Issue Date: June 1, 2018 NOFO Questions Due: June 8, 2018, 8:00

Issue Date: June 1, 2018 NOFO Questions Due: June 8, 2018, 8:00 am Juba time Response to Questions: On/about June 13, 2018 Application Closing Date: July 2, 2018, 8:00 am Juba time

Subject: Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: 720668-18-RFA-00001

Program Title: Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

Ladies/Gentlemen:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified U.S. and Non-U.S. organizations to provide funding in support of a program entitled Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape. Eligibility for this award is not restricted. See Section III of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for eligibility requirements.

Subject to the availability of funds an award will be made to that responsible applicant(s) whose application best meets the objectives of this funding opportunity and the selection criteria contained herein. While a single award is anticipated as a result of this NOFO, USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

For the purposes of this NOFO the term "Grant" is synonymous with "Cooperative Agreement"; "Grantee" is synonymous with "Recipient"; and "Grant Officer" is synonymous with "Agreement Officer.” Eligible organizations interested in submitting an application are encouraged to read this funding opportunity thoroughly to understand the type of program sought, application submission requirements and evaluation process.

To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all information as required in this NOFO and meet eligibility standards in Section III of this NOFO. This funding opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov, and may be amended. Potential applicants should regularly check the website to ensure they have the latest information pertaining to this notice of funding opportunity. Applicants will need to have available or download Adobe program to their computers in order to view and save the Adobe forms properly. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the entire NOFO has been received from the internet in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion process. If you have difficulty registering on www.grants.gov or accessing the NOFO, please contact the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800- 518-4726 or via email at [email protected] for technical assistance.

The successful Applicant will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the program objectives. Please read each section of the NOFO.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents ABREVIATIONS AND ACCROYNMS USED IN THIS NOFO ...... 4 SECTION I: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ...... 5 SECTION II: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION ...... 19 SECTION III: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION ...... 21 SECTION IV: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION ...... 22 SECTION V: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION ...... 32 SECTION VI: FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION...... 34 SECTION VII: FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S) ...... 39 SECTION VIII: OTHER INFORMATION ...... 40 ANNEX I – STANDARD PROVISIONS ...... 42 ANNEX II – SF 424 FORMS ...... 49 ANNEX III – CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF APPLICANTS ...... 50 ANNEX IV – OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS/OTHER REFERENCE MATERIALS .... 51

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

ABREVIATIONS AND ACCROYNMS USED IN THIS NOFO

AO Agreement Officer

AOR Agreement Officer Representative

BBL Boma Badingilo Landscape

CITIES Convention on International Treaties on Endangered Species

CAN Capacity Needs Assessment

CA Cooperative Agreement

EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan

EAC East Africa Community

GIS Geographic Information System

IESP Integrated Essential Services Project

IGAD Inter-Governmental Authority on Development

NICRA Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations

NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity

POC Point of Contact

PMP Performance Monitoring Plan

SSD South Sudan

SC Selection Committee

TOs Transitional Objectives

TBD To Be Determined

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USG United States Government

UN United Nations

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

SECTION I: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

1. Introduction

The Boma-Bandingilo landscape is home to a unique, diverse, rich set of natural resources that are at risk from persistent threats to the survival of wildlife and their habitats. The landscape is also home to approximately 200,000 people, whose livelihoods remains predominantly linked to pastoralism, and dependent on the same habitats and natural resources. Communities and livelihoods in the Boma-Bandingilo landscape are highly vulnerable to conflict, economic and climate related shocks.

While conflict and poverty are key drivers of the poor management of wildlife and depletion of natural resources in the Boma-Bandingilo landscape, left unprotected and unsustainably managed, the natural resources and biodiversity in this landscape will be eroded or depleted, leading to the further deterioration of the coping capacity of the people, households and communities.

The purpose of this Project/Activity is to build resilient communities and livelihoods and secure wildlife and biodiversity resources in the Boma-Bandingilo Landscape.

The successful applicant will provide flexible approaches to work with local communities and Boma and Bandingilo parks’ authorities to increase / improve the capacity of communities and that of Boma and Bandingilo parks in sustainable land and natural resource management and conflict mitigation; support the conservation of wildlife; assist communities, households and people to build their resilience to economic and climate shocks; and build partnerships for natural resource management and community resilience. The Activity will build on and consolidate the Mission’s decade of achievements on biodiversity implemented in South Sudan.

2. Context

South Sudan is uniquely endowed with substantial wildlife resources (both numbers and diversity) that are essential to the livelihoods of communities and the ultimate recovery of South Sudan. Conflict has placed these resources at great risk, and created space for illegal poaching, trafficking wildlife products, and has led to degradation of the basic landscapes that sustain the wildlife and people. The erosion of coping capacity of communities and households around the protected areas has put significant pressure on the wildlife, on non-forest timber products harvested from protected areas, and has been the source of significant intra and inter-communal conflict. The protection and management of these resources is a significant challenge.

The dominant natural assets that have cushioned the communities and people of the Boma- Bandingilo Landscape include wildlife and other natural resources such as trees and other non- timber forest products. Natural habitats in the landscape are unsustainably used, and their ability to provide the economic and environmental services is continuously undermined by persistent threats to the survival of wildlife and their habitats. The poor management of natural resources and the concomitant poverty that accompanies this are driven by climate change, poor economic

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

performance, conflicts over control and use of wildlife and land and natural resources, commercial poaching and resultant trafficking in wildlife products, agricultural encroachment in protected areas and wildlife migratory corridors, among others. Challenges to address these drivers that the successful applicant is expected to address include: weak capacities (for addressing threats to wildlife and their habitats, land and natural resources management and for managing natural resources linked conflicts at community level); weak stakeholder engagement in management of land, natural resources and conflict mitigation; poor access or non- application of appropriate land and natural resources technologies, including technologies for unlocking the economic potential of these resources and value addition; and, high levels of dependence of on natural resources.

3. USAID Strategy and Operational Framework

USAID South Sudan’s goal is to “Build a foundation for a more stable and socially cohesive South Sudan.” In 2016, USAID’s development efforts were realigned against the vision of strengthening resilient and conflict resistant communities that will be accomplished through a USAID South Sudan Operational Framework that has two Transitional Objectives (TOs).

In practical terms, USAID’s primary focus under the Operational Framework will be to promote recovery from the immediate effects of the current crisis with assistance that helps build resilience, address root causes of conflict, and strengthen capacities for reconciliation and coexistence, and thus reduce the likelihood of violent responses to future shocks and stresses.

Transitional Objective (TO) 1 supports South Sudan’s recovery from both the current and past crises. Work under TO 1 emphasizes building resilience to enable communities and households to respond to recurring shocks, without resorting to violence. TO 1 incorporates conflict- sensitive approaches that counter negative adaptive mechanisms to violence and reinforce peace processes and the development of a cohesive society with a national identity, areas that will also be addressed under TO 2. TO 1 is also the primary Mission link to the significant USG humanitarian assistance efforts responding to South Sudan’s complex emergency. Approaches will take into account the reality that a community’s response to stress – whether caused by disaster, lack of economic opportunity, or some combination of these – is shaped by its ability to leverage its strengths, build on the adaptive capabilities of individuals and households in that community. And, in the case of violent conflict, it will help communities move beyond adaptation to acknowledge and address root causes of conflict and build on local capacities for peace.

The Boma-Bandingilo Landscape Activity will be a component of and contribute to the Integrated Essential Services Project (IESP), the primary vehicle for implementing the USAID Transition Objective one. The Activity community focused interventions will contribute to TO 1 sub objective one - to facilitate community led responses; while the resource management and livelihood diversification interventions will contribute to TO 1 sub objective three - to strengthen livelihoods and resilience to shocks.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

4. Geographic Focus

The Project/Activity will be implemented in the Boma-Bandingilo landscape (BBL) with a focus on Boma National Park, Bandingilo National Park and the wildlife migratory route connecting the two national parks.

The Boma-Badingilo Landscape is a strategic wildlife migratory route of approximately 850,000 White Eared Cobb and Mongalla Gazelle and 200,000 Tiang that seasonally migrate between Boma- Badingilo and Boma-Sudd areas. The migratory routes falls largely within Boma National Park composed of 4 Counties and the ethnic groups/communities include Murle, Anuak, Kachipo, and Jie most of whom are pastoralists and few agro-pastoralists. Badingilo National Park falls within 5 Counties, and the ethnic groups include: Mundari, Bari, Pari and a small section of Dinka tribe from Jonglei, majority of the ethnic groups around Badingilo are predominantly agro-pastoralist.

Overall the Boma- Badingilo corridor borders Central Equatoria State to the South West, Jonglei State to the West, and Boma State to the East and North East, near Ethiopia border. The population of Boma state is estimated to be 272,792 people and this project is anticipated to benefit directly between 150,000 – 200,000 people living within and around the Parks.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

5. Program Description

a. Purpose and Expected Outcomes

The purpose of this Activity is to build resilient communities and livelihoods and secure wildlife and biodiversity resources in the Boma-Bandingilo Landscape. This Activity directly contributes to the USAID South Sudan Integrated Essential Services Project whose purpose is to increase the resilience of individuals, households, and communities to absorb, adapt to, and recover from shocks.

