Saturday, February 21, 2015

Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees in South Sudan

FY 2015 Notice of Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees in South Sudan

Funding Opportunity Announcement
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
February 5, 2015

Funding Opportunity Number: PRM-PRMOAPAF-15-006

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 19.517 – Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa

Announcement issuance date: Thursday, February 5, 2015

Proposal submission deadline: Tuesday, March 10, 2015 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 through GrantsSolutions.gov. Please note that if you apply on the GrantSolutions.gov site, your application will be disqualified. PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal early to allow time to address any difficulties that may arise.**

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.

Full Text of Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Program Description

Current Funding Priorities: PRM will prioritize funding for proposed NGO activities that best meet the Bureau’s priorities for filling programming gaps for refugees currently in South Sudan from the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan as identified below.

(a) Please note that projects that do not meet one of the protection/assistance gaps below will not be considered. Proposals for activities in South Sudan must be accompanied by a letter from UNHCR showing concurrence with the proposed activities within the overall assistance program.

(b) Proposed activities should support primarily refugees in South Sudan. 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 percent refugees.

Refugees in Central and Western Equatoria States:

(c) Activities should support refugees in Makpandu, Napere (Ezo), Gorom, and Lasu, settlements, South Sudan.

(d) Target beneficiaries, sectors, and proposed programs should be developed in full coordination with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Proposals should focus on one or more of the following sectors:

i. Protection (prevention/response to gender-based violence and/or assistance for unaccompanied minors.)
ii. Health (reproductive health, HIV/AIDS treatment, maternal and child health, mental health and psychosocial support, and/or assistance for disabled persons)
iii. Livelihoods (vocational education/training) in Makpandu, Napere, and/or Lasu.

Refugees in Unity and Upper Nile states:

(e) Activities should support Sudanese refugees in current or planned settlements located in South Sudan and in coordination with UNHCR. Proposals should specify refugee population numbers and projects in proposed locations. PRM will not fund projects in Yida in FY 2015.

(f) Target beneficiaries, sectors, and proposed programs should be developed in full coordination with UNHCR. Proposals should focus on one or more of the following sectors:

i. Protection (prevention/response to gender-based violence and/or assistance for unaccompanied and separated minors, prevention of military recruitment and ensuring civilian character of refugee sites, assistance to those living with a disability, and/or support to access to justice)
ii. Health (reproductive health, maternal and child health, and/or mental health and psychosocial support)
iii. Primary and secondary education
iv. Livelihoods (vocational education/training)

B. Federal Award Information

Proposed program start dates: May 1 – September 20, 2015

Duration of Activity: Program plans from 12 to 36 months will be considered. Applicants may submit multi-year proposals with activities and budgets that do not exceed 36 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.

Funding Limits: Project proposals must not be more than $1,500,000 or they will be disqualified. 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.

C. Eligibility Information

1. 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 PRM Program Officer (as listed below) on or before the closing date of the funding announcement.

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

Other:

(a) 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.

(b) 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.

(c) PRM strongly encourages programs that target the needs of potentially vulnerable and underserved groups among the beneficiary population (women; children; 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 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.

(d) 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, current UNHCR funding, and/or a letter of support from UNHCR for the proposed activities and/or overall country program (this letter 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 NGOs working in the same area or sector as well as – where possible – local authorities;
• a strong transition plan, involving local capacity-building, where feasible;

D. Application and Submission Instructions

1. Address to Request Application Package:

(a) Application packages may be downloaded from the website www.Grants.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application:

(a) PRM Standardized Indicators

Health: Proposals focusing on health in camp based/returnee settings must include a minimum of one of the four following indicators and should try to include as many of the other indicators as are relevant:

• Number of consultations/clinician/day (Target: Fewer than 50 patients per clinician per day).
• Measles vaccination rate for children under five (Target: 95 percent coverage).
• Percentage of deliveries attended by a skilled birth attendant in a health care facility (Target: 100 percent).
• Percentage of reporting rape survivors given post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with 72 hours (Target: 100 percent).

Livelihoods: Proposals focusing on livelihoods in camp based/returnee settings must include a minimum of one of the three following indicators and should try to include as many of the other indicators as are relevant:

Camp-Based/Returnee Settings:

• Number of project beneficiaries, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) receiving training on appropriate skills as determined by market and livelihood assessments. This may include language and skills training, entrepreneurship building, financial literacy, business support services, job placement and apprenticeship schemes, and/or legal aid.
• Number and percentage of program participants, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) reporting higher household income level by end of project period as compared to the pre-project baseline assessment.
• (Temporary Employment) Number of beneficiaries, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) participating in cash or food for work programs.

