DRL Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): DRL FY22 DPRK Human Rights and Accountability Programs – Statements of Interest

Public Notice

The Funding Opportunity number is SFOP0009268.

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Request for Statements of Interest: DRL Promoting Human Rights and Accountability in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea)

I. 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 advance human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea).

PLEASE NOTE:  

DRL strongly encourages applicants to immediately access SAMS Domestic or www.grants.gov in order to obtain a username and password.  For instructions on how to register with SAMS Domestic for the first time, please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions for Statements of Interest at:  https://www.state.gov/bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/programs-and-grants/.

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 four (4) categories under which applicants may submit SOIs.  Organizations may submit no more than two (2) SOIs and only one (1) SOI per category.  The applicant must explicitly identify the category for each SOI submitted.  If a SOI may fit within more than one category, the organization must explicitly identify which category they determine is the best fit for the work proposed.  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.

Applicants are highly encouraged to 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.

FOSTERING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION.  

The long-term goal under this category is that North Koreans have improved human rights and fundamental freedoms and the North Korean government is held accountable for egregious human rights violations, including transnational repression.  Program objectives under this category include: 1) the North Korean human rights community collectively and collaboratively engages international stakeholders to increase momentum towards implementation of UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) report recommendations and accountability actions; governments and multilateral institutions take concrete steps and actions that expand opportunities for human rights monitoring and accountability in North Korea; and 2) governments and multilateral institutions increasingly incorporate human rights abuses and crimes against humanity within broader North Korean policy development and diplomatic engagements.  Illustrative activities of projects proposed under this area could include:

• Collaborate and engage with the humanitarian and diplomatic communities to foster opportunities for observer access to political prisons, labor camps, detention centers, or other areas where human rights violations and abuses are common.
• Implement safe and ethical approaches to engage North Korean individuals at risk of forced repatriation and harassment. This could include expanding documentation efforts and/or fostering collaboration between the North Korean human rights community and other human rights activists to strengthen collective regional and/or international awareness, accountability, and advocacy.
• Advocate to reinvigorate international attention and commitment to promoting human rights improvements in the DPRK. This could include, in the lead up to the ten-year anniversary of the COI report, advocacy for a follow-on report that details updated information and/or recommendations based upon the most recent decade of findings.
• Conduct documentation, investigations, and/or research that leverages open-source information to uncover perpetrators and detail systems that perpetuate the egregious abuses committed by the DPRK government at home and abroad. This could include research that identifies perpetrators tied to human rights abuses that support North Korea’s illicit activities.  Research should be coupled with targeted advocacy efforts carried out in tandem with the human rights community.
• Work with the North Korean defector community to use documentation of human rights abuses to identify and implement survivor-centric and/or survivor-led approaches to truth telling, memorialization, and reparation, that are complementary to on-going and future international accountability efforts.

ADVANCING THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.  

The long-term goal of programs under this category is that North Korean women and girls in all their diversity face fewer violations of their human rights.  Objectives of programs under this category include: 1) governments and multilateral institutions take concerted actions to influence the North Korean government to meet its obligations under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and 2) governments and multilateral institutions promote accountability of North Korean officials for violations against women and girls.  Illustrative examples of projects proposed under this category include:

• Document abuses against North Korean women and girls to raise international awareness and advance advocacy and accountability efforts. Abuses could have occurred within North Korea, overseas (e.g., during their time as overseas laborers), or during the defection process.  This must include efforts to minimize re-traumatization of survivors.
• Support civil society engagement in UPR and CEDAW reporting processes and targeted advocacy to address gaps and shortcomings with the North Korean government’s implementation of obligations.
• Promote women’s leadership, participation, empowerment, and rights within targeted segments of the population in North Korea, such as among women entrepreneurs.

STRENGTHENING LABOR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS.  

The long-term goal of programs under this category is that North Koreans have increased methods for reporting labor rights violations and enhanced ability to support efforts to increase protections of labor rights.  

Objectives under this category include: 1) governments and multilateral institutions taking concerted actions to influence the North Korean government to pursue International Labour Organization (ILO) membership and/or take other concrete actions to improve labor rights; and 2)  labor advocacy and human rights organizations elevate issues of forced labor to international businesses, including those currently operating within North Korea’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and encourage adherence to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.  Illustrative examples of projects proposed under this category include:

• Document human rights abuses and poor conditions faced by workers within North Korea and overseas to increase knowledge of abuses and inform international advocacy and engagement with governments and multilateral institutions.
• Conduct investigative reporting and/or research that leverages open-source information to detail SEZs, including the location and development of SEZs and information on working conditions, with a particular focus on goods produced and indicators of forced labor.
• Support coordination among labor advocacy and human rights organizations to effectively leverage information on forced labor to encourage international businesses to adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
• Support opportunities to encourage consideration of ILO membership and foster awareness raising and dialogue on improved conditions for workers and the abolishment of child labor.

PROMOTING THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.  

The long-term goal of programs under this category is that North Korean persons with disabilities have increased access to rights and services as enshrined in domestic and/or international laws.  The objective of programs under this category is that governments and multilateral institutions take concerted actions to influence the North Korean government to meet its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  Illustrative activities of projects proposed under this area could include:

• Document and elevate disability rights in international advocacy and engagement with governments and multilateral institutions to encourage the inclusion of persons with disabilities within diplomatic efforts.
• Create practical toolkits or manuals on various disability-related issues for humanitarian and development practitioners based on the CRPD and recent information on the rights of persons with disabilities in the DPRK.

