Women’s Leaders Program Announcement

Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs (NEA)
Office of Middle East Partnership Initiative (NEA/PI)
Announcement Type:  New
CFDA Number:  19.500
Due Date for Applications:  August 15, 2008
Federal Agency Contact:  Jessica Baker or Katharine Bartels
Email:  nea-grants@state.gov
Telephone number:  202-776-8500

I. Funding Opportunity Description

The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (NEA/PI) announces an open competition for proposals to support women’s empowerment, political leadership, and social participation in the Middle East.  Through the Women Leaders Program, NEA/PI seeks to strengthen the ability of women leaders in selected MENA countries to engage effectively with counterparts regarding issues related to enhancing women’s rights, legal status, political participation, and economic empowerment. 

This is a request for applications (RFA) from organizations with functional and regional experience in the areas of women’s empowerment, civil society strengthening, and leadership development in the Gulf, as well as in North Africa, to include the countries of Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia.  Applications should specify organizations’ key competencies in specific areas of women’s empowerment and outline their regional and country-specific expertise. 

NEA/PI is aware that there has been improvement in women’s rights throughout the Middle East and North Africa in recent years.  However, much work still needs to be done.  This announcement provides an opportunity for organizations to present ideas that provide innovative and conceptually new avenues of approach to women’s issues or that creatively build upon existing activities benefiting women in the region.  NEA/PI particularly seeks proposals that are not only innovative but avoid replication of projects currently being implemented in the region.  Preference will be given to program ideas that focus on substantive partnerships with indigenous MENA organizations and address reform opportunities as identified by local partners. 

MEPI seeks to identify partners with demonstrated competency in developing programs that feature skills building activities for young women between the ages of 25 and 45.  Programs should include activities that focus on one or more of the following priority areas, as identified by women in the MENA region:

• Empower young women as agents for change through improved leadership and teamwork, particularly at the community level;

• Develop women advocates by linking opinion leaders (business, legal, media, etc.) with female political leaders and/or improve political and advocacy ability of young women business leaders;

• Strengthen female journalists and journalism students, particularly in providing media coverage of women and women’s issues;

• Enhance political skills for elected/appointed female officials and up-and-coming women political leaders

Although the primary focus of the program should be women’s leadership development, projects that also engage male participants, as well as project components that reach out to local or community leaders, will be given consideration.

Background Information about MEPI:  MEPI is a Presidential initiative to promote political, economic, and educational reform, and to empower women in the Middle East and North Africa through results-oriented programs, both regional and specific to individual countries.  Reform is important to the U.S. goal of ensuring that the people of the region experience the benefits that come with more open economies, greater educational opportunities, and political freedom.  A key element of MEPI is creating links and partnerships between Arab and U.S. civil society, and with governments to jointly achieve sustainable reform.  For additional information, please go to http://www.mepi.state.gov.

Electronic Link to Full Announcement:  Go to http://www.mepi.state.gov, click on Current Opportunities, click on “Women Leaders Program Announcement” link

II.  Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

Anticipated Total Program Funding: Up to $1.8 million Economic Support Funds in Federal Fiscal Year 2008

Anticipated number of Awards: Minimum of two, maximum of 6

Floor of Individual Award Amounts: $300,000

Ceiling of Individual Award Amounts: $900,000.

NEA/PI reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described in the absence of worthy applications or under such other circumstances as NEA/PI may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government.

Project and Budget Periods:  Applicants may propose performance periods of up to two years.  NEA/PI will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards, beyond the initial budget period, on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the applicants, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Department of State.

III.  Eligibility Information
Eligible applicants include any registered U.S. or foreign non-governmental organization, and U.S. or foreign private institutions or commercial entities.    

