Bureau of INL accepting Applications for “Colombian National Police-Basic Police Academy Curriculum Assessment”

Deadline: 7 July 2020

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based non-governmental (NGOs)/non-profit organizations, Public International Organizations (PIOs), or private/state educational institutions for a Cooperative Agreement to implement a program entitled “Colombian National Police: Basic Police Academy Curriculum Assessment.”

This project should support the overarching goal of INL Bogota’s Law Enforcement Professionalization Section (LEPS): to disrupt and dismantle narcotrafficking and other transnational crime by enhancing CNP capabilities, processes, and internal structures. To contribute to that goal, this project will assess the CNP basic police academy curriculum and eligibility criteria to attend specialty schools and provide recommendations, if warranted.

This will help the CNP:

Strengthen basic training curriculum with a focus on practical tactics applicable to police work in the field; and,
Improve CNP capability to disrupt and dismantle narcotrafficking and other transnational crime by increasing the efficiency of basic training and enabling the deployment of fully qualified police into the field more quickly.

Current CNP training methods focus heavily on theory, providing negligible practical training throughout the basic course that fully prepares the participant to immediately and effectively discharge police duties. This approach runs counter to law enforcement best practices that emphasize practical training over classroom instruction. CNP policy also permits basic academy graduates to apply and enter into specialty schools after only serving one year in patrol, which reduces the amount of officers in the field. The proposed in-depth assessment of both curriculum and post-academy graduate training policies should evaluate the aforementioned approaches and provide recommendations that the CNP could adopt.

Project Goals

Perform and in-depth analysis of the CNP basic academy curriculum, assess whether it conforms to international best practices, and provide recommendations that strengthen basic police education and lead to faster deployment.
Evaluate CNP specialty schools application and admission policies and assess whether these conform to international best practices.
Provide train the trainer instruction on how to implement curriculum changes that stem from assessment recommendations, if any.

Project Objectives

Objective 1: Conduct a complete review of the CNP Basic Academy Curriculum
Objective 2: Revise the CNP basic academy curriculum if the initial assessment reveals it warrants revision and evaluate whether a possible curriculum revision may also result in an abbreviated basic training course.
Objective 3: Evaluate the CNP policy on eligibility for specialty schools.

Funding Information

The anticipated total federal funding amount is not to exceed $500,000.
The period of performance is 2 year(s) with an anticipated start date of March 2, 2020.

Target Populations

Applicants should identify target audiences, specific demographics, and the region(s) in which the project will be implemented. The primary population that the project is targeting is CNP leadership, CNP Directorate of Schools (DINAE) leadership, CNP basic police academy students, and Ministry of Education officials, as appropriate.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as U.S. not-for-profit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, or Public International Organizations (PIOs) with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Colombia and meet INL’s reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Colombia, if required by the country of project implementation.
Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Colombia or Latin America. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period
- Note: For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.
To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. INL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. INL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.
Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards issued under this grant award.
INL encourages applications from potential new partners.