Request for Application (RFA) No

Transcription

1 1 Request for Application (RFA) No FHI 360 Sub-Proposal Guidelines FY2017 Generation Next Youth Leadership Initiative U.S. Embassy Vienna, Austria July 25, 2016 FHI Blackwell Street, Suite 200 Durham, North Carolina 27701

2 2 FHI 360 Sub-Proposal Guidelines FY2017 Generation Next Youth Leadership Initiative U.S. Embassy Vienna, Austria Due August 1, 2016 at 8:00 pm EST to and FHI 360 is soliciting applications to support program activities under the FY2017 Generation Next Youth Leadership Initiative, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria, under funding opportunity number S-AU CA-002. In issuing this Request for Applications (RFA), FHI 360 anticipates awarding two sub-agreements, with a maximum of one sub-agreement per organization. Sub-agreements will be contingent upon FHI 360 receiving an award to administer the program. Applicants are required to include cost-share to build upon available program funding. Pending successful implementation of this program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is the U.S. Embassy Vienna's intent to renew this cooperative agreement for up to two additional fiscal years, before openly competing it again. To this end, FHI 360 is issuing this RFA that consists of: This letter Program description and guidelines Letter of Commitment template Letter of Commitment from involved/relevant community organizations template Budget template Interested organizations should submit the following documents to FHI 360 (jvolfson@fhi360.org and aastizmartinez@fhi360.org) electronically by August 1, 2016 at 8:00 pm EST. The narrative should not exceed 5 pages, excluding all attachments. Narrative proposal, addressing program themes and components The budget should be sent as an Excel spreadsheet following the attached budget template All budgets should include detailed explanations of calculations and a budget narrative explaining costs Detailed sample itinerary with cultural activities, volunteerism, and NGO peer shadowing Letter of commitment from organization (template attached) Key Staff CVs (limit 2 pages per individual) Letters of commitment from involved/relevant community organizations (template attached) I. Program Description A. Overview

3 3 Generation Next Youth Leadership Initiative, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria, and proposed to be administered by FHI 360, is designed to enable at least twelve (12) undergraduate students to participate in a U.S.-based training program to foster the leadership and professional skills of young Austrians with a demonstrated interest in promoting the integration and participation of refugees and immigrants in the political, economic and social institutions of Austria while exposing them to American cultures and values that are the basis of our historic success in integrating newcomers into the social, cultural and economic fabric of our country. The Initiative will provide participants the opportunity to examine the dynamic processes of integration while learning the principles of civic education, leadership, respect for diversity, and community engagement through a two-to-three week leadership development program in the United States. Participants will spend 7 days (Wednesday through Wednesday) in each local hosting community. Each local partner organization will provide workshops on FHI 360 s C.A.P.E.S. model for action planning. Upon their return home, the participants will apply what they have learned to implement social impact projects that promote integration and participation of immigrants and refugees in their communities. The program goals are to: 1) Directly support the U.S. foreign policy goal of youth empowerment and development by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to become active leaders in their communities and the global arena; 2) Build mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect through shared culture and values; 3) Empower participants to be actively engaged in addressing issues of civic, economic and linguistic integration and participation of immigrants and refugees in their universities and communities upon their return home; and 4) Foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups. The objectives of the program are for participants to: 1) Demonstrate a better understanding of immigrant and refugee community engagement, civic participation and integration as practiced in the United States; 2) Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills; and 3) Demonstrate skill at developing project ideas and planning a course of action to bring the projects to fruition. Organizations must focus on these primary themes:

4 4 1) Civic Education, such as citizen participation, community organization and peer education, especially in immigrant and refugee communities; 2) Youth Leadership Development, such as team building, public speaking, negotiation, goal setting and project planning; 3) Respect for Diversity, including ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities; and 4) Community Engagement, such as developing partnerships, fundraising, social/corporate responsibility, and volunteerism. The exchange format will be intensive and interactive, allowing participants to thoroughly explore the primary themes in a creative, memorable, and practical way. Participants will engage in a variety of activities such as workshops, teambuilding exercises, community site visits, interactive discussion groups, small group work, presentations, local cultural activities, and other activities designed to achieve the program s stated goals. Participants should work in teams and develop relationships with other participants and peers in the local community. Participants should learn about the essential elements of how immigrants and refugees are integrated into and participate in the social, cultural and economic fabric of the U.S and how these elements inter-relate. Participants should have the opportunity to experience these elements in the local community through interactive, hands-on training, which might include, for example: presentations, meetings with immigrant and refugee advocates, immigrant entrepreneurs, social events, or site visits. Internships, practicums or shadowing opportunities in NGOs, student organizations or local government agencies are highly desirable. Programs must feature opportunities for participants to intern or shadow peers in organizations that foster integration and participation of immigrant or minority populations and leadership training components that prepare participants for community involvement. In order to understand the major role of American civil society and volunteerism in addressing local and national issues, the participants must participate in hands-on volunteer activities related to the program themes. They should provide the opportunity to experience the U.S. tradition of utilizing a grassroots approach to solve community problems, and provide additional interactions with diverse Americans. Generation Next Youth Leadership Initiative will seek to develop the participants leadership and collective problem-solving skills to inspire participants to apply these skills upon their return. Leadership development workshops should be creative, highly interactive, and team-oriented. They should require input and contribution from all participants, and provide students with basic leadership skills. Local partners may recruit qualified facilitators for these sessions from other organizations. Follow-on activities by the program participants are an integral part of the program, as the students apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired by planning social impact projects in their home communities. Activities should therefore be geared toward preparing participants to conduct projects at home that serve

5 5 to promote integration and civic participation in their communities. A core component of the itinerary will be sessions and workshops focusing on community focused action planning, to serve as the basis for the projects that participants will implement in their home communities. The workshops will present to participants the concept of action planning on the basis of FHI 360 s five-phase C.A.P.E.S. model that has been designed to ensure that participants have both the theoretical and practical bases to successfully implement community projects once they return home. Gradually, participants will work through the phases of the C.A.P.E.S. model Consider, Analyze, Plan, Evaluate, and Sustain. Workshops ideas can include public speaking, diversity and tolerance training, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability of programs. Students will gain a greater understanding of the United States as they explore the role and influence of key principles and values in American society, such as democracy, rule of law, individual rights, freedom of expression, equality, diversity, and tolerance. The program should also include opportunities for participants to meet American citizens from a variety of backgrounds, interact with their American university student counterparts, and meet and speak with student and civic groups about their experiences and life in their home country. Participants should spend the exchange period living with properly vetted American families or in dormitories with U.S. peers. The families must be properly screened and briefed and the local hosting organization must have a clear and detailed host family recruitment, screening, and selection process. Proposals should demonstrate possible collaboration with local organizations that strive to cultivate young leaders, advance the integration of immigrants and refugees into U.S. society, and promote civic engagement of young people. Letters of support from such local NGOs or other organizations that serve immigrant and refugee groups should be included as much as possible, to show the variety of peer shadowing opportunities that may be available in the local community. In workshops, meetings, and other forms of interaction, relevant diversity issues should be addressed either directly (as a topic) or indirectly (through contact with individuals of diverse backgrounds). Proposals should detail how local activities will support the Department of State s commitment to ensuring diversity in its exchange programming. B. Program Dates The proposed tentative program dates are: Saturday, August 26, 2017 arrival to Washington, DC Wednesday, August 30 travel to local host community A Wednesday, September 6 travel to local host community B Wednesday, September 13 depart home C. Participants

