Appel à projet -IRI عودة إلى الفرص

Background:

The International Republican Institute (IRI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, organization dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide.  Since 1983, IRI has worked to develop democratic institutions and ideals, carrying out a variety of international programs to promote freedom, self-government and the rule of law worldwide.  IRI provides technical assistance in the areas of political party strengthening, developing civic institutions and open elections, promoting democratic governance and advancing the rule of law. 

IRI is supporting Tunisian civil society organizations to promote meaningful participation of citizens in the political process, especially traditionally marginalized populations including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural Tunisians.

Eligibility:

Tunisian CSOs with experience managing funds and leading CSO activities in collaboration with other local organizations. 

Period of Performance:

February 2020 – August 2020 (Applicants are invited to submit applications 6 months in length or shorter; all projects must end by August 31, 2020)

Statement of Work: 

IRI is seeking applicants to implement projects with one of the following goals:   

• Inform the Tunisian public about the role of citizens in the legislative and governing process; 
• Educate and encourage the public in active, responsible citizenship; and 
• Conduct public advocacy campaigns on specific topics of local or national interest 

Eligible projects must specify an intended, historically marginalized beneficiary group, including but not limited to:  

• Rural or marginalized communities in the southern or interior regions,  
• Women, youth, persons with disabilities (PwD) or a combination thereof,  
• Women, youth, or PwD in rural or isolated communities or a combination thereof,  

Applicants must specify a target for the number of beneficiaries the project will reach. For example, if an applicant proposes a civic education project in Kasserine governorate, the application must state the number of Tunisians the project seeks to directly engage.    

Applicants are encouraged to partner with other organizations and/or elected officials if that would facilitate reaching larger or more diverse populations.  

Successful projects will include education and awareness about the role of active citizens in democratic society. Use of mass communication tools including media and social media networks is strongly encouraged.  Successful projects will also differentiate activities they will conduct specifically for marginalized groups and for local, regional, or national audiences.  

Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the stated activities will achieve the desired results.  Proposals should also indicate specific groups that will be targeted and the how the selected approach will resonate with each target audience.  

PROPOSAL CONTENT 

Proposals must include the following information:  

1. Capacity statement including past performance of CSO in Tunisia  
2. Problem Statement the project intends to address 
3. Project Description  

• • Include general overview of project and the overall strategy for the project 
  • Explain if planning on using subcontractors for any tasks and/or any partnerships with other organizations or institutions  
  • Specify intended beneficiary group(s) of project 
  • Specify which activities will be conducted to achieve the project goal(s) 

1. Project Objectives 

• • Specify target number of beneficiaries the project intends to reach 

1. Activity Timeline/Work Plan 

• • Include detailed description of the project and program   activities including proposed location of activities and proposed timeline for activities 
  • Differentiate which activities will be conducted for each target audience group. 

1. Attachments:  

• • CV(s) of the Key Personnel 
  • Proof of CSO registration 
  • Bank Account Information 
  • Budget (see Budget template) 

MONITORING AND EVALUATION 

Selected applicants will be required to develop an M&E plan under IRI’s supervision upon receipt of the award. 

Technical Applications:

All applications must include a comprehensive explanation of the methods to be used for implementation. Applications must not exceed 10 pages. Applications may be submitted in English, Arabic, or French. 

1. The first page of the application must show the following: 

• The name, address, DUNS Number (required) and telephone and facsimile numbers of the Applicant (and electronic address if available); 
• A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agreement to furnish any or all items for which prices are offered; 
• Names, titles, and telephone and facsimile numbers, and electronic addresses of persons authorized to negotiate on the Applicant’s behalf with IRI in connection with this RFA; and 
• Name, title, and signature of person authorized to sign the proposal. Applications signed by an agent shall be accompanied by evidence of that agent’s authority, unless that evidence has been previously furnished to the issuing office. 

