FY 2018 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Proposals for Resettlement Support Centers (RSC) Africa in Nairobi, Kenya; Turkey and the Middle East (TuME) in Istanbul, Turkey; and Eurasia in Moscow, Russia

Share

Funding Opportunity Announcement

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

April 27, 2017

 

Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0001616

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number:
19.018 – Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) for U.S. Refugee Resettlement

Announcement issuance date: Thursday, April 27, 2017

Proposal submission deadline: Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. noon EDT

Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

**ADVISORY: All applicants must submit proposals through the website Grants.gov NOT through SAMS Domestic site. Please note that if you apply on the SAMS Domestic site, your application will be disqualified. PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal early to allow time to address any difficulties that may arise.**

If you are new to PRM funding, the Grants.gov registration process can be complicated. While PRM’s General NGO Guidelines are geared towards overseas assistance programming and not for refugee admissions, you may refer to the section on “Application Process” for information and resources on how to obtain a DUNS number, register with SAM.gov, and register with grants.gov. PRM also strongly encourages organizations that have received funding from PRM in the past to read this section as a refresher.

Full Text of Notice of Funding Opportunity

  1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
  2. Purpose of the Resettlement Support Center

The admissions process for refugee applicants seeking resettlement in the United States is overseen by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the Department of State (the Bureau).

The purpose of Resettlement Support Centers (RSC) Africa, Turkey and the Middle East (TuME), and Eurasia are to assist the Bureau in preparing the necessary casework for persons in selected locations in sub-Saharan Africa, Turkey and Lebanon, and Europe and Central Asia, respectively, eligible for interview by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). For those persons approved, the RSC provides assistance in completing the additional requirements for refugee admission under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These requirements include, but are not limited to, completing the required security checks, a medical exam, and attending cultural orientation. In addition, the RSC forwards the necessary data on all DHS-approved cases to the Refugee Processing Center (RPC) in Virginia for distribution to U.S. Reception and Placement agencies according to procedures established by the Bureau.

The Bureau will make one award each for RSC Africa, RSC TuME, and RSC Eurasia based in Nairobi, Kenya; Istanbul, Turkey; and Moscow, Russia; respectively, for an initial period beginning October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018, subject to the availability of funds. Through the award, the Bureau will provide full financial support to the selected organization, based on the proposal submitted in response to this request.

The organizations selected to operate each RSC are expected to:

1) Provide regional refugee processing services for all U.S. Refugee Admissions Program applicants in:

  1. Sub-Saharan Africa regardless of nationality or ethnicity, beginning on October 1, 2017. The primary office for the RSC shall be located in Nairobi, Kenya, with sub-offices in Kasulu, Tanzania, and Pretoria, South Africa. The Pretoria office will manage all Southern Africa operations from referral to departure while the Kasulu office will aid the Nairobi office with all operations in Kigoma, Tanzania.
  2. Turkey and Lebanon regardless of nationality or ethnicity, beginning on October 1, 2017. The primary office for the RSC shall be located in Istanbul, Turkey, with a sub-office in Beirut, Lebanon.
  3. Europe and Central Asia, except Austria, regardless of nationality or ethnicity, beginning on October 1, 2017. The primary office for the RSC shall be located in Moscow, Russia, with a sub-office in Kyiv, Ukraine.

2) Relate equitably to all domestic resettlement agencies (This includes sharing relevant biographic and other background information with domestic resettlement agencies working in the Reception and Placement program, as appropriate, to facilitate their provision of required sponsorship assurances).

3) Ensure that activities undertaken by the RSC effectively consider the specific and unique protection and assistance needs of potentially vulnerable and underserved groups among the beneficiary population (women; children; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) individuals; older persons; the sick; persons with disabilities; and others).

  1. Refugee Processing Caseload

As the FY 2018 regional refugee admissions ceiling has not yet been established, it is impossible to predict the precise number of refugee applicants to be processed by each RSC. However, proposals and budgets should be prepared based on a projection of 18,000 departures from the countries covered by RSC Africa; 6,000 departures from the countries covered by RSC TuME; or 2,000 departures from the countries covered by Eurasia. If before or during the agreement period the projected number of individuals to be processed either dramatically falls short of or exceeds the level anticipated in this announcement and the approved proposal, the Bureau will negotiate an amended budget with the RSC.

The following information regarding caseloads and circuit rides in FY 2017 may be helpful in formulating an organization’s proposal and budget for RSC Africa, TuME, or Eurasia for FY 2018:

  1. RSC Africa: Approximately 18,000 refugee departures from sub-Saharan Africa. In order to admit these individuals in FY 2017, RSC Africa will conduct circuit rides to Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, South Africa, and other African countries.
  2. RSC TuME: Approximately 6,500 departures from Turkey and 1,000 from Lebanon. RSC TuME will conduct circuit rides in Istanbul and Beirut.
  3. RSC Eurasia: Approximately 4,500 refugee departures. RSC will conduct circuit rides to two Emergency Transit Centers (ETC) in Romania and Slovakia, Malta, and countries in Central Asia including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

III. Program Objectives

In an effort to strengthen the quality and integrity of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, the Bureau has established the following standardized objectives and indicators, which will be monitored throughout the fiscal year, for each organization serving as RSC Africa, RSC TuME, and RSC Eurasia. In addition to the standardized indicators below, applicants are required to propose at least one additional outcome-based indicator for each objective, including at least one indicator each for cultural orientation, scheduling and coordinating medicals, and coordinating departures under Objective #1. Applicants may include additional objectives and indicators if they choose. In addition, PRM reserves the right to add or change indicators in consultation with applicants during final negotiations prior to award of the cooperative agreement.

  1. RSC completes processing for refugee applicants in accordance with USRAP guidelines and the cooperative agreement.
  2. Percent of target number of refugee applicants pre-screened.
  3. Percent of circuit rides with an average score of 4 or 5 on the DHS Mission Support Feedback Form.
  4. RSC maintains program integrity and protects against fraud and malfeasance, in accordance with PRM Program Integrity Guidelines and the cooperative agreement.
  5. Percent compliance with required measures under Program Integrity Guidelines.
  6. Percent of staff and refugee applicants aware of fraud reporting channels.
  7. RSC management provides oversight and support to maintain a trained and knowledgeable workforce.
  8. Number of RSC staff receiving on-boarding training, and specialized training as needed, to achieve USRAP objectives.
  9. Percent of staff able to demonstrate knowledge required to fulfill their job.
  10. RSC maintains professional and respectful services, environment, and communications with refugee applicants.
  11. Number of refugee applicant inquiries responded to within two weeks.
  12. Percent of refugee applicants reporting satisfaction with quality of interactions with RSC.
  13. Program Requirements

The Bureau has established the following requirements for each organization serving as RSC Africa, RSC TuME, and RSC Eurasia:

  1. Provide refugee processing services in support of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program using the Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) and in accordance with procedures established by the Bureau, as needs arise, in:

a.Africa – sub-Saharan Africa;

  1. TuME – Turkey and Lebanon;
  2. Eurasia – Russia, Ukraine, Malta, two Emergency Transit Centers (ETC) in Romania and Slovakia, and countries in Central Asia including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
  3. Ensure that each potential refugee applicant is screened to determine if he/she is eligible for interview by the Department of Homeland Security under