NEA/PI strongly encourages applications from partnerships or coalitions including local or regional organizations.  For the purposes of this RFA, “partnership” is defined as a negotiated arrangement among organizations that provides for a substantive, collaborative role for each of the partners in the planning and implementation of a project.  Applicants intending to represent a coalition of providers should be prepared to provide, if requested, a signed partnership agreement stating:

• An intent to commit or receive resources or services from the prospective partner(s) contingent upon receipt of funds;
• How the partnership arrangement advances the objectives of the project;
• Supporting documentation identifying the resources, experience, and expertise of the partner(s);
• Evidence that each of the partner(s) has been involved in the planning of the project;
• Clarification of the role of the partner(s) in the implementation of the project, evaluation, and sustainability.

Preference will be given to project proposals developed and authored by coalitions of organizations.  Assistance to civil society and women’s empowerment coalitions represents an important MEPI goal.  Applications should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all organizations involved in the project and should reflect the input of local/in-country partners.

NEA/PI encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost-sharing from additional sources in support of this project.  NEA/PI also encourages projects that use highly skilled volunteers.  Applications should explain clearly other likely sources of funding and how the volunteers will be used.  If these resources are not proposed, applicants should explain why not.

Additional Information on Eligibility:  All Federal assistance recipients must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number prior to funds disbursement.  A DUNS number may be acquired at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or requesting on-line at www.dnb.com.

IV.  Application Submission and Deadline

Application materials may be submitted online via http://www.grants.gov, or via email attachments to Jessica Baker in NEA/PI at nea-grants@state.gov.  Email submissions including attachments should not exceed three megabytes.  To meet the announcement deadline, submissions must be made before midnight eastern standard time (EST) on August 15, 2008.  Applicants who would have difficulty submitting via electronic submission must notify NEA/PI before August 1, 2008.

The submission checklist for applicant’s easy reference:

____ (a) Federal Assistance Application (Standard Form 424)  available at: http://www.grants.gov or from Jessica Baker, U.S. Department of State, NEA/ PI, c/o Room 6258, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, DC, 20520, telephone (202) 776-8500, fax: (202) 776-8445, e-mail: nea-grants@state.gov
____ (b) Cover Sheet (Executive Summary) – Format found in the RFA application package at http://www.grants.gov  or at http://mepi.state.gov/c10133.htm
____ (c) Proposal Narrative - The application narrative should not exceed 20 pages with no more than 20 pages of appendices attached, excluding the budget narrative submission.  Each page should be numbered sequentially.  The limitation of 40 pages should be considered as a maximum and not necessarily a goal, and excludes the SF 424 and cover sheet.  Narrative submission should be in Times New Roman font, size 12, single-line spacing.

Applicants should be prepared to provide a copy of their most recent annual report and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) if applicable upon request.

V. Review and Selection Process

Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated by the U.S. Government and by an independent review panel on the basis of the following evaluation criteria.  The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.  The criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application.  Points are awarded only to applications that are responsive within the context of this program announcement.

Applicants must submit a full project description in accordance with the following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria.  The instructions give a broad overview of what the project description should include while the evaluation criteria provide details of more program-specific information that is needed.

Project Summary/Abstract:  Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with reference to the amount and duration of the funding request.

Narrative:  Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might accelerate or decelerate the work and state reasons for taking the proposed approach rather than others.  Describe any unusual features of the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.

Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities accomplished.  When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.  List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution.

Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial statements, documentation of professional accreditation or of experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. 

Include written agreements between grantees and sub-grantees or subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship. 

Application Evaluation Criteria:

Innovation and Approach – The organization must clearly state and demonstrate capacity in target program areas and articulate an innovative strategy or plan in a program priority area that will provide maximum impact.  In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of this RFA.  The approach will be evaluated in terms of expediency and feasibility in the regional and country context.  Additional points will be given to organizations that indicate how they plan to target and engage male participants and/or how they intend to reach out to local and community leaders. (25 points)

Results or Benefits – The organization must clearly describe how its proposal will address one of the MEPI program areas described above.  The organization must demonstrate that it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward MEPI goals.  Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referenced in the endnotes/footnotes.  The demographic data and participant/beneficiary information illustrate reasonably the impact to be achieved within a maximum two-year timeframe. (25 points)