The key outcomes being sought through this Activity are resilient communities and livelihoods as well as secure wildlife and biodiversity habitats. Activity actions and investments will be expected to result in:

i. Increased capacity, plans and systems in place to sustainably manage land and natural resources and mitigate conflict in the Boma and Bandingilo Parks and communities in the wildlife migratory corridor. ii. Secure wildlife and biodiversity within the Boma-Bandingilo Landscape. iii. Increased resilience of communities, households and individuals to economic and climate related shocks. iv. Partnerships established to leverage investments in natural resources management and build community resilience.

Linking community resilience to conservation of wildlife and sustainable management of land and natural resources through different pathways will be the focus of this activity aiming to break the vicious cycle of economic decline and degradation of natural resources and wildlife in the Boma-Bandingilo Landscape.

b. Activity Components

The Boma-Bandingilo Landscape Activity includes four components that may utilize mutually reinforcing approaches to enhance natural resource and wildlife management and build community and livelihood resilience. Component I is focused on capacity building for land and natural resource management and conflict mitigation at the landscape and community levels. Component II is focused on conservation of wildlife at the landscape and community levels. Component III is focused on community level actions to build resilience to economic and climate related shocks. Component IV is focused on building community and landscape level partnerships for natural resource management and community resilience. Gender and inclusive engagement across social and ethnic groups will be mainstreamed in all components and activities as appropriate.

Chart one, below, provides an overview of the activity purpose, components, results and outcomes. The activity components are discussed in more detail in the narrative below.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

Results Purpose Components Outcomes

The managers and rangers of Boma and Increased Bandingilo national parks have the ability Capacity, to design and implement Park plans for Plans and protecting and managing wildlife and their Systems in habitats. Place to Sustainably Communities in and around Boma and Manage Land Bandingilo national parks and within and Natural connecting corridors have plans in place for

Resources and sustainable land use and plans for Mitigate protecting and managing wildlife and their Resource habitats.

Based

life and biodiversity biodiversity and life Conflict Improved understanding of the links between livelihoods, wildlife and natural Component I resource management around Boma and wild Bandingilo national parks.

Secure wildlife and biodiversity in Boma and Bandingilo national parks and associated migratory corridors. Wildlife Conservation Bandingilo Landscape Bandingilo - Component II Up to date information is available and used on wildlife populations and biodiversity in

Boma the landscape area.

Increased Economic Resilience of es and livelihoods and secure and secure and livelihoods es communities and House Hold in Boma- Community Bandingilo Landscape.

resilience and Resilient communities and livelihood;

improved Secure wildlife and biodiversity habitats

livelihoods 1. 2. resources in the the in resources Community based technical services are communiti Component available to assist communities and III households recover from and adapt to economic and climate related shocks.

Partnerships for Partnerships established to leverage land and natural investments in natural resources

uild resilient uild resources management in management and build community B Boma-Bandingilo resilience. landscape. Component IV

Gender Mainstreaming and Cultural Sensitivity

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

Component One: Increased Capacity, Plans and Systems in Place to Sustainably Manage Land and Natural Resources and Mitigate Resource Based Conflict

To mitigate conflict and sustainably manage land and natural resources, the capacity community level institutions in the landscape area need to be strengthened. Skills need to be developed to detect conflicts, identify root causes or drivers of conflicts and mitigate conflicts through mediation and by instituting conflict management processes. Skills and systems also need to be developed to facilitate the preparation of effective plans to guide management of land and natural resources. Among other actions, this effort involves designing natural resources based conflict management tools and training targeted people.

Improved conservation of wildlife and natural habitats in this area are essential to cushion communities and their livelihoods against economic and climate related shocks. A BBL hypothesis is that by tackling underlying causes or drivers of land and natural resource based conflicts and mediating conflicts through community based processes will lead to improved and harmonious co-existence among various community groups and rational sharing and sustainable use of natural resources.

This component will concentrate on strengthening systems for planning and implementing Park management plans; dispute resolution; as well as county and community based land and natural resources use planning.

Result 1: The managers that are working in the Boma and Bandingilo national parks have the ability to design and implement Park plans for protecting and managing wildlife and their habitats.

The Boma-Bandingo Landscape is home to a unique, diverse and rich set of natural resources. These resources are at risk from a) continued conflicts over control and use of wildlife, land and natural resources, b) commercial poaching and resultant trafficking in wildlife products, and c) agricultural encroachment in protected areas and wildlife migratory corridors. The successful applicant will work with local, county, and state leaders to provide flexible proven approaches that strengthen capacity of park managers and rangers to undertake anti- poaching and surveillance operations, improve cooperation between communities and protected area local officials to monitor trafficking in wildlife products and manage natural resources in and around the two parks.

Illustrative Activities: The following are indicative and are not mandatory activities. They serve only as examples. The successful Applicant is encouraged to establish an innovative package of actions to deliver the results being sought. i) Capacity Needs Assessment (CNA) of park staff; ii) Training park managers and rangers in priority capacity needs; iii) Facilitating conflict resolution involving park managers, rangers and communities; and iv) Developing guidelines and tools/manuals for natural resources based conflict management.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

Illustrative Indicators: The following indicators are indicative and not mandatory. The successful Applicant is encouraged to identify custom indicators that cost effectively demonstrates the results are being achieved. i) Updated local, county and state management plans for Boma and Bandingilo parks. ii) Number of park managers and rangers achieving proficiency level of wildlife conservation and protection and, park management. iii) Number of conflict resolution forums. iv) Number of people receiving training in natural resource management and or /biodiversity conservation

Result 2: Communities in and around Boma and Bandingilo parks and within connecting corridors have plans in place for sustainable land and natural resources management.

The BBL is a home to approximately 200,000 people, whose livelihoods are predominantly derived from pastoralism, agriculture, fishing and harvesting products naturally occurring in the local habitat, including wildlife. Current land use patterns are leading to an erosion of natural resources, limiting the economic coping capacity of people and communities in the landscape, and contributing to conflicts over control of land and land based resources. The successful Applicant will work with community groups to develop, locally adapted and owned land use plans to help guide community based management of land and natural resources. The successful Applicant will also work with the community groups to deliver flexible approaches to support implementation. Among other things, land use plans need to link community resilience to conservation of wildlife and other pathways to improving livelihoods. They need to break the vicious cycle of [economic decline – conflicts over natural resources use – depletion of wildlife resources] in the Boma-Bandingilo Landscape.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

i) Number of land and natural resources use plans in place for the targeted communities; and ii) Proficiency in land and natural resources use practices.

Result 3: Improved understanding of the links between livelihoods, wildlife and natural resource management around Boma and Bandingilo parks.

Fundamentally there is a need to better understand the relationship between livelihoods – wildlife – natural resources and their dynamics to inform strategies and plans to optimize traditional systems to support and ensure sustainable management and use of land and other natural resources within the Boma-Bandingilo Landscape. There is a complex relationship between communities/livelihoods, land and natural resources tenure that underpins the current land and resources patterns and associated conflicts. Traditional land management systems empower local leaders to make decisions on land use and to mediate resources use conflicts. Likewise there are traditional practices (and mechanisms for coping with effects of dry seasons) that underpin the traditional hunting practices for food and exchange of gifts of wildlife products.

The successful Applicant will work with experts, local authorities and people of the area to document and improve the understanding between livelihoods – wildlife - natural resources, what the drivers of conflict over access and control of these resources are, especially during the dry season. And, jointly develop flexible options relevant to the area to meet the needs of diverse interest groups, and reduce stress on the natural resources. The successful Applicant will also help shape and update as necessary a theory of change on how to harness the relationships between livelihoods – wildlife – natural resources to conserve wildlife and increase resilience of communities and households.

Illustrative Activities: The following are indicative and are not mandatory activities. They serve only as examples. The successful Applicant is encouraged to establish an innovative package of actions to deliver the results being sought. i) Survey and case studies on the dynamics between natural resources and livelihoods; ii) Develop guidelines for conflict management for counties and other lower authorities and community; iii) Establish learning opportunities for counties and other lower authorities on conflict management; and Illustrative Indicators The following indicators are indicative and not mandatory. The successful Applicant is encouraged to identify custom indicators that cost effectively demonstrates the results are being achieved. i) Case studies completed on the dynamic relationship between livelihoods and wildlife and natural resources in BBL; and ii) Number of options identified, documented, validated and put in place to reduce stress and conflict over the access to and control of resources.

Component Two: Wildlife Conservation

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

Conserving the unique and diverse wildlife resources in the BBL is essential for the people and communities of the BBL area, as well as South Sudan in general. While this objective is made more difficult by conflict in South Sudan, essential ingredients for conserving wildlife include a) high quality resolution / understanding of the wildlife assets in terms of species, numbers, and migration patterns, b) effective management of protected areas, c) community based conservation committees or groups to promote and monitor wildlife assets and illegal poaching or trafficking, d) mutual accountability and governance across all stakeholder, and e) effective engagement in regional trans-boundary wildlife conservation efforts and global conservation forums.

The successful Applicant will be expected to help strengthen and improve the systems to support wildlife conservation and build effective linkages among the various conservation groups.

Result 1: Secure wildlife and biodiversity in Boma and Bandingilo parks and associated migratory corridors.

