U.S. Mission to ASEAN

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. MISSION TO ASEAN

Public Affairs Section

Notice of Funding Opportunity

                                     

Funding Opportunity Title:             YSEALI 10 – Seeds for the Future

Funding Opportunity Number:      PAS-USASEAN-FY23-01

Deadline for Applications:               July 21, 2023

CFDA Number:                                19.040

Total Amount Available:                 $300,000

 

 

1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Mission to ASEAN (USASEAN) announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Seeds for the Future small grants competition.  One organization will be selected to manage the program, which will provide subgrants up to $15,000 each for up to 25 projects implemented by Southeast Asian youth from the 11 YSEALI countries.  The subgrant recipients will be selected through an open competition designed by the successful organization and will be given tools and training to implement nine-month projects across the four core YSEALI issue areas.  Carefully follow all instructions below.

 

Priority Region: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.

 

Background:

YSEALI (yseali.state.gov) is the U.S. government’s signature initiative to engage emerging leaders in Southeast Asia.  The program aims to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to solve common problems.  Through a variety of programs and engagements, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues.

 

YSEALI is open to young leaders ages 18-35 who are both citizens and residents of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) or Timor-Leste.  Responding to priorities from youth in the ASEAN region, the Seeds for the Future program will allow YSEALI youth to implement public service projects that improve their communities by addressing one or more of the four core YSEALI themes: themes (Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, Education and Environmental Issues).

                  

Program Objective:

Since 2015, the YSEALI Seeds for the Future program has awarded more than $2,500,000 to emerging leaders across ASEAN.

The Department of States will celebrate YSEALI’s 10^th birthday on December 3, 2023, and Seeds for the Future 2024 will be the 10^th iteration of Seeds for the Future.  Thus, the grant recipient should design special and creative components to recognize the duration of YSEALI initiatives and the growing number of YSEALI program alumni.

 

While working closely with U.S. Mission to ASEAN and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Office of Public Diplomacy, the recipient shall develop a robust program for the 2024 YSEALI Seeds for the Future with responsibilities as follows:

• Provide an online site to receive and manage subgrant participant applications, and answer questions from applicants. Provide virtual resources (e.g. webinars) to help applicants prepare.
• Collaborate with USASEAN to develop scoring criteria. Review and score all applications and provide a shortlist (maximum 40 projects).  USASEAN will have substantial involvement in final participant selection.
• Work together with USASEAN to notify winning teams of approved proposals.
• Design and execute a two to three-day kick-off workshop in early 2024 for the selected participants, taking ownership of all logistics and programming. The goal of this workshop is to bring together all project participants (maximum 3 members per project), train them on subgrant expectations (e.g. budgeting, administration, communication, reporting, work plan, digital storytelling), and allow them to collaborate and improve their work plans.  All logistics expenditures and travel costs for participants and trainers must be covered by the overall program budget.  (e.g. flights, lodging, per diem, venue)
• Pair subgrantees with mentors that will help them with their project implementation throughout the program.
• Distribute funds to winning projects by January 2024 as follows: 60 percent of funding after submitting a detailed timeline and work plan (including marketing strategy for the project); 35 percent of funding after submitting a mid-term report (including direct and indirect impact metrics, both qualitative and quantitative); 5 percent of funding after submitting the final report with detailed project results.
• Oversee the implementation of projects and monitor subgrants by actively corresponding with the subgrant participants on at least a weekly basis. Collect monthly, mid-term and final reports.  Track budget usage.
• Provide USASEAN with quarterly and final program and financial reporting. The program reports should summarize the progress on the subaward projects, identifying key milestones, successes, and challenges.  Include both qualitative and quantitative success metrics to measure the impact of each project on their community.
• Collect media (photos/videos) and project stories to amplify on YSEALI website and social media through a robust and detailed communication and social media plan.
• Ensure that all program content and media adhere to the YSEALI and Department of State branding guidelines, including US flag and the YSEALI Seeds logo.
• Develop a “lessons learned” for future Seeds programs.
• Design virtual engagement opportunities for a minimum once per two months post kickoff workshop for the grantees to keep connected with the recipient, other participants, S. Mission to ASEAN as a way for them to connect and learn from each other and help run their projects throughout the year.

