U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. EMBASSY DJIBOUTI

Notice of Funding Opportunity

 

           

Funding Opportunity Title:                         Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund (FTIF) Grant Opportunity for U.S. Embassy Djibouti

Funding Opportunity Number:                  FTIF-DJI-FY17-01

CFDA Number:                                            19.700 General Department of State

CFDA Title:                                                   General Department of State Assistance

Announcement Date:                                    6/24/2018

Deadline for Submission of Applications:  8/24/2018

Total Amount Available:                             $250,000

Expected Number of Awards:                     Three

Assistance Type:                                           Grant

 

1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
   The U.S. Embassy Djibouti, Office of Monetary Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for the Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund (FTIF) grant proposal to support a 12-month project mostly to assist the Government of Djibouti (GoDJ) in training, technical assistance, and capacity building to support budget transparency and public financial management. The organizations must submit applications to carry out a program that will work with relevant public entities on improving financial transparency and accountability. The programs shall also address anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing (AML/CTF) reforms to strengthen the GoDJ’s AML/CTF regime. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

 

Priority Region: Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti

 

Program Objectives:

Based on the 2017 Fiscal Transparency Report, Djibouti did not meet minimum requirements: https://bit.ly/2GvxOmR.  Djibouti’s fiscal transparency would be improved by publishing its executive budget proposal within a reasonable period, publishing a full-enacted budget, by ensuring budget documents are substantially complete, including with information on state-owned enterprises and off-budget accounts producing more credible and reliable budget data and ensuring the supreme audit institution audits the government’s financial statements and publishing its reports within a reasonable period.

 

The objective of this program is to help Djibouti improve its fiscal transparency and accountability.

 

Djibouti’s Ministry of Budget is responsible for drafting and publishing the national budget. Based on the 2017 Fiscal Transparency Report, their office faces challenges with staffing and training. The Ministry of Budget’s methods to forecast do not properly reflect the investment and growth climate in Djibouti, and the methodology to collect and distribute revenue is likely not accounted for in the national budget creation. The Supreme Audit Court (SAC) is mandated to carry out an annual audit of GoDJ’s financial statements. The audits have not yet been made publicly available, nor have the audit methodologies been published. Furthermore, several ministries maintain off-budget accounts that are not currently audited. The SAC said that it lacks sufficient staffing and resources to be able to carry out their mandates.

 

Embassy Djibouti is seeking an implementing partner to perform the following activities to encourage and enable improved transparency in reporting and coordination, as well as a timelier and more thorough audit processes.  Each of the activities should be 12 months, including the pre-program information-gathering and post-program reporting phases.  All activities should be designed and given in French, but the reports to the Embassy should be in English.

 

Activity A: Budget Formulation Capacity Building:

Provide capacity building to the Ministry of Budget to improve the reliability, completeness, public availability and timeliness of budget data through an embedded expert and training sessions. We ask for at least one month in-country of background and information-gathering followed by 9 months of programming. The final two months will be for program completion and report generation. The capacity building should be designed to be offered to at least 5 Ministry staff.

 

Work with the GoDJ to improve the transparent formation of national public expenditure budgets by determining gaps in budget formulation then offer trainings on how to improve budgets. Continue to actively monitor the ministries’ and provide constructive guidance on their budget formulation.

 

Activity B: Financial Reporting:  Engage the Central Bank to gather information on their current reporting methods.  Develop and implement capacity building programs to create transparent and more coordinated reporting of foreign investments. Establish a means for relevant ministries to collaborate their data sets of infrastructure and other foreign-backed investment projects. Coordinate to share this information.

 

Perform one month of background information gathering about financial reporting systems in Djibouti. Using this, provide technical assistance for 10 months to the Ministry of Budget for mechanisms to report and publish national budgets. Also, engage with the National Commission on Anti-Corruption (NCAC) and other relevant actors to ensure sustainability of the capacity building of projects carried out as a result of this proposal. Generate reports during the final month of the activity.

 

Activity C: Auditing and Accountability: Perform one month of background information gathering about auditing and accountability systems in Djibouti. Use expert analyses of current processes. Use these analyses to develop and implement capacity building programs for the SAC on improving the quality, timeliness, and public disclosure of SAC audits.  The programs should continue for 10 months and include seminars and technical assistance. Generate reports during the final month of the activity.

 

The Activities should commence in 2018 and last for a total for 12 months. Both regional and international companies are welcome to submit applications. The implementing partner(s) must have previous experience and expertise analyzing governmental fiscal and budgetary information, engaging with and training partners and stakeholders, circulating results through traditional media and digital platforms, improving accountability in budgetary reporting, as well as experience with training auditing institutions.  Priority will be given to an organization or company that can combine FTIF funds with existing funding streams and have a strong record of accomplishment of working in fiscal transparency and/or the Horn of Africa.

 

The funding shall be used for salary, travel as necessary, and materials necessary in order to conduct the capacity building activities.