Key Resources – Livelihoods

USAID/OFDA Guidelines for Proposals, October 2012 (pgs. 82-96)
• Women’s Refugee Commission, Preventing Gender Based Violence, Building Livelihoods: Guidance and Tools for Improved Programming
• Minimum Economic Recovery Standards, 2nd ed. Washington, DC, USA: The SEEP Network, 2010. http://communities.seepnetwork.org/econrecovery
• Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis Toolkit. (EMMA) Practical Action Publishing. 2010. www.emmatoolkit.info (In French as of 2011.)
• Local Economic Recovery in Post-Conflict: Guidelines. Geneva: ILO, 2010.
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_emp/documents/instructionalmaterial/wcms_141270.pdf

(b) Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov (not via GrantSolutions.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).

(b) 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.

(c) To register with Grants.gov, organizations must 1) receive a DUNS number; 2) register with the System for Award Management (SAM); 3) register with Grants.gov; and 4) designate points of contact and authorized organization representatives in Grants.gov. Organizations based outside the United States must also request and receive an NCAGE code prior to registering with SAM.gov.

(d) 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.

(e) 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 Program Officer to determine whether an alternative method of submission is appropriate.

(f) 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 is not considered a technical difficulty and is not justification for an alternate means of submission.

(g) 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: https://www.statebuy.state.gov/fa/Documents/Listofoverseascertsandassurances.pdf.

3. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant is required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and (iii) 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.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Announcement issuance date: Thursday, February 5, 2015

Proposal submission deadline: Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. noon EST. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

5. Intergovernmental Review – Not Applicable.

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

7. Other Submission Requirements

Content and Formatting

(a) 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 that the proposed activities are in line with PRM’s priorities. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in these guidelines will not be considered.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.
• In FY 2015, PRM is asking applicants whose proposals address gender-based violence (GBV) within 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 2014 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.

(e) 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 36 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.

(f) 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. Subrecipients and subsequent tier sub-award agreements are subject to the marking requirements and the recipient shall include a provision in the subrecipient 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.

E. Application Review Information

1. 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:

(i) Problem Analysis
(ii) Program Description
(iii) Objectives and Indicators
(iv) Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
(v) Beneficiary Interaction and Capacity Building
(vi) Coordination with other Stakeholders
(vii) Transition Plan
(viii) Management Capacity
(ix) Budget

2. PRM will conduct a formal competitive review of 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.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Reporting

(a) 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 ninety (90) 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 Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR) is a standard, government-wide performance reporting format available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/approved_forms/sf-ppr.pdf. Recipients of PRM funding must submit the signed SF-PPR cover page with each program report. In addition, the Bureau suggests that NGOs receiving PRM funding use the PRM recommended program report template and reference this template as being attached in block 10 of the SF-PPR. This template is designed to ease the reporting requirements while ensuring that all required elements are addressed. The Program Report Template can be requested by sending an email with only the phrase “PRM NGO Templates” (without the quotation marks) in the subject line to PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov.

Successful applicants will be required to submit:

(a) 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 ninety (90) 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 at http://www.dpm.psc.gov/grant_recipient/ffr_info/ffr_info.aspx.
For more details regarding reporting requirements please see PRM’s General NGO Guidelines.

G. PRM Contacts

Applicants with technical questions related to this announcement 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.

PRM Program Officer: Wossie Mazengia, MazengiaW@state.gov, 202-453-9380, or Chris Upchurch, UpchurchCM@State.gov, 202-453-9384, Washington, D.C.

Regional Refugee Coordinator: Kristin Alderman, AldermanKL@state.gov, U.S. Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf To Visit US

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2015

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

On Friday, February 27, President Obama will welcome President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia to the White House. President Sirleaf’s visit comes at a time of critical cooperation between the United States and Liberia. As President Obama announced last week, the United States is moving to the next phase of its Ebola response, which will be characterized by an intensive effort to reach zero Ebola cases in West Africa. The President looks forward to building on a strong and historic partnership with Liberia and discussing a range of topics with President Sirleaf, including the ongoing Ebola response, the region’s economic recovery plans, and other issues of mutual interest.

