Vocational Support for Colombian Veterans with Disabilities
ID: 358228Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement (DOS-INL)

Award Range

$2M - $2M

Eligible Applicants

Others

Funding Category

Other

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreement

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes
Timeline
    Description

    The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement of the U.S. Department of State is inviting applications for a federal grant titled "Vocational Support for Colombian Veterans with Disabilities." This initiative aims to enhance the rehabilitation and reemployment of Colombian National Police officers and military personnel who have sustained permanent injuries while serving in various operations, including drug interdiction and anti-terrorism efforts. The project will focus on providing comprehensive rehabilitation services, vocational training, and job placement assistance, with the goal of facilitating the reintegration of these veterans into the workforce, either in security roles or the private sector. Interested organizations, including U.S.-based and foreign non-profits and educational institutions, can apply for funding ranging from $1.5 million to $2 million, with a project duration of 36 months starting in May 2025. Proposals must be submitted by March 17, 2025, and inquiries can be directed to Danielle Parsons at ParsonsDM@state.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The INL Change Map Template FY23 outlines a project titled "Improving Response to Sexual Violence in COUNTRY X" through the establishment of Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs). The project, led by ABC Org, is set to start on January 15, 2023, and conclude on January 31, 2025. Its primary goal is to enhance the national mechanism for responding to sexual assault cases, ensuring alignment with international standards. Key objectives include integrating best practices from SART operations, training multidisciplinary teams, raising awareness for reporting cases of sexual violence, and fostering collaboration between law enforcement and justice systems. Indicators of success encompass improvements in knowledge and skills, the availability of training resources, execution of workshops, and the increase in reported cases to specialized helplines. The project also emphasizes the importance of public awareness campaigns to combat stereotypes and promote reporting. Activities are strategically designed to ensure capacity building, support for victims, and disseminate effective practices to enhance the response to sexual violence. This initiative reflects a concerted effort by the government to address and mitigate sexual violence through systemic improvements and professional development.
    The FY2025 Budget Narrative Template outlines the financial plan for a project, detailing personnel, benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual obligations, and associated costs. Key personnel include a Project Manager, Emily Jones, and a Finance Manager, with specific responsibilities outlined. Fringe benefits are calculated based on a past rate for US-based staff. Travel expenses for international flights and lodging for personnel conducting project activities are specified along with corresponding costs. Equipment purchases, like Machine X, and supplies for workshops demonstrate budget allocations for necessary resources. A subgrant agreement with a local NGO details funding for project activities and associated costs. The narrative also includes overhead costs calculated from a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement and totals projected costs, culminating in an overall project budget of $65,750. This document serves as a structured framework for obtaining federal grants and funding, providing transparency and detail for the approval process.
    The FY2025 INL Applicant Pre-Award Risk Survey is designed to assess the readiness of organizations applying for federal grants, ensuring they comply with federal regulations and have robust management systems. The survey covers several key areas, including general organizational information, internal controls, accounting practices, budgetary control measures, audit procedures, and management of sub-recipients and consultants. Organizations are asked detailed questions regarding their governance structure, internal policies, financial management systems, and auditing history. Specific inquiries pertain to the existence of written guidelines, segregation of duties, auditing frequency, use of consultants, procurement processes, and travel policies. This comprehensive assessment seeks to evaluate both the operational capacity and financial integrity of applicants, thus ensuring accountability and effective use of government funding. Ultimately, it serves to safeguard taxpayer money by identifying organizations that have the necessary financial controls and practices in place to handle federal grants responsibly.
    This document outlines the budget proposal for a government-funded project, detailing specified costs associated with various categories such as personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual services, and other direct costs. The budget's structure includes a summary section with total costs—both federal and project-wide—and a line-item budget breakdown that provides a detailed look at each cost component, including unit costs and estimates for personnel efforts, travel, and supplies. The document indicates that certain sections may utilize federal funding while others may involve cost-share arrangements. Indirect costs are specified based on established rates from 2017, and the overall budget aligns with the awarded amount as dictated by grant requirements. Essential to the proposal is the emphasis on resource allocation for project management roles, travel expenses, and necessary supplies, while adhering to federal guidelines for funding and reporting. This budget is integral to the RFP submission process, ensuring compliance with both federal and potential state/local grant conditions.
    The document outlines a framework for developing and assessing performance indicators related to government projects, specifically focusing on monitoring outcomes in the context of federal grants and RFPs. It emphasizes the importance of clearly defined goals, objectives, and indicators to accurately measure the effectiveness of initiatives. Key aspects include data collection methodologies, the significance of disaggregating data for specific populations, and recognizing known limitations in data accuracy. The instructions guide users on how to create valid outcome indicators by outlining essential criteria such as validity, reliability, and measurability. The document stresses the need for timely reporting and the utility of data in making informed management decisions. Additionally, it includes examples of common mistakes in goal formulation and indicates the necessity of revising goals and indicators for clarity and measurable outcomes. Overall, the document serves as a comprehensive guide for designing indicators that enhance project performance assessment within government funding frameworks, thereby ensuring accountability and effective governance.
    The INL Change Map Template for FY23 serves to connect project work plans with monitoring plans, detailing expected changes and their measurement through indicators. The document emphasizes defining clear goals, objectives, and activities aligned with strategic policies outlined by INL. It establishes that the template must include a strategic alignment section, clear goal statements, and associated indicators, with specific guidance provided in appendices. The template details a structured approach to articulating desired outcomes rather than mere activities, stressing the importance of change-based goals for effective monitoring and evaluation. INL staff are responsible for the strategic alignment component, while partners create the draft Change Map, which undergoes review and approval. Clear definitions of key terms, such as outputs and outcomes, are critical to avoiding ambiguity and ensuring consistent understanding among stakeholders. Overall, this document emphasizes INL’s commitment to supporting measurable progress in international initiatives through careful monitoring and strategic alignment, crucial for maintaining the effective use of federal funds in addressing global issues.
    The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support vocational rehabilitation for Colombian veterans with disabilities, specifically targeting members of the Colombian National Police and military injured in the line of duty. A total of $2 million is available, with a minimum funding request of $1.5 million and a project duration of 36 months starting in May 2025. The project aims to provide comprehensive rehabilitation, vocational training, and job placement services, thereby facilitating reintegration into either law enforcement or the private sector. Five primary objectives include defining an intake process, providing rehabilitation support, offering educational and vocational training, assisting in employment applications, and establishing an ambassador program to mentor new beneficiaries. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign NGOs and educational institutions with relevant experience in similar programs. Proposals must undergo a thorough evaluation based on technical design, monitoring capabilities, institutional capacity, and cost-effectiveness, with a total of 100 points available. The program underscores INL's commitment to improving the lives of disabled Colombian veterans while bolstering counternarcotics efforts and enhancing community trust.
    The provided document outlines a risk assessment for a project aimed at establishing political think-tanks in countries with closed political systems. It identifies various program, political, and financial risks that may impact the initiative. Key risks include civil society partners facing increased restrictions, government bias against think tank research, political changes post-elections, and challenges in fund transfer to local partners. To mitigate these risks, the GRANTEE plans to maintain open communication with partners, provide security training, refine advocacy strategies based on the political landscape, and ensure that funds are effectively processed using alternative financial methods. Additionally, the GRANTEE will gauge the capacity of local advocacy organizations and offer necessary training to facilitate smooth grant management. Overall, this risk assessment emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and proactive measures to navigate the challenging environment in which think-tanks will operate, highlighting the need for flexibility in response to the evolving political context and operational challenges.
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