The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that encourage the Government of Tanzania to reduce restrictions on freedom of expression for the public and the media.
Objectives
In support of this goal, programs should work towards the following programming objectives:
Media and Civil Society Actors Actively Advocate for their Right to Free Expression. Activities to support this objective should focus on improving coordination and the capacity of civil society and press in effectively advocating for their right to freedom of expression.
Improved Legal Framework and Regulatory Environment for Free Expression. Activities under this objective should work to ensure a stronger legal framework and more permissible legal environment – such as through the reduction in suspension of media outlets by the government – for ensuring free expression.
Funding Information
Total Funding Floor: $1,000,000
Total Funding Ceiling: $1,000,000
Period of Performance: 18-24 Months
Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 6 Months.
Eligible Activities
DRL anticipates awarding either a grant or cooperative agreement depending on the needs and risk factors of the program. The final determination on award mechanism will be made by the Grants Officer. The distinction between grants and cooperative agreements revolves around the existence of “substantial involvement.” Cooperative agreements require greater Federal government participation in the project. If a cooperative agreement is awarded, DRL will undertake reasonable and programmatically necessary substantial involvement. Examples of substantial involvement can include, but are not limited to:
Active participation or collaboration with the recipient in the implementation of the award;
Review and approval of one stage of work before another can begin;
Review and approval of substantive provisions of proposed sub-awards or contracts beyond existing Federal policy;
Approval of the recipient’s budget or plan of work prior to the award.
The authority for this funding opportunity is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA).
To maximize the impact and sustainability of the award(s) that result from this NOFO, DRL retains the right to execute non-competitive continuation amendment(s). The total duration of any award, including potential non-competitive continuation amendments, shall not exceed 54 months, or four and a half years. Any non-competitive continuation is contingent on performance and pending availability of funds. A non-competitive continuation is not guaranteed, and the Department of State reserves the right to exercise or not to exercise this option.
Eligibility Criteria
DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.
Exemptions
An exemption from these requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if:
An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.
For an applicant, if the federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a UEI and completing SAM.gov registration prior to receiving a federal award. In these instances, federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a UEI and complete SAM.gov registration within 30 days of the federal award date.
