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12/13/2022 03:39 PM EST
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Request for Statements of Interest: DRL Increasing Access to Information in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea)
1. Requested Objectives for Statements of Interest
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) from organizations interested in submitting Statements of Interest (SOI) for programs that support the policy objective to increase the free flow of objective, independent information into, out of, and within the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea).
The submission of a SOI is the first step in a two-part process. Applicants must first submit a SOI, which is a concise, 3-page concept note designed to clearly communicate a program idea and its objectives before the development of a full proposal application. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants the opportunity to submit program ideas for DRL to evaluate prior to requiring the development of full proposal applications. Upon review of eligible SOIs, DRL will invite selected applicants to expand their ideas into full proposal applications.
This solicitation includes two (2) categories under which applicants may submit SOIs. Each organization may submit a maximum of two (2) SOIs, one per category. Organizations must clearly identify the category to which the SOI is responding. If a SOI does not explicitly identify one of the below categories on the first page of the SOI, it may be deemed technically ineligible and may not be forwarded to the review panel for consideration.
SUPPORTING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION. The objective of projects under this category is that North Koreans have improved understanding of democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, including increased awareness of how their individual rights and freedoms are inhibited by the DPRK government. Illustrative activities of projects proposed under this category include:
– Creating or curating content on concepts or themes of democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms and/or analysis of domestic and international developments. All new content must be tailored to North Korean audiences and developed to foster critical thinking and opportunities for discourse on individual rights and freedoms.
– Supporting timely, fact-based, and independent local reporting on political and social developments, including human rights abuses, in the DPRK. Applicants must clearly articulate their ability to carry out activities safely and effectively.
– Increasing access to objective, independent information among North Korean audiences through safe, secure, and proven approaches, such as radio broadcast transmissions or other tested methods. Applicants must clearly demonstrate existing capacity and experience to carry out activities safely and effectively.
– Cultivating a new generation of content creators, particularly among the North Korean defector community, by strengthening their technical content creation skills and operational sustainability. Such efforts must include small grants to individuals or nascent content development organizations.
For proposed activities focused on “creating or curating content,” strong preference will be given to new content that raises awareness of human rights abuses experienced by North Koreans; the legal rights of women and girls and persons with disabilities under DPRK domestic laws and international human rights obligations; international best-practices and norms for labor rights and protections; and fundamental freedoms of expression, movement, association, and peaceful assembly. Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed content themes complement the proposed media format, taking into account the media consumption environment in the DPRK and the higher levels of risk North Koreans are exposed to when consuming foreign media.
All proposed activities focused on “creating or curating content” and “increasing access to objective, independent information” must be led by or include consultation and/or engagement with the North Korean defector community as experts or partners. Such engagement could include defector-led feedback mechanisms and/or sub-granting to defector content creators. SOIs that do not include this requirement may be deemed technically ineligible.
DIVERSIFYING MECHANISMS FOR INFORMATION ACCESS. The objective of projects under this category is that North Koreans have a greater diversity of proven context-specific and secure mechanisms through which they can safely and reliably access objective, independent information. Illustrative activities of projects proposed under this category include:
– Researching existing tactics or technologies used by the DPRK government to inhibit access to outside information and identifying opportunities to circumvent such tactics or technologies with the aim to increase the safety of North Korean citizens consuming outside information. Applicants may propose ways to further leverage existing technologies already used by North Koreans; however, any proposed technologies must have been identified or verified as still active and/or relevant within the last two years.
– Scaling up or improving tailored, proven technologies to securely communicate, share, or consume external information and content. Applicants must clearly justify the proposed technical approach and claims; articulate whether the proposed technology is demand-driven and applicable within the DPRK’s information control environment; and demonstrate existing capacity and experience to carry out the project safely.
All proposed projects under this category must include partnership with South Korean organizations, entities, or individuals, including those representing the North Korean defector community. Partnerships could include sub-grants to organizations, consultancies with individuals, focus groups and/or feedback mechanisms with North Korean defectors or other experts, or other means of engagement. Reference to partnerships must exemplify that the primary applicant has the context-specific knowledge and expertise to implement a tailored, safe approach. SOIs that do not include this requirement may be deemed technically ineligible.
To be eligible, all proposed projects under either category must:
– Clearly indicate the category to which the SOI is responding;
– Exhibit strong understanding of the operating environment by articulating risks to project implementation, staff, and beneficiaries, and mitigation measures that may be taken;
– Demonstrate an ability to localize project activities by leveraging the expertise of North Korean human rights organizations, activists, and defector communities.
All programs should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and should have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources. DRL’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches. This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.
DRL is committed to advancing equity and support for underserved and underrepresented communities. Programs should seek strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veteran’s status. Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible.
To maximize the impact and sustainability of the award(s) that result(s) from this RSOI/NOFO, DRL reserves the right to execute a non-competitive continuation amendment(s). Any non-competitive continuation is contingent on performance and availability of funds.A non-competitive continuation is not guaranteed; the Department of State reserves the right to exercise or not exercise the option to issue non-competitive continuation amendment(s).
Activities that are not typically considered competitive include, but are not limited, to:
– The provision of large amounts of humanitarian assistance;
– Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
– External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
– Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
– Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives.
II. Eligibility Information
Organizations submitting SOIs must meet the following criteria:
– Be a U.S.- or foreign-based non-profit/non-governmental organization (NGO), or a public international organization; or
– Be a private, public, or state institution of higher education; or
– Be a for-profit organization or business (noting there are restrictions on payment of fees and/or profits under grants and cooperative agreements, including those outlined in 48 CFR 30, “Cost Accounting Standards Administration”, and 48 CFR 31, “Contract Cost Principles and Procedures”);
– Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders including private sector partner and NGOs; and,
– Have demonstrable experience administering successful and preferably similar programs. DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
Applicants may form consortia and submit a combined SOI. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant with the other members as sub-award partners.
DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited. Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures. Please see 2 CFR 200.307 for regulations regarding program income.
DRL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. DRL welcomes SOI submissions irrespective of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, veteran’s status, or other status. DRL requires all programs to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for nondiscrimination of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries.
Organizations are not required to have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number—formerly referred to as a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number—and an active SAM.gov registration to apply for this solicitation through SAMS Domestic. However, if a SOI is approved, these will need to be obtained before an organization is able to submit a full application. Therefore, we recommend starting the process of obtaining a UEI and SAM.gov registration as soon as possible. Please note that there is no cost associated with UEI or SAM.gov registration.
III. Application Requirements, Deadlines, and Technical Eligibility
Complete SOI submissions must include the following:
– Completed and signed SF-424 and SF424B, as directed on SAMS Domestic or Grants.gov (please refer to DRL’s PSI for SOIs for guidance on completing the SF-424); and,
– Program Statement (not to exceed three (3) pages in Microsoft Word) that includes:
– A table listing:
– Name of the organization;
– The target country/countries;
– The total amount of funding requested from DRL, total amount of cost-share (if any), and total program amount (DRL funds + cost-share); and,
– Program length;
– A synopsis of the program, including a brief statement on how the program will have a demonstrated impact and engage relevant stakeholders. The SOI should identify local partners as appropriate;
– A concise breakdown explicitly identifying the program’s objectives and the activities and expected results that contribute to each objective; and,
– A brief description of the applicant(s) that demonstrates the applicant(s) expertise and capacity to implement the program and manage a U.S. government award.
Primary organizations can submit two (2) SOIs in response to the RSOI, one per category. If an applicant chooses to submit multiple applications to this RSOI, it is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate the competitiveness and uniqueness of each SOI. SOIs that request less than $100,000 or more than $1,500,000 may be deemed technically ineligible.
Technically eligible SOIs are those which:
– Are in English; and,
– Heed all instructions and do not violate any of the guidelines stated in this solicitation and the PSI for Statements of Interest.
For all SOI documents please ensure:
– All pages are numbered;
– All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper; and,
– All documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins. Captions and footnotes may be 10-point Times New Roman font. Font sizes in charts and tables can be reformatted to fit within one page width.
IV. Review and Selection Process
DRL strives to ensure that each application receives a balanced evaluation by a DRL review panel. The Department’s Office of Acquisitions Management (AQM) will determine technical eligibility for all SOI submissions. All technically eligible SOIs will then be reviewed against the same four criteria by a DRL review panel: quality of program idea, addressing barriers to equal participation, program planning, and ability to achieve objectives/institutional capacity.
Additionally, the review panel will evaluate how the SOI meets the solicitation request, U.S. foreign policy goals, and DRL’s overall priority needs. Panelists review each SOI individually against the evaluation criteria, not against competing SOIs. To ensure all SOIs receive a balanced evaluation, the DRL review panel will review the first page of the SOI up to the page limit and no further. All panelists must sign non-disclosure agreements and conflict of interest agreements.
In most cases, the DRL review panel includes representatives from DRL policy and program offices. Once a SOI is approved, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposal applications based on their SOIs. Unless directed otherwise by the organization, DRL may also refer SOIs for possible consideration in other U.S. government related funding opportunities.
The review panel may provide conditions and/or recommendations on SOIs to enhance the proposed program, which must be addressed by the organization in the full proposal application. To ensure effective use of limited DRL funds, conditions and recommendations may include requests to increase, decrease, clarify, and/or justify costs and program activities.
DRL’s Front Office reserves the right to make a final determination regarding all funding matters, pending funding availability.
Review Criteria
Quality of Program Idea
SOIs should be responsive to the program framework and policy objectives identified in the RSOI, appropriate in the country/regional context, and should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to DRL’s mission of promoting human rights and democracy. Projects should have the potential to have an immediate impact leading to long-term, sustainable reforms. DRL prefers new approaches that do not duplicate efforts by other entities. This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way. In countries where similar activities are already taking place, an explanation should be provided as to how new activities will not duplicate or merely add to existing activities and how these efforts will be coordinated. SOIs that promote creative approaches to recognized ongoing challenges are highly encouraged. DRL prioritizes project proposals with inclusive approaches for advancing these rights.
Addressing Barriers to Equal Participation
DRL strives to ensure its projects advance the rights and uphold the dignity of all persons. As the U.S. government’s lead bureau dedicated to promoting democratic governance, DRL requests a programming approach dedicated to strengthening inclusive societies as a necessary pillar of strong democracies. Discrimination, violence, inequity, and inequality targeting any members of society undermines collective security and threatens democracy. DRL prioritizes inclusive and integrated program models that assess and address the barriers to access for individuals and groups based on their race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. Applicants should describe how programming will impact all of its beneficiaries, including support for underserved and underrepresented communities.
Program Planning
A strong SOI will include a clear articulation of how the proposed program activities and expected results (both outputs and outcomes) contribute to specific program objectives and the overall program goal. Objectives should be ambitious, yet measurable, results-focused, and achievable in a reasonable time frame.
Ability to Achieve Objectives/Institutional Capacity
SOIs should address how the program will engage relevant stakeholders and should identify local partners as appropriate. If local partners are identified, applicants should describe the division of labor among the applicant and any local partners. SOIs should demonstrate the organization’s expertise and previous experience in administering programs, preferably similar programs targeting the requested program area or similarly challenging environments.
V. Additional Information
In accordance with Department of State policy for terrorism, applicants are advised that successful passing of vetting to evaluate the risk that funds may benefit terrorists or their supporters is a condition of award. If chosen for an award, applicants will be asked to submit information required by DS Form 4184, Risk Analysis Information (attached to this solicitation) about their company and its principal personnel. Vetting information is also required for all sub-award performance on assistance awards identified by the Department of State as presenting a risk of terrorist financing. Vetting information may also be requested for project beneficiaries and participants. Failure to submit information when requested, or failure to pass vetting, may be grounds for rejecting your proposal prior to award.
Organizations should be aware that DRL understands that some information contained in SOIs may be considered sensitive or proprietary and will make appropriate efforts to protect such information. However, organizations are advised that DRL cannot guarantee that such information will not be disclosed, including pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or other similar statutes.
The information in this solicitation and DRL’s PSI for SOIs, as updated in November 2022, is binding and may not be modified by any DRL representative. Explanatory information provided by DRL that contradicts this language will not be binding. Issuance of the solicitation and negotiation of SOIs or applications does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government. DRL reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program evaluation requirements.
Background Information on DRL and DRL Funding
DRL has the mission of promoting democracy and protecting human rights globally. DRL supports programs that uphold democratic principles, support and strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights, prevent atrocities, combat and prevent violent extremism, and build civil society around the world. DRL typically focuses its work in countries with egregious human rights violations, where democracy and human rights advocates are under pressure, and where governments are undemocratic or in transition.
VI. Contact Information
SAMS Domestic Help Desk:
Please note that establishing an account in SAMS Domestic may require the use of smartphone for multi-factor authentication (MFA). If an applicant does not have accessibility to a smartphone during the time of creating an account, please contact the helpdesk and request instructions on MFA for Windows PC.
Grants.gov Helpdesk:
Except for technical submission questions, during the RSOI period U.S. Department of State staff in Washington and overseas shall not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process has been completed and rejection and approval letters have been transmitted.
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