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry & Sec. Kerry Address Reporters

State Department Photo
State Department
Washington, DC
February 19, 2015

SECRETARY KERRY: Good evening, everybody. I know it’s been a long day for everybody, but I am very pleased to welcome Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry of Egypt here to the State Department. He’s been very engaged in today’s discussions, and we’ve already actually had a meeting with EU High Representative Mogherini and with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. And we met together with Minister Shoukry to talk about the subject of Libya, which is one of the concerns that we are working on together.

But I want to say that Egypt, even at a moment where it is transitioning with elections in the future – in the near future – is facing challenges. And our hearts go out to the Egyptian people for the horrendous, grotesque killing of 21 Coptic Christians, Egyptians, that took place in Libya. This is yet another example of the evil of ISIS, Daesh, and it is galvanizing people even more, as we saw in today’s conference, to take action to stamp out this kind of terrorist activity and this terrorist group.

Egypt is a increasingly critical partner in these efforts. They are working with us in the Sinai against terrorism; they are working with respect to Gaza and helped enormously in the effort to try to bring the war of last summer to a ceasefire. They’re working with us on the issue of the Palestinian-Israel peace process, as well as on Libya, Syria, and Iran.

So Egypt has always been a critical partner in the region and a leader in the region, and Minister Shoukry and I will talk now about some of the challenges that we face as we work together to try to shape the path ahead as Egypt continues to move to the elections and the fulfillment of its promises about democracy, and as we work together to deal with the very real violent extremist challenges of the region.

So again, Sameh, thank you for the multiple partnerships, and I appreciate the work we’re doing together.
FOREIGN MINISTER SHOUKRY: Well, thank you very much, Secretary Kerry. Let me at the outset thank you and convey the appreciation of the government and people of Egypt for the messages of condolences that we have received at various levels of the Administration, the White House, the State Department, and also on the personal level. I think it was a appreciation of the strong ties that bind our two countries and our resoluteness in addressing the risks and threats of terrorism.

Egypt has been consistent in its fight against terrorism, whether at home or in the region, and has been consistent and determined that we provide every assistance to the coalition against ISIL and other terrorist organizations. And we will continue to cooperate effectively with the United States and other partners because we know the dangers that such organizations pose to the stability of the region.

We are thankful as well for the support that we have been receiving from the United States and look forward to continuing to enhance our bilateral relations in the various important fields, whether political or the military and security cooperation, and also the economic support that we have been receiving from the United States and the U.S. companies.

It is important for Egypt in its transition and its road map to have successfully completed the two first stages and now is about to complete the third stage, and thereby completing the institutions of government. Egypt is on a course of democracy, of protection and promotion of human rights, and a secure environment for its people to prosper and to develop. We believe that the relationship between the United States and Egypt is a resource of importance. We hope that the United States will continue to cooperate effectively and to support Egypt during this time.

And we certainly have many issues to discuss, both bilaterally and related to the regional challenges that we mutually face. And we believe we will both be in a better position to address them in cooperation and solidarity between us. So I thank you once again.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you, Sameh.

FOREIGN MINISTER SHOUKRY: Thank you

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much, everybody.

Secretary Kerry Issues Statement on The Gambia’s National Day

Department of State
Washington, DC
February 18, 2015

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of The Gambia as you celebrate 50 years of independence on February 18.

The United States wishes you a festive Golden Jubilee and a prosperous year.

Rwanda Launches Solar Power Facility

Rwanda Field, built in the shape of the African continent, is East Africa’s first large scale solar power plant
Photo Credit: Gigawatt Global
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 18, 2015

I welcome the completion and launch of an 8.5 MW solar installation in Rwanda by Gigawatt Global. This is the first utility-scale solar project to come online under the U.S.-Africa Clean Energy Finance (ACEF) program, which is now an integral part of Power Africa. The project expands electricity generation capacity by more than 6 percent in a country where more than 80 percent of the people live without access to electricity, and is providing enough grid-connected power to supply 15,000 homes.

With continually decreasing costs, minimal maintenance, and no fuel costs, renewable energy makes more sense now than ever before, especially in remote settings.

Projects like Gigawatt Global’s, realized with the support of the U.S. Department of State, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency through ACEF, underscore that the best path to energy access and economic development is also the sustainable path of clean energy.

