipient performance may require the use of armed private security personnel. To the extent that such private security contractors (PSCs) are required, grantees are required to ensure they adhere to Chief of Mission (COM) policies and procedures regarding the operation, oversight, and accountability of PSCs. In a designated area of combat operations, the term PSC includes any personnel providing protection of the personnel, facilities, property of a grantee or sub-grantee at any level, or performing any other activity for which personnel are required to carry weapons in the performance of their duties.

As specific COM policies and procedures may differ in scope and applicability, recipients of federal assistance awards are advised to review post policies and procedures carefully in this regard and direct any questions to the Embassy Regional Security Office (RSO) via the Grants Officer Representative (GOR). Any exclusion to these policies must be granted by the COM via the RSO. COM policies and procedures may be obtained from the RSO via the GOR. Recipients of federal assistance awards are also advised that these policies and procedures may be amended from time to time at the post in response to changing circumstances.

Recipients of federal assistance awards are advised that adherence to these policies and procedures are considered to be a material requirement of their grant.

Recipients of federal assistance awards are reminded that only the Grants Officer has the authority to modify the Notice of Award. Recipients shall proceed with any security guidance provided by the RSO, but shall advise the Grants Officer and the GOR of the guidance received and any potential cost or schedule impact.

Applicant Vetting as a Condition of Award: Applicants for projects in Lebanon are advised that successful passing of vetting to evaluate the risk that funds may benefit terrorists or their supporters is a condition of award. Applicants may be asked to submit information required by DS Form 4184, Risk Analysis Information about their company and its principal personnel. Vetting information is also required for all sub-award performance on assistance awards identified by DOS as presenting a risk of terrorist financing. When vetting information is requested by the Grants Officer, information may be submitted on the secure web portal at https://ramportal.state.gov, via email to RAM@state.gov, or hardcopy to the Grants Officer. Questions about the form may be emailed to RAM@state.gov. Failure to submit information when requested, or failure to pass vetting, may be grounds for rejecting your proposal. The following clause shall be included in Section 9, Special Award Conditions, or as an addendum to the solicitation, whenever assistance is awarded after vetting:

• Recipient Vetting after Award: Recipients shall advise the Grants Officer of any changes in personnel listed in the DS Form 4184, Risk Analysis Information, and shall provide vetting information on new individuals. The government reserves the right to vet these personnel changes and to terminate assistance awards for convenience based on vetting results.

Branding and Marking Strategy: Unless exceptions have been approved by the designated bureau Authorizing Official as described in the proposal templates that are available upon email request from PRM's NGO Coordinator, at a minimum, the following provision will be included whenever assistance is awarded:

• As a condition of receipt of this assistance award, all materials produced pursuant to the award, including training materials, materials for recipients or materials to communicate or promote with foreign audiences a program, event, project, or some other activity under this agreement, including but not limited to invitations to events, press materials, event backdrops, podium signs, etc. must be marked appropriately with the standard U.S. flag in a size and prominence equal to (or greater than) any other logo or identity. Sub-recipients and subsequent tier sub-award agreements are subject to the marking requirements and the recipient shall include a provision in the sub-recipient agreement indicating that the standard, rectangular U.S. flag is a requirement. In the event the recipient 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.

PRM Points of Contact: Should NGOs have technical questions related to this announcement, they should contact the PRM staff listed below prior to proposal submission. Please note that responses to technical questions from PRM do not indicate a commitment to fund the program discussed.

For Procedural Questions: Please contact PRM’s NGO Coordinator: PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov

PRM Washington-based Contacts

PRM Field-based Contacts