U.S. Department of State, Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh Funding Opportunity Title: 2015 Performing Arts Programming in Saudi Arabia Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement (New) Funding Opportunity Number: SA-PCEPSA-15-002 CFDA Number: 19.021 Date Opened: January 25, 2015 Due Date for Application: March 8, 2015 Contact Information For questions about this announcement, contact Joan Ahmed, Public Diplomacy Officer, US Mission Riyadh, +966-1-488-3800 ext. 4860 email:
[email protected]. All correspondence with the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding this RFGP should reference the title and Funding Opportunity Number located at the top of this announcement when making your request. Once the RFGP due date has passed, PAS staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES.
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.4 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH ACTIVITY
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.4 TECHNICAL EXPERTISE REQUIREMENTS
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4 PROJECT DURATION
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4 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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5 AWARD INFORMATION
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.6 APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
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7 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
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8 AWARD SELECTION CRITERIA
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10 AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
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11 DISCLAIMER
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.11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The U.S. Department of State (DOS), U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Affairs Section (PAS) proposes to enter into a cooperative agreement with a qualified U.S. organization. This cooperative agreement (CA) is for a multi-phased program that provides uniquely American cultural presentations (primarily, but not limited to music) to audiences in Saudi Arabia. Touring performers are often likened to ambassadors of culture and are vital players in cultural diplomacy. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh plans to host four separate events during the year that highlight various forms of American music and cultural activities. Each event will generally involve performances in Riyadh and in the Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. The successful awardee will be expected to work closely and cooperatively with the U.S. Department of State, specifically the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh in the execution of this agreement. Performers chosen will also be expected to conduct workshops and interact with local counterparts during their visit. The chosen organization will work in collaboration with Embassy Public Affairs Officers to create a program that is appropriate to the local environment. The organization will provide a slate of available program options from which PAS can select performers that are consistent with the Embassys public outreach objectives in Saudi Arabia. Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, P.L. 87-256. PROJECT OBJECTIVES The PAS seeks a partner to implement the project titled "2015 Performing Arts Programming in Saudi Arabia." The awardee will carry out the following activities: Recruit four separate performing arts groups to include bands, comedians, dramatic presentations, poetry or dance that reflect the American cultural landscape. These groups will be programmed by Embassy officers for performances, masters classes, and other outreach activities in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, and other locales throughout the Kingdom. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH ACTIVITY Each component within the grant will have a separate budget that can be monitored and adjusted as needed. Participants in the agreed upon programs must commit to engaging with Saudi audiences in workshops and other outreach activities as determined by Embassy Public Affairs Officers. Recipient of grant will be responsible for managing the fiscal and logistical details of the programs. ADDITIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS The recipient will be required to submit quarterly progress and financial reports to the PAS point of contact. The progress reports will include a summary of activities carried out and milestones reached during the reporting period. The recipient will be required to submit financial status and final reports on each segment of the program within one month after the performances are completed, and submit final reports for the total program at the time specified in this RFGP and in the Notice of Award. TECHNICAL EXPERTISE REQUIREMENTS In evaluating proposals, equal weight will be given to the technical strength of the proposal and the past performance of the applicant. Applications should address how the applicant will carry out each of the activities enumerated in this statement of work. Proposals should also include the following information: Qualifications and experience of project participants. Include CVs of proposed principal project staff. Describe past projects that demonstrate the applicant's capacity to carry out this project successfully. PROJECT DURATION: 12 months. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Non-federal agencies and organizations, and not-for-profit organizations subject to Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code are eligible to apply. Additional Information on Eligibility: The applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), located at www.sam.gov , prior to submitting an application. Applicants must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by an agency. All Federal assistance recipients must have a Dun & Bradstreet number prior to funds disbursement. A DUNs number may be acquired at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNs number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or requesting online at www.dnb.com. All award recipient organizations must be registered with GrantSolutions by accessing www.GrantSolutions.gov. To register as a first time user of GrantSolutions, please scroll to the bottom of the home page and click Getting Started-Request a User Account at http://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/home/customer-support/getting-started/. Organizations that have previously used GrantSolutions do not need to register again. If the organization is not able to access the system, please contact GrantSolutions.gov Help Desk for help in gaining access. Support for Grantee Organizations is available from 8 AM 6 PM EST, Monday Friday and can be reached at
[email protected] or 1-866-577-0771. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However, The PAS encourages cost sharing, contributions in kind, and other forms of cost participation. When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110 (Revised), subpart C.23Cost Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, DOSs contribution will be reduced in like proportion. Other Eligibility Requirements: All proposals must comply with the requirements stated herein and with the proposal submission deadline. AWARD INFORMATION Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement (Program Authority Section 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(5) of the Fulbright-Hays Act) Throughout the duration of this project, The PAS will provide substantial involvement with the implementing organization. Substantial involvement will consist of: 1. Active award monitoring through systematic, appropriate contact with the recipient, as well as site visits and participation in significant project activities; 2. Prior approval of sub-awards and amendments as specified in the cooperative agreement; 3. Review and analysis of project reports, including provision of guidance on all reporting; 4. Monitoring recipient compliance with U.S. statutes and award conditions; and 5. Careful monitoring of award activities to detect potential politically or programmatically sensitive implementation issues related to the overall program. The implementing organization will be expected throughout the duration of the project to accomplish the following: 1. Conduct regular evaluations of progress of the project and submit them to The PAS, on a schedule as determined in this RFGP and in the cooperative agreement. 