The successful Applicant will: i) Work with and provide flexible support to park authorities for Boma and Bandingilo parks to enable them to conduct anti-poaching and reduce illegal trafficking of wildlife; implement park management plans; and work with community based conservation groups to monitor wildlife assets. ii) Strengthen linkages of Boma and Bandingilo park authorities with the USAID funded East African region programs for monitoring and managing wildlife crime and trafficking activities. iii) Work with local authorities to identify some communities to pilot the establishment of Community Conservation Committees or other conservation groups to monitor wildlife and promote wildlife conservation. iv) Develop and implement innovative approaches and tools to make multi-stakeholder mutual accountability systems work for wildlife conservation. Trans-boundary collaboration focusing on combating trafficking wildlife products will benefit the conservation efforts in the BBL. The successful Applicant will not provide support for the South Sudan (SSD) to engage in regional and international conventions on wildlife and biodiversity. The successful Applicant will ensure linkages with and stay abreast of wildlife conservation initiatives of IGAD and East African Community (EAC), and international conventions such as Convention on International Treaties on Endangered Species (CITES) and explore innovative ways to connect the BBL efforts with them.

Illustrative Activities: The following are indicative and are not mandatory activities. They serve only as examples. The successful Applicant is encouraged to establish an innovative package of actions to deliver the results being sought. i) Design and support implementation of an action plan for anti-poaching and other wildlife protection activities; ii) Design and support a system for monitoring trafficking of wildlife products in the field, at airports and major trade routes; iii) Facilitate the establishment of trans-boundary collaboration with East Africa countries; 13

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

iv) Facilitate engagement in international wildlife conservation agenda and processes.

Illustrative Indicator: The following indicators are indicative and not mandatory. The successful Applicant is encouraged to identify custom indicators that cost effectively demonstrates the results are being achieved. i) Proficiency of anti-poaching operations; ii) Multi-Stakeholder engagement platforms or processes established and functioning; iii) Up-to-date information on illegal activities affecting wildlife assets; iv) Level of transboundary and international cooperation in wildlife conservation.

Result 2: Up to date information is available on wildlife populations and biodiversity in the landscape area. Good quality data is essential to support effective, evidence-based, wildlife management and, good data needs to be put in the hands of leaders of protected areas and communities. Community conservation committees need good data to enable them to effectively monitor and conserve wildlife. Community groups can also play a key role in helping to validate and improve the quality of data and reporting. Both the wildlife data collection / monitoring services and national park authorities need to effectively serve community groups. The successful Applicant will work with national park authorities, experts and local communities to design, organize and implement surveys to monitor, track and report on the status, numbers and trends of wildlife and biodiversity assets in the BBL area. The successful Applicant will develop flexible innovative approaches and tools to make available information products and data on wildlife to community conservations groups. And, work with these groups to help understand and apply this information for community based wildlife conservation.

Illustrative Activities: The following are indicative and are not mandatory activities. They serve only as examples. The successful Applicant is encouraged to establish an innovative package of actions to deliver the results being sought. i) Conduct wildlife surveys in Boma-Bandingilo Landscape and updating wildlife information databases; ii) Profile the plight of wildlife and biodiversity habitats.

Illustrative Indicators: The following indicators are indicative and not mandatory. The successful Applicant is encouraged to identify custom indicators that cost effectively demonstrates the results are being achieved. i) Number of information updates on status and trends in wildlife population and threats in Boma-Bandingilo Landscape; ii) Change in public awareness on current threats to wildlife and biodiversity.

Component Three: Community resilience and improved livelihoods.

The incomes of households in the BBL area are low, limiting the ability of households and people to cope with shocks and stessors. Alternative livelihood options need to be cultivated, building on the natural

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

resource base of the area. To support this, effective technical service providers need to be in place with the knowledge, skills and tools to advise community groups, herders, fisher folk and farmers on livelihood options and production techniques. This includes services and approaches to improve access to markets and technical innovations that can enhance productivity and profitability of alternative livelihoods.

In the Boma-Bandingilo Landscape, climate related shocks decrease agricultural and livestock productivity, which the majority of the population depend on. Severe droughts results in shortages of water and pasture and fuel conflict associated with access to water and pasture between the pastoralists and hosting communities. Flooding destroys or displaces livelihood and economic activities, especially, substance agriculture, and disrupts livestock grazing and constrains access to markets and social services.

Result 1: Increased Economic Resilience

Livelihoods in the BBL are centered on pastoralism, small scale subsistence agriculture, fisheries and harvesting biomass mainly for charcoal production. The BBL has abundant unexploited natural resources such as Gum Arabic, Shea Butter, oilseed crops and fisheries with high economic value that can be realized through improved production, harvesting, value addition and market linkages.

The successful Applicant will work with specialized agencies, communities and people in the BBL to: i) Identify products that can be profitably produced, ii) Assist in ensuring the availability of and access to techniques and technologies for nurturing of viable livelihoods. iii) Identify and promote more efficient techniques to reduce waste and increase profitability of charcoal making; iv) Tapping, harvesting and handling gum Arabic, and other commercially viable non-timber forest products. v) Explore innovative ways to enable local communities to support tree planting by the community members or in common areas to supply the need for fuel and offset the unsustainable harvesting of wood in protected areas.

i) Assessment of the economic value chains for the Gum Arabic, Shea Butter; ii) Promotion of value chains for Gum Arabic, Shea Butter and fisheries resources or other viable value chains; iii) Setting up producer group to support marketing and market access; and iv) Training farmers/communities on options to add value local products. Illustrative Indicators The following indicators are indicative and not mandatory. The successful Applicant is encouraged to identify custom indicators that cost effectively demonstrates the results are being achieved. i) Change in the output and productivity of alternative livelihood systems; and ii) Change in incomes from natural resources.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

Result 2: Community based technical services are available to assist communities and households recover from and adapt to climate related shocks.

Communities, households and people in the Boma-Bandingilo landscape lack access to technical services and support to build viable livelihoods and adapt to the climate related shocks they face on a regular basis. The successful Applicant will design flexible innovative approaches to ensure communities in the Boma – Bandingilo Landscape have access to and use technical services and technology to help develop livelihoods that increase incomes and their economic resilience. The livelihood options will need to be adapted to the habitat, ecology and market sheds of the communities being served. The successful Applicant will be expected to coordinate with other projects and technical service providers in the landscape to support efforts on resilience building. And, where feasible, leverage technical agencies to deliver services to the Boma - Bandingilo landscape project beneficiary communities.

The successful Applicant will work with communities to develop flexible services and support mechanisms to strengthen coping mechanisms that enable them to adapt to and absorb the climatic shocks frequently faced in the area.

Illustrative Activities: The following are indicative and are not mandatory activities. They serve only as examples. The successful Applicant is encouraged to establish an innovative package of actions to deliver the results being sought. i) Training village/community extension agents on climate\vulnerability and climate adaptation technologies (including, Climate Smart Agriculture); and ii) Support to Climate Smart Agriculture practices that increase incomes and facilitate and adaptation to climate change.

Illustrative Indicators The following indicators are indicative and not mandatory. The successful Applicant is encouraged to identify custom indicators that cost effectively demonstrates the results are being achieved. i) Level of proficiency of delivering technical support to the communities, agriculturalists, herders and fisher folk in livelihoods improvements; ii) Number of farmers / herders reached and adopting climate-smart agriculture practices; and

Component Four: Partnerships for natural resources management and community resilience in the Boma-Bandingilo landscape.

There are numerous social and rural development programs in the BBL whose interests in reducing vulnerability and building resilience of communities and the people overlap with those of the BBL Project. To harness synergies and complementarity among the different programs and initiatives, there is a need for coordination and collaboration among the different players.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

Wildlife conservation has numerous private philanthropic and commercial sponsors that fundamentally create the opportunity to build partnership for enhanced natural resource management and community resilience. The successful Applicant will include an innovative effort to build and create partnerships, with an aim of reaching at least a one to one matching target, in support of the BBL efforts.

The successful Applicant will help create and strengthen and participate in partnerships with local authorities, civil society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector programs, UN Humanitarian and other Donor Development Assistance programs, to facilitate the colocation, collaboration and coordination of development and humanitarian efforts in the BBL area.

Illustrative Indicators The following indicators are indicative and not mandatory. The successful Applicant is encouraged to identify custom indicators that cost effectively demonstrates the results are being achieved. i) Number of Partnerships and collaborative ventures among the different stakeholders active in the BBL; ii) Number of Partnerships and collaboration among the USAID funded programs and initiatives. Cross Cutting Themes

Gender mainstreaming and cultural sensitivity

Wildlife conservation and sustainable land and natural resources have direct implications on gender roles (men, females and youth) and inclusiveness in planning, use and management of these resources. Inclusiveness encompasses those with cultural systems that control ownership of land and decisions on land use. There is need to understand and address gender equity and inclusiveness in the context of tradition and contemporary land and resource use practices.

This component will result into Gender and cultural sensitive resilience to social and economic and environmental shocks.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

Illustrative activities

i. Conduct an assessment of different impacts of land use and natural resources use conflicts on men and women; ii. Develop and implement a Gender and inclusiveness strategy for the Project/Activity; and iii. Incorporate gender and cultural sensitivity into activity programming and reporting.

