HomeFunding Opportunity Announcements...FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees and Vulnerable Populations in Mali, Mauritania, and Niger

# 									FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees and Vulnerable Populations in Mali, Mauritania, and Niger							

Funding Opportunity Announcement

April 5, 2022

### Download Notice [424 KB]

**Funding Opportunity Number:** SFOP0008700

**Assistance Listings (CFDA) number:**

19.517 – Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa

**Announcement issuance date:** Monday, March 14, 2022

**Proposal submission deadline:**  Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT.

**Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.**

Anticipated timeframe to award for selected proposals:  Pending the availability of funds, PRM anticipates, but cannot guarantee, that awards will be made less than six months from the proposal submission deadline.

**ADVISORY:** All applicants must submit application packages through the website Grants.gov.  PRM strongly recommends submitting your application packages early to allow time to address any technical difficulties that may arise on the Grants.gov website.

If you are new to PRM funding, the Grants.gov registration process can be complicated.  We urge you to refer to PRM’s General NGO Guidelines “Application Process” section for information and resources to help ensure that the application process runs smoothly.  PRM also strongly encourages organizations that have received funding from PRM in the past to read this section as a refresher.

PRM strongly recommends application packages be submitted in Adobe PDF, as Microsoft Word documents may sometimes produce different page lengths based on software versions and configurations when transmitted.  Exceeding page length limits, including through the inclusion of cover pages, will result in disqualification.  All documents must be in English and should avoid the use of jargon and should spell out all acronyms upon first use.

Organizations can request copies of all PRM-recommended templates and NGO guidelines, by emailing PRM’s NGO Coordinator with only the phrase **PRM NGO Templates** (exactly as written in bold) in the subject line, to PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov. Organizations will receive an automated email reply containing the templates.

**COVID-19:** PRM recognizes the difficult circumstances under which organizations are currently operating because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will take them into consideration in application package reviews. To the extent possible, organizations should address how COVID-19 and resulting risks, restrictions and limitations will factor into their designated programs and attempt to ensure that proposed indicators and activities can be implemented under the challenging circumstances created by the COVID-19 response.

**Security:**  PRM recognizes the insecurity in the region presents context specific challenges to the operating environment in some areas, including threats to staff safety, limited access to beneficiaries, inability to conduct on-site monitoring, and impacts on implementation of certain program activities (i.e., suspension or other related delays). PRM realizes precarious security situations where beneficiaries are hosted may pose risks (reputational, financial, institutional, etc.). If applicable, organizations should address security challenges and resulting risks; mitigation measures; robust M&E plans that detail enhanced measures including remote/virtual options to ensure adequate accountability and tracking of proposed activities; how restrictions and limitations will factor into their designated programs; and how they will ensure proposed indicators and activities remain on track.

## Program Description

### Summary

This announcement references PRM’s General NGO Guidelines, which contain additional information on PRM’s priorities and NGO funding strategy with which selected organizations must comply.  Please use both the General NGO Guidelines and this announcement to ensure that your submission is in full compliance with PRM requirements and that the proposed activities are in line with PRM’s priorities.  Submissions that do not reflect the requirements outlined in these guidelines will not be considered.

### Geographic Regions / Populations

Proposed activities must primarily support refugees, in addition to local hosting populations and/or other conflict victims affected by the displacement crisis in Mali, Mauritania, or Niger. Because of PRM’s mandate to provide protection, assistance, and sustainable solutions for refugees and victims of conflict, PRM will consider funding only those programs that include a target beneficiary base of at least 50 percent refugees and/or refugee returnees in the countries listed in this Notice for Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

All proposed programs should target the most vulnerable and underserved groups among the population(s) of concern. Such groups may include, but are not limited to, children, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals; older persons; the sick; persons with disabilities; indigenous persons; and survivors, or those at risk, of gender-based violence. Programs must demonstrate what steps have been taken to meet the specific and unique protection and assistance needs of these vulnerable groups effectively.

### Program Area

Proposals must align with one or more of the following program areas.
        - Humanitarian Protection and Assistance
        - Interim and Durable Solutions

### Program Sectors and Modalities

Proposals must focus on one or more of the following programmatic sectors (see PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for sector descriptions).
        - Capacity Building: Local Governments
        - Education
        - Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
        - Protection: Child Protection
        - Protection: GBV
        - Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH)

COVID-19:  Proposed activities may also support prevention and response to the health impacts of COVID-19 on populations of concern (POCs) as well as the humanitarian aid workers who serve them. Proposed COVID-19 activities should aim to mitigate and/or address the economic, education, and/or protection impacts of COVID-19, efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from setbacks in accessing education due to COVID-19.  Proposals requesting COVID-19 funding should address a demonstrated gap in one or more the program areas listed above and must follow the parameters as defined in the country-specific guidelines described below.  Please note that proposals must disaggregate COVID-19 activities within all submitted documents, including separate COVID-19 objectives, indicators, and budget lines.

Note: In order to ensure greater accountability for protection outcomes, all overseas assistance program proposals must include the following protection outcome indicator under one of the objectives: Percentage of beneficiaries who report an improved sense of safety and well-being at the end of the program, disaggregated by age and gender.  See NGO Guidelines in section A.C.1. of Appendix C for more details.)