 

Expected results:

Djibouti’s fiscal transparency would be improved by publishing its executive budget proposal within a reasonable period of time; publishing a full enacted budget; ensuring budget documents are substantially complete, including with information on state-owned enterprises and off-budget accounts; producing more credible and reliable budget data; and ensuring the supreme audit institution audits the government’s financial statements and publishes its reports within a reasonable period of time.

 

Participants and Audiences:

Ministry of Budget, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Central Bank of Djibouti, Office of Anti-Corruption, Supreme Audit Court

 

1. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 

Funding Amount:  $50,000 to $83,300 per award

Length of performance period: 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: Three awards (one for each activity)

Total available funding: $250,000

Type of Funding: FY 2017 Economic Support Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act

Anticipated program start date: September 2018

Funding Instrument Type:  Grant

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

Please note that this notice is subject to availability of funding.

 

1. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

 

1. Eligible Applicants

 

The following organizations are eligible to apply (U.S. and foreign).  Applicants must be able to obtain visas to enter and carry out the program in Djibouti.

 

• Not-for-profit organizations including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Higher educational institutions
• International organizations
• Private organizations
• Must be able to effectively verbally communication in French

 

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

 

Cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not a requirement of an application in response to this funding announcement.  Cost sharing or matching is encouraged but will not be a factor for consideration in the panel review criteria.  Applicants should show any cost share in the budget proposal.

 

1. 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.

 

Applicants shall provide the CFDA number to determine eligibility requirements.

 

1. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

 

1. Address to Request Application Package

 

Application forms required below are available at US Embassy Djibouti website and grants.gov. Technically-eligible submissions are those which:

 

1) Arrive electronically to www.grants.gov by the designated deadline;

2) Have heeded all instructions contained in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), including length and completeness of submission; and

3) Do not violate any of the guidelines stated in the solicitation and this document.

 

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. Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424a, and SF424b http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf submitted to www.grants.gov, as well as, if applicable, your organization’s most recent audit.

 

1. Table of Contents (not to exceed one [1] page in Microsoft Word) that includes a page-numbered contents page, including any attachments.

 

1. Executive Summary (not to exceed two [2] pages in Microsoft Word) that includes:

1. Name and contact information for the project’s main point of contact,
2. A statement of work or synopsis of the project, including a concise breakdown of the project’s objectives, activities, and expected results,
3. The total amount of funding requested and project length, and
4. A brief statement on how the project is innovative, sustainable, and will have a demonstrated impact.

 

1. Proposal Narrative (not to exceed ten [10] pages in Microsoft Word). Please note the ten-page limit does not include the Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Attachments, Detailed Budget, Budget Narrative, or negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA.) Applicants are encouraged to submit multiple documents in a single Microsoft Word, (i.e., Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, and Budget Narrative in one file).

 

1. Budget Narrative (preferably in Microsoft Word) that includes an explanation and justification for each line item in the detailed budget spreadsheet, as well as the source and a description of all cost-share offered. For ease of review, U.S. Embassy Djibouti recommends applicants order the budget narrative as presented in the detailed budget. Personnel costs should include a clarification of the roles and responsibilities of key staff and percentage of time devoted to the project. The budget narrative should communicate to U.S. Embassy Djibouti any information that might not be readily apparent in the budget, not simply repeat with words what is stated numerically in the budget.

 

1. Detailed Line-Item Budget (preferably in Microsoft Excel) that includes three [3] columns including the request to U.S. Embassy Djibouti, any cost sharing contribution, and total budget (see below for more information on budget format). A summary budget should also be included using the OMB approved budget categories (see SF-424 as a sample). Costs must be in U.S. dollars.

 

1. Attachments (not to exceed nine [9] pages total, preferably in Microsoft Word) that include the following in order:

1. Page 1-2: Project Monitoring and Evaluation (see below for more information on this section).
2. Page 3: Roles and responsibilities of key project personnel with short bios that highlight relevant professional experience. This relates to the organization’s capacity.
3. Page 4: Timeline of the overall proposal. Components should include activities, evaluation efforts, and project closeout.
4. Page 5-7: Additional optional attachments. Attachments may include further timeline information, letters of support, memoranda of understanding (MOU)/agreement, etc. For applicants with a large number of letters/MOUs, it may be useful to provide a list of the organizations or government agencies that support the project rather than the actual documentation.

 

1. If your organization has a NICRA and will include NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA must be included as a .pdf file. This document will not be reviewed by the panelists, but rather used by project and grant staff if the submission is recommended for funding and therefore does not count against the submission page limitations, as described above. If your proposal involves sub-awards to organizations charging indirect costs, please submit the applicable NICRA also as a .pdf file (see below for more information on indirect cost rates). Specify if your organization elects to charge the de minimis rate of 10% of the modified total direct costs.