2. Develop a strong monitoring and evaluation plan from the onset of the program. 3. Submit periodic financial and activity reports on a schedule determined in the cooperative agreement. Award Period: 12 Months Anticipated Total Program Funding: Up to $150,000 dollars, pending availability of funds Anticipated Total Number of Awards: One. The PAS reserves the right to award less or more than the amount above in the absence of suitable applications or under such other circumstances as The PAS may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government. Application Submission Process: Applicants must submit proposal papers electronically via grants.gov. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Application Submission Process: Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov. Thorough instructions on the Grants.gov application process are available at http://www.grants.gov. For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726. For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact Joan Ahmed in the U.S. Embassy Saudi Arabia, Public Affairs Section (PAS), E-Mail:
[email protected] Telephone number: +966-1-488-3800 ext. 4860. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number located at the top of this announcement when making your request. Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the due date located at the top of this announcement. Applications submitted after 11:59 p.m. will be ineligible for consideration. Begin the application process early, as this will allow time to address any technical difficulties that may arise in advance of the deadline. There will be no exceptions to this application deadline. All applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however, it could take as long as two weeks to have the registration validated and confirmed. Please begin the registration process immediately to ensure that the process is completed well in advance of the deadline for applications. Until that process is complete, you will not be issued a user password for Grants.gov, which is required for application submission. There are four steps that you must complete before you are able to register: (1) Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet (if your organization does not have one already) by calling 1-866-705-5711; (2) Register with the System for Award Management (SAM), www.sam.gov; (3) Register yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and (4) Be authorized as an AOR by your organization. For more information, go to www.grants.gov. Please note that your SAM registration must be annually renewed. Failure to renew your SAM registration may prohibit submission of an application through Grants.gov. Application Content: Applicants must follow the RFGP instructions and conditions contained herein and supply all information required. Failure to furnish all information or comply with stated requirements will result in disqualification from the competition. Applicants must set forth full, accurate, and complete information as required by this RFGP. The penalty for making false statements in proposals to the USG is prescribed on 18 U.S.C.1001. The proposal narrative may not exceed 24 double-spaced pages in 12-point, Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. This 24-page requirement does not include the allowable appendices. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS To be considered complete, applications must include a complete cover sheet (SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance), executive summary, project narrative, budget narrative and information form (SF-424A: Budget Information, Non-Construction Programs), assurances (SF-424B: Assurances, Non-Construction Programs), and, as appropriate, a disclosure of lobbying activities form (SF-LLL). The PAS suggests the following formats for the summary and project and budget narratives. Executive Summary: A concise statement of approximately 500 words that describes the main project objectives, activities, and anticipated outcomes. Project Narrative: A detailed explanation of the proposed project that may include the following elements: A. Activities description that explains how the applicant intends to achieve the project objectives, presents proposed tasks in a logical order, and describes how those tasks directly contribute towards achieving the project objectives. B. Methodology that describes the project design, such as procedures, timetables, rationales for choosing particular methods, and the significance of those methods vis-à-vis the project objectives. C. Description of anticipated resource and other needs required for the proposed project, such as equipment and facilities, among others. D. Project timeframe or schedule that identifies the major project phases and milestones, with performance target dates for achieving them. E. Biographical information on key project staff, including, but not limited to, academic and professional qualifications, and relevant work experience (See "Appendix" below regarding copies of curricula vitae or resumes). F. Information on the eligible entity (the applying organization) and collaborating organizations, specifically information that demonstrates that the entity has the requisite experience and the capacity to carry out the project. This information should include summary descriptions of comparable projects either completed or underway and the total costs (in US dollars) of those projects. G. Communications and dissemination plan that describes the means by which the applicant intends to update the grantor on project activities and progress, and to disseminate or share project results with the grantor. H. Project monitoring, evaluation, and response plan that outlines how the applicant will monitor and report on project progress, determine whether the project has achieved its performance targets, and if it has not, the corrective actions it might take. I. Bibliography that lists any literature cited in the application or pertinent to the project. See "Appendix" below regarding relevant supporting documentation. Project Budget Narrative: Accompanying a complete SF-424A Budget Information form, a detailed explanation of the proposed project budget that shows a full understanding of large-scale project planning and management, accommodates adequate and qualified technical expertise, and that may include the following elements: A. Detailed project budget for the 12-month budget period, that corresponds with the complete SF-424A and lists all major costs in cost categories, including (but not limited to): 1) Personnel 2) Supplies 3) Equipment 4) Contractual 5) Travel and Per Diem 6) Other Direct Costs B. Justification of the anticipated direct costs of the project, specifically international travel. C. Copy of the applicants most recent indirect cost agreement or a statement of its indirect cost rate. Appendix: The application Appendix may include the following elements: A. Copies of curricula vitae or resumes of key project staff. B. Copies of similar plans, studies, or other work completed previously that represent the work of the individuals and organizations that will play a key role in the project. Please note: Page limitations for each submission should be considered as a maximum, not necessarily a goal, and exclude the Appendix and SF 424 forms. Applicants do not need to include their most recent annual report and Negotiated Indirect Costs Rate Agreement (NICRA) but should be prepared to provide a copy of these documents upon request. To meet the announcement deadline, submissions must be made before 23:59:59 Eastern Time on the due date located at the top of this announcement. AWARD SELECTION CRITERIA Criteria: Applications will be reviewed according to the project objectives, eligibility, technical expertise, past performance, ineligible activities, and proposal requirements. Proposals may be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to any of these criteria. Application Review and Selection Process: The PAS will review complete cooperative agreement proposals and make the funding recommendation to the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. All eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal regulations and guidelines and