Cash and Voucher Assistance programs must include the relevant indicator(s) from the selection contained in the NGO Guidelines.

### Number of Proposal Applications

Organizations may submit a maximum of one application per country (a total of three individual applications).  Regional or multi-country proposals will be disqualified.  Any subsequent submissions received will be disqualified.  (Note: Submissions by organizations as part of a consortium do not count toward an individual organization’s submission limit.)

### Country-specific Guidelines

#### Mali Country-Specific Guidance

##### General Guidance:

Proposed activities should demonstrate alignment with existing refugee response plans as well as coordination with UNHCR, the Malian government, and other coordinating bodies such as relevant national and regional clusters in planning, implementation, and reporting on the response to the needs of refugees.  Programs should seek to increase the capacity of national and local organizations and/or government institutions to address refugee, former refugee, and asylum seeker needs while avoiding the creation of refugee-specific parallel service.  Applicants should outline measures taken to limit the environmental impacts and promote an eco-friendly approach across their project and operations.  In addition, proposed programs should reflect consultations with refugee, internally displaced person (IDP), and host community beneficiaries.

Proposed activities must support Nigerien refugees and/or Burkinabe refugees in eastern and/or central Mali, specifically in the regions of Gao and Menaka.  Organizations are not required to work with both Burkinabe and Nigerien refugees in Mali –proposed activities must benefit both or either of the two refugee populations.  Proposed activities can include refugees, Malian refugee returnees, IDP, and local host populations, provided that Burkinabe and/or Nigerien refugees are the target and overwhelmingly represented population, constituting at a bare minimum 50 percent of the target beneficiary base in one or more of the following areas of intervention:
        - Gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response: Priority will be given to programs in Gao and Menaka that include components of awareness raising, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and security and socio-economic reintegration mechanisms. GBV initiatives should be community based and be designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable refugees, such as those with special needs and other marginalized groups.

**For COVID-19 Activities in Mali:** Proposals may include requests for COVID-19 related activities that mitigate and address the protection impacts, including but not limited to safe access to GBV protection services, and/or provision of MHPSS for POCs as well as the health and humanitarian aid workers who serve them.  COVID-19 activities are dependent upon funding availability and proposals must disaggregate COVID-19 activities within all submitted documents, including separate COVID-19 objectives, indicators, and budget lines.

In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Mali funding, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:

##### Duration of Activity

Program plans for up to two years will be considered.

##### Period of Performance

Programs period of performance of 12 or 24 months will be considered.

##### Funding Limits

Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than the funding ceiling per year or they will be disqualified.
        - Funding floor per year (lowest $ value): $400,000 per year
        - Funding ceiling per year (highest $ value): $700,000 per year or up to $1,000,000 per year for proposals that include COVID-19 related activities (pending availability of funds)

Note:  Funding ceilings and floors pertain to the PRM cost per year.

#### Mauritania Country-Specific Guidance

**General Guidance:**  Proposed activities should demonstrate alignment with existing refugee response plans as well as coordination with UNHCR, the Mauritanian government, and other coordinating bodies in planning, implementation, and reporting on the response to the needs of refugees.  Programs should seek to increase the capacity of national and local organizations and/or government institutions to address refugee, former refugee, and asylum seeker needs while avoiding the creation of refugee-specific parallel service.  Applicants should outline measures taken to limit the environmental impacts and promote an eco-friendly approach across their project and operations.  In addition, proposed programs should reflect consultations with refugee and host community beneficiaries.

Proposed activities must support Malian refugees in and around Mbera camp and local host populations in Bassikounou Department, provided refugees constitute at least 50 percent of the target beneficiary base, in one or more of the following areas of intervention:
        - Secondary Education
        - Child Protection: Priority will be given to programs that include a component on MHPSS.

**For COVID-19 Activities in Mauritania:**

Prospective partners may submit proposals with COVID-19 related activities relevant to the aforementioned sectors.  Secondary education proposals may include COVID-19 related activities that mitigate, address, and/or recover from setbacks in accessing education due to COVID-19.  Child protection proposals may include COVID-19 related activities that mitigate and/or address child protection impacts of COVID-19.  COVID-19 activities are dependent upon funding availability and proposals must disaggregate COVID-19 activities within all submitted documents, including separate COVID-19 objectives, indicators, and budget lines.

In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Mauritania funding, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:

##### Duration of Activity

Program plans for up to three years will be considered.

##### Period of Performance

Programs period of performance of 12, 24, or 36 months will be considered.

##### Funding Limits

Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than the funding ceiling per year or they will be disqualified.
        - Funding floor per year (lowest $ value): $400,000 per year
        - Funding ceiling per year (highest $ value): $1,000,000 per year or up to $1,500,000 per year for proposals that include COVID-19 related activities (pending availability of funds)

Note:  Funding ceilings and floors pertain to the PRM cost per year.

#### Niger Country-Specific Guidance

##### **General Guidance:**

Proposed activities should demonstrate alignment with existing refugee response plans as well as coordination with UNHCR, the Nigerien government, and other coordinating bodies in planning, implementation, and reporting on the response to the needs of refugees.  Programs should seek to increase the capacity of national and local organizations and/or government institutions to address refugee, former refugee, and asylum seeker needs while avoiding the creation of refugee-specific parallel service.  Applicants should outline measures taken to limit the environmental impacts and promote an eco-friendly approach across their project and operations.  In addition, proposed programs should reflect consultations with refugee, IDP, and host community beneficiaries.