African Parliamentarians Participate in US State Dept. Sponsored Exchange Program

State Department Photo
Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
February 10, 2015

From February 10 – 20, 22 parliamentarians from 11 countries will be in the United States for a Leadership in the Digital Economy exchange program. The program supports the United States’ global commitments to open government and development of the digital economy, as well as ensuring women and girls are at the center of development, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
In Washington, D.C., participants, the majority of whom are women, will interact with current and former Members of Congress, government officials, and open government advocates. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Educational and Cultural Affairs Kelly Keiderling will welcome the group on February 11, and Ambassador Daniel Sepulveda, the State Department’s U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, will address the participants on February 13. In their second week, the parliamentarians will visit San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where they will have opportunities to meet with tech industry representatives, academic leaders, civic innovators, and entrepreneurs.

The participants will explore how to advance parliamentary leadership in open government, civic technology, and development of the digital economy. They will also examine how women, youth and other historically marginalized groups can lead on these issues. This study mission brings together representatives from a wide range of countries: Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Nepal, Peru, Serbia, and Tunisia.

The program is sponsored by the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and organized by the Institute for Representative Government (IRG) in close partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

US Issues Statement on Confirmation of New Somalia Council of Ministers

Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 10, 2015

The United States welcomes the February 9 parliamentary confirmation of Somalia’s Council of Ministers. As the new Council of Ministers assumes office, we urge the Federal Government of Somalia to make swift progress in the important work that remains to realize its Vision 2016, including a constitutional referendum and national elections. Somalia’s progress toward realizing the peacebuilding, governance, and security goals is of critical importance to the people of Somalia and the broader region. The United States is committed to supporting the government and people of Somalia. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Somali Government and people as they work to stabilize and rebuild their country.

US & Other Countries Pledge to Help South Sudan

Remarks
Anne C. Richard
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Nairobi, Kenya
February 9, 2015

Good afternoon. I would like to thank the chairs of this meeting for bringing us together in Nairobi to address the ongoing, manmade humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. Thank you also to Minister Amina Mohamed for the welcome, to Toby Lanzer for the very powerful video, and to Forest Whitaker for his personal efforts to help. The American delegation is proud of your very genuine interest and your presence here today.

As Valerie Amos knows very well, we currently face a long list of global disasters, conflicts, and disease outbreaks. Yet none fills us with as much frustration and despair as the crisis in South Sudan. Why? Because this crisis should never have happened.

The warring parties share the full responsibility for the violence that has engulfed much of the country and for the suffering of their fellow South Sudanese. We call on all parties to the conflict to end the fighting. Now.

We are disappointed and dismayed that the government and opposition failed to reach a meaningful agreement during the latest negotiations at the African Union Summit. Although the parties pledged to resume talks in late February, that is already too late for the people of South Sudan. And even as we seek to save lives and ease suffering while demanding a peaceful resolution, it is already clear that the conflict will have long-term effects on livelihoods, food security, and South Sudanese institutions.

The United States and other donors are here to try to help the people of South Sudan, who continue to suffer and die unnecessarily, because their leaders have been unwilling to do what it takes to restore peace to their country.

South Sudan is the most food insecure country in the world with parts of the country teetering on the brink of famine. Nearly half of the people in the states most affected by conflict face Crisis and Emergency levels of food security. In areas ravaged by violence, farmers cannot plant or harvest their crops.

Over 500,000 South Sudanese are now living as refugees here in Kenya and in Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. The willingness of these countries to take them in has saved many lives.

Aid workers are doing all they can to help millions of people. Their efforts, supported by the U.S. Government, other governments and aid donors, have helped stave off famine, saved lives and provided food, shelter, safe drinking water, health care and psychological support. But resources are limited and many victims of South Sudan’s violence are struggling – living in terrible conditions and hardship.

The United Nations and IGAD were right to call us to this important event to highlight urgent humanitarian needs and to keep our attention focused on the plight of the South Sudanese people.

To underscore the U.S. government’s longstanding commitment to the people of South Sudan, I am announcing today that my government is providing an additional $273 million in humanitarian assistance for those uprooted and imperiled by the conflict in South Sudan.

With this additional contribution, U.S. assistance to the people affected by this crisis – inside South Sudan and in neighboring countries – has reached nearly $1 billion. Imagine if that kind of money had been spent on developing the new nation of South Sudan. Instead we are simply seeking to keep people alive, too often in miserable conditions.