Illustrative indicators

i. Number of strategies for mainstreaming Gender and inclusiveness in Project/Activity implementation; ii. Change in perception among beneficiaries of land use and natural resources as a source or driver of conflict;

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Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

SECTION II: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated

Subject to the availability of funding, USAID intends to provide $7.5 million in total USAID funding over a three (3) year period. Actual funding amounts are subject to availability of funds.

USAID intends to award one Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity.

USAID reserves the right to fund any one or none of the applications submitted.

2. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Awards

The period of performance anticipated herein is 36 months. The estimated start date will be upon the signature of the award, on or about.

USAID/South Sudan may extend the period of performance by 24 months based on an evaluation of the project at the end of the three year period. Applicants should NOT budget for this potential extension in their application.

3. Substantial Involvement

USAID/South Sudan considers collaboration with the Recipient crucial for the successful implementation of this program. Substantial involvement during the implementation of this award shall include the following:

1. Approval of the Recipient’s Annual Implementation Plans. The plans include: a. Approval of Annual Work Plans b. Approval of Quarterly Reports c. Approval of the Recipient’s Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan d. Approval of Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plans (EMMPs)

2. Approval of Specified Key Personnel The required technical qualifications of the positions listed below are critical to the successful implementation. In accordance with the Substantial involvement, prior approval from the Agreement Officer is required to fill the listed positions as “Key Personnel.” The positions include:

(TBD) Applicant will propose the positions and candidates at time of application submission.

3. Agency and Recipient Collaboration or Joint Participation

Notice of Funding Opportunity: 720668-18-RFA-00001 Conservation of Boma – Bandingilo Landscape

a. Joint collaboration and participation for which USAID’s technical knowledge would be beneficial, such as team meetings, joint team efforts, coordination fora that include other USAID funded projects or other donor projects.

4. Title to Property

Property title under the resultant agreement shall vest with the recipient in accordance with the Requirements of 2 CFR 200.

5. Authorized Geographic Code

The geographic code for this program is 937.

6. Purpose of the Award

The principal purpose of the relationship with the Recipient and under the subject program is to transfer funds to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation of the Conservation of Boma - Bandingilo Landscape which is authorized by Federal statute.

The successful Recipient will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the program objectives and the efficient and effective administration of the award through the application of sound management practices. The Recipient will assume responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The Recipient using its own unique combination of staff, facilities, and experience, has the primary responsibility for employing whatever form of sound organization and management techniques may be necessary in order to assure proper and efficient administration of the resulting award.

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SECTION III: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

U.S. and non-U.S. organizations may participate under this NOFO.

If the applicant proposes to partner with other organizations through sub-awards, it should present a clear structure in terms of roles and responsibilities of each sub-recipient, lines of authority, and managerial decision-making process. Resources should be shared among the subrecipients based on their contributions to the program. In preparing their applications, applicants must not enter into exclusive arrangements for labor with any local staff or local organizations.

Applicants must have established financial management systems, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. The successful applicant will be subject to a responsibility determination assessment by the Agreement Officer (AO).

The Recipient must be a responsible entity. The AO may determine a pre-award survey is required to conduct an examination that will determine whether the prospective recipient has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with the terms and conditions of the award.

USAID welcomes applications from organizations which have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is required, in addition to USAID funds. Applicants are required to contribute resources from their own, private or local sources (not from other USG funding sources or USG- funded in-kind contributions) for the implementation of this program. The percentage of cost- share contributions is a minimum of 20%, over the life of the project. Cash or in-kind contributions associated with the proposed project must reflect separately and clearly defined in the budget (see 2 CFR 200.306, 2 CFR 700.1 and ADS 303.3.10 for guidance on cost share). Cost sharing must be used for the accomplishment of activity objectives and must consist of allowable costs under the applicable USG cost principles (Office of Management and Budget [OMB] A-21, 2 CFR 200 Subpart E, Federal Acquisition Regulations Part 31). Cost share is legally binding. USAID will conduct annual progress reviews of how cost share is attained.

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SECTION IV: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Agency Point of Contact

Mr. Alan Garceau Supervisory Agreement Officer USAID/South Sudan [email protected]

Ms. Susan George Acquisition and Assistance Specialist USAID/South Sudan [email protected]

Questions and Answers:

All questions regarding this NOFO should be submitted in writing to Alan Garceau, Supervisory Agreement Officer, via e-mail at [email protected] with a copy to Ms. Susan George at [email protected] no later than the date and time specified on the cover page to provide sufficient time to address the questions and to incorporate the questions and answers as an amendment to this solicitation. Any information given to a prospective Applicant concerning this NOFO will be furnished promptly to all other prospective Applicants as an amendment to this NOFO, if that information is necessary in submitting applications or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective Applicant.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Applications shall be submitted electronically to the e-mail address above in two separate parts: (a) technical application and (b) Cost/Business application, and should be prepared according to the structural format set forth below.

Please note that each e-mail is limited to a total size of 10MB. Multiple e-mails are acceptable. For an application sent by multiple emails, please indicate in the subject line of the e-mail whether the emails relates to the technical or cost application, and the desired sequence of multiple e-mails (if more than one is sent) and of attachments (e.e. “No. 1 of 4,” etc.). For example, if your cost application is being sent in two emails, the first email should have a subject line which says: “[organization name], Cost Application, Part 1 of 2.”

Applications must be submitted no later than the closing date and time for application submission indicated in the cover letter accompanying this NOFO unless the NOFO is amended to extend the deadline. Applications, which are submitted late or incomplete, run the risk of not being considered in the review process. Late applications will be considered for award only if the Agreement Officer (AO) determines it is in the Government’s interest. All applications received by the deadline will be reviewed for responsiveness to the specifications outlined in these guidelines. Applications that are incomplete or not directly responsive to the terms, 22

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conditions, specifications, and provisions of this NOFO may be categorized as non-responsive and eliminated from further consideration.

Applicants are expected to review, understand, and comply with all aspects of the NOFO.

Each Applicant shall furnish the information required by this NOFO. Applications shall be submitted in two separate parts: (a) Technical Application, and (b) Cost/Business Application.

Any erasures or other changes to the application must be initiated by the person signing the application. Applications signed by an agent on behalf of the Applicant shall be accompanied by evidence of that agent’s authority, unless that evidence has been previously furnished to USAID/South Sudan.

Applicants who include data that they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the U.S. Government except for evaluation purpose, should mark the title page with the Following legend:

“This application includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed – in whole or in part – for any purpose other than to evaluate this application. If, however, a grant is awarded to this Applicant as a result of – or in connection with – the submission of this data, the U.S. Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting grant. This restriction does not limit the U.S. Government’s right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets {insert sheet numbers} and, mark each sheet of data it wished to restrict with the following legend:

“Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this application.”

Applicants should retain for their records one (1) copy of the application and all enclosures which accompany it.

3. Technical Application Format

Technical applications should be specific, complete and presented concisely. Applications will demonstrate that applicant’s capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals of this program. Technical applications should take into account requirements of the program and selection factors found in this NOFO.

The application is limited to 20 pages for the technical application, excluding annexes and sections identified below as not included in the page limit. PAGES EXCEEDING THESE PAGE LIMITS WILL NOT BE EVALUATED. The application shall be typed in 11 point font on standard 8 ½” x 11” sized paper with each page numbered consecutively. Font sizes in text boxes and tables may vary but should not be smaller than 9 point standard size. Microsoft

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Word format is required for documents containing narrative text. MS Excel is required for tables or budgets. If an applicant submits a .pdf file, it must be accompanied by a duplicate in Microsoft Word or Excel. Documents that require a signature may be submitted in .pdf only.

The technical application must follow the following format:

(a) Cover Page (not included in page limit) The cover page must include, at a minimum, the following information: • NOFO Number • Project Title • Name of the organization(s) submitting the application • Name and title of contact person or position within the organization • E-mail Address • Telephone and fax numbers • Postal and physical addresses

Applicants should also state clearly whether the identified contact person has the authority to negotiate on behalf of the applicant, or not, the contact information for the appropriate person with the authority to negotiate must be included.

(b) Table of Contents (not included in the page limit)

(d) Executive Summary (not included in the page limit)

(e) Technical Understanding and Proposed Approaches

The technical application body shall be organized using the same headings as the technical selection factors. The sections are listed and further described below:

1. Selection Factor #1 – Technical Approach 2. Selection Factor #2 – Key Personnel and Management Structure 3. Selection Factor #3 – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Approach

1. Selection factor # 1 – Technical Approach

The technical application should be specific, complete and presented concisely. The technical application should demonstrate the applicant’s capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the expected results of this activity. The technical application should take into account the content provided in the Program Description, the instructions provided in this section and the selection criteria found in this NOFO.

The proposed approach and implementation plan must be logical, feasible and reflect high- impact and innovative interventions to achieve the activity’s objectives. This should include evidence about the performance about the technical interventions proposed. The applicant

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should clearly present strategies, high impact interventions and technical assistance approached that will help to achieve the results. The application must demonstrate an understanding of the guiding principles/cross-cutting themes and show how they will be applied in achieving the expected results of the activity.

The application should describe how the applicant will achieve the desired results and how activities and results will be sustained after the cooperative agreement has ended. Specifically, the applicant should demonstrate how they will build the communities ability to sustain the achievement of results. This entails outlining links between the proposed results, a conceptual approach, performance milestones, and a realistic timeline for achieving results. The applicant must present a clear description of approaches to coordinate with other USAID programs and development partners supporting similar activities in South Sudan.