Proposed activities must support Malian and/or Burkinabe refugees in Tillaberi and Tahoua regions and/or Nigerian refugees in Diffa region.  Organizations are not required to work with both Malian and Nigerian refugees in Niger –proposed activities may benefit both or either of the two refugee populations but must include at least one of these populations.  Host communities, internally displaced people, refugee returnees, and other victims of conflict can be included, provided that refugees are the target and overwhelmingly represented population, constituting at a bare minimum 50 percent of the beneficiary base.

Applicants should submit one proposal for Niger activities, in one or more of the following interventions as outlined below.  The following sub-sections breakdown the country-specific provisions for Niger programming by refugee population and regional location.

##### For refugees in Tillaberi/Tahoua:

Proposals must focus on Malian and/or Burkinabe refugees living in camps or those who have transitioned or are in the process of transitioning out of camps as part of UNHCR “urbanization” efforts.  An emphasis should be placed on prioritizing populations with special needs, enhancing community mobilization, strengthening peaceful coexistence, and increasing local capacity. Proposals may focus on one or more of the following areas of intervention:
        - Primary Education: Priority will be given to education programs that support sustainable and local efforts to bridge the primary education gap created by insecurity by enhancing the capacity of existing schools and establishing new educational opportunities.
        - WASH: Priority will be given to programs that, in coordination with UNHCR, bridge critical gaps in the WASH response in and around Ouallam, Abala, and Ayorou.

**For COVID-19 Activities in Tillaberi/Tahoua:**  Prospective partners may submit proposals with COVID-19 related activities relevant to the aforementioned sectors. Primary education proposals may include COVID-19 related activities that mitigate, address, and/or recover from setbacks in accessing education due to COVID-19.  WASH proposals may include COVID-19 related activities that focus on prevention as part of the WASH sectors. COVID-19 activities are dependent upon funding availability and proposals must disaggregate COVID-19 activities within all submitted documents, including separate COVID-19 objectives, indicators, and budget lines.

In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Tillaberi/Tahoua (Malian population) funding, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:

##### Duration of Activity

Program plans for up to three years will be considered.

##### Period of Performance

Programs period of performance of 12, 24, or 36 months will be considered.

##### Funding Limits

Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than the funding ceiling per year or they will be disqualified.
        - Funding floor per year (lowest $ value): $400,000 per year
        - Funding ceiling per year (highest $ value): $1,000,000 per year or up to $1,500,000 per year for proposals that include COVID-19 related activities (pending availability of funds)

**Note:**  Funding ceilings and floors pertain to the PRM cost per year.

##### Nigerian refugees in Diffa:

Proposals must focus on Nigerian refugees living in or outside of camps.  Programs should also demonstrate how proposed activities intend to benefit affected host communities, IDPs, and other conflict victims, including Nigerien returnees, displaced by the conflict in Northeast Nigeria.  Planning should present an analysis of the impact of potential Nigerian refugee returns on the sustainability of the programing.  Proposals may focus on one or more of the following areas of intervention:
        - Protection:  Priority will be given to programs that address           - child protection, including attention to special needs and community mobilization, and
          - GBV prevention and response, with a focus on community-based initiatives, awareness raising, and strengthening security and socio-economic mechanisms. 
        - WASH

For COVID-19 Activities in Diffa:  Prospective partners may submit proposals with COVID-19 related activities relevant to the aforementioned sectors.  WASH proposals may include COVID-19 related activities that focus on prevention as part of the WASH sectors.  Child protection proposals may include COVID-19 related activities that mitigate and/or address child protection impacts of COVID-19.  COVID-19 activities are dependent upon funding availability and proposals must disaggregate COVID-19 activities within all submitted documents, including separate COVID-19 objectives, indicators, and budget lines.

In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for Diffa only funding, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:

##### Duration of Activity

Program plans for up to three years will be considered.

##### Period of Performance

Programs period of performance of 12, 24, or 36 months will be considered.

##### Funding Limits

Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than the funding ceiling per year or they will be disqualified.
        - Funding floor per year (lowest $ value): $400,000 per year
        - Funding ceiling per year (highest $ value): $800,000 per year or $1,200,000 per year for proposals that include COVID-19 related activities (pending availability of funds)

**Note:** Funding ceilings and floors pertain to the PRM cost per year.

##### For Multiple Refugee Populations in Niger:

Proposed activities may benefit multiple refugee populations.  Proposals must focus on Malian and Nigerian refugees in the aforementioned regions and areas of interventions, as specified above.  Proposed program activities must follow the specifications and guidelines, as provided above.
        - Refer to the above provisions regarding areas of interventions by population and location. Proposed sectors should align with the specific provisions as outline above, as they relate to programs for the Malian and Nigerian refugee populations in Niger.

In addition, in order to be considered a competitive proposal for funding activities benefitting both Malian and Nigerian populations in Niger, narratives and budgets must adhere to the following guidelines:

##### Duration of Activity

Program plans for up to three years will be considered.

##### Period of Performance

Programs period of performance of 12, 24, or 36 months will be considered.