1. Applicants shall provide a list of at least five previously executed awards of a similar nature for the last three years along with the contact details for each funder. IRI may contact the funder as a reference check.
2. Applicants shall provide a list of at least five program beneficiaries for previously executed grants of a similar nature for the last three years along with the contact details for each. IRI may contact the individuals as a reference check.
3. Applicants shall provide third-party evaluations of past activities if available.
4. All applications must include background on the organization’s prior experience as it relates to the requested scope of work.
5. Resumes of all individuals who will be responsible for the programmatic and financial management of the award must be attached.
6. Describe current and past projects and funding sources and any potential impact current activities might have on this award.
7. Describe accounting practices and organizational infrastructure, as well as technology and intellectual property owned by the organization, which will be used to complete the scope of work.
8. Applicants shall provide audited financial statements and management letters for the last three years.
9. Applicants shall provide a statement detailing revenues from the last three years.
10. If selected for award, the selected applicant shall provide a detailed allocation policy if funded by more than one source, other than the current subaward. 

Cost Applications:

The budget should be submitted in two forms: (1) a detailed, cost category budget and (2) a milestone budget. For an editable excel budget template, please email sskim@iri.org. 

1: Cost Category budget: A detailed budget in US Dollars including the specific line item costs outlined here must be submitted to estimate project costs. Each application should also have a detailed explanation of why the budgeted amounts are necessary for completing the scope of work. The total amount budgeted for this project must not exceed $30,000 USD.  

All one-time and recurring costs must be fully described in the budget. Rates should be quoted, inclusive of all but showing separately, costs of inspection, services, transportation, taxes, import duties if any and other levies.

• Personnel – In general, employees receiving benefits from the applicant organization are considered staff. Consultants hired to assist with the program, who do not receive benefits, should be included under contractual. Identify staffing requirements by each position title and brief description of duties. For clarity, please list the annual salary of each position, percentage of time and number of months devoted to the project. (e.g., Administrative Director: $30,000/year x 25% x 8.5 months; calculation: $30,000/12 = $2,500 x 25% x 8.5 months = $5,312.5).
• Travel – Staff and any participant travel:
  • International airfare
  • In-country travel (not in the United States) 
  • Domestic travel in the United States, if any
  • Per diem/maintenance: includes lodging, meals and incidentals for both participant and staff travel. Rates of maximum allowances for U.S. and foreign travel are available from the following website: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287 and http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=184&menu_id=78. Per diem rates may not exceed the published U.S. government allowance rates; however, institutions may use per diem rates lower than official government rates.
  • Please explain differences in fares among travelers on the same routes (e.g., project staff member traveling for three weeks whose fare is higher than that of staff member traveling for four months). Please note that all travel, where applicable, must be in compliance with the Fly America Act. For more information see http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103191.
• Supplies – List items separately using unit costs (and the percentage of each unit cost being charged to the grant) for photocopying, postage, telephone/fax, printing, and office supplies (for example, Telephone: $50/month x 50% = $25/month x 12 months).
• Contractual – Estimate the direct costs for items such as translation, interpretation, honoraria, local hires, legal fees, accounting/audit services, and any other contractual work that will be needed as part of the project. 
  • Consultant Fees: For example lecture fees, honoraria, travel, and per diem for outside speakers or external evaluators: list number of people and rates per day (for example, 2 x $150/day x 2 days).
• Other Direct Costs– these will vary depending on the nature of the project. The inclusion of each should be justified in the budget narrative. Audit costs can be included if they are not part of the indirect pool and only the portion of the cost associated with this program.
• Indirect/Overhead Costs – applicants can choose to budget directly for costs such as rent, utilities, technology, human resources and other general operating costs, or a de minimis rate of 10% can be applied to the total amount of direct expenses budgeted.

2: Milestone Budget: Using the format below, provide the estimated timeline of activities and corresponding payments:

Evaluation and Award Process: 

1. Applications will be evaluated by IRI for compliance with administrative requirements, previous experience of similar projects by the Applicant, technical capacity, the qualifications of the personnel for the project, and prices. IRI may contact the Applicant’s previous clients and may obtain any information related to other projects that the Applicant has executed. IRI may contact any applicant for clarification or additional information, but Applicants are advised that IRI reserves the right to make decisions based solely on the information provided with the applications. IRI may but is not obligated to conduct additional negotiations prior to issuance of a contract, and may at its sole discretion elect to issue contracts to one or more applicants. 
2. Mathematical errors will be corrected in the following manner: If a discrepancy exists between the total price proposed and the total price resulting from multiplying the unit price by the corresponding amounts, then the unit price will prevail and the total price will be corrected. If there were a discrepancy between the numbers written out in words and the amounts in numbers, then the amount expressed in words will prevail. If the Applicant does not accept the correction, the offer will be rejected. 
3. IRI may determine that an application is unacceptable if the prices proposed are materially unbalanced between line items or sub-line items. Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more contract line items is significantly overstated or understated as indicated by the application of cost or price analysis techniques. An application may be rejected if IRI determines that the lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk. 
4. IRI will conduct a Technical/Price Weighted evaluation and source selection based on evaluation factors listed below. Technical evaluation factors have a total of 75 points; price evaluation has a total of 25 points. These factors will serve as the standard against which all technical information will be evaluated, and identify the determination factors that Applicants should address. IRI intends to evaluate applications in accordance with the Statement of Work of this RFA and make an award to the Applicant achieving the highest combined score proposal (technical and cost), demonstrating both technical compliance and price reasonableness. 
5. If a cost realism analysis is performed, cost realism may be considered in evaluating performance or price.

Evaluation of Applications: 

1. The applications will be evaluated by a technical evaluation committee using the criteria shown below. When evaluating the competing applications, IRI will consider the written technical/capability information provided by the applicants, and any other information obtained by IRI through its own research. 
2. The criteria listed below are presented by major category, so that Applicants will know which areas require emphasis in the preparation of their applications. 
3. IRI will evaluate applications in accordance with the technical criteria and weightage shown in the table below. A total 100 points are assigned according to the following criteria:

Submission Instructions:

Quotes must be submitted via email to Sierra Kim at sskim@iri.org with the subject line “RFA MENA2020T01o”. 

RFA Terms and Conditions:

• • Prospective Applicants are requested to review clauses incorporated by reference in the section “Notice Listing Contract Clauses Incorporated by Reference”.

• All applications must be submitted in English.

• IRI may reject any or all applications if such is within IRI’s interest.

• Payment will be made in US Dollars by way of electronic transfer.

• Proof of costs incurred, such as but not limited to receipts, pictures and financial documents may be requested during and for up to three years after the end of the grant period. 

• The Applicant’s initial application should contain the Applicant’s best offer. Applicants may submit modifications to their application any time before the solicitation closing date and time.

• IRI reserves the right to make multiple awards or partial awards if, after considering administrative burden, it is in IRI’s best interest to do so.

• Discussions with Applicants following the receipt of an application do not constitute a rejection or counteroffer by IRI.

• IRI will hold all submissions as confidential and submissions shall not be disclosed to third parties. IRI reserves the right to share applications internally, across divisions, for the purposes of evaluating the applications. 

Notice Listing Contract Clauses Incorporated by Reference

IRI is required to make the subrecipient subject to the clauses of the prime award. This subaward incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Where “flow-down” to the subrecipient is appropriate and applicable, references to “USAID” or “Department of State” shall be interpreted to mean “IRI” and “Subrecipient” to mean “lower-tier subrecipients”. Included by reference are 2 C.F.R. parts 200, 600 and 700 and USAID Standard Provisions for Non-US Non-governmental Organizations/US Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions. The allowability of costs incurred by non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education is determined in accordance with the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200 Subpart E, “Cost Principles.” The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations and those non-profit organizations listed in Appendix VIII to 2 C.F.R. 200 is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 C.F.R. Part 31, the Department of State Acquisition Regulation at 48 C.F.R Part 631, and Agency for International Development, 48 C.F.R. Part 731. 

IRI Obligations

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of IRI, nor does it commit IRI to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. 

Required Certifications

The following certificates need to be signed by all Applicants. These certifications are an integral part of the application. Please print them off and send back to us with your application after signature on each certificate. They are: 

• Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing 
• Narcotics offenses and drug trafficking- key individual certification 
• Certification regarding debarment, suspension, ineligibility and voluntary exclusion lower tier covered transactions 
• Conflict of interest statement
• Lobbying  disclosure
• Authorized Individuals
• Taxpayer Identification Number