2. Selection factor #2 – Key Personnel and Management Structure

The technical application shall include a management and staffing plan. The staffing structure and management arrangements must support the technical approach to achieve results and adhere to the guiding principles in the program description. The application should demonstrate the utilization of effective management approaches that maximize cost efficiency and provide flexibility to balance accountability with responsiveness to evolving needs.

If the application is from a consortium, partnership with more than one organization, or includes significant implementation sub-awardees, the management plan must identify the formal relationships, roles, and responsibilities of each consortium member, partner organization, or implementing subawardees. The proposed approach for financial management must describe effective strategies to contain costs; the lines of authority between prime and sub-partners; and how the applicant will assure accountability, and timely and accurate financial reporting. The staffing plan shall state the roles and responsibilities of planned professional staff positions, their required educational qualifications and experience, and where they would be based. This section should include a detailed organizational chart for each organization in annex. USAID/South Sudan encourages partnerships with indigenous organizations.

Key Personnel: USAID/South Sudan expects that the applicant will propose personnel, to include key personnel that are consistent with their technical approach. The applicant must propose, at a minimum, three (3) but not more than five (5) key personnel positions. Key personnel are those considered to be essential to the work being performed under this cooperative agreement. It is expected that the key personnel will serve the full term of the agreement. Key personnel and changes to key personnel are subject to approval by the USAID Agreement Officer and concurrence by the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) prior to their employment under this award.

The application narrative shall clearly summarize the professional qualification of Proposed Key Personnel. For each proposed Key Personnel, a complete and current resume demonstrating the candidates’ qualifications and experience must be submitted as an annex. Resumes shall not exceed three pages in length and shall be accompanied by a signed letter of commitment from each candidate indicating his/her (a) availability to serve in the stated position and for the stated

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term of service; and (b) agreement to compensation levels set forth in the cost applications. USAID may also check other sources to gather information on proposed personnel including, but not limited to, other USAID or U.S. Government persons who have knowledge of their previous work.

3. Selection factor # 3 – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Approach

The applicant is requested to propose an illustrative Performance Management Plan (PMP) indicating how they intend to comprehensively track progress towards achieving the project outcomes and impacts. The applicant should consult USAID’s common indicators to determine those that are appropriate to track. This project will require the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to assist the counties/payams and communities to map their resources, for protected area management plans, wildlife corridors, and other uses. The applicant should be sure that the GIS data are compatible with a Standard GIS Management System.

ANNEX: Applicants must include a draft PMP as an annex to their applications. The activity description provides illustrative indicators for measuring progress toward the achievement of the goals and purposes. The applicant may propose other indicators in the draft PMP as needed to measure performance and outcomes. The draft PMP should include:

• Information on data sources, methodologies and frequency of data collection for each indicator. • Data quality – the plan should include mechanisms for ensuring that quality data is collected and reported. • Data analysis, use and dissemination plan.

f) Annexes The page limit for the annexes to the technical application shall be limited to a maximum of 35 pages. The annexes should include:

- Annex 1: Draft Performance Management Plan (PMP) - Annex 2: Resumes and letters of commitment for key personnel - Annex 3: Draft organogram showing the staffing structure and identifying formal relationships with all consortium partners and significant sub-awardees. - Annex 4: Past Performance Information

Note: Past Performance Information will be includes as an annex (not included in technical application page limit). The Applicant shall provide detailed past performance information, which should include all relevant Awards (Contracts, Grants and Cooperative Agreements) performed within the last five (5) years that are similar in size, scope and expected results to what is contained in the Program Description. At a minimum, the list should include the following for each referenced Award:

- Name of the Organization; - Award Number;

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- Activity Title; - A brief description of the activity; - Period of Performance; - Award Amount; and - Name of at least two (2) updated professional contacts who most directly observed the work at the organization for which the service was performed with complete current contact information including telephone number, and e-mail address for each proposed individual.

- If the Applicant encountered problems on any of the referenced Awards, they may provide a short explanation and the corrective action taken. Applicant shall not provide general information on their performance. - USAID reserves the right to obtain from any sources relevant information concerning an Applicant’s past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. - Other information (e.g., letters of support, maps, strategies, program analyses and costings, charts, graphs)

4. Cost Application Format

The cost application must be submitted separately from the technical application.

The following sections describe the documentation that applicants for an assistance award must submit to USAID prior to award. While there is no page limit for this portion, applicants are encouraged to be as concise as possible, but still provide the necessary level of detail.

A Cost Application consists of:

a. Required Forms: All Applicants must submit the application using the SF-424 series, which includes the: • SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance • SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-construction Programs • SF-424B, Assurance – Non-construction Programs

Copies of these forms are included as part of the application package for this NOFO posted at www.grants.gov.

b. A summary budget: It must provide a breakdown by cost element, and by activity, for the duration of the project for the anticipated costs under this Cooperative Agreement.

c. A detailed/Itemized budget must be submitted in U.S. dollars for the applicant and all subawards for the duration of the project. It must be in Excel format with unlocked formulas to show how calculations are derived. An accompanying budget narrative must be submitted in Word, text accessible, for the prime applicant and all subawardees, and must provide in detail the total costs for implementation of the project that the applicant is proposing. The budget narrative must provide detailed budget notes and supporting justification of all proposed budget line items. It must clearly

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identify the basis of all costs, such as market surveys, price quotations, current salaries, historical experience, etc.

The detailed budget must include: - The breakdown of all costs associated with the program by activities; - The breakdown of all costs associated with the project according to costs of, if applicable, headquarters and/or county offices; - The breakdown of all costs according to each partner organization or subcontractor/subgrantee involved in the project; - The costs associated with external, expatriate technical assistance and those associated with local in-country technical assistance; - The name, position, annual salary, and expected level of effort (in days) of persons charged to the activity. There may be TBD positions, i.e. support staff. Furthermore, 260 days equals one year of labor. Information provided must show annual salary history for at least the three most recent years for key staff proposed under this project. - If not included in an indirect cost rate agreement negotiated with the U.S. Government, the applicable fringe benefit rates for each category of employees, and an explanation of the benefits included in the rate; - A breakdown of allowances by specific type and by person, and they must be in accordance with the applicant’s policies; - Travel, per diem and other transportation expenses detailed to include number of trips, expected itineraries, number of per diem days and per diem rates; - Separate cost line items for other direct costs such as supplies, communication costs, visas, passports, and other general costs; - The breakdown of the financial and in-kind contributions of all organizations involved in implementing this Cooperative Agreement; - Potential contributions of non-USAID or private commercial donors to this Cooperative Agreement;

d. A budget Narrative explaining costs estimated and providing the rationale and the basis on which they were derived including sufficient information to determine the reasonableness and realism of proposed salaries, equipment, vehicles, etc. The applicant must include all estimated costs associated with branding and marking and environmental compliance in its proposed budget. e. Cost Sharing: Applicants are required, to provide a cost share contribution under this program per section (n) below. f. A copy of the latest Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), for the applicant, if applicable. If the applicant does not currently have a NICRA from their cognizant agency, the following information shall be required: - Copies of the applicant’s financial reports for the previous 3-year period, which have been audited by a certified public accountant or other auditor satisfactory to USAID; - Projected budget, cash flow and organizational chart; - A copy of the organization’s accounting manual. g. Details of sub-award arrangements to the extent they are known at the time of application development. In case there are multiple organizations and partners, please

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explain as clearly as possible the management structure and how the parties are going to interact.

NOTE: If sub-awards are anticipated and not explained in the original application, the agreement officer’s approval (after award) will be required before the sub-agreement may be executed. h. Acknowledgement of Any amendments to the NOFO: Applicants shall acknowledge receipt of all amendments, if any, to this NFO by signing and returning the amendment as part of the cost application. The Government must receive the acknowledgement by the time specified for receipt of applications. i. Pre-award Certifications, Assurances and other statements of the Recipient: These can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303mav. Please note that these certifications are required for both the applicant and all subawardees whether U.S. or non-U.S. organizations. They include: a) A signed copy of Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of the Recipient, which include: • Assurance of Compliance with Laws and Regulations Governing Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs (This assurance applies to Non-U.S. organizations, if any part of the program will be undertaken in the U.S.); • Certification on Lobbying (22 CFR 227); • Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing; • Certification Regarding Trafficking in persons; and • Certification of Recipient • A signed copy of Key Individual Certification Narcotics Offenses and Drug Trafficking, (ADS 206.3.10) when applicable; • A signed copy of Participant Certification Narcotics Offenses and Drug Trafficking (ADS 206.3.10) when applicable; • A completed copy of Representation by Organization Regarding a Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Criminal Conviction; • Other Statements of Recipients.

The Applicant must complete the certifications above and sign and date in the signature spaces provided. The signed and dated copy must then be submitted with the application as an annex to the cost application.

j. Risk Assessment: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.205, USAID is required to perform a risk assessment prior to awarding a federal grant. Risk assessment under this NOFO will be conducted in accordance with ADS 303.3.9. Applicant and subawardees, if any, must submit additional evidence they deem necessary for the Agreement Officer to make a Risk Assessment Decision. The information submitted should substantiate that the applicant: a) Has adequate financial resources or the ability to obtain such resources, as required during the performance of the Cooperative Agreement.