The programs these new funds support will be implemented by neutral and impartial UN agencies, and other international and non-governmental organizations.

The additional money is needed because, as we have heard from so many already this afternoon, the situation and the needs are dire.

Our commitment to the people of South Sudan remains steadfast, but we know that aid alone cannot address the underlying political problems that are preventing peace and stability. This aid can only be effective if South Sudan’s leaders end their intransigence and promote the wellbeing of their people, rather than their own rivalries and political machinations.

We share the vision and ardent hopes of South Sudan’s people for a peaceful, unified, democratic state. They have suffered too much and deserve, at last to have their rights protected and to live free of fear and violence.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

U.S. Science Envoy Travels to Morocco

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
February 9, 2015

U.S. Science Envoy Dr. Peter Hotez is travelling to Morocco February 8-14 in support of President Obama’s initiative to strengthen the United States’ science and education relationships overseas. Dr. Hotez will meet with representatives from the scientific, academic, and business communities to discuss ways to build and strengthen research collaboration networks between scientists and engineers in the United States and Morocco.

Dr. Hotez is the founding Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and Professor of the Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he is also the Texas Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair in Tropical Pediatrics. He is also president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, Director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, and the Baker Institute Fellow in Disease and Poverty at Rice University.

Dr. Hotez is an internationally-recognized physician-scientist and investigator in neglected tropical diseases and vaccine development. He leads the only product development partnership for developing new vaccines for hookworm infection, schistosomiasis, and Chagas disease – diseases affecting hundreds of millions of children and adults worldwide. In 2006, at the Clinton Global Initiative, he co-founded the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases to provide access to essential medicines for more than 100 million people who live in extreme poverty throughout the world. Simultaneously he has helped to pioneer the concept of ‘vaccine diplomacy’ for international scientific cooperation.

The U.S. Science Envoy Program is one element of the Administration’s commitment to global engagement in science and technology. President Obama announced the program in Cairo in June 2009. Since the program’s inception, Science Envoys have visited 25 countries.

The Science Envoys travel as private citizens and share the knowledge and insights they gain abroad with the U.S. scientific community upon their return. These exchanges contribute to further cooperation and dialogue with key partners.

U.S. Issues Statement on Postponement of Elections in Nigeria

Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 7, 2015

The United States is deeply disappointed by the decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election, which had been scheduled for February 14.

Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process. The international community will be watching closely as the Nigerian government prepares for elections on the newly scheduled dates. The United States underscores the importance of ensuring that there are no further delays.

As I reaffirmed when I visited Lagos last month, we support a free, transparent, and credible electoral process in Nigeria and renew our calls on all candidates, their supporters, and Nigerian citizens to maintain calm and reject election-related violence.

U.S. Condemns Terrorist Activities by Boko Haram in Cameroon and Niger

Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
February 6, 2015

The United States condemns the recent terrorist acts by Boko Haram in Cameroon and Niger in the strongest terms. Boko Haram has perpetrated countless unprovoked attacks on men, women, and children in their homes, schools, places of worship, and businesses. Their brutality and barbarism know no bounds. We condemn the horrific and barbaric actions of these groups that continue to show total disregard for the sanctity of human life.

Boko Haram must not be allowed to continue brutally terrorizing innocent civilians in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. This unchecked killing must stop. The United States stands firmly with the governments and peoples of this region in the face of this threat. We are responding to requests from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. We continue to provide support to governments in the region, including through intelligence-sharing, and are increasing our support for those efforts.

The United States is committed to supporting the efforts of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). We commend efforts by the African Union and Lake Chad Basin Commission to bring together the MNJTF and we will continue to work with our regional and international partners to make it an effective force.

Assistant Sec. Anne C. Richard Travels to Kenya for South Sudan High-Level Event

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
February 6, 2015

Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Anne C. Richard will travel to Kenya from February 9 to 11.

On February 9, Ms. Richard will attend the “High-Level Event on the Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan and its Impact in the Region,” where concerned countries will discuss ways the international humanitarian community can better assist the displaced and other vulnerable South Sudanese made victims of the conflict and pledge initial support for 2015.

While in Kenya, Assistant Secretary Richard will also review regional humanitarian issues with a range of UN agencies, international and non-governmental organizations, and refugee representatives.

Since this crisis started in December 2013, the U.S. Government has provided more than $720 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the South Sudan crisis. This support has provided food, water, medical care, agricultural support, and protection for people in need inside South Sudan and for those who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.

