Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Mission to Azerbaijan in Baku: English-Language Programs
Deadline for Applications: April 12, 2021
CFDA Number: 19.900
Total Amount Available: $100,000 USD

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce an open call for proposals from interested individuals and organizations to for its English-Language Teaching Program. This program focuses on English-language projects for members of the vulnerable communities in need of additional resources and expertise, especially those located outside of the capital city.  In addition to in-person programs, teaching engagements may be offered virtually, in part or in their entirety.

 

The Program purposes are:

To initiate programs in Azerbaijan’s vulnerable communities that have both English-teaching and community service elements;

To organize English-language training programs for professional development of English-language teachers in underserved communities;

To offer young English learners instruction that emphasizes conversational and verbal-comprehension skills; and

To conduct English-language teaching projects that concurrently support educational development, critical thinking and expression, community service, environmental affairs, and youth development.

Participants and Audiences:

The intended audience for potential projects includes less advantaged communities in regions outside of Baku, primary and secondary schoolchildren, and teachers.  Proposed programs may have an online instruction element and should include contingency plans to accommodate potential prohibitions on in-person gatherings.

 

1. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: applicants are encouraged to design programs that encompass at least one academic year.

Number of awards anticipated:  up to five awards, depending on available funds

Award amounts: awards may range to a maximum of $24,000

Type of Funding:  FY 21 AEECA Funds

Anticipated program start date: August 2021

 

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type:  Award

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less.

 

The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation projects funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

 

1. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

Submissions are encouraged from Azerbaijani entities with relevant experience. This experience should be documented in the proposal. Eligible entities include: not-for-profit, civil society/non-governmental organizations, public educational institutions and individuals. For-profit entities are eligible to apply. Previous federal award recipients who are not/were not in compliance with the terms of their financial and program reporting requirements are ineligible to apply. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of Management and Budget guidance and requirements. Those organizations found to be in non-compliance may be found ineligible for funding or designated high risk if selected for funding.

 

1. Cost-Sharing or Matching

 

Though cost-sharing is not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to include their contribution in suggested project budget which also can be an in-kind contribution (equipment, labor, program materials, etc.).

2. 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.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

 

1. Address to Request Application Package

To obtain the application forms and instructions, please send a request to Sabina Abdullayeva at BakuPASPrograms@state.gov. Please indicate in your email your applicant status: individual or organization. To receive additional explanation on filling in the forms send your questions to Sabina Abdullayeva at BakuPASPrograms@state.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 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 and

All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

Applications should be emailed to Sabina Abdullayeva at BakuPASPrograms@state.gov. Please be sure to send all attachments in one email message and include your first name, last name, and program name in the subject line of the email. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m (Baku time) April 12, 2021. English Language Teaching Program awards will be announced after April 12, 2021.  Only selected applicants will be contacted.

The following documents are required:

Mandatory application forms

 

SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals)

SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs)

 

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 (4 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 awards 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.

 

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 a mandatory part of the project budget. Throughout the timeframe of the award, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to ensure it meets the goals of the award?  Note: all project finalists will be required to work with Embassy staff to develop and incorporate a project-specific monitoring and evaluation plan.  When calculating your budget costs, you should allocate Monitoring and Evaluation activity expenses not exceeding 5% of your entire budget.

Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the award period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

 

4. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

 

5. Attachments :
6. 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program

2. Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner

3. If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file.

4. Official permission letters, if required for program activities
5. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (Organizations only)

 

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 awards (except individuals) must obtain the following 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%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.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.

Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due by April 12, 2021.

7. Other Submission Requirements

 

All application materials must be submitted by email to Sabina Abdullayeva at BakuPASPrograms@state.gov .

 

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: 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 Awards: 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: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

 

Budget: 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: 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: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

 

 

1. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

 

If you have any questions about the award application process, please contact: Sabina Abdullayeva at BakuPASPrograms@state.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% 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.