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b) Has the ability to comply with the Cooperative Agreement terms and conditions, taking into account all existing and currently prospective commitments of the applicant, nongovernmental and governmental. c) Has a satisfactory record of performance. Generally, relevant unsatisfactory performance in the past is enough to justify a finding of non-responsibility, unless there is clear evidence of subsequent satisfactory performance or the applicant has taken adequate corrective measures to assure that it will be able to perform its functions satisfactorily. d) Has a satisfactory record of business integrity. e) Is otherwise qualified to receive a Cooperative Agreement under applicable laws and regulations.

k. If the applicant has never received a cooperative agreement, grant or contract from the U.S. Government, the applicant will be required to submit a copy of its accounting manual. l. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Award (SAM) Requirements - USAID MAY NOT award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable universal entity identifier and SAM requirements. The applicant must have an active registration in www.sam.gov. Each applicant is required to: (a) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application. SAM is streamlining processes, eliminating the need to enter the same data multiple times, and consolidating hosting to make the process of doing business with the government more efficient.; (b) Provide a valid universal entity identifier/valid DUNS number in its application; and (c) Continue to 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 a Federal awarding agency. m. The applicant must state that the application is valid for no less than 90 days. n. Cost Share: USAID has established a required cost share of at least 20 percent of the award’s projected value for the recipient of the award. Applicant’s proposed cost share will be evaluated as part of cost effectiveness. Leveraged non-USAID resources from private firms and institutions (such as equipment, training, level of effort and any in-kind contributions) may be considered part of cost share. Cost sharing may be also demonstrated either through direct funding, beneficiary contributions, in-kind assistance, or a combination thereof. USAID shall make the final determination and assess whether or not the Applicants cost share contributions (e.g. categories or items) meet the standards set in 2 CFR 200. Applicants must understand that any cost share proposed and incorporated in the award is legally binding to be provided/achieved by the successful applicant. Attainment of this cost share must be progressively reported by the successful awardee each year. Also include in the cost application, information that confirms and ensures that proposed cost sharing will materialize.

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5. Funding Restrictions

USAID policy is not to award profit under assistance instruments. However, all reasonable, allocable and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the agreement program and are in accordance with applicable cost principle under 2 CFR 200 Subpart E. of the Uniform Administrative Requirements may be paid under the anticipated award.

NOTE: USAID will not reimburse potential applicants or the selected awardee for any pre- award costs.

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SECTION V: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Overview

USAID will conduct a merit review al all applications received that complies with the instructions in this NOFO. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated in accordance with the following three criteria show in descending order of importance.

The criteria presented below have been tailored to the requirements of this particular NOFO. Applicants should note that these criteria serve to: (a) identify the significant matters which applicants should address in their applications; and (b) set the standard against which all applications will be evaluated. To facilitate the review of applications, applicants must organize the narrative sections of their applications in the same order as the Selection Factors.

The technical applications will be evaluated in accordance with the Selection Factors set forth below. Thereafter, the cost application of the apparently successful applicant will be evaluated for general reasonableness, allowability, and allocability. An award will be made to the responsible applicant whose application offers the greatest value to the U.S. government, cost and other factors considered. The final award decision is made by the Agreement Officer, with consideration of the recommendations of the Selection Committee.

Selection Factors for the Technical Application:

The following three selection factors, which are further described below, will be the basis of evaluation for all technical applications. All factors are listed in descending order of importance.

1. Technical Approach (50 points) 2. Key Personnel and Management Structure (30 points) 3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Approach (20 points)

1. Technical Approach:

In assessing this factor, the Selection Committee will consider: a. The degree to which the proposed technical approach and methodology can reasonably be expected to produce the intended outcomes; b. The likelihood that activities being supported will continue beyond and without USAID funding; and c. The degree to which the applicant accurately identifies relevant conflict dynamics, describes how they may affect program activities and vice versa, and includes approaches that minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts related to local conflict and dynamics.

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2. Key Personnel and Management Structure

In assessing this factor, the Selection Committee will consider: a. The extent to which the proposed management and staffing structure is clear, appropriate, efficient and effective in implementing the proposed program. b. The quality and appropriateness of the proposed candidates for key personnel positions.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Approach:

In assessing this factor, the Selection Committee will consider: a. The degree to which the proposed PMP systems and plans will accurately track progress toward the program’s objectives and demonstrate results.

Evaluation of Cost:

While Cost applications are not weighted, the cost application of the apparently successful technical application will be evaluated for cost effectiveness. Other considerations are the completeness of the application, adequacy of budget, cost reasonableness, allocability, allowability, realism, consistency with the technical application, adequacy of budget detail, financial feasibility, and overall cost control (e.g. avoidance of excessive salaries and other costs in excess of reasonable requirements) detail. In addition, the organization must demonstrate adequate financial management capability, to be measured for a risk assessment determination.

Cost estimates will be analyzed as part of the application evaluation process. Proposed costs may be adjusted, for purposes of evaluation, based on results of the cost analysis and its assessment of reasonableness, completeness, and credibility.

2. Determinations of Award

Following the recommendation of the Selection Committee, the Agreement Officer will make the final determination.

The Agreement Officer’s decision regarding funding of an award is final and not subject to review. Any information that may impact the Agreement Officer’s decision shall be directed to the Agreement Officer.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

The estimated start date will be upon signature of the award, on or about September 2018.

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SECTION VI: FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

1. The Government plans to award one Cooperative Agreement resulting from this NOFO to the responsible applicant whose application conforming to this NOFO offers the greatest value to the U.S. Government. The Government may reject any or all applications, accept other than the lowest cost application, accept alternate applications, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.

2. The Government may award the Cooperative Agreement on the basis of initial applications received, and may not conduct discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application must contain the applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. As part of its evaluation process, however, USAID may elect to discuss technical, cost or other pre-award issues with one or more applicants. Alternatively, USAID may proceed with the award selection based on its evaluation of initial applications received and/or commence negotiations solely with one applicant.

3. A written award mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful applicant within the application’s validity time as specified either in the application or in this NOFO (whichever is later) shall result in a binding Cooperative Agreement without further action by either party. Before the application's specified validity expiration time, the Government may accept an application, whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received by the applicant before award. Negotiations or discussions conducted after receipt of an application do not constitute a rejection or counteroffer by the Government.

4. Applicants must set forth full, accurate and complete information as required by this NOFO. The penalty for making false statements to the Government is prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

5. Neither financial data submitted with an application nor representations concerning facilities or financing, will form a part of the resulting Cooperative Agreement unless explicitly stated otherwise in the agreement.

6. USAID reserves the right to perform a pre-award survey which may include, but is not limited to: (1) interviews with individuals to establish their ability to perform agreement duties under the project conditions; (2) a review of the prime recipient’s financial condition, business and personnel procedures, etc.; and (3) site visits to the prime recipient’s institution.

7. Authority to Obligate the Government: The Agreement Officer is the only individual who may legally commit the Government to the expenditures of public funds. No costs chargeable to the proposed Cooperative Agreement may be incurred before receipt of either a fully executed Cooperative Agreement or a specific, written authorization from the Agreement Officer.

8. Award of the agreement contemplated by this NOFO cannot be made until funds have been appropriated, allocated and committed through internal USAID procedures. While USAID

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anticipates that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for the award.

2. Administrative & National Policy Requirements

This NOFO and any resulting awards are made under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. Any resulting awards will be subject to 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 700.

For U.S. organizations, 2 CFR 700, 2 CFR 200 and ADS 303maa, Standard Provisions for U.S. Non-Governmental organizations are applicable.

For non-U.S. organizations, ADS 303mab, Standard Provisions for Non-U.S. Non-governmental Organizations will apply.

For Public International Organizations (PIOs, or IOs), Chapter 308 of USAID ADS including the Standard Provisions set forth in ADS 308.3.14 will apply.

Please refer to ADS 303.4 and 303.5 for additional information.

3. Reporting Requirements.

Programmatic Reporting:

a. Annual Work Plans: Within 60 calendar days of the start of the Cooperative Agreement, the Recipient will submit the first Annual Work Plan. While the work plan will take into consideration key implementing partner preferences, the Recipient will use their own independent expert technical judgment to determine what activities will be undertaken, in which counties, payams, and communities and in what order. Priority of action should be given to those activities deemed most likely to produce meaningful results within the three-year agreement period.

Annual Work Plans are to be submitted to USAID/South Sudan’s Agreement Officer and designated AOR for this award electronically via e-mail.

b. Quarterly Progress Report: Quarterly Progress Reports will summarize progress in relation to agreed targets or milestones contained in the Work Plan, and report on all indicators in the PMP. The report will also include a narrative that describes the overall impact of program activities with respect to the higher level goals of the program. The report will specify any problems encountered and indicate resolutions or proposed corrective actions. The report will list activities proposed for the next reporting period, noting where they deviate from the approved Work Plan and will provide information on accrued expenditures to date. The Recipient will provide program success stories, as appropriate, in their quarterly progress reports.

The Recipient will submit an electronic copy of each progress report to the AOR via e- mail. The progress reports are required to be submitted quarterly (30 calendar days

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after the end of each quarter). The October report will be a cumulative annual report. The Recipient will submit the October annual report to the AOR and the Agreement Officer.