While the United States remains deeply committed to assisting the people of South Sudan, we note humanitarian aid can only be effective if the Government of South Sudan, opposition forces, and all other parties to the conflict stop fighting and remove obstacles to the delivery of life-saving assistance.

U.S. Concerns about Reported Extra-Judicial Killings and Detentions in Burundi

Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
February 5, 2015

The United States is troubled by reports implicating Burundian security forces in the extra-judicial killing of at least two dozen members of a rebel group after they surrendered in Cibitoke Province in early January. The United States calls on the government of Burundi to fully and credibly investigate these allegations, prosecute any crimes that may have been committed, and hold those responsible accountable.

The United States is also deeply concerned by the increase in irregular detentions and prosecutions of media workers and members of political parties ahead of elections in May, including the recent detention of journalist Bob Rugurika, and continuing due process flaws in the prosecutions of Frederic Bamvuginyumvira and members of the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy youth. These cases raise troubling questions about freedom of expression and the independence of the Burundian judiciary. We urge the Government of Burundi to respect the rights of these individuals and all its citizens to due process of law and to ensure that the judicial process is not politicized. An independent, professional judiciary is a key component of the Burundian government’s stated commitment to having a free, fair, and credible electoral process during this important election year in Burundi.

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Photo credit: Jessica Lea/DFID
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) joins the global community in observing the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation on Feb. 6.

The first ladies of Africa declared this day of observation to foster awareness of the devastating effects of female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) and to renew the call for the abandonment of this harmful practice. To increase awareness of the health impact of FGM/C, the Inter-African Committee declared this year’s theme to be “Mobilization and Involvement of Health Personnel to Accelerate Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.”

According to the World Health Organization, as many as 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide currently live with the consequences of this dangerous practice. The procedure, which involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia, is largely performed on girls from infancy to the age 15. While reports suggest that the rate at which FGM/C is practiced is dropping in some areas, as many as 30 million girls under the age of 15 may still be at risk for the procedure.

The U.S. government supports the women and men around the world who denounce this egregious practice and act to abolish it. While we have made tremendous progress over the past decade, work still lies ahead. We must all work together – men, women, grandfathers, grandmothers, community and religious leaders, government, civil society and multilateral organizations – to overturn deeply entrenched social norms that are not only harmful to women and girls, but also to our communities and societies.

Learn More
White House: Statement by NSC Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on Zero Tolerance Day for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
• Visit USAID’s webpage about the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM/C.
• Occasional Paper: FGM/C – Health Providers Should Be Advocates for Change [PDF, 606KB]
• Join in the conversation on Twitter by following @USAIDGH and use #TogetherForZero and #EndFGM.

Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Nigerian Refugees in Niger

FY 2015 Notice of Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Nigerian Refugees in Niger

Funding Opportunity Announcement Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
January 29, 2015

Funding Opportunity Number: PRM-PRMOAPAF-15-005-050779

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 19.517 – Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa

Announcement issuance date: Thursday, January 29, 2015

Proposal submission deadline: Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. noon EST. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

**ADVISORY: All applicants must submit proposals through the website Grants.gov NOT through GrantsSolutions.gov. Please note that if you apply on the GrantSolutions.gov site, your application will be disqualified. PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal early to allow time to address any difficulties that may arise.**

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.

Full Text of Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Program Description

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.

Current Funding Priorities:

(a) Proposed activities should primarily support Nigerian refugees in the Diffa region of Niger living in current or planned refugee camps or outside of camps among the host community. Priority will be given to programs that can also demonstrate benefit to affected host communities and Nigerien returnees displaced by the conflict in Nigeria. Proposals should specify refugee population numbers and projects in proposed locations. 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 percent refugees.

(b) Proposals must focus on one or more of sectors listed below (see PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for sector descriptions). Please note that projects that do not meet one of the protection/assistance gaps below will not be considered.

      (i) Protection (including prevention/response to gender-based violence, child protection, assistance for unaccompanied and separated minors, and/or prevention of recruitment by armed groups and ensuring civilian character of refugee sites)

      (ii) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for refugees living outside formal refugee camps only

      (iii) Health (including malnutrition, reproductive health, maternal and child health, and/or mental health and psychosocial support) for refugees living outside formal refugee camps only

      (iv) Emergency shelter assistance for refugees living outside formal refugee camps only

      (v) Livelihoods

(c) Target beneficiaries, sectors, and proposed programs should be developed in full coordination with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). NGOs applying for funding in Niger must demonstrate a working relationship with UNHCR, current UNHCR funding, and/or a letter of support from UNHCR for the proposed activities and/or overall country program (this letter should highlight the gap in services the proposed program is designed to address).