##### Funding Limits

Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than the funding ceiling per year or they will be disqualified.
        - Funding floor per year (lowest $ value): $800,000 per year
        - Funding ceiling per year (highest $ value): $1,400,000 per year or $2,000,000 per year for proposals that include COVID-19 related activities (pending availability of funds)

**Note:** Funding ceilings and floors pertain to the PRM cost per year.

###### Anticipated Number of Awards

PRM anticipates, but makes no guarantee, to fund as many as 4 awards (1 for Mali, 1 for Mauritania, and 2 for Niger) through this announcement.

##### Anticipated Amount to be Awarded Total

PRM anticipates, but makes no guarantee, to award up to approximately $3,500,000, total through this NOFO.  Additional funds for COVID-19 related activities will depend on funding availability.

## Federal Award Information

        - Proposed program start dates:  September 1, 2022
        - Duration of Activity:  See country-specific guidelines above.  Applicants may submit multi-year proposals with activities and budgets that do not exceed three years from the proposed start date.  Actual awards will not exceed three years in duration and activities and budgets submitted in year one can be revised/updated each year.  Continued funding after the initial 12 month period of performance requires the submission of a noncompeting single proposal and will be contingent upon available funding, strong performance, and continuing need.  In funding a program one year, PRM makes no representations that it will continue to fund the program in successive years and encourages applicants to seek a wide array of donors to ensure long-term funding possibilities.  Please see Multi-Year Funding section below for additional information.  Anticipated Amount to be Awarded Total:  See country-specific guidelines above.

## Eligibility Information

### Eligible Applicants:

        - Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education (S.-based NGOs must be able to demonstrate proof of non-profit tax status);
        - Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education (overseas-based NGOs must be able to demonstrate proof of registration in country of domicile); and
        - International Organizations. International multilateral organizations, such as United Nations agencies, should not submit proposals through gov in response to this NOFO.  Multilateral organizations that are seeking funding for programs relevant to this announcement should contact the PRM Program Officer (as listed below) on or before the closing date of the funding announcement.

**Cost Sharing or Matching:**  Cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not a requirement of an application in response to this funding announcement.

Proposals for consideration should describe the sources and amounts of additional funding that may be utilized to complement PRM funding, and meet the following criteria;
        - Are not paid by the Federal Government under another Federal award;
        - Are verifiable from the non-Federal entity’s records;
        - Are not included as contributions for any other Federal award; and
        - Are necessary and reasonable for accomplishment of project or program objectives.

Please include this information in the Budget Summary, Budget Detail, and Budget Narrative of the proposal, and separated from the PRM share of the proposed budget.

**Note:** Though favorably looked upon, such will not result in a competitive ranking increase when evaluated.

## Other Proposal Information

Proposals must have a concrete implementation plan with well-conceived objectives and indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and reliable, time-bound, and trackable (SMART), have established baselines, and include at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective; objectives should be clearly linked to the sectors.

Proposals must adhere to relevant international standards for humanitarian assistance, especially Sphere Standards.  See PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for a complete list of sector-specific standards including guidance on proposals for programs in urban areas.

PRM strongly encourages programs that target the needs of vulnerable and underserved groups among the beneficiary population (such groups may include: women; children; adolescents; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals; older persons; the sick; persons with disabilities; and members of minority communities) and can demonstrate what steps have been taken to meet the specific and unique protection and assistance needs of these vulnerable groups effectively.

PRM will accept proposals from any NGO working in the above mentioned sectors although, given budgetary constraints, priority will be given to proposals from organizations that can demonstrate:
        - a working relationship with UNHCR;
        - a proven track record in providing proposed assistance both in the sector and specified location;
        - evidence of coordination with international organizations (IOs) and other NGOs working in the same area or sector as well as – where possible – local authorities;
        - an emphasis on the outcome or impact of program activities;
        - a strong sustainability plan, involving local capacity building, where feasible;
        - where applicable, adherence to PRM’s  Principles for Refugee Protection in Urban Areas ;
        - an understanding of and sensitivity to conflict dynamics in the program location.

## Application and Submission Instructions

**A. Address to Request Application Package:** Application packages may be downloaded from the website Grants.gov.

**B. Consortia:** Organizations may apply to this call as part of a consortia; however, for consortia, one organization must be designated as the lead applicant.

For purposes of consortia applying for PRM funding, PRM’s considers consortium to be a group of no less than three NGOs that comprise an agreement, combination, or group formed to undertake, or proposing to undertake, an assistance activity beyond the resources of any one member.  PRM may request to review and approve of substantive provisions of proposed sub-awards. Applicants may form consortia in order to bring together organizations with varied expertise to propose a comprehensive program in one proposal. The consortium arrangement may allow for greater geographic coverage, inclusion of technical and sectoral strengths from multiple organizations, increased inclusion of local and national organizations, and/or the potential of much greater impact through collaboration.

Submissions by organizations as part of a consortium do not count toward an organization’s individual submission limit.  If the applicant is applying as a consortium, a description of how the consortia will be organized and how lines of authority and decision-making will be managed across all team members and between the lead applicant and associate awardees should be included in the concept note.  The prime applicant would be responsible for overall implementation of the proposed program activities, preparation/presentation of annual work plans, M&E planning, and required reporting to PRM.  The prime applicant should designate a single individual to be the liaison with PRM, although PRM would reserve the right to communicate with sub-grantees.

