: U.S. Embassy Conakry, Ambassador Special Self-Help Program Annual Program Statement

Description

Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Embassy Conakry, Ambassador Special Self-Help Program Annual Program StatementFunding Opportunity Number: DOS-CONAK-FY23-01Deadline for Applications: For proposals to be considered for funding in 2024, the deadline is October 13, 2023Assistance Listing Number: 19.220Total Amount Available: $50,000A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONThe U.S. Embassy in Conakry, Guinea announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to support registered self-help groups,community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, and certain educationalinstitutions to develop projects that improve living conditions in their communities. Pleasefollow all instructions below. Per 7008 restrictions, the U.S. government is prohibited from providing assistance to the Government of Guinea (including local institutions, such as schools and local government representatives) until a democratically elected government is installed. Projects cannot involve the participation of government officials or employees serving in their official capacity or occur in government-owned facilities.Program Objectives: The program is designed to improve basic economic and social conditions in local communitiesand support high impact, quick implementation activities that benefit a large number of people. Participating communities provide a significant contribution in cash, labor, and materials. Thedemand for Small Grant funds is very high and well above our funding capacity, so priority is given to projects which best meet the program’s objectives and criteria. Possible examples ofU.S. Embassy Community Small Grants Program projects include:• Small construction projects – school rooms, community centers, health facilities, foot bridges, housing for community-paid nurses or teachers, workshops, community slaughterhouses, grain storage, rural airstrips for hospitals, and school dormitories for distant students.• Water-related projects – wells, latrines, pumps, bore holes, shower stalls and sinks, and fishponds.• School equipment and supplies – desks, chairs, laboratory equipment, and library items.• Communal construction equipment – brick-making machines.• Miscellaneous durable goods – stoves or refrigerators for a community-owned school or hospital, or washing machines for a community-owned clinic.• Income generating equipment – weaving looms, tools for furniture making, and rice-milling machines and agricultural processing machines.Grant funds may not be used for the following expenses: personnel salaries; travel; fringebenefits; and alcoholic beverages. The budget may not exceed one page in length. Youshould also provide pro-forma invoices for proposed expenses, such as equipment, materials, and construction supplies.The program aims to impact a large number of beneficiaries per funded project:• A $10,000.00 project should benefit at least 500/700 people.• A $5,000.00 project should benefit at least 250/350 people.Participants and Audiences:The U.S. Embassy in Conakry, Guinea is soliciting proposals for small grants from registered self-help groups, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, and certain educational institutions.B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATIONLength of performance period: 6 to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 5 awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $10,000 Total available funding: $50,000 Type of Funding: FY22/23 Economic Support Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: October 31, 2024This notice is subject to availability of funding.Funding Instrument Type: GrantProgram Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed within a period of 3 to 12 months.C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION1. Eligible ApplicantsThe following organizations are eligible to apply: Registered self-help groups, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, and certain educational institutions. 2. Cost Sharing or MatchingThe Recipient must provide a cost sharing in cash and/or in-kind contributions. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs.3. Other Eligibility RequirementsIn order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION1. Address to Request Application PackageApplication forms required below are available at conakryssh@state.gov; https://gn.usembassy.gov/special-self-help-fund/; and grants.gov.2. Content and Form of Application Submission Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.Content of ApplicationPlease ensure:• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity;• All documents are in English;• All budgets are in U.S. dollars;• All pages are numbered;• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper; and• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals) at conakryssh@state.gov • SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at conakryssh@state.gov • SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at conakryssh@state.gov (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov)2. Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.3. Proposal ( 10 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. • Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact.• Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed• Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.• Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. • Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate. • Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.• Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program? • Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?• Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.4. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.4. Attachments:• 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner • If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. • Official permission letters, if required for program activities3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations:All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications.The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee. Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.•

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