B. Federal Award Information

Proposed program start dates: June 1 – September 30, 2015

Duration of Activity: Program plans should not exceed 12 months.

Funding Limits: Project proposals must not be more than $750,000 or they will be disqualified.

C. Eligibility Information

1. 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 PRM Program Officer (as listed below) on or before the closing date of the funding announcement.

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

3. Other:

(a) 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.

(b) 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.

(c) PRM strongly encourages programs that target the needs of potentially vulnerable and underserved groups among the beneficiary population (women; children; 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 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.

(d) 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 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;
* a strong transition plan, where feasible, involving local capacity-building;
* where applicable, adherence to PRM’s Principles for Refugee Protection in Urban Areas;
* an understanding of and sensitivity to conflict dynamics in the project location.

D. Application and Submission Instructions

1. Address to Request Application Package:

(a) Application packages may be downloaded from the website www.Grants.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application:

(a) PRM Standardized Indicators:

Health: Proposals focusing on health in camp-based settings must include a minimum of one of the four following indicators and should try to include as many of the other indicators as are relevant:

* Number of consultations/clinician/day (Target: Fewer than 50 patients per clinician per day).
* Measles vaccination rate for children under five (Target: 95 percent coverage).
* Percentage of deliveries attended by a skilled birth attendant in a health care facility (Target: 100 percent).
* Percentage of reporting rape survivors given post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with 72 hours (Target: 100 percent).

Proposals focusing on health in urban/non-camp settings must include a minimum of one of the six following indicators and should try to include as many of the other indicators as are relevant:

* Capacity-building: number of health care professionals/administrators trained on providing health services to beneficiary populations.
* Referrals: number of beneficiaries referred to appropriate services, and percentage of those referred who were able to get needed services.
* Community Outreach: number of beneficiaries who received targeted messages on their rights and health-related services available to them.
* Health Staffing: number of total consultations per health care provider, disaggregated by refugee/national, sex, and age.
* Patient Satisfaction: percentage of beneficiary patients receiving primary and emergency care who express satisfaction with services received.
* Post Exposure Prophylaxis: percentage of reporting beneficiary rape survivors given PEP within 72 hours (Target: 100%).

NGO proposals seeking to fund service provision may include the following indicators as appropriate:

* Primary Care: number and percentage of beneficiary patients, by sex and age, receiving primary health care assistance.
* Emergency Care: number and percentage of beneficiary patients, by sex and age, receiving care for trauma or sudden illness.
Proposals should include custom health indicators in addition to the relevant standardized indicator(s).

Key Resources – Health

* Sphere Handbook: http://www.sphereproject.org/handbook/
* UNHCR Health Guidelines, Policies, and Strategies: http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646cdd.html
* OFDA NGO Guidance (pages 96-110): http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1866/guidelines_for_proposals_2012.pdf

Livelihoods: Proposals focusing on livelihoods in camp-based settings must include a minimum of one of the three following indicators and should try to include as many of the other indicators as are relevant:

* Number of project beneficiaries, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) receiving training on appropriate skills as determined by market and livelihood assessments. This may include language and skills training, entrepreneurship building, financial literacy, business support services, job placement and apprenticeship schemes, and/or legal aid.
* Number and percentage of program participants, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) reporting higher household income level by end of project period as compared to the pre-project baseline assessment.
* (Temporary Employment) Number of beneficiaries, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) participating in cash or food for work programs.
Proposals focusing on livelihoods in urban/non-camp settings must include a minimum of one of the six following indicators and should try to include as many of the other indicators as are relevant:
* Number of project beneficiaries, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) receiving training on appropriate skills as determined by market and livelihood assessments. This may include language and skills training, entrepreneurship building, financial literacy, business support services, job placement and apprenticeship schemes, and/or legal aid.
* Number and percentage of program participants, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) reporting higher household income level by end of project period as compared to the pre-project baseline assessment.
* Number and percentage of program participants, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) in urban settings who are placed in jobs by completion of the project period. Note: A chart should be provided reflecting the length of employment for program participants.
* (Temporary Employment) Number of beneficiaries, disaggregated by gender and population (refugee, national) participating in cash or food for work programs.
* The percentage of sampled host community employers who are able to identify at least two skill-sets (e.g., carpentry, embroidery) among program beneficiaries living in their municipality.
* The percentage of sampled host community employers who are able to describe accurately the procedures for hiring program beneficiaries.
* The percentage of sampled urban program beneficiaries who:
       ** Are able to describe accurately the procedures for receiving permits to conduct business.
       ** Apply for and receive for business permits.
* The percentage of sampled urban program beneficiaries who are economically self-reliant, as measured by self-reporting of household consumption and income sources.