**C. Content and Form of Application:** Organizations may submit a maximum of one proposal(s) per country only.  Any subsequent submissions received will be disqualified.  PRM strongly recommends using the proposal and budget templates that are available upon email request from PRM’s NGO Coordinator.  Organizations request copies of all PRM-recommended templates and NGO guidelines, by emailing PRM’s NGO Coordinator with only the phrase PRM NGO Templates (exactly as written in bold) in the subject line, to PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov. Organizations will receive an automated email reply containing the templates.

**Single-Year Proposals:**
        - Single-year program proposal page limits:  Single-year proposals using PRM’s templates must not exceed 15 pages in length (Times New Roman 12 point font, letter sized paper, one inch margins on all sides).  If the applicant does not use PRM’s recommended templates, proposals must not exceed 10 pages in length.  Organizations may choose to attach work plans, activity calendars, and/or logical frameworks as addendums/appendices to the proposal, but are not required to do so.  These attachments do not count toward the page limit total; however, 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.  For multi-year funding application instructions, see section (e) below.  Proposals exceeding the page limit will not be considered.           - PRM strongly recommends application packages be submitted in Adobe PDF, as Microsoft Word documents may sometimes produce different page lengths based on software versions and configurations.
          - Exceeding page length limits, including through the inclusion of cover pages, will result in disqualification.
          - All documents must be in English and should avoid the use of jargon and should spell out all acronyms upon first use. 

**Multi-Year Proposals:**
        - Applicants proposing multi-year programs should adhere to the following guidance: Applicants may submit proposals that include multi-year strategies presented in one year (12 month) cycles for a period not to exceed three years (36 months) from the proposed start date. Fully developed programs with detailed budgets, objectives and indicators are required for each year of activities.  Applicants should use PRM’s recommended multi-year proposal template for the first year of a multi-year application.
        - Multi-year funding applicants may use PRM’s budget summary and separate budget detail templates, and should disaggregate budget by year, per year, and for each program year. Multi-year proposal narratives and budgets can be updated yearly upon submission of new noncompeting single year proposal narrative template with an updated budget.
        - Multi-year program proposal page limits:  Multi-year proposals using PRM’s multi-year template must not exceed 20 pages in length (Times New Roman 12 point font, letter sized paper, one inch margins on all sides).  If the applicant does not use PRM’s recommended templates, proposals must not exceed 15 pages in length.  Organizations may choose to attach work plans, activity calendars, and/or logical frameworks as addendums/appendices to the proposal, but are not required to do so.  These attachments do not count toward the page limit total however annexes cannot be relied upon as a key source of program information.  The proposal narrative must be able to stand on its own in the application process.  Proposals exceeding the page limit will not be considered.           - PRM strongly recommends application packages be submitted in Adobe PDF, as Microsoft Word documents may sometimes produce different page lengths based on software versions and configurations.
          - Exceeding page length limits, including through the inclusion of cover pages, will result in disqualification.
          - All documents must be in English and should avoid the use of jargon and should spell out all acronyms upon first use. 
        - Multi-year applications selected for funding by PRM will be funded in one year (12- month) increments based on the proposal submitted in the initial application as approved by PRM. Continued funding after the initial 12-month award requires the submission of a noncompeting single-year proposal narrative and will be contingent upon available funding, strong performance, and continuing need.  Follow-on applications are submitted annually for years two through three of proposals through non-competed directed announcements for the continuation funding.  It is strongly recommended that NGOs submit as early as possible after the directed announcement for continuation funding has been issued. Late submissions will jeopardize continued funding.
        - In the proposal narrative, please include an explanation of why multi-year funding may be necessary for this program to succeed, how longer periods of consultation with beneficiary populations will inform programming and enable interventions to be studied and improved, and how the proposed activities in year one will contribute to outcomes and impacts in years two and three. Please, articulate and quantify cost efficiencies that could not otherwise be attained through single year programs as well.