 

 

Additional proposal requirements

• The proposal should include workshop follow-on activities such as virtual collaborative work, projects funded through small seed grants, or ongoing mentorship. The follow-on activity should be included in the monitoring and evaluation plan.
• The proposal should include a media plan for how this program will be promoting in local and regional media with an emphasis on the 10^th anniversary of YSEALI and the 10^th anniversary of the Seeds for the Future program.
• The proposal should include a pre- and post-workshop survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the workshop as well as any changes to the participants’ knowledge of the workshop topic.
• The concepts of leadership, giving back, and strengthening a Southeast Asian/ASEAN identity based on shared values and shared challenges should be integrated into the program.
• Workshop speakers/facilitators/mentors should be citizens of the United States, an ASEAN member country, or Timor-Leste.
• The recipient is expected to develop syllabus materials and an event program with participant and speaker biographies, as well as design banners, backdrops, and other printed materials. The recipient is expected to design a digital engagement strategy for workshop participants and social media audiences, including live video or live online engagement during the program.
• No new website specific to the event should be created or launched. Domain, hosting and build costs will not be covered.
• The in-person workshop should have an ASEAN Secretariat representative come in to join. Funds should be set aside for an ASEAN Secretariat representative to join the workshop if ASEC representative is available.

 

 

Timeline:

Cooperative agreement period will be no more than 16 months.  Design small grants competition, open application, participant selection, and kick-off workshop preparation will take place October to December 2023.  A kick-off workshop with in-person attendees from all winning teams will take place in the first three months of 2024.  Subgrant participants will implement their projects February to October 2024.  Subgrant participants’ final reporting and close-out activities will take place in November to December 2024.  Note that all dates could change due to global or regional circumstances and recipient must agree to be flexible and respond to any date adjustments.

 

Participants and Audiences:

• Registered YSEALI members, age 18 to 35, who are citizens of Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. All participants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• The recipient will coordinate with U.S. Mission to ASEAN and with the U.S. embassies in ASEAN and Timor-Leste to recruit and select up to 25 projects. Grantees will be between the age of 18 to 35.
• Recipient should provide a diverse range of applicants from inside and outside capital cities, as appropriate. Application criteria should include the name of the city from where the applicant originates.
• All participants must be proficient in written and spoken English. All programs must include participants from all ten ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste.
• The workshop will be conducted in English.
• The recipient will be responsible for arranging and using cooperative agreement funds to cover all elements related to participant and staff travel including international and domestic flights, visas, travel to and from airports, visas, accommodations, per diem, meals during the program, insurance, etc.

 

1. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

 

Length of performance period:    16 months (October 2023 to January 2025)   

Number of awards anticipated:    One 

Award amounts: Award may range from a minimum of $150,000 to a maximum of $300,000                   

Total available funding:   $300,000         

Type of Funding:   FY23 Public Diplomacy Funds               

Anticipated program start date:   October 2023

 

This notice is subject to availability of funding. 

 

Funding Instrument Type: [Cooperative agreement].  The U.S. Mission to ASEAN will have substantial involvement in the development, content, and schedule of the workshop.  In consultation with the coordinating U.S. Mission to ASEAN, the award recipient must actively engage all relevant U.S. embassies related to the recruitment and selection process as well as communication with the participants.

 

Working closely with U.S. Mission to ASEAN, the recipient of this cooperative agreement shall develop a robust program for the workshop; schedule the event at a mutually agreed upon location; manage the application and selection process through a secure portal; develop the agenda and content for the workshop; recruit speaker(s); manage all travel logistics for participants and speakers; and generate content for social media and other publicity.  The recipient is expected to provide all design files, photos and video recorded, as well as a promotion-ready, U.S. Embassy-approved photo album and a video series of the workshop after completion.