To ensure compliance with U.S. Government guidance and policies in an evolving context, grantees will be required to submit vendor data as an attachment to their quarterly report. An Excel template will be provided to partners at the time of award.

c. Close-Out Plan: The Recipient will develop and implement an AOR approved closeout plan (administration, information, grants, finance, procurement and management). The closeout plan will be submitted to the AOR 90 calendar days prior to the end date of the award. The plan should include, but not limited to: a. Dates for final delivery of all goods and services for grants; and b. A property disposition plan for the Recipient and sub-awardees, where applicable, in accordance with government regulations reviewed by the AOR and approved by the Agreement Officer. d. Final Report: The Final Report that covers the entire three-year period of the award will be submitted 90 calendar days after the expiration of the award and will include: • A description of the cumulative results achieved; • Final data compared to baseline data for all indicators included in the PMP; • An assessment of the impact of the program, disaggregated by gender and age; summary of problems/obstacles encountered during the implementation and how those obstacles were addressed and overcome, if appropriate; • A presentation of life-of-project results towards achieving the project objectives and the performance indicators, as well as an analysis of how the indicators illustrate the activities impact; • Recommendations regarding unfinished work and/or future needs and directions; • A summary of lessons learned, and any particularly important success stories.

Financial Reporting:

The Recipient will submit electronic copies of Financial Reports in keeping with 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 700. The Financial Reports must be submitted via electronic format to the cognizant Mission Financial Payments office. In addition, copies of all final financial reports will be submitted to the Chief Financial Officer or Mission Controller, Agreement Officer, and the Agreement Officer’s Representative.

Branding & Marking:

Pursuant to ADS 303 and 320, only the apparently successful applicant will be requested to submit a Branding Strategy and Marking Plan that will have to be successfully negotiated prior to the award of the Cooperative Agreement.

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These plans shall be prepared in accordance with the guidance in ADS 320 and the references therein. Please note that the Branding Strategy and Marking Plan shall not be included with the original application, but shall be provided only after a written request of the Agreement Officer.

ADS Chapter 320 concerning “assistance” applies to this NOFO.

Environmental Compliance

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, Section 117 requires that the impact of USAID’s activities on the environment be considered and that USAID include environmental sustainability as a central consideration in designing and carrying out its development programs. This mandate is codified in Federal Regulations (22 CFR 216) and in USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) Parts 201.5.10g and 204 (http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/200/), which, in part, require that the potential environmental impacts of USAID-financed activities are identified prior to a final decision to proceed and that appropriate environmental safeguards are adopted for all activities. The Recipient’s environmental compliance obligations under these regulations and procedures are specified in the following paragraphs of this NOFO.

The Recipient must comply with host country environmental regulations unless otherwise directed in writing by USAID. In case of conflict between host country and USAID regulations, the latter shall govern.

No activity funded under this cooperative agreement will be implemented unless an environmental threshold determination, as defined by 22 CFR 216, has been reached for that activity, as documented in a Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE), Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), or Environmental Assessment (EA) duly signed by the Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO).

USAID is developing an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for the office of Economic Growth activities expected to be implemented under this NOFO. The IEE covers activities expected to be implemented under this grant. The NOFO will be amended to include the results of the IEE upon completion. The recipient will be responsible for implementing all the IEE conditions pertaining to activities to be funded under this program.

As part of its initial Work Plan, and all Annual Work Plans thereafter, the recipient, in collaboration with the USAID AOR and Mission Environmental Officer or Bureau Environmental Officer, as appropriate, shall review all ongoing and planned activities under this CA to determine if they are within the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation.

If the recipient plans any new activities outside the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation, it shall prepare an amendment to the documentation for USAID review and approval. No such new activities shall be undertaken prior to receiving written USAID approval of environmental documentation amendments.

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Any ongoing activities found to be outside the scope of the approved Regulation 216 environmental documentation shall be halted until an amendment to the documentation is submitted and written approval is received from USAID.

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SECTION VII: FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S)

Any prospective applicant desiring an explanation or interpretation of this NOFO must request it in writing by the deadline for questions specified in the cover letter to allow a reply to reach all prospective applicants before the submission of their applications. Oral explanations or instructions given before award of a Cooperative Agreement shall not be binding. Any information given to a prospective applicant concerning this NOFO will be furnished promptly to all other prospective applicants as an amendment of this RFA, if that information is necessary in submitting applications or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective applicants.

Any questions or comments concerning this NOFO must be submitted in writing by email to Mr. Alan Garceau at [email protected] and Ms. Susan George at [email protected] by the deadline stated on the NOFO’s cover letter.

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SECTION VIII: OTHER INFORMATION

1. USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

2. SECURITY AND EVACUATION

Submission of safety and security plans are not required at this time. However, USAID/South Sudan may reassess this decision and require a copy of your South Sudan-specific safety and security plans at a future date. The Applicant should be prepared to submit these plans upon request. USAID/South Sudan will not explicitly or implicitly evaluate the merits of the content of any safety and security plan(s) submitted.

In responding to this NOFO, applicants are expected to take responsibility for and be adequately prepared to work in the insecure environment of South Sudan, taking precautions to minimize risks to all staff and operations, including putting in place South Sudan-specific safety and security plans.

Specifically, it is expected that Applicants have operational security management systems, appropriate, as defined by your organization, to your organization and operational area(s).

Although USAID does not prescribe the Applicants security plans, the following are some of the areas for considerations in developing your security management system:

• Contextual analysis, • Threat analysis, • Vulnerability analysis, • Contingency planning for relevant emergency situations such as – • Abductions or illegal detention, • Evacuation, • Emergency medical care, • Psycho-social support for staff impacted by serious crimes or personal violence, • Sexual assault, • Armed attack, • Reporting and prosecution options, etc., and • Risk mitigation measures, which address specific needs based on analysis of proposed program areas.

Because of the unpredictable security environment in South Sudan, timely and accurate information is a core aspect of effective security. The security management system should also consider how it will access available security information sharing resources such as the NGO Forum, USAID’s Partner Liaison Security Office (PLSO) contract, the Security Managers’ Working Group, etc. to keep current on security risks and how to adapt your security systems accordingly.

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In addition, the Applicants’ security management system should consider the unique threats and vulnerabilities faced by national staff and sub awardees.

American citizen personnel are encouraged to register in the State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

3. SOUTH SUDAN SPECIAL PROVISIONS

a) WORKING IN SOUTH SUDAN - U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY

Work under the resultant cooperative agreement must be consistent with U.S. Government’s (USG) policy toward South Sudan in effect and as notified by the Agreement Officer (AO) or the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) throughout the life of the award. b) U.S. GOVERNMENTSANCTIONS

The grantee must comply with all applicable U.S. Government sanctions, including those administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under Executive Order 13664, dated April 3, 2014 (South Sudan sanctions) and Executive Order 13818 dated December 20, 2017 (Global Magnitsky sanctions). c) PRIOR APPROVAL FOR FUNDING OR SUPPORT TO ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT

The grantee must not provide funding or support under the resultant cooperative agreement to any level of government in the Republic of South Sudan, including the central government or state or local governments, without the prior written approval of the Agreement Officer.

d) This special requirement must be included in all subawards and contracts.

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ANNEX I – STANDARD PROVISIONS

1. UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM OF AWARD MANAGEMENT (July 2015) a. Requirement for System of Award Management (SAM). Unless you are exempted from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110, you as the recipient must maintain the currency of your information in SAM until you submit the final financial report required under this award or receive the final payment, whichever is later. This requires that you review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration, and more frequently, if required by changes in your information or another award term. b. Requirement for Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers. If you are authorized to make subawards under this award, you:

(1) Must notify potential subrecipients that no entity (see definition in paragraph c. of this award term) may receive a subaward from you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

(2) May not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you. c. Definitions. For purposes of this award term:

(1) System of Award Management (SAM) means the Federal repository into which an entity must provide information required for the conduct of business as a recipient. Additional information about registration procedures may be found at the SAM Internet site (currently at www.sam.gov).

(2) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number means the nine-digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities. A DUNS number may be obtained from D&B by telephone (currently 866-705-5711) or the Internet (currently at fedgov.dnb.com/webform).

(3) Entity, as it is used in this award term, means all of the following, as defined at 2 CFR 25, subpart C:

(i) A governmental organization, which is a State, local government, or Indian tribe;

(ii) A foreign public entity;

(iii) A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization;

(iv) A domestic or foreign for-profit organization; and

(v) A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or subaward to a non-Federal entity.

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(4) Subaward:

(i) This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the performance of any portion of the substantive project or program for which you received this award and that you as the recipient award to an eligible subrecipient.

(ii) The term does not include your procurement of property and services needed to carry out the project or program (for further explanation, see 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit Requirements).

(iii) A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement, including an agreement that you consider a contract.

(5) Subrecipient means an entity that:

(i) Receives a subaward from you under this award; and

(ii) Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided by the subaward.

ADDENDUM (JUNE 2012): a. Exceptions. The requirements of this provision to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and maintain a current registration in the System of Award Management (SAM) do not apply, at the prime award or subaward level, to:

(1) Awards to individuals

(2) Awards less than $25,000 to foreign recipients to be performed outside the United States (based on a USAID determination)

(3) Awards where the Agreement Officer determines, in writing, that these requirements would cause personal safety concerns.

b. This provision does not need to be included in subawards.