### Application Package

To be considered for PRM funding, organizations **must** submit a complete application package, including:
        - Proposal Narrative including objectives and indicators for each year of the program period, not exceeding the page limits above. PRM now requires a specific outcome indicator to be included in each program application.  Please see NGO Guidelines for more details.
        - Budget Summary           - Disaggregated by year and for each year of the program period (for multi-year proposals). 
        - Budget Detail           - Disaggregated by year and for each year of the program period (for multi-year proposals).
          - Include total costs by objective and estimated costs by sector,
          - Total costs divided by country (if applicable)
          - Organizations can request both Budget Summary and separate Budget Detail templates as well as others via PRM NGO Coordinator’s email  PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov  with only the phrase PRM NGO Templates (exactly as written in bold) in the subject line. Organizations will receive an automated email reply containing the templates. 
        - Budget Narrative  disaggregated by year and for each year  of the program period.
        - Completed and signed SF-424 andSF-424A. PRM requires that Box 21 of the SF-424 be checked.           - Form SF-424B is required only for those applicants who have not registered in  SAM.gov  or recertified their registration in  SAM.gov  since February 2, 2019 and completed the online representations and certifications. The SF-424 family forms are available for download on Grants.gov. 
        - Risk Analysis (separate from Proposal Narrative and from the Security Plan).
        - Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Code of Conduct           - Consistent with the 2019 six IASC Principles and that there is a country or regional implementation plan specific to the country or region of the application, if applicable.
          - (See NGO Guidelines for more details). 
        - Security Plan.
        - Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Organization Framework           - Note: The AAP section of a NOFO proposal narrative is specific to the program being proposed and is distinct from the organization-level AAP framework requirement listed here, which is a separate document. 
        - Key Personnel for award applicant and sub-recipient(s)           - Applicants must furnish names, titles, and brief biographical information on the education and experience of key personnel in implementing the program and key supervisory personnel; (i.e., the members of the professional staff in a program supervisory position engaged for or assigned to duties under the award). 
        - A Market Analysis and a Beneficiary Competency/Capacity Assessment for all proposals that include at least one livelihoods sector objective (or will be disqualified), if applicable. Please see the  General NGO Guidelines  for more details.
        - Most recent Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable, or a de minimis rate calculation of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) if the applicant is eligible and elects to use the de minimis  rate .
        - Most recent external audit report is required prior to issuance of an award, if proposal is chosen for implementation.
        - Information in support of any cost-sharing/cost-matching arrangements, if applicable.
        - Information detailing the source of any in-kind contributions, if applicable.
        - Details on any sub-agreements associated with the program including the budget detail (must be part of the budget submission as noted above), if applicable.

Additionally, organizations **must** consider the following considerations as part of their proposal package:
        - To be considered a competitive proposal, the Proposal Narrative and Budget Detail 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 program.
          - PRM requires a specific outcome indicator be included in each proposal measuring the sense of safety and well-being of beneficiaries. Baseline and end of program surveys should be used to measure the indicator.  Please see the  NGO Guidelines  for more details.
          - Include specific information on locations of programs and beneficiaries (GPS coordinates highly recommended) to increase PRM’s ability to track the impact of PRM funding.
          - Outline how the NGO will acknowledge PRM funding. If an organization believes that publicly acknowledging the receipt of USG funding for a particular PRM-funded program could potentially endanger the lives of the beneficiaries and/or the organization staff, invite suspicion about the organization’s motives, or alienate the organization from the population it is trying to help, it must provide a brief explanation in its proposal as to why it should be exempted from this requirement.
          - PRM expects each proposal, regardless of sector, to demonstrate protection mainstreaming, including by identifying potential protection risks associated with the program and how they will be mitigated. Assistance activities should mainstream protection by analyzing the protection risks in relation to each specific programming sector.  An analysis of the risks should inform how assistance is designed to minimize them and maximize protection of beneficiaries.  Applicants may introduce gender-specific risks in this section but should provide a full analysis in the gender analysis.
          - PRM partners must complete a gender analysis in the proposal narrative that briefly explains:             - experiences of men, women, boys, and girls with a focus on the different familial roles, community privileges, and gender dynamics within the target population;
            - associated risks and threats experienced by women, girls, and other vulnerable populations based on their gender;
            - power imbalances and needs that arise based on gender inequalities that exist within the family or community; and
            - proposed responses that will address the above and mitigate any gender differences in access, participation, or decision-making that may be experienced by at-risk groups, particularly women and girls. The gender analysis should aim to specify and target specific at-risk sub-populations of women and girls, such as women and girl heads of households, out-of-school girls, women and girls with disabilities, women and girl survivors of violence, married girls, adolescent mothers, as well as people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTQI+), and those who are often unaware of and excluded from programs and services and who may be the hardest to reach based on their gender. 
          - The budget should include a specific breakdown of funds being provided by UNHCR, other USG agencies, other donors, and your own organization.
          - Applicants whose proposals address gender-based violence (GBV) through their programs must estimate the total cost of these activities as a separate line item in their proposed budgets (see PRM’s budget template). Proposals and budgets must include details of any sub-agreements associated with the programs.
          - For consortia only, a description of how the partnership will be organized and how lines of authority and decision-making will be managed across all team members and between the lead applicant and associate awardees should be included in the proposal. 

**D. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number / Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)**

Each applicant is required to:
        - be registered in  SAM  before submitting its application;
        - provide a valid DUNS/UEI number in its application; and
        - continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active PRM award or an application or plan under consideration by PRM.

No federal award may be made to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the PRM award is ready to be made, PRM may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a PRM award and use that determination as a basis for making a PRM award to another applicant.

**Note: Starting on April 4, 2022, the DUNS Number will be replaced by a “new, non-proprietary identifier” requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). This new identifier is being called the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). For more information on the process, visit GSA’s website on the UEI transition.**

E. **Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov.** Grants.gov registration requires a DUNS/UEI number and active SAM.gov registration.  If you are new to PRM funding, the Grants.gov registration process can be complicated.  We urge you to refer to PRM’s General NGO Guidelines “Application Process” section for information and resources to help ensure that the application process runs smoothly.  PRM also strongly encourages organizations that have received funding from PRM in the past to read this section as a refresher.  Applicants may also refer to the “For Applicants” page on Grants.gov for complete details on requirements.

