[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28230-28233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13212]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 3052]
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs;
Anti-Domestic Violence and Trafficking in Women and Children; Training
and Technical Assistance Program
AGENCY: Office of Europe, NIS, and Training; Bureau for International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, State.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: State Department's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs (INL) began an anti-domestic violence and
trafficking in women and children program in 1997 to provide training
and technical assistance in consultation with counterparts in Russia
and the New Independent States (NIS). The goal of the program is to
increase professionalism and improve the technical capabilities of law
enforcement institutions to develop prevention and early intervention
strategies to combat domestic violence and trafficking in women and
children while protecting the human rights of victims.
This program includes the participation of non-Federal agencies
(e.g., universities, state/local government agencies, private non-
profit organizations, etc.) in the delivery of law enforcement training
and technical assistance to Russia, and the NIS. This non-Federal
component of the INL program has a timeframe of 1999-2001.
DATES: Full proposals must be received at INL no later than 30 days
following the announcement date. We anticipate that review of full
proposals will occur during July 1999 and funding should begin during
September. September 27, 1999 should be used as the proposed start date
on proposals, unless otherwise directed by the Grants Officer. All
proposals must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines below.
Failure to heed these guidelines may result in proposals being returned
without review.
ADDRESSES: Submit proposals to: Linda Gower, U.S. Department of State,
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, 2430 E
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520, TEL: 202-776-8774.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Funding Availability
This Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted by
agencies/programs outside the Federal government, over a period of up
to two years. Current plans are for up to a total of $2.8 million to be
available for new (or renewing) INL awards. The funding instrument for
awards will be a grant. Funding for non-U.S. institutions and
contractual arrangements for services and products for delivery to INL
are not available under this announcement. Matching share, though
encouraged, is not required by this program.
[[Page 28231]]
Program Authority
Authority: Section 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act, as
amended.
Program Objectives
One of the goals of the INL program is to institute democratic
practices by increasing the technical capabilities of foreign country
law enforcement institutions.
The INL program has been designed to generate assistance to foreign
governments which will complement the training and assistance provided
by Federal agencies on a range of crime issues. All training and
assistance of the INL anti-domestic violence and trafficking in women
and children program should be focused on city or local police forces,
the procuracy and advocacy/non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Program Priorities
The FY 1999 INL Program Announcement invites training and technical
assistance program proposals for Russia and the Newly Independent
States in the following areas:
(1) Domestic Violence; and
(2) Trafficking in Women and Children.
All training conducted under this program must utilize a multi-
disciplinary training format that encourages law enforcement
cooperation with prosecutors, judges, social workers, medical
personnel, psychologists, crisis centers and other relevant NGOs. This
training format should address the elements of ``prevention,''
``enforcement and prosecution,'' and ``protection/assistance for
victims''.
As much as possible, training programs should also have a regional
focus targeting cities where there are crisis centers and other
relevant NGOs.
Any grant applicants who will be working with Russian and NIS
crisis centers or other relevant foreign NGOs to implement the proposed
training program may sub-grant or sub-contract services and provide
equipment and supplies to assist in fulfilling program objectives.
Government Involvement
The Department of State will exercise normal federal stewardship
responsibilities during the implementation of programs. Department of
State involvement will include, but is not limited to: site visits,
review and response to performance, technical or subject matter, review
of financial reports, and audit of programs to ensure that the
objectives, terms, and conditions of a grant award are accomplished.
Grant recipients will also be required to provide information to the
Department of State on proposed meetings, trainees or organizations
intended to receive technical assistance. The Department of State has
the right to approve or deny any such meetings, trainees or
organizations.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to non-Federal agencies and organizations,
and is encouraged with the objective of developing a strong partnership
with the state/local law enforcement community. Non-law enforcement
proposers are urged to seek collaboration with state/local law
enforcement institutions, crisis centers and other relevant NGOs.
Experience of U.S. trainers related to combating domestic violence and/
or trafficking in women and children is required. State and local
governments, universities, and non-profit organizations are included
among entities eligible for funding under this announcement. Direct
funding for non-U.S. institutions is not available under this
announcement.
Evaluation Criteria
Consideration for financial assistance will be given to those
proposals which address one or both of the program priorities
identified above and meet the following evaluation criteria:
(1) Relevance (20%): Importance and relevance to the goal and
objectives of the INL Anti-Domestic Violence and Trafficking in Women
and Children program.
(2) Methodology (25%): Adequacy of the proposed approach and
activities, including development of relevant training curricula,
training methods proposed, project evaluation methodology, project
milestones, and final products.
(3) Readiness (25%): Relevant history and experience in conducting
training/technical assistance in the program priority areas identified
above, strength of proposed training/technical assistance, past
performance record of proposers.
(4) Linkages (15%): Connections to existing law enforcement
agencies and NGOs in Russia and the NIS, in addition to previous
training or related assistance experience in these countries.
(5) Costs (15%): Adequacy/efficiency of the proposed resources;
appropriate share of total available resources; prospects for joint
funding.
Selection Procedures
All proposals will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the
assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria by independent peer
panel review composed of INL and other Federal USG agency experts.