[END OF PROVISION]

2. LIMITING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES (August 2013)

a) Construction is not eligible for reimbursement under this award unless specifically identified in paragraph d) below.

b) Construction means —construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging and excavation) of buildings, structures, or other real property and includes, without limitation, improvements, renovation, alteration and refurbishment. The term includes, without limitation, roads, power plants, buildings, bridges, water treatment facilities, and vertical structures.

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c) Agreement Officers will not approve any subawards or procurements by recipients for construction activities that are not listed in paragraph d) below. USAID will reimburse allowable costs for only the construction activities listed in this provision not to exceed the amount specified in the construction line item of the award budget. The recipient must receive prior written approval from the AO to transfer funds allotted for construction activities to other cost categories, or vice versa. d) Construction is not eligible under this award. e) The recipient must include this provision in all subawards and procurements and make vendors providing services under this award and subrecipients aware of the restrictions of this provision.

[END OF PROVISION]

3. USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR ASSISTANCE (July 2014)

(a) Definitions

“USAID Implementing Partner Notices (IPN) Portal for Assistance (“IPN Portal)” means the single point where USAID posts proposed universal bilateral amendments for USAID awards, which can be accessed electronically by registered USAID recipients. The IPN Portal is located at https://sites.google.com/site/usaidipnforassistance/. Universal amendments are those which affect all assistance awards or a designated class of awards as specified in each amendment by the IPN Portal Administrator.

“IPN Portal Administrator” means the USAID official designated by the Director, M/OAA, who has overall responsibility for managing the USAID Implementing Partner Notices Portal for Assistance.

“Universal bilateral amendment” means those amendments with revisions or new requirements or provisions that affect all awards or a designated class of awards, as specified in the Agency notification of such revisions or new requirements.

(b) By submission of an application and execution of an award, the Applicant/Recipient acknowledges the requirement to:

(1) Register with the IPN Portal if awarded an assistance award resulting from this solicitation, and

(2) Receive universal bilateral amendments to this award and general notices via the IPN Portal.

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Go to https://sites.google.com/site/usaidipnforassistance/ and click the “Register” button at the top of the page. Recipient representatives must use their official organization email address when subscribing, not personal email addresses.

(d) Processing of IPN Portal Amendments

The Recipient may access the IPN Portal at any time to review all IPN Portal amendments; however, the system will also notify the Recipient by email when the USAID IPN Portal Administrator posts a universal bilateral amendment for Recipient’s review and signature. Proposed USAID IPN Portal amendments distributed via the IPN Portal are applicable to all awards, unless otherwise noted in the proposed amendment.

Within 15 calendar days from receipt of the notification email from the IPN Portal, the Recipient must do one of the following:

(1) (a) verify applicability of the proposed amendment for their award(s) per the instructions provided with each amendment; (b) download the amendment and incorporate the following information on the amendment form: award number, organization name, and organization mailing address as it appears in the basic award; (c) sign the hardcopy version; and (d) send the signed amendment (by email or hardcopy) to the AO for signature. The Recipient must not incorporate any other changes to the IPN Portal amendment. Bilateral amendments provided through the IPN Portal are not effective until the both the Recipient and the AO sign the amendment;

(2) Notify the AO in writing if the amendment requires negotiation of additional changes to terms and conditions of the award; or

(3) Notify the AO that the Recipient declines to sign the amendment.

Within 30 calendar days of receipt of a signed amendment from the Recipient, the AO must provide the fully executed amendment to the Recipient or initiate discussions with the Recipient.

[END OF PROVISION]

4. USAID DISABILITY POLICY – ASSISTANCE (December 2004) a. The objectives of the USAID Disability Policy are (1) to enhance the attainment of United States foreign assistance program goals by promoting the participation and equalization of opportunities of individuals with disabilities in USAID policy, country and sector strategies, activity designs and implementation; (2) to increase awareness of issues of people with disabilities both within USAID programs and in host countries; (3) to engage other U.S. Government agencies, host country counterparts, governments, implementing organizations and other donors in fostering a climate of nondiscrimination against people with disabilities; and (4) to support international advocacy for people with disabilities.

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b. USAID therefore requires that the recipient not discriminate against people with disabilities in the implementation of USAID funded programs and that it make every effort to comply with the objectives of the USAID Disability Policy in performing the program under this grant or cooperative agreement. To that end and to the extent it can accomplish this goal within the scope of the program objectives, the recipient should demonstrate a comprehensive and consistent approach for including men, women, and children with disabilities.

[END OF PROVISION]

5. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (April 2016)

a. The recipient, subawardee, or contractor, at any tier, or their employees, labor recruiters, brokers or other agents, must not engage in:

(1) Trafficking in persons (as defined in the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime) during the period of this award;

(2) Procurement of a commercial sex act during the period of this award;

(3) Use of forced labor in the performance of this award;

(4) Acts that directly support or advance trafficking in persons, including the following acts:

i. Destroying, concealing, confiscating, or otherwise denying an employee access to that employee's identity or immigration documents; ii. Failing to provide return transportation or pay for return transportation costs to an employee from a country outside the United States to the country from which the employee was recruited upon the end of employment if requested by the employee, unless: a) exempted from the requirement to provide or pay for such return transportation by USAID under this award; or b) the employee is a victim of human trafficking seeking victim services or legal redress in the country of employment or a witness in a human trafficking enforcement action; iii. Soliciting a person for the purpose of employment, or offering employment, by means of materially false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises regarding that employment; iv. Charging employees recruitment fees; or v. Providing or arranging housing that fails to meet the host country housing and safety standards.

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b. In the event of a violation of section (a) of this provision, USAID is authorized to terminate this award, without penalty, and is also authorized to pursue any other remedial actions authorized as stated in section 1704(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Pub. L. 112-239, enacted January 2, 2013).

c. If the estimated value of services required to be performed under the award outside the United States exceeds $500,000, the recipient must submit to the Agreement Officer, the annual “Certification regarding Trafficking in Persons, Implementing Title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013” as required prior to this award, and must implement a compliance plan to prevent the activities described above in section (a) of this provision. The recipient must provide a copy of the compliance plan to the Agreement Officer upon request and must post the useful and relevant contents of the plan or related materials on its website (if one is maintained) and at the workplace.

d. The recipient’s compliance plan must be appropriate to the size and complexity of the award and to the nature and scope of the activities, including the number of non-United States citizens expected to be employed. The plan must include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) An awareness program to inform employees about the trafficking related prohibitions included in this provision, the activities prohibited and the action that will be taken against the employee for violations.

(2) A reporting process for employees to report, without fear of retaliation, activity inconsistent with the policy prohibiting trafficking, including a means to make available to all employees the Global Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-844-888-FREE and its e-mail address at [email protected].

(3) A recruitment and wage plan that only permits the use of recruitment companies with trained employees, prohibits charging of recruitment fees to the employee, and ensures that wages meet applicable host-country legal requirements or explains any variance.

(4) A housing plan, if the recipient or any subawardee intends to provide or arrange housing. The housing plan is required to meet any host-country housing and safety standards.

(5) Procedures for the recipient to prevent any agents or subawardee at any tier and at any dollar value from engaging in trafficking in persons activities described in section a of this provision. The recipient must also have procedures to monitor, detect, and terminate any agents or subawardee or subawardee employees that have engaged in such activities. e. If the Recipient receives any credible information regarding a violation listed in section a(1)- (4) of this provision, the recipient must immediately notify the cognizant Agreement Officer and the USAID Office of the Inspector General; and must fully cooperate with any Federal agencies responsible for audits, investigations, or corrective actions relating to trafficking in persons.

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f. The Agreement Officer may direct the Recipient to take specific steps to abate an alleged violation or enforce the requirements of a compliance plan. g. For purposes of this provision, “employee” means an individual who is engaged in the performance of this award as a direct employee, consultant, or volunteer of the recipient or any subrecipient. h. The recipient must include in all subawards and contracts a provision prohibiting the conduct described in section a(1)-(4) by the subrecipient, contractor, or any of their employees, or any agents. The recipient must also include a provision authorizing the recipient to terminate the award as described in section b of this provision.

[END OF PROVISION]

[END OF ANNEX I]

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ANNEX II – SF 424 FORMS

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Program

SF-424B, Assurances – Non-Construction Programs.

[SF 424 FORMS ATTACHED TO THE WWW.GRANTS.GOV POSTING.]

[END OF ANNEX II]

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ANNEX III – CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF APPLICANTS

[Certifications and Assurances and Other Statements of Applicants ATTACHED TO THE WWW.GRANTS.GOV POSTING.]

[END OF ANNEX III]

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ANNEX IV – OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS/OTHER REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boma_state

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sudan

3. Management Systems International (MSI) (2018): End of Project Evaluation (Boma- Jonglei-Equatoria Landscape Project). Program Performance Evaluation 2008 – 2017. https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00SVGV.pdf

4. United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) (2017): Relationships and Resources: Environmental Governance for Peace Building and Resilient Livelihoods in South Sudan.

5. https://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/projects/south-sudan-migration/index.html