Organizational Capacity – The organization has expertise in one or more key program areas and demonstrates the ability to engage and work together with local and regional networks.  Where partners are described, the applicant details the rationale for the consortia, each partner’s respective role, and how the coalition will enhance the progress towards achieving MEPI goals in the stated program areas of competency.  The organization demonstrates a high level of regional and/or country expertise.  Individual organization staffs, including volunteers, are well qualified and described. (20 points)

Staff and Position Specifications – Each key person whether staff, consultant or volunteer is described in a biographical sketch; a job description is provided for each open key position. A biographical sketch of required credentials describes any positions to be advertised post-award. (10 points)

Budget and Budget Justification – The detailed budget includes a breakout of any funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.  Calculations are provided with line item detail for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information form (SF 424).  The budget narrative provides details of calculations including estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated.  For guidance in responding to this criteria see http://mepi.state.gov/55517.htm.  

The budget and narrative justification are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results and the plan for services is realistic.  The budget documents the necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of all proposed costs.  Adequate travel to and within the Middle East is proposed.  The application documents any efforts to secure other funding sources, including volunteers and cost-sharing.  (20 points)

VI.  Award Administration 

A.  Award Notices:  The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a Financial Assistance Award document, which sets forth the amount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be given, the non-Federal share to be provided (if applicable), and the total project period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and the award package will be transmitted electronically. Following the finalization of funding decisions, organizations whose applications will not be funded will be notified by electronic letter.

B.  Administration and National Policy Requirements.  Those applicants selected under this RFA will receive a cooperative agreement containing terms and conditions prescribed by the Department of State under U.S. law and regulation:
22 CFR –Parts 137 & 145
Public Law 108-447

Reporting Requirements:  Programmatic and Financial Reports will be due 30 days after each quarter.  One web-postable program summary is required within 30 days of the award.  A final report covering finance and results achieved will be due 90 days after the end of the performance period.

Recipients will be required to submit a Results Monitoring Plan (RMP) to track the project’s progress towards meeting objectives during implementation, as the activities unfold, and at the end of the project. It may include a draft survey questionnaire or other technique.  Recipients should plan to track participants or partners and be able to respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual understanding as well as substantive knowledge.

The RMP will include the project’s Intended Outcome(s) and Objectives with Performance Indicators for each.  The Intended Outcome is the principal change NEA/PI and the implementers are trying to achieve by completing the activities and realizing the objectives of a project.  It is the envisioned “end-state,” and says how a situation will be different after the project is successfully completed.  The Objectives are concrete accomplishments that can be explicitly and logically linked to achievement of an Intended Outcome.  Objectives should be "smart" (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and achievable within the time frame of the project).

Performance Indicators will measure achievement of the Intended Outcomes and Objectives rather than outputs of activities.  Outputs are products and services delivered, often stated as an amount.  Output information is important to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot substitute for information about progress towards the results achieved.  For example, number of service providers trained would NOT be a direct measure of the result service delivery improved.   Findings on outputs and results may both be reported, but the focus should be on results.

Applicants will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to NEA/PI in their regular program reports.  All data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to NEA/PI upon request.

In addition, representatives from the U.S. Department of State will review all agendas and materials for all program components and participate in selected parts of the program as deemed appropriate.

Acknowledgement:  All products and services developed or produced as a result of an approved cooperative agreement must clearly acknowledge the U.S. Middle East Partnership Initiative support.  The U.S. Government will retain the right to royalty free use of all materials developed through U.S. funded programs.  Similarly, all related written materials; statements, press, media releases, or events must acknowledge the U.S. Government support.  NEA/PI must approve all publicity and advertising materials before they are published.  The recipient will also allow for Internet connectivity with the MEPI web site, where relevant.  A report on the program will be posted on the www.mepi.state.gov website

Recipient organizations must ensure that the Department of State, through the Middle East Partnership Initiative, is acknowledged as the program sponsor in all program related communications.  All communications, paper or electronic, must include the full program name, and the MEPI logo along with the following text:  A program of the U.S. Department of State, the Middle East Partnership Initiative. 

Signed:
Kent Patton
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Near East Affairs
Department of State