Bureau of INL: Logistical Support for Capacity Building, Training, and Travel for Law Enforcement and Rule of Law in Panama

Deadline: 30 June 2020

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified applicants for a Cooperative Agreement entitled Capacity Building, Training, Travel and Support for Law Enforcement and Rule of Law in Panama.

The purpose of this award will be to provide travel and logistics services on behalf of capacity building projects implemented by INL in Panama.

INL Panama provides support to host government personnel, contractors and consultants attending law enforcement and rule of law training locally and other countries, furthering the sharing of best practices. In support of this capacity-building development, and to expedite the implementation of training through travel, INL seeks to award a cooperative agreement for capacity-building training, travel, and logistics support tied to specific INL goals in Panama that cover capacity enhancement of law enforcement entities, improved border management, counter narcotics efforts, strengthening of the justice sector, improve prison management as well as support for vetted units managed by U.S. law enforcement entities.

Project Objectives and Activities

Provide travel and logistics support to INL capacity-building projects in Panama:
- Activity 1: Obtain Travel Documents
- Activity 2: Provide Travel Advances
- Activity 3: Purchase Airline Tickets/Air Transportation
- Activity 4: Provide Health, Travel, and Personal Property Insurance
- Activity 5: Arrange Ground Transportation
- Activity 6: Reserve Lodging
- Activity 7: Rent Facilities
- Activity 8: Provide Refreshments and Meals
- Activity 9: Event/Travel Close Out
- Activity 10: Unused Funds Settlement
- Activity 11: Arrange Translation Services
- Activity 12: Printing and Reproduction Services
- Activity 13: Transfer of Tuition Payments
- Activity 14: Database Management
- Activity 15: Respond to Exceptional Circumstances
- Activity 16: Expand purchase order authorization options

Funding Information

INL expects to award one (1) grant agreement based on this NOFO. The maximum federal funding amount is $3,000,000 for the initial project period of two (2) years, with an anticipated start date of October 1, 2020. The awardee will have a period of 90 days to establish any required offices, processes, and other related needs to begin processing requests from INL Panama on January 1, 2021.

Eligibility Criteria

U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
U.S.-based educational institutions with a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
Overseas-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and
Overseas-based private/state educational institutions.
Applicants also must meet all of the following requirements:
- Demonstrate current (or pending renewal of) business registration in Panama
- Demonstrate experience implementing similar travel logistics or capacity-building programs, preferably in Central 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.
- Have the ability to communicate, produce course materials, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. At least some project staff must be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
- Include project staff with knowledge of federal and local travel regulations.
- Note: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and 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