Deadline: 17 July 2020
The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is seeking applications from qualified U.S. based non-governmental (NGOs)/nonprofit organizations or Educational Institutions for Grant(s) to implement a program entitled, “Western Hemisphere Rule of Law Index and Analysis Program.”
INL is part of the Department of State’s multi-faceted response to transnational criminal activity. Dedicated to strengthening criminal justice systems, countering the flow of illegal narcotics, and minimizing transnational crime, INL plays a key role in leading the development and synchronization of U.S. international counternarcotic and anti-crime assistance. INL’s technical support is tailored to bolster capacities of partner countries through multilateral, regional, and country-specific programs.
In support of these efforts, INL is seeking applications for seven (7) grant projects to comprehensively assess rule of law and criminal justice systems in (29) countries in the Western Hemisphere, including seven (7) Central America countries: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, fourteen (14) Caribbean countries, including Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Eastern Caribbean nations (Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Dominica, and Barbados), and eight (8) South America/Southern Cone countries, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay.
INL is seeking proposals addressing how the implementer will develop and deliver the Western Hemisphere Rule of Law Index Justice Polling and Analysis Program. The implementer shall provide, on an annual basis, a quantitative country profile for each assigned country that reflects the status of the rule of law, by developing a product that can analyze the rule of law in all of the assigned Western Hemisphere countries to be compared over time and in relation to the situation worldwide. The program will contain the following elements:
- Collecting primary data from local experts in the requested countries;
- Collecting primary data from a representative sample of the general public and development of graphical reports produced with the data in the requested countries every two (2) years;
- Triangulating the data to produce comparable, independent, and reliable scores that reflect the status of the rule of law in the requested countries;
- Presenting these scores in a condensed, easy-to-read format;
- Collecting data in countries experiencing changes in their political landscape or in countries expecting major institutional changes (e.g. after a major reform);
- Developing graphical reports summarizing individuals’ perceptions of and experiences with corruption in the Caribbean;
- Collecting primary data from inmates in Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica, charged under the inquisitorial and the accusatorial systems and the development of graphical reports;
- Ensuring all data is transferred to INL/WHP at the end of each year and/or upon request in a useable format.
Funding Information
- INL expects to execute up to seven (7) awards based on this NOFO. The anticipated total federal funding amount is up to $6,964,000.00 USD. The period of performance is two (2) years with an anticipated start date of August 2020. INL may extend the program up to an additional three (3) years, contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the implementer, and pending funding availability.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to:
- 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, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in the Western Hemisphere region and meet INL’s reporting requirements.
- Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs in the region. 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.
- 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.
PLEASE NOTE: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.
For further information, visit https://www.hildencharitablefund.org/