 

Regular, transparent communication via email, phone and video conference calls and face-to-face meetings (as appropriate) with the Grants Officer, Grants Officer Representative, and Program Officer throughout the period of performance is critical to the success of this cooperative agreement.

 

All major elements of the program and its content require advance approval by U.S. Mission to ASEAN, including, but not limited to:

 

• Choices of dates, venue, accommodations, and menus;
• Final selection of participants, mentors, and speakers (from the United States, an ASEAN member country, or Timor-Leste);
• Titles, format, and content of workshop sessions and other program activities;
• Design and content of all marketing materials, publicity, and media products.

 

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 16 months or less.  The workshop must be a minimum of three full days not including travel days.

 

1. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

 

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

[Select/Modify as Necessary]

• S. public and private educational institutions
• S. not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks
• Foreign public and private educational institutions
• Foreign not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks

 

2. Cost Sharing or Matching 

N/A

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.  Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations.  Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.gov.

 

1. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

 

1. Address to Request Application Package

 

Application forms and templates are available below.

 

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.

 

3. Content of Application

Please 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 Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

 

The following documents are required: 

1. Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)
• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)
• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) (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 (15 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 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 (including post workshop follow-up).
• 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.
• Budget Justification Narrative:  Describe each of the budget expenses in detail. The budget should not exceed [USD].  See section   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 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 activities

 

5. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

 

Required Registrations:

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p.  189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p.  235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award.  All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

 

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations.  All are free of charge:

• Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number)
• NCAGE/CAGE code
• SAM.gov registration

 

Step 1: Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously)

 

DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet.  If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

 

NCAGE application: Application page here: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

Instructions for the NCAGE application process:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US percent20Instructions percent20for percent20NSPA percent20NCAGE.pdf

 

For NCAGE help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423

For NCAGE help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766

Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE code.

 

Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov.  SAM registration must be renewed annually.

 

 

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than 23:59 PM Jakarta time on July 21, 2023.

 

5. Funding Restrictions

N/A

 

6. Other Submission Requirements

 

All application materials must be submitted by email to sugandai@fan.gov by July 21, 2023 at 23:59 PM Jakarta time with the subject “YSEALI Seeds 2024 – [Organization Name]. Late submissions will not be considered.

 

1.     APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

 

1. Criteria 

 Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.

• Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points:  The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.
• Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.
• Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
• Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results.  The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.
• Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured.
• Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impacts after the end of the program.

 

2. Review and Selection Process

 A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

 

3. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

 

For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see §200.88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants:

 

1. That the Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

 

1. That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM;

 

iii.  That the Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

 

1. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

 

1. Federal Award Notices

 

The cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer.  The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email.  The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

 

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding.  Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

 

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals.  Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

 

Payment Method: The recipient must request payment under this award by completing form SF-270—Request for Advance or Reimbursement and submitting the form to the Grants Officer.  Unless otherwise stipulated, the recipient may request payments on a reimbursement or advance basis.

 

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

 

Terms and Conditions: Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.  These include:

• 2 CFR 25 – UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT
• 2 CFR 170 – REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION
• 2 CFR 175 – AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
• 2 CFR 182 – GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)
• 2 CFR 183 – NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY
• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS
• S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following:  NOTE:

• President’s September 2, 2020 memorandum, entitled Memorandum on Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients of Federal Funds that Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities;
• Executive Order on Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence (E.O. 13933); and
• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 85 FR 49506 on August 13, 2020, particularly on:
• Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),
• Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub.   No.  115—232) (2 CFR part 200.216),
• Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O.  13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),
• Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and
• Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

 

Note the U.S Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions. 
Additional branding requirements will be provided after award. 

 

3. Reporting

 

Reporting Requirements: The recipient will be required to submit financial reports and program reports.  The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.  Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports.  The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.

 

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR).  The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement.  Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation.  In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

 

1. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: sugandai@fan.gov

 

1. OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries.  If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program.  If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor.  Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories.  For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes.  All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs:  These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating.  If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA.  Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10 percent of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy.  It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.