Their recommendations and evaluations will be considered by INL in
final selections. Those ranked by the panel and program as not
recommended for funding will not be given further consideration and
will be notified of non-selection. For the proposals rated for possible
funding, the program managers will: (a) ascertain which proposals meet
the objectives, fit the criteria posted, and do not duplicate other
projects that are currently funded by INL, other USG agencies or
foreign governments, or international organizations (note: proposals or
elements that duplicate existing activities of USG agencies will not
receive awards. end note); (b) select the proposals to be funded; (c)
determine the total duration of funding for each proposal; and (d)
determine the amount of funds available for each proposal.
Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.
Proposal Submission
The guidelines for proposal preparation provided below are
mandatory. Failure to heed these guidelines may result in proposals
being returned without review.
(a) Full Proposals
(1) Proposals submitted to INL must include the original and three
unbound copies of the proposal. (2) Proposals must be limited to 30
pages (numbered), including budget, personnel vitae, and all
appendices, and should be limited to funding requests for one to two
year duration. Appended information may not be used to circumvent the
page length limit. Federally mandated forms are not included within the
page count. (3) Proposals should be sent to INL at the above address.
(4) Facsimile transmissions of full proposals will not be accepted.
(b) Required Elements
(1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the
Project Director (PD) and the institutional representative and should
clearly indicate which project area is being addressed. The PD and
institutional representative should be identified by full name, title,
organization, telephone number and address. The total amount of Federal
funds being requested should be listed for each budget period.
(2) Abstract: An abstract must be included and should contain an
introduction of the problem, rationale and a brief summary of work to
be
[[Page 28232]]
completed. The abstract should appear as a separate page, headed with
the proposal title, institution(s) name, investigator(s), total
proposed cost and budget period.
(3) Prior training experience: A summary of prior law enforcement
training experience should be described, including training related to
program priorities identified above and/or conducted in Russia and the
NIS. Reference to each prior training award should include the title,
agency, award number, period of award and total award. The section
should be a brief summary and should not exceed two pages total.
(4) Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely
described, including identification of the problem, project objectives,
proposed training and evaluation methodology, relevance to the goal and
objectives of the INL Anti-Domestic Violence and Trafficking in Women
and Children program, and the program priorities listed above. Benefits
of the proposed project to U.S. law enforcement efforts should be
discussed. A year-by-year summary of proposed work must be included
clearly indicating that each year's proposed work is severable and can
easily be separated into annual increments of meaningful work. The
statement of work, including figures and other visual materials, must
not exceed 15 pages of length.
(5) Budget: Applicants must submit a Standard Form 424 (4-92)
``Application for Federal Assistance,'' including a detailed budget
using the Standard Form 424a (4-92), ``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs.'' The proposal must include total and annual
budgets corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement
of work. Additional text to justify expenses should be included (i.e.,
salaries and benefits by each proposed staff person; direct costs such
as travel (airfare, per diem, miscellaneous travel costs); equipment,
supplies, contractual, and indirect costs). Indicate if indirect rates
are DCAA or other Federal agency approved or proposed rates and provide
a copy of the current rate agreement. In addition, furnish the same
level of information regarding subgrantee costs, if applicable, and
submit a copy of your most recent A-110 audit report.
(6) Vitae: Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each
proposal. Vitae for each project staff person should not exceed three
pages in length.
(c) Other Requirements
Primary Applicant Certification--All primary applicants must submit
a completed Form CD-511, ``Certification Regarding Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements and Lobbying.'' Applicants are also hereby notified of the
following:
1. Non procurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, section 105) are subject to
15 CFR Part 26, ``Non procurement Debarment and Suspension,'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
2. Drug Free Workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26,
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Government
wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related
section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, section
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids
for grants of more than $100,000; and
4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures--Any applicant that has paid or will
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B.
Lower Tier Certifications
(1) Recipients must require applicants/bidders for subgrants or
lower tier covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit,
if applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower
Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure Form SF-LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to Department of State
(DOS). SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be
submitted to DOS in accordance with the instructions contained in the
award document.
(2) Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all applicable
Federal laws and Federal and Department of State policies, regulations,
and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
(3) Preaward Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that
may have been received, there is no obligation to the applicant on the
part of Department of State to cover preaward costs.
(4) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular No.
A-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other
Non-Profit Organizations,'' OMB Circular No. A-133, ``Audits of
Institutions of Higher Education and Other Non-Profit Institutions,''
and 15 CFR Part 24, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' as
applicable. Applications under this program are not subject to
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
(5) All non-profit applicants are subject to a name check review
process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key individuals
associated with the applicant have been convicted of, or are presently
facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or other matters
which significantly reflect on the applicant's management, honesty, or
financial integrity.
(6) A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
(7) No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has
an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
(i) The delinquent account is paid in full,
(ii) a negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least
one payment is received, or
(iii) Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of State
are made.
(8) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are
encouraged that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased
with funding provided under this program must be American-made to the
maximum extent feasible.
(9) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is
less.
(d) If an application is selected for funding, the 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
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performance is at the total discretion of the Department of State.
(e) In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person
on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability
shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of or be
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving
assistance from the INL Anti-Domestic Violence and Trafficking in Women
and Children program.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information
displays a current valid OMB control number. The standard forms have
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the
Paperwork Reduction Act under OMB approval number 0348-0043, 0348-0044,
and 0348-0046.
Classification: This notice has been determined to be not
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Dated: May 19, 1999.
James Puleo,
Director, Office of Europe, NIS, and Training, Bureau for International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 99-13212 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]
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