**Do not wait until the deadline to attempt to submit your application on Grants.gov.** Organizations not registered with Grants.gov should register well in advance of the deadline as it can take several weeks to finalize registration (sometimes longer for non-U.S. based NGOs to receive required registration numbers).  We also recommend that organizations, particularly first-time applicants, submit applications via Grants.gov no later than one week before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical difficulties that could result in an application not being considered. PRM has extremely limited ability to correct or facilitate rapid resolution to technical difficulties associated with Grants.gov, SAM.gov or DUNS/UEI number issues.  **PRM partners must maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current and correct information at all times during which they have an active federal award or an application under consideration by PRM or any federal agency.**

When registering with Grants.gov, organizations must designate points of contact and Authorized Organization Representatives (AORs).  Organizations based outside the United States must also request and receive an NCAGE code prior to registering with SAM.gov.  **Applicants experiencing technical difficulties with the SAM.gov registration process should contact the Federal Service Desk  online or at 1-866-606-8220 (U.S.) and 1-334-206-7828 (International).**

**Applications must be submitted under the authority of the Authorized Organization Representative at the applicant organization.** Having proposals submitted by agency headquarters helps to avoid possible technical problems.

**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 gov help desk;
        - received a case number;
        - have completed DUNS and  gov  registrations
        - and had a documented service request opened to research the problem;

Applicants may contact the PRM NGO Coordinator **before the submission deadline** to determine whether an alternative method of submission is appropriate. PRM makes no guarantee to accept an application outside of the grants.gov system.

It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure the appropriate registrations are in place and active.  Failure to have the appropriate organizational registrations in place or are experiencing issues resulting from discrepancies across registration platforms is not considered a technical difficulty and is not justification for an alternate means of submission.

In accordance with 2 CFR §200.113, Mandatory disclosures, the non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award.  Non-Federal entities that have received a Federal award including the term and condition outlined in Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM.  Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR §200.338 Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment.  (See also 2 CFR part 180, 31 U.S.C.  3321, and 41 U.S.C.  2313.)

**F. Submission Dates and Times**
        - Announcement issuance date:   Monday, March 14, 2022
        - Proposal submission deadline:  Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT.  Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

**G.****Intergovernmental Review:** Not Applicable

**H. Funding Restrictions:** Federal awards will not allow reimbursement of Federal Award costs without prior authorization by PRM.

**I. Other Submission Requirements**
        - Branding and Marking Strategy

The following provisions will be included whenever assistance is awarded:

**The Recipient shall recognize the U.S. Government’s funding for activities specified under this award at the project site with a graphic of the U.S. flag accompanied by one of the following two phrases based on the level of funding for the award:**
        - Fully funded by the award: “Gift of the United States Government”
        - Partially funded by the award: “Funding provided by the United States Government”

**PRM highly encourages recognition of U.S. Government funding on social media and website platforms to be included in proposals branding and marking strategy.  Recipients should tag PRM’s Twitter account @StatePRM and/or Facebook account @State.PRM (rather than using hashtags).  Additionally, the applicable U.S. Embassy should be tagged as well.**

**Updates of actions taken to fulfill this requirement must be included in quarterly program reports to PRM.**

All programs, projects, assistance, activities, and public communications to foreign audiences, partially or fully funded by the Department, must be marked appropriately overseas with the standard U.S. flag in a size and prominence equal to (or greater than) any other logo or identity.  The requirement does not apply to the Recipient’s own corporate communications or in the United States.

The Recipient must appropriately ensure that all publicity and promotional materials underscore the sponsorship by or partnership with the U.S. Government or the U.S. Embassy.  The Recipient may continue to use existing logos or project materials; however, a standard rectangular U.S. flag must be used in conjunction with such logos.

**Do not use the Department of State seal without the express written approval from PRM.**

Sub non-Federal entities (sub-awardees) and subsequent tier sub-award agreements are subject to the marking requirements and the non-Federal entity shall include a provision in the sub non-Federal entity agreement indicating that the standard, rectangular U.S. flag is a requirement.

Exemptions from this requirement may be allowable but must be agreed to in writing by the Grants Officer.  (Note: An exemption refers to the complete or partial cessation of branding, not use of alternative branding).  Requests should be initiated with the Grants Officer and Grants Officer Representative.  Waivers issued are applied only to the exemptions requested through the Recipient’s proposal for funding and any subsequent negotiated revisions.

In the event the non-Federal entity does not comply with the marking requirements as established in the approved assistance agreement, the Grants Officer Representative and the Grants Officer must initiate corrective action with the non-Federal entity.
        - PRM Standardized Indicators: In an effort to streamline the proposal writing/reviewing process and better measure the impact of the Bureau’s work, PRM requires the use of standardized indicators for programs in the protection, child protection, health, mental health and psychosocial support, WASH, nutrition and food security, education, livelihoods, and shelter sectors, as well as programs that include local government capacity-building and core relief items (non-food items).  Applicants must fill in numerical and/or percentage targets for each indicator.  Sphere standards should be used as targets, unless otherwise noted.  Proposals must include at least one standardized indicator per sector, as applicable.  Please refer to PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for a complete list of all standardized indicators that may be included.           - PRM requires a specific outcome indicator in each proposal measuring the sense of safety and well-being of beneficiaries. All overseas assistance program proposals must include the following protection outcome indicator under one of the objectives: Percentage of beneficiaries who report an improved sense of safety and well-being at the end of the program, disaggregated by age and gender.  Please see the NGO Guideline’s section A.C.1.  of Appendix C for more details. 
        - Cash and Voucher Assistance programs must include one indicator from the selection contained in the NGO Guidelines in section A.C.2. of Appendix C.