 

1. Audit Requirement:
   1. Complies with the requirements of 2 CFR 200 Subpart F “Audit Requirements;”
   2. Complies with the requirements of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) No. 92-9, “Audits of Not-for-Profit Organizations Receiving Federal Awards;”
   3. Complies with AICPA Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards AU Section 551, “Reporting on Information Accompanying the Basic Financial Statements in Auditor-Submitted Documents,” where applicable. When the U.S. Department of State is the largest direct source of Federal financial assistance (i.e., the cognizant Federal Agency) and indirect costs are charged to Federal grants, a supplemental schedule of indirect cost computation is required;
   4. A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more during the non-Federal entity’s fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200 subpart F. The audit costs shall be identified by 2 CFR 200.435.

 

1. Please use only Microsoft Word to fill out the project form.

 

Pre-applications, concept papers, or SOI are not required

 

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

 

Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR §25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR §25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by the Department of State. The Department of State may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Department of State is ready to make a Federal award, the Department of State may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

 

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 24 August 2018

 

All components of the application must be received by DjiboutiGrants@state.gov or grants.gov no later than 17:00 on 24 August, 2018 East Africa Time.  Late applications will not be reviewed.  Applicants will receive an email conformation of receipt from DjiboutiGrants@state.gov within 48 hours of the application submission.

 

5. Funding Restrictions

 

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

 

6. Other Submission Requirements

 

All application materials must be submitted by email to DjiboutiGrants@state.gov with the subject line: “ORGANIZATION NAME: Fiscal Transparency Grant Application” by 24 August, 2018.

 

 

1. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

 

1. Criteria

 

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.  The weights were determined by the importance that Embassy Djibouti places on the long-term effectiveness and success of the program.

 

1. Quality of Program Idea (35%): Proposals should exhibit creativity, thoroughness, and direct relevance to this notice of funding opportunity.  The work plan should demonstrate specifically what will be done under the program and the organization’s capacity to achieve it.  The work plan should adhere to the objectives and guidelines described above.  Objectives should be ambitious yet achievable and measurable.  Proposals should indicate a monthly timeline of project activities with specific achievable milestones.  Programs should also present specific plans for any sub-awards under this program, including, but not limited to:  selection criteria, promotion, award-amounts, and requirements for sub-award requirements.

 

2. Sustainability (20%): Proposed programs should address the program’s long-term sustainability either through garnering other donor support or demonstrating market-supported results.  Proposals should indicate how U.S. Government financing for this program will result in long-term capacity building in the creative content production industry, and how sub-projects funded by sub-awards will remain viable after the expiration of U.S. Government funding.

 

3. Institution’s Record and Capacity (15%): The Embassy will consider the past performance of prior grant recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.  Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful program administration, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with reporting requirements for previous programs.  Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the project’s goals.  Roles and responsibilities of primary staff should be explained in detail and the application should detail how the proposed program leader has sufficient and relevant experience to manage the proposed program’s activities. Organizations must prove an extensive history of project management and expertise in the media field.  S. and third-country organizations must be able to demonstrate a track record of building or the ability to develop active partnerships with organizations and relevant stakeholders in the Republic of Moldova and regional partners, including in the public sector, private sector, and civil society.

 

4. Cost Effectiveness (15%): The overhead and administrative components of the proposal, including salaries, should be kept as low as possible.  All other budget items should be necessary and appropriate.

 

5. Program Evaluation Plan (15%): Programs should explain how ongoing monitoring and evaluation will provide feedback that will be incorporated into the program.  Programs should include detailed methodology of the evaluation methodology and criteria, as well as a clear process for adjustments based upon unsatisfactory performance and/or failure to me milestones.

 

2. Review and Selection Process

 

A Grants Review Committee consisting of individuals from various sections at the U.S. Embassy Djibouti will evaluate all eligible applications and review the applications based on the criteria above.  

 

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:

 

1. 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);

 

1. 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.

 

 

1. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

 

1. Federal Award Notices

 

The grant award(s) 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, the Department of State 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 the Department of State.

 

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.

 

 

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

 

Awards must comply with 2 CFR 200 (https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=ae12d7ee4281fde56374c5e572275e52&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML), State Department Terms and Conditions (http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/271865.pdf), assurances, and any other legal requirements in the United States and the Republic of Moldova.

 

 

3. Reporting: Successful applicant will be required to submit:

 

1. Program Reports: S. Embassy Djibouti requires program quarterly 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. Quarterly progress briefs are also required. The submission dates for program reports will be written into the cooperative agreement. All reports must be written in English.

 

The Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR) is a standard, government-wide performance reporting format.  Recipients of Department of State funding must submit the signed SF-PPR cover page with each program report.

 

2. 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 in accordance with other award specific requirements.  Form FFR (SF-425) can be found on the DOS website here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1

 

 

1. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:

Grants Officer Representative:  Haudo Hassan

Email: DjiboutiGrants@state.gov

Telephone:  +253 21453137

 

1. OTHER INFORMATION

The issuance of this Notice of Funding Opportunity 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 during the preparation and submission of proposals.  Furthermore, the U.S. Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.  If a proposal is selected for funding, the U.S. Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in connection with the award.  Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the U.S. Department of State.

By U.S. Embassy Djibouti | 24 June, 2018 | Topics: Economic Affairs, Economic Issues, Events, News