Proposals should include custom livelihoods indicators in addition to the relevant standardized indicator(s).

Key Resources – Livelihoods

* USAID/OFDA Guidelines for Proposals, October 2012 (pgs. 82-96)
* Women’s Refugee Commission, Preventing Gender Based Violence, Building Livelihoods: Guidance and Tools for Improved Programming
* Minimum Economic Recovery Standards, 2nd ed. Washington, DC, USA: The SEEP Network, 2010. http://communities.seepnetwork.org/econrecovery
* Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis Toolkit. (EMMA) Practical Action Publishing. 2010. www.emmatoolkit.info (In French as of 2011.)
* Local Economic Recovery in Post-Conflict: Guidelines. Geneva: ILO, 2010.
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_emp/documents/instructionalmaterial/wcms_141270.pdf

(b) Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov (not via GrantSolutions.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).

(c) 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.

(d) To register with Grants.gov, organizations must 1) receive a DUNS number; 2) register with the System for Award Management (SAM); 3) register with Grants.gov; and 4) designate points of contact and authorized organization representatives in Grants.gov. Organizations based outside the United States must also request and receive an NCAGE code prior to registering with SAM.gov.

(e)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.

(f) 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 Program Officer to determine whether an alternative method of submission is appropriate.

(g) 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 is not considered a technical difficulty and is not justification for an alternate means of submission.

(h) 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: https://www.statebuy.state.gov/fa/Documents/Listofoverseascertsandassurances.pdf.

3. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant is required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and (iii) 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.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Announcement issuance date: Thursday, January 29, 2015

Proposal submission deadline: Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. noon EST. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

5. Intergovernmental Review – Not Applicable.

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

7. Other Submission Requirements

Content and Formatting

(a) 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 that the proposed activities are in line with PRM’s priorities. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in these guidelines will not be considered.

(b) 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 to receive an automated reply with the templates. 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.
* Applicants whose proposals address gender-based violence (GBV) through their projects must 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 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 2014 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.

(e) 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.
       ** Subrecipients and subsequent tier sub-award agreements are subject to the marking requirements and the recipient shall include a provision in the subrecipient 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.

E. Application Review Information

1. 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:
(i) Problem Analysis
(ii) Program Description
(iii) Objectives and Indicators
(iv) Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
(v) Beneficiary Interaction and Capacity Building
(vi) Coordination with other Stakeholders
(vii) Transition Plan
(viii) Management Capacity
(ix) Budget

2. 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.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Reporting

(a) 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 ninety (90) days following the end of the agreement. The submission dates for program reports will be written into the cooperative agreement.

The Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR) is a standard, government-wide performance reporting format available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/approved_forms/sf-ppr.pdf. Recipients of PRM funding must submit the signed SF-PPR cover page with each program report. In addition, the Bureau suggests that NGOs receiving PRM funding use the PRM recommended program report template and reference this template as being attached in block 10 of the SF-PPR. This template is designed to ease the reporting requirements while ensuring that all required elements are addressed. The Program Report Template can be requested by sending an email with only the phrase “PRM NGO Templates” (without the quotation marks) in the subject line to PRMNGOCoordinator@state.gov.

Successful applicants will be required to submit:

(a) 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 ninety (90) 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 at http://www.dpm.psc.gov/grant_recipient/ffr_info/ffr_info.aspx.

For more details regarding reporting requirements please see PRM’s General NGO Guidelines.

G. PRM Contacts

Applicants with technical questions related to this announcement 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.

PRM Program Officer: Cathy Baroang (BaroangCA@state.gov, +1-202-453-9381) Washington, D.C.
Regional Refugee Coordinator: Skye Justice (JusticeSS@state.gov, + 221 33 879 4049) U.S. Embassy, Dakar, Senegal.