Funding Opportunity Title:  YSEALI Economic Empowerment Regional Workshop
Funding Opportunity Number:  19-BKK-NOFO-2
Deadline for Applications: July 31, 2019
CFDA Number:  19.040
Total Amount Available: $250,000 

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

U.S. Embassy Bangkok announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to design and implement a six-day workshop (inclusive of arrival and departure days) in Bangkok on Economic Empowerment for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), pending the availability of funds.

The YSEALI Economic Empowerment Regional Workshop will bring together 66 YSEALI members (5 participants and one YSEALI alumni mentor from each ASEAN country and Timor- Leste) who have economic or business backgrounds, a commitment to social entrepreneurship, and leadership potential. This workshop examines entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for economic empowerment with an emphasis on youth and social entrepreneurship. Economic growth and prosperity that occur in tandem with societal transformation or community development can act as a catalyst to engender even more growth. This workshop seeks to empower a new generation of business leaders in ASEAN and Timor-Leste, who are not only equipped to succeed in starting and sustaining their own businesses, but well positioned to bring new ideas and thinking on how to tackle some of the most pressing social issues of the region: education, environment, diversity and inclusion, and community development.

Training in leadership and softs skills like advocacy, negotiation, personal branding, story-telling are also included in the workshop. Development of these core soft skills are important to the success of emerging leaders in business and economics. Additionally, participants will have a chance to join cultural activities, company visits, and other site visits that reflect the themes of cultural diversity and social entrepreneurship in ASEAN and Timor-Leste.

YSEALI is the U.S. government’s signature initiative to engage with emerging leaders in Southeast Asia. The program aims to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to solve common problems. This workshop will be one of several events whose topic cuts across the four pillars of YSEALI – sustainable development, economic growth, civic engagement, and education.

Priority Region: ASEAN and Timor-Leste

Program Objectives:

ASEAN is a major economic force in Asia and a driver of global growth. With technology rapidly shifting how businesses operate, one of the most important factors in maintaining this growth will be the ability of the region to generate quality employment and adapt to the needs of a consumers. By focusing on economic empowerment in the context of ASEAN and Timor Leste, this workshop seeks to equip 66 participants with the tools to start or sustain their own business and develop new ideas and thinking on how to tackle some of the most pressing social issues of the region: education, environment, diversity and inclusion, and community development. Over the course of the workshop, participants will gain the knowledge, skills, and resilience to ensure their enterprises remain viable into the future. The workshop will develop participants’ leadership competencies in strategies for meeting the digital future, critical thinking skills required to adapt quickly, and upskilling/reskilling their workforce. This program contributes to ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and its Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, which seeks to achieve a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated region that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greater sense of community in the ASEAN region.

 Participants and Audiences:

66 registered YSEALI members (5 members and one YSEALI alumni mentor from each ASEAN country and Timor Leste) who are emerging entrepreneurs and community leaders who focus on economic development. The recipient will carry out the recruitment of the YSEALI members as described below. Participants will have strong leadership potential and are aged between 18-35from the ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, as well as Timor Leste. Participants must be citizens and residents of ASEAN or Timor Leste. U.S. embassies will advertise the opportunity to registered YSEALI members. Selection of final participants will be made by the recipient in consultation with the U.S. embassies in each of the 10 ASEAN member countries and Timor Leste. 

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 8 to 12 months
Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $200,000 to a maximum of $250,000
Total available funding: $250,000
Type of Funding: FY19 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds
Anticipated program start date: June 2020 

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type:  Grant Award

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less.

U.S. Embassy Bangkok will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply: include all that apply, and indicate US, foreign, or both. For example:

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Public and private educational institutions
• For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply
• Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Providing cost sharing is not a requirement for this NOFO.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations. Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package

Applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply on www.grants.gov and on U.S. Embassy Bangkok website under the announcement title “YSEALI Economic Empowerment Regional Workshop” funding opportunity number 19-BKK-NOFO-2. Please contact the point of contact listed in section G if requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or for security reasons. Please note: reasonable accommodations do not include deadline extensions.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Content of Application

Please ensure:

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
• All documents are in English
• All budgets are in U.S. dollars
• All pages are numbered
• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)
• SF424A(Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)
• SF424B(Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

2. Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.
3. Proposal (30 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

• Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact.
• Introduction to the Organization applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.
• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed
• Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve.  The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.
• Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.
• Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.
• Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.
• Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?
• Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.
• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?
• Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

4. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissionsbelow for further information.
5. Attachments:

• 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner
• If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file.
• Official permission letters, if required for program activities

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations:

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge:

• Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number)
• NCAGE/CAGE code
• SAM.gov registration

Step 1: Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously)

DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet. If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

NCAGE application: Application page here: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

Instructions for the NCAGE application process:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf

For NCAGE help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423

For NCAGE help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766

Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE code.

Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than 11:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), on July 31 by email to YSEALIThailand@state.gov (cc Adisorn@state.gov) under the announcement title “YSEALI Economic Empowerment Regional Workshop” funding opportunity number 19-BKK-NOFO-2. Please attach proposals and required forms in Microsoft Word or .pdf format to an email with “YSEALI Economic Empowerment Workshop Proposal Your Organization’s Name” in the subject line.