## Application Review Information Criteria

Eligible submissions will be those that comply with the criteria and requirements included in this announcement.  In addition, the review panel will evaluate the proposals based on the following criteria:
        - Gap/Analysis (5)
        - Profile of Target Population (5)
        - Program Description/ Protection Mainstreaming / Gender Analysis (20)
        - Objectives & Indicators (10)
        - Monitoring & Evaluation Plan (10)
        - Accountability to Affected Populations (5)           - (Note: The AAP section of a NOFO proposal narrative is specific to the program being proposed, is the criterion listed above being evaluated, and is distinct from the organization-level AAP framework requirement, which is a separate document.) 
        - Coordination (5)
        - Sustainability and Capacity-Building (5)
        - Management and Past Performance (10)
        - Risk Management (10)
        - Budget/Budget Narrative (15 points)

PRM will conduct a formal competitive review of all proposals submitted in response to this funding announcement.  A review panel of at least three people will evaluate submissions based on the above-referenced programmatic criteria and PRM priorities in the context of available funding.  Examples of PRM scorecards can be found in Appendix H of the NGO Guidelines.

Department of State review panels may provide conditions and recommendations on applications to enhance the proposed program, which must be addressed by the applicant before further consideration of the award.  To ensure effective use of limited PRM funds, conditions or recommendations may include requests to increase, decrease, clarify, and/or justify costs and program activities.

## Federal Award Administration Information

        - Federal Award Administration.  A successful applicant can expect to receive a separate notice from PRM stating that an application has been selected before PRM actually makes the federal award.  That notice is not an authorization to begin performance.  Only the notice of award signed by the Grants Officer is the authorizing document.  Unsuccessful applicants will be notified following completion of the selection and award process.
        - Administrative and National Policy Requirements.  PRM awards are made consistent with the following provisions in the following order of precedence:  (a) applicable laws and statutes of the United States, including any specific legislative provisions mandated in the statutory authority for the award; (b) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR); (c) Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions of the award; (d) the award’s specific requirements; and (e) other documents and attachments to the award.
        - Reporting:  Successful applicants will be required to submit:           - Program Reports:  PRM requires program reports describing and analyzing the results of activities undertaken during the validity period of the agreement.  A program report is required within thirty (30) days following the end of each three month period of performance during the validity period of the agreement.  The final program report is due one hundred and twenty (120) days following the end of the agreement.  The submission dates for program reports will be written into the cooperative agreement.  Partners receiving multi-year awards should follow this same reporting schedule and should still submit a final program report at the end of each year that summarizes the NGO’s performance during the previous year.  The Bureau suggests that NGOs receiving PRM funding use the PRM recommended quarterly program report template (also used for final reports).  The suggested PRM NGO reporting template is designed to ease the reporting requirements while ensuring that all required elements are addressed.  The Quarterly Program Report Template can be requested by emailing PRM’s NGO Coordinator with only the phrase PRM NGO Templates (exactly as written in bold) in the subject line, to  PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov . Organizations will receive an automated email reply containing the templates.
          - Financial Reports:  Financial reports are required within thirty (30) days following the end of each calendar year quarter during the validity period of the agreement (January 30th, April 30th, July 30th, October 30th).  The final financial report covering the entire period of the agreement is required within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the expiration date of the agreement.  For agreements containing indirect costs, final financial reports are due within sixty (60) days of the finalization of the applicable negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).  Reports reflecting expenditures for the recipient’s overseas and United States offices should be completed in accordance with the Federal Financial Report (FFR SF-425) and submitted electronically in the Department of Health and Human Services’ Payment Management System (HHS/PMS) and in accordance with other award specific requirements.  Detailed information pertaining to the Federal Financial Report including due dates, instruction manuals and access forms, is provided on the  HHS/PMS website .
          - Audit Reports:  When a recipient-contracted audit is not required because the Federal award amount is less than the $750,000 threshold, the Department may determine that an audit must be performed and the audit report must be submitted to the responsible grants office(r) for review, dissemination, and resolution as appropriate.  The cost of audits required under this policy may be charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award, or included in the organizations established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget. 

## PRM Points of Contact

Applicants with technical questions related to this announcement should contact the PRM staff listed below prior to submission.  Please note that responses to technical questions from PRM do not indicate a commitment to fund the program discussed.
        - PRM Program Officer:            - Kristin Alderman,  AldermanKL@state.gov , Washington, D.C. and
          - Catherine Chiang,  ChiangCM@state.gov , Washington, D.C. 
        - Regional Refugee Coordinator:  Emily Cintora,  CintoraEK@state.gov , Dakar, Senegal

**Disclaimer:**

External websites linked above may not be supported or accessible by all web browsers.  If you are unable to link to a referenced website, please try using a different browser or update to a more recent one.  If you continue to experience difficulties to reach external resources, please contact PRM NGO Coordinator.

Tags

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and MigrationMaliMauritaniaNGO ProgramsNigerNotice of Funding Opportunity

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