6 6 The participants are highly motivated Austrian university students (ages 18-28) with a demonstrated interest in advancing the integration and participation of immigrants and refugees in Austrian society. They will demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. Their fields of study will be varied and will include the sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, education, business, and other fields, but all will have demonstrated interest in the program theme. Participants will be selected by U.S. Embassy Vienna through a competitive application process to be managed by FHI 360. Their academic majors may vary, but all participants will have demonstrated interest in the program themes. Participants might have different levels of proficiency in English. A final participant list will be available in advance of arrival, from FHI 360. II. Statement of Work Local Partner Organization Provide proposal and necessary attachments to FHI 360 for approval Coordinate local logistical arrangements for participants including housing in home stay or dormitory, meals or stipends, and local transportation Design and implement thematic program, including workshops on FHI 360 s C.A.P.E.S. model for action planning Provide guidance to participants in designing end-of-program presentations, ensuring that content and format are appropriate and professional Maintain regular contact with FHI 360 regarding program implementation Submit program report, and financial reports to FHI 360 at conclusion of program III. Budget Upon being awarded, FHI 360 will issue cost-reimbursable sub-agreements to two selected organizations. Funds will be payable against costs incurred, upon submission of proper vouchers and other documentation set forth in the Schedule. Applicants are requested to present their proposed costs in as much detail as possible, including a budget narrative, budget calculations, summary, and cost share. A budget template is provided as an attachment. Please submit your budget as an Excel document. Cost Share Guidance As global economic uncertainties persist and desire for higher returns on investments continues, governments and other funders will increasingly look for ways to maximize their impact. Cost share is one option through which funders broaden their reach and increase program impact. Applicants with significant cost sharing will be deemed more competitive. As defined by USG regulations, to fall within the definition of Cost Share, the offering must be:

7 7 * Verifiable from recipient records; * Not included as contributions for other federally assisted projects (i.e., it cannot be used twice); * Necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of the project objectives; * Allowable under applicable cost principles; * Not paid by USG under another award * Provided for in the approved budget; * Valued in accordance with applicable cost principles; and * Expended during the performance period. Allowable Cost Share * Donated or Reduced Price In-Kind Materials and Services * Volunteer Services/Donated Time and Reduced Salaries: Volunteer services furnished by professional and technical personnel, consultants, and skilled and unskilled labor may be counted as cost sharing if the service is an integral and necessary part of the approved project. In addition, the differential between a consultant s market-based rate and what that consultant charges can also be treated as cost share * Travel: Travel costs absorbed by non-usg funds can be treated as cost share if they are project-relevant and occur during the project period * Office and Meeting Space: Office or meeting space donated by a private business, school, hotel, or community to a project free of charge or at a reduced rate may be treated as cost share * Office Supplies and Expendable Equipment: Non-USG-funded supplies, including expendable equipment, office supplies, laboratory supplies, software, contributed utilities (electric, telephone, computer network, janitorial services), and training or workshop materials may be treated as cost share when donated or given to the project at a reduced price * Air/Media Time: Air or media time, including website management costs, donated to a project free of charge or at a reduced price may be treated as cost share. * Unrecovered Indirect Cost: agree to recover less than outlined in negotiated indirect cost recovery agreement (NICRA), the differential can be treated as cost share if pre-approved by the funding agency. Unallowable Cost Share * USG funding: Federal funds cannot be used as cost share for another grant, unless specifically delineated in a solicitation or authorized by Federal statute. * Salary Caps: The differential between what a team member/consultant charges and what USG sets as a salary cap cannot be used as cost sharing as USG does not view excessive salary rates as an allowable cost.