Submission via email will automatically log the date and time an application submission is made, and U.S. Embassy Bangkok will use this information to determine whether an application has been submitted on time. Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered unless U.S. Embassy Bangkok point of contact listed in section G is contacted prior to the deadline and is provided with evidence of system errors outside of the applicants’ control and is the sole reason for a late submission. Applicants should not expect a notification upon U.S. Embassy Bangkok receiving their application.

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

5. Funding Restrictions

U.S. Embassy Bangkok will not consider applications that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization. No entity listed on the Excluded Parties List System in SAM is eligible for any assistance.

Federal awards generally will not allow reimbursement of pre-Federal award costs; however, the grants officer may approve pre awards cost on a case by case basis. Generally, construction costs are not allowed under U.S. Embassy Bangkok awards.

6. Other Submission Requirements 

All application submissions must be emailed to YSEALIThailand@state.gov.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that an application has been received in its entirety. U.S. Embassy Bangkok bears no responsibility for applications not received before the due date or for data errors resulting from transmission.

Faxed or couriered documents will not be accepted. Reasonable accommodations may, in appropriate circumstances, be provided to applicants with disabilities or for security reasons.

Applicants must follow all formatting instructions in the applicable solicitation and these instructions.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds.  This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.

Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured.

Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

2. Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

3. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see §200.88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants:

i. That the Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

ii. That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM;

iii. That the Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

The grant award will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, U.S. Embassy Bangkok has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of U.S. Embassy Bangkok.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Payment Method:

Payment shall be made by EFT to the recipient after the grant award is signed by all parties.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Terms and Conditions: Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include:

2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.statebuy.state.gov/fa/pages/home.aspx

Note the U.S Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions.

The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards set forth in 2 CFR Chapter 200 (Sub-Chapters A through F) shall apply to all non-Federal entities, except for assistance awards to Individuals and Foreign Public Entities (for more information on these exceptions, see Chapters 5, Federal Assistance to Individuals, and 6, Federal Assistance to Foreign Public Entities Directive.) Sub-Chapters A through E shall apply to all foreign organizations, and Sub-Chapters A through D shall apply to all U.S. and foreign for-profit entities.

The applicant/recipient of the award and any sub-recipient under the award must comply with all applicable terms and conditions, in addition to the assurance and certifications made part of the Notice of Award. The Department’s Standard Terms and Conditions can be viewed at https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm

3. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.

Applicants should be aware of the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

Applicants should be aware that U.S. Embassy Bangkok awards will require regular financial and progress reporting. The Federal Financial Report (FFR or SF-425) is the required form for the financial reports. The progress reports must reflect the focus on measuring the project’s impact on the overarching objectives and should be compiled according to the objectives, outcomes, and outputs as outlined in the award’s Scope of Work (SOW) and in the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Statement. An assessment of the overall project’s impact should be included in each progress report. Where relevant, progress reports should include the following sections:

• Relevant contextual information (limited);
• Explanation and evaluation of significant activities of the reporting period and how the activities reflect progress toward achieving objectives, including meeting benchmarks/targets as set in the M&E plan. In addition, attach the M&E plan, comparing the target and actual numbers for the indicators;
• Any tangible impact or success stories from the project, when possible;
• Copy of mid-term and/or final evaluation report(s) conducted by an external evaluator; if applicable;
• Relevant supporting documentation or products related to the project activities (such as articles, meeting lists and agendas, participant surveys, photos, manuals, etc.) as separate attachments;
• Description of how the Recipient is pursuing sustainability, including looking for sources of follow-on funding;
• Any problems/challenges in implementing the project and a corrective action plan with an updated timeline of activities;
• Reasons why established goals were not met;
• Data for the required indicator(s) for the reporting period as well as aggregate data by fiscal year. Additional pertinent information, including analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs, if applicable.

A final narrative and financial report must also be submitted within 90 days after the expiration of the award.

Please note: delays in reporting may result in delays of payment approvals and failure to provide required reports may jeopardize the recipients’ ability to receive future U.S. government funds.

U.S. Embassy Bangkok reserves the right to request any additional programmatic and/or financial project information during the award period.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

Please contact Neal Murata (murataNS@state.gov) and Adisorn Laopiroon (Adisorn@state.gov) in Public Affairs Section Bangkok for any questions related to this announcement.

H. OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages:  Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

Applicants should be aware that U.S. Embassy Bangkok understands that some information contained in applications may be considered sensitive or proprietary and will make appropriate efforts to protect such information. However, applicants are advised that U.S. Embassy Bangkok cannot guarantee that such information will not be disclosed, including pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or other similar statutes.

The information in this NOFO is binding and may not be modified by any U.S. Embassy Bangkok representative. Explanatory information provided by U.S. Embassy Bangkok that contradicts this language will not be binding. Issuance of the NOFO and negotiation of applications does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government. U.S. Embassy Bangkok reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the project evaluation requirements.

This NOFO will appear on www.grants.gov and U.S. Embassy Bangkok’s website.

By U.S. Embassy Bangkok | 1 July, 2019 | Topics: News