Closing Date and Time for Submission of Applications: October 12, 2020 (11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time via www.grants.gov)
Deadline for Receipt of Questions: September 10, 2020 (5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time)
Opportunity Background
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The mission of the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States, its citizens, and partner nations by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. This mission, which centers on helping our partner nations establish a capable and accountable criminal justice sector, was expanded during the past decade to include stabilizing post-conflict societies through criminal justice sector development and reform. This mission supports peace and security by stabilizing and strengthening security institutions and by combating narco-trafficking and other transnational crimes such as money laundering and criminal gangs. It promotes just and democratic governments by strengthening justice sector institutions, good governance and respect for human rights.
INL combines forces with other U.S. Government (USG) and international agencies and takes a regional approach to widespread problems. INL also encourages more developed governments to take responsibility as equal partners in global efforts to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking. The Bureau’s priority programs support three inter-related objectives:
- BUILDING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS: Institutionalize rule of law by developing and expanding criminal justice systems to strengthen partner country law enforcement and judicial effectiveness, foster cooperation in legal affairs, and advance respect for human rights;
- COUNTER-NARCOTICS: Disrupt the overseas production and trafficking of illicit drugs through targeted counter-narcotics and institution-building assistance and coordination with foreign nations and international organizations, and;
- TRANSNATIONAL CRIME: Minimize the impact of transnational crime and criminal networks on the United States and its allies through enhanced international cooperation and foreign assistance.
BACKGROUND
Around the world, corruption threatens security and stability, hinders economic growth, facilitates transnational threats and criminal activity, and siphons away public and private resources. In this context, the U.S. government has identified anticorruption as a national security priority under the 2017 National Security Strategy and Department of State-USAID Joint Strategic Plan. INL leads the Department of State’s efforts to prevent and combat corruption globally by strengthening justice sector institutions, supporting reform efforts, and capacity building to hold governments accountable to anticorruption standards. INL tailors its technical support to bolster capacities of partner countries through multilateral, regional, and country-specific programs. Assistance includes support to help investigators and prosecutors so they are equipped to enforce domestic anticorruption laws and cooperate with international law enforcement partners, as well as assistance to strengthen civil society and investigative journalism efforts to advocate for justice and to implement legislative and institutional reforms to prevent corruption.
For more than a decade, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has been promoting Ukraine’s rule of law and supporting the reform of the criminal justice sector. INL engaged in the development of the independent Bar in Ukraine, supported the professional development of defense lawyers to successfully defend their clients in criminal cases including support to the Free Legal Aid system and Ukrainian NGOs in the field, and has been supporting reforms of the prosecutorial bodies to ensure the criminal justice system in Ukraine is compliant with international standards.
The existence of ethical norms in professional conduct and its observance by lawyers is one of the recognized international standards of advocacy. It is a necessary prerequisite for the full functioning of the Bar and its fulfillment of an important role in a democratic society. Low ethical standards and the lack of fair and honest professionals within the legal community limit the access of citizens to the rule of law and justice, and contributes to corruption in the judiciary. Often lawyers and other legal practitioners are faced with conflicting interests from the clients they represent, society at large, and personal interests. Legal ethics, and the development of soft skills, are therefore important in helping lawyers navigate the delicate balance of these interests and work to promote the greatest good. Ethics also serve as a safeguard to the interests of clients and ensure they receive service without discrimination. Ethical norms and upright standards in lawyers’ practices are a protection of human rights of the citizens.
PROJECT PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
INL announces an open competition for Ukrainian NGOs interested in submitting an application for a project that strengthens legal ethics and rule of law in Ukraine by providing soft skills training for prosecutors and defense attorneys.
In 2018-2020, INL Kyiv supported the “Tomorrow’s Lawyer” program which trained three hundred defense lawyers on soft skills. INL Kyiv is launching a new program entitled, “Strengthening the Rule of Law in Ukraine by Providing Soft Skills Training for Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys.”
The current project will benefit the public by strengthening the rule of law in Ukraine and support the reform of the criminal justice sector, advocating for justice and implementing legislative and institutional reforms to prevent corruption.
PROJECT GOALS
The project aims to:
- Strengthen the Rule of Law in Ukraine and support the reform of the criminal justice sector
- Support professional development of defense lawyers and prosecutors in order to create a new generation of legal professionals with high ethical standards and social responsibility, ready to serve their communities and support judicial reforms in Ukraine.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE AND ACTIVITIES
- Objective 1: Develop and support implementation of a soft skills training course for both defense lawyers and for prosecutors.
- Activity 1: Develop the curriculum for the soft skills training program that should focus on training of legal professionals with high ethical standards and social responsibility.
- Activity 2: Select the candidates for the program by providing the open, transparent and meritbased competition.
- Activity 3: Effectively deliver the soft skills training program to at least 100 defense lawyers and 100 prosecutors.
- Activity 4: Provide the administration and communication support for the soft skills training program.
Opportunity Structure
FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
INL expects to award one (1) grant agreement(s) based on this NOFO, in an amount not to exceed the total ceiling amount noted on page 1. The anticipated total federal funding amount is not to exceed $700,000,00. The period of performance is 1.5 years with an anticipated start date of November 2020. INL may extend the award up to two (2) additional years contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the recipient, and funding availability.
The U.S. government will issue award(s) to the responsible applicant(s) whose application(s), conforms to this NOFO, and is the most responsive to the objectives and criteria set forth in this NOFO. The U.S. government may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application, (d) accept alternate applications, and/or (e) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received.
The U.S. government may make an award on the basis of the initial application received, without discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant’s best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. The U.S. government reserves the right (but is not under obligation to do so) to enter into discussions with one or more applicant(s) to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the program description, budget, or other aspects of an application.
Competitive Scope
ELIGIBLITY INFORMATION
Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to:
- Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as foreign not-for-profits/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Ukraine and meet INL’s reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Ukraine, if required by the country of project implementation.
AND - Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Ukraine. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
- Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Ukrainian, English and, where appropriate, Russian. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
- Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
- Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
- Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period.
Note: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.
To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. INL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. INL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.
Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards issued under this grant award.
INL encourages applications from potential new partners.
AGENCY CONTACTS
Any prospective applicant desiring an explanation or interpretation of this NOFO must request it in writing by the deadline for questions specified in the cover letter to allow a reply to reach all prospective applicants before the submission of their applications. Any information given to a prospective applicant concerning this NOFO will be furnished promptly to all other prospective applicants as an amendment of this NOFO, if that information is necessary in submitting applications or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective applicants.
Any questions or comments concerning this NOFO must be submitted in writing by email to INLINL Kyiv Deputy Director Dina Abaa-Ogley at [email protected]; Grants Officer Najar Washington at [email protected]; or Grants Officer Representative Iuliia Panasiuk at [email protected] by the deadline for questions indicated at the top of this NOFO’s cover letter.