8 8 IV. Evaluation Criteria a) Quality of programming (30 points) b) Program planning (20 points) c) Institutional capacity and track record (20 points) d) Cost-effectiveness and cost sharing (30 points) V. Application Submission Completed applications and any questions regarding this RFA should be directed to: Jennifer Volfson at and Ana Astiz-Martinez DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: August 1, 2016 at 8:00 pm EST Terms and Conditions Applicants are responsible for review of the terms and conditions described below: Certification of Independent Price Determination The applicant certifies that 1. The prices in this offer have been arrived at independently, without, for the purpose of restricting competition, any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other applicant, including but not limited to subsidiaries or other entities in which applicant has any ownership or other interests, or any competitor relating to (i) those prices, (ii) the intention to submit an offer, or (iii) the methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered; 2. The prices in this offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the applicant, directly or indirectly, to any other applicant, including but not limited to subsidiaries or other entities in which applicant has any ownership or other interests, or any competitor before bid opening (in the case of a sealed bid solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated or competitive solicitation) unless otherwise required by law; and 3. No attempt has been made or will be made by the applicant to induce any other concern or individual to submit or not to submit an offer for the purpose of restricting competition or influencing the competitive environment. 4. Each signature on the offer is considered to be a certification by the signatory that the signatory a. Is the person in the applicant's organization responsible for determining the prices being offered in this bid or proposal, and that the signatory has not participated and will not participate in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above; or

9 (i) Has been authorized, in writing, to act as agent for the principals of the applicant in certifying that those principals have not participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above; (ii) As an authorized agent, does certify that the principals of the applicant have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above; and (iii) As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above. 5. Applicant understands and agrees that (1) violation of this certification will result in immediate disqualification from this solicitation without recourse and may result in disqualification from future solicitations; and (2) discovery of any violation after award to the applicant will result in the termination of the award for default. 9 Withdrawal of Application Applicants may withdraw proposals by written notice via received at any time before award. Proposals may be withdrawn in person by an applicant s authorized representative, if the representative s identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the proposal before award. Right to Select/Reject FHI 360 reserves the right to select and negotiate with those firms it determines, in its sole discretion, to be qualified for competitive proposals and to terminate negotiations without incurring any liability. FHI 360 also reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received without explanation. Disclaimer This RFP represents only a definition of requirements. It is merely an invitation for submission of proposals and does not legally obligate FHI 360 to accept any of the submitted proposals in whole or in part, nor is FHI 360 obligated to select the lowest priced proposal. FHI 360 reserves the right to negotiate with any or all firms, both with respect to price, cost and/or scope of services. FHI 360 has no contractual obligations with any firms based upon issuance of this RFP. It is not an offer to contract. Only the execution of a written contract shall obligate FHI 360 in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in such contract. Request For Application l Firm Guarantee All information submitted in connection with this RFA will be valid for three (3) months from the RFA due date. This includes, but is not limited to, cost, pricing, terms and conditions, service levels, and all other information. If your firm is awarded the contract, all information in the RFA and negotiation process is contractually binding. Offer Verification FHI 360 may contact subcontractors to confirm contact person, address, bid amount and that the bid was submitted for this solicitation.

10 10 False Statements in Offer Subcontractors must provide full, accurate and complete information as required by this solicitation and its attachments. Conflict of Interest Subcontractors must provide disclosure of any past, present or future relationships with any parties associated with the issuance, review or management of this solicitation and anticipated award. Failure to provide full and open disclosure may result in FHI 360 having to re-evaluate selection of a potential subcontractor. Reserved Rights All RFA responses become the property of FHI 360 and FHI 360 reserves the right in its sole discretion to: To disqualify any offer based on subcontractor failure to follow solicitation instructions. FHI 360 reserves the right to waive any deviations by subcontractors from the requirements of this solicitation that in FHI 360's opinion are considered not to be material defects requiring rejection or disqualification; or where such a waiver will promote increased competition. Extend the time for submission of all RFA responses after notification to all subcontractors. Terminate or modify the RFA process at any time and re-issue the RFA to whomever FHI 360 deems appropriate. FHI 360 reserves the right to issue an award based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussion. Award only part of the activities in the solicitation or issue multiple awards based on solicitation activities. FHI 360 will not be able to compensate subcontractors for preparation of their response to this RFP. Issuing this RFA is not a guarantee that FHI 360 will award a purchase order. FHI 360 may choose to award a purchase order to more than one subcontractor for specific parts of the activities in the RFA.