Shorts

Issuance Date: July 29, 2008
Closing Date:  June 30, 2009

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Subject: The USAID/Washington/Middle East Bureau 2008 Annual Program Statement (APS) APS number: OAA-GRO-MEB-08-001-APS Support for Civil Society and Rule of Law in Iran

 The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications from eligible institution as described in Section A.1.e., that promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Iran.  Applications should advance one or more of the following objectives: strengthening civil society organization and advocacy; increasing awareness of and  strengthening the rule of law; and expanding freedom of information.  

Under this 2008 APS, the term "Grant" is synonymous with "Cooperative Agreement"; "Grantee" is synonymous with "Recipient"; and "Grant Officer" is synonymous with "Agreement Officer".

The Recipient will be responsible for ensuring achievement of the program objective to give the Iranian people the means and tools to pursue their basic human and civic rights.  Please refer to the Program Description in Section A for a complete statement of goals, objectives, and expected results.

Due to current sanctions on Iran, United States Government funds may not be used for activities involving the Government of Iran.  Organizations receiving an award under this APS must comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations related to Iran.  Failure to comply with applicable U.S. law and regulations may result in forfeiture/termination of an award.  Grantees who sign awards will be subject to the terms of the OFAC license granted for the program, which authorizes them to engage in transactions necessary to advance democracy and human rights in Iran.

Awards may be made to eligible U.S. nongovernmental organizations (501(c )3 NGOs) and accredited U.S. colleges and universities in accordance with 22 CFR 226 and USAID’s Standard Provisions for U.S. Nongovernmental Recipients. Awards may also be made to eligible private firms and non-U.S. organizations.

The authority for the RFA is found in Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.  Pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, it is USAID policy not to award profit under assistance instruments.  However, all reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the grant program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 CFR 226, OMB Circular A-122 for non-profit organization, OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31 for-profit organizations), may be paid under the grant.

USAID intends to make several awards under this APS for a total of up to $20 million.   Applicants can request $100,000 to $3,000,000 for expenditure for a maximum of two years.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and all applications must be submitted by June 30, 2009.  USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

This Iran Program APS consists of this cover letter and the following: 1.  Section A – Program Description;2.  Section B – Selection Criteria;3.  Section C – Grant Application Format;4.  Section D – Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of Applicant/Grantee.

The preferred method of distribution of USAID APS and the submission/receipt of applications is electronically via Grants.gov, which provides a single source for federal government-wide competitive grant opportunities. This APS and any future amendments can be downloaded from //www.grants.gov.  In order to use this method, an applicant must first register on-line with Grants.gov.  If you have difficulty registering or accessing the APS, please contact the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 or via e-mail at support@usaid.gov for technical assistance. Receipt of this APS through Grants.gov must be confirmed by electronic or written notification to the contact person noted below.  Applicants may upload applications to www.grants.gov; however, hard copy submissions are still accepted at the address of the person noted below.  It is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that complete document has been received from the website Grants.gov in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.  To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all required information in its application, including the requirements found in any attachments to the Grants.gov opportunity.

If you decide to submit an application, USAID must receive the application by one of the two methods indicated below:

(i) electronically via www.Grants.gov, by the closing date indicated at the top of this cover letter; or   (ii) in hard copy at the submission address of the contact person.

Please note that Technical Application and Cost proposal, as instructed in Section C, must be submitted under a separate covers.  Applications can be submitted at any time before the closing date.  The Applicant must notify the USAID contact person noted below by e-mail (kgurung@usaid.gov) or written notification as soon as the application is submitted, but no later than the closing date so that the electronic application can be retrieved by USAID.  

Application should be clearly marked as follows:  Technical Application or Cost proposal APS No. OAA-GRO-MEB-08-001-APS “Support for Civil Society and Rule of Law”

(By U.S. Mail)    
 
Name: Mr. Khem Gurung, Agreement Officer
Office of Acquisition and Assistance, RRB Room 7.09-124
United States Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20523-7900  

(By All Other Means of Delivery)

Name: Mr. Khem Gurung, Agreement Officer
United States Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Ronald Reagan Bldg, 14th Street Entrance
Washington, D.C. 20523-7900

Please use the phone at the visitor’s desk (14th street lobby) to contact Mr. Khem Gurung at Ext.2-5188.   Issuance of this APS does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.  Final award of any resultant grant(s) cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal USAID procedures.  While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential Applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. Applications are submitted at the risk of the Applicant; should circumstances prevent award of a cooperative agreement, all preparation and submission costs are at the Applicant's expense.   In the event of an inconsistency between the documents comprising this APS, it shall be resolved by the following descending order of precedence:   (a)  Section A - Program Description; (b)  Section B - Selection Criteria; (c)  Section C - Grant Application Format; (d)  Section D - Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of Applicant/Grantee. (e) This Cover Letter.   Any questions concerning this APS should be submitted in writing to Khem Gurung at the above address or via internet at kgurung@usaid.gov.

Sincerely,

    // s //

Khem Gurung Agreement Officer M/OAA/GRO/ALPS

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