Appel à projets – IRI Retour vers les opportunités

• Procurement Number: MENA2021T09o
• Open Date: December 9, 2021
• Questions Deadline: January 20, 2022
• Closing Deadline: February 7, 2022
• Geographical Area Restrictions: 937
• Point of Contact: Sacha Gilles, sgilles@iri.org

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 the meaningful participation of citizens in the political process, especially traditionally marginalized populations including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural Tunisians.

Eligibility:

Registered Tunisian civil society organizations are eligible for funding.

Period of Performance:

May 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023

Statement of Work:

IRI is seeking applicants to implement projects that facilitate more productive, results-oriented engagement between elected officials and marginalized populations. These advocacy initiatives may target elected officials and decision-makers at national or sub-national levels, such as local councils, municipal offices, public administration, ministries, and parliamentary representatives. Proposals should indicate specific groups that will be targeted and how the selected approach will resonate with each target audience. Successful projects will specify an intended beneficiary group, including but not limited to:

• Women
• Youth
• Persons with disabilities (PwD)
• Rural communities in southern or interior regions
• LGBTQI groups
• Black Tunisians

Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the stated activities will achieve the desired results. Projects should differentiate activities that will be conducted specifically for marginalized groups and for local, regional, or national audiences.

IRI will prioritize CSOs operated by members of marginalized groups; CSOs with strong membership networks among specific marginalized groups; CSOs with experience conducting community outreach; media and journalist CSOs; and CSOs with specialized knowledge to deliver effective issue advocacy. Use of mass communication tools including media and social media networks is strongly encouraged. Applicants are also encouraged to partner with other organizations, individuals or institutions to facilitate reaching larger or more diverse populations.

Successful proposals will also include a COVID-19 risk mitigation plan, outlining how the proposed project will conform to current health and safety protocols. The risk mitigation plan should also include alternatives to activities that would require physical contact in case conditions do not permit them to go forward.

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
   1. Include general overview of project, including the overall strategy and objectives/goals for the project
   2. Explain if planning on using subcontractors for any tasks and/or any partnerships with other organizations, individuals, or institutions
   3. Specify intended beneficiary group(s) of project
   4. Specify target number of beneficiaries the project intends to reach
4. Activity Timeline/Work Plan
   1. Include detailed description of the project activities, including proposed location(s) of activities and proposed timeline for activities
   2. Specify intended outputs/outcomes of each proposed activity
5. Required Attachments:
   1. CV(s) of the Key Personnel
   2. Proof of CSO registration
   3. Bank Account Information
   4. Budget
   5. Signed Full Application document

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.

1. The first page of the application must show the following:
   1. The name, address, DUNS Number (required) and telephone and facsimile numbers of the Applicant (and electronic address if available);
   2. 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;
   3. A statement concerning whether or not the applicant has received a Negotiated Indirect Rate Cost Agreement from the US Government, currently or in the past. If yes, please attach NICRA.
   4. 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
   5. 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.
   6. The application must state the organization’s indirect costs recovery methodology, which must be ONLY one of the following:
      1. 10% percent de minimis rate; OR
      2. Current NICRA approved by the US Government (must attach copy); OR
      3. Direct charging of indirect costs.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Applicants shall provide third-party evaluations of past activities if available.
5. All applications must include background on the organization’s prior experience as it relates to the requested scope of work.
6. Resumes of all individuals who will be responsible for the programmatic and financial management of the award must be attached.
7. Describe current and past projects and funding sources and any potential impact current activities might have on this award.
8. 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.
9. Applicants shall provide audited financial statements and management letters for the last three years.
10. Applicants shall provide a copy of legal registration documents (for organizations) or one form of legal ID (individuals). An English translation should be attached if necessary.
11. Applicants shall provide a statement detailing revenue from the last three years.
12. 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.
13. Using the attached checklist below, the applicant should indicate what information will be submitted for IRI’s review.

Cost Applications:

Interested applicants should email Ms. Yasmine Chaouch (ychaouch@iri.org) to request a budget template.
The budget should be submitted in two forms:  (1) a detailed, cost category budget and (2) a milestone budget.

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 $35,000 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.
   1. 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).
   2. Travel – Staff and any participant travel:
      o International airfare
      o In-country travel (not in the United States)
      o Domestic travel in the United States, if any
      o 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.
      o 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.
   3. 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).
   4. 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.
      o 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).
   5. 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.
   6. 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 or the percentage of approved NICRA. NOTE: Organizations that have had an approved NICRA in the past or currently cannot use the 10% de Minimis; they must budget and report directly on the indirect costs of the project.
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:

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.
• By applying to this RFA, applicant is certifying that if it is awarded a contract, none of funds payable under the resulting contract will be used to (1) procure or obtain, extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain; (2) enter into a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure; or (3) obtain the equipment, services, or systems that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system in compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act. Covered telecommunications equipment and services mean any of the following:
  • Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).
  • For the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).
  • Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment.
  • Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country. (2 CFR 200.216).
• 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
• Certification regarding allocation of funding resources
• Conflict of interest statement
• Lobbying disclosure
• Authorized Individuals
• Taxpayer Identification Number

For more details, please read the following document :

PR2339-MENA2021T09o-CEPPS-Subs-Rd.-2-RFA