To be eligible, all proposed projects must:

• Specifically indicate the category to which the SOI is responding;
• Clearly outline capacity and technical expertise in documentation, including efforts to ensure new documentation projects are not duplicative of existing research;
• Exhibit strong understanding of the operating environment by articulating risks to project implementation, staff, and beneficiaries, and mitigation measures that may be taken;
• Ground documentation efforts and defector interviewers in Do No Harm principles, with measures to support interviewees with psychosocial services to prevent re-traumatization;  and
• Demonstrate an ability to localize project activities by leveraging the expertise of North Korean human rights organizations, activists, and defector communities.

Strong preference will be given to proposed projects that 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.  Defector interviews for documentation efforts are not considered partnerships.  Reference to partnerships would exemplify that the primary applicant has the context-specific knowledge and expertise to implement a tailored, safe approach.

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.

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (www.sam.gov) and/or has a current debt to the U.S. government is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR,1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR,1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.”  Additionally, no entity or person listed on the Excluded Parties List System in SAM.gov can participate in any activities under an award.  All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Excluded Parties List System in SAM.gov to ensure that no ineligible entity or person is included in their application.

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

All SOIs must conform to DRL’s posted Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for Statements of Interest, as updated in November 2022, available at https://www.state.gov/bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/programs-and-grants/.

Complete SOI submissions must include the following:

1. 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,
2. Program Statement (not to exceed three (3) pages in Microsoft Word) that includes:
   1. A table listing:
      1. Name of the organization;
      2. The target country/countries;
      3. The total amount of funding requested from DRL, total amount of cost-share (if any), and total program amount (DRL funds + cost-share); and,
      4. Program length;
   2. 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;
   3. A concise breakdown explicitly identifying the program’s objectives and the activities and expected results that contribute to each objective; and,
   4. 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 $1,250,000 may be deemed technically ineligible.

Technically eligible SOIs are those which:

1. Arrive electronically via SAMS Domestic or Grants.gov by 11:59 PM EST on January 23rd, 2023, under the announcement titled “DRL FY22 DPRK Human Rights and Accountability Programs – Statements of Interest,” funding opportunity number SFOP0009268;
2. Are in English; and,
3. 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:

1. All pages are numbered;
2. All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper; and,
3. 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.

Grants.gov and SAMS Domestic automatically log the date and time an application submission is made, and the Department of State will use this information to determine whether an application has been submitted on time.  Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered.  Known system errors caused by Grants.gov or SAMS Domestic (https://mygrants.service-now.com) that are outside of the applicant’s control will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Applicants should not expect a notification upon DRL receiving their application.  DRL will not accept SOIs submitted via email, fax, the postal system, delivery companies, or couriers.  DRL strongly encourages all applicants to submit SOIs before January 23rd, 2023 to ensure that the SOI has been received and is complete.

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.

For additional guidance, please see DRL’s posted Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for Statements of Interest, as updated in November 2021, available at https://www.state.gov/proposal-submission-instructions/.

V. Additional Information

DRL will not consider applications that reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization. Please refer the link for Foreign Terrorist Organizations:  https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/.  Project activities whose direct beneficiaries are foreign militaries or paramilitary groups or individuals will not be considered for DRL funding given purpose limitations on funding.

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.

The Leahy Law prohibits Department foreign assistance funds from supporting foreign security force units if the Secretary of State has credible information that the unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.  Per 22 USC §2378d(a) (2017), “No assistance shall be furnished under this chapter [FOREIGN ASSISTANCE] or the Arms Export Control Act [22 USC 2751 et seq.] to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.”  Restrictions may apply to any proposed assistance to police or other law enforcement.  Among these, pursuant to section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), no assistance provided through this funding opportunity may be furnished to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country when there is credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.  In accordance with the requirements of section 620M of the FAA, also known as the Leahy law, project beneficiaries or participants from a foreign government’s security forces may need to be vetted by the Department before the provision of any assistance.  If a proposed grant or cooperative agreement will provide assistance to foreign security forces or personnel, compliance with the Leahy Law is required.

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.

Organizations should also be aware that if ultimately selected for an award, DRL requires all recipients of foreign assistance funding to comply with all applicable Department and Federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to the following: The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards set forth in 2 CFR Chapter 200 (Sub-Chapters A through F) shall apply to all non-Federal entities, except for assistance awards to Individuals and Foreign Public Entities.  Sub-Chapters A through E shall apply to all foreign organizations, and Sub-Chapters A through D shall apply to all U.S. and foreign for-profit entities. The applicant/recipient of the award and any sub-recipient under the award must comply with all applicable terms and conditions, in addition to the assurance and certifications made part of the Notice of Award.  The Department’s Standard Terms and Conditions can be viewed at https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/.

The information in this solicitation and DRL’s PSI for SOIs, as updated in November 2021, 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.

This solicitation will appear on www.grants.gov, SAMS Domestic (https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com), and DRL’s website https://www.state.gov/statements-of-interest-requests-for-proposals-and-notices-of-funding-opportunity/.

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.

Additional background information on DRL and the human rights report can be found on https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-civilian-security-democracy-and-human-rights/bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/.

VI. Contact Information

SAMS Domestic Help Desk:For assistance with SAMS Domestic accounts and technical issues related to the system, please contact the ILMS help desk by phone at +1 (888) 313-4567 (toll charges apply for international callers) or through the Self Service online portal that can be accessed from https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/.  Customer support is available 24/7.

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:

For assistance with Grants.gov accounts and technical issues related to using the system, please call the Contact Center at +1 (800) 518-4726 or email support@grants.gov.  The Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except federal holidays.

See https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ for a list of federal holidays.

For technical questions related to this solicitation, please contact DRL-EAP-Programs@state.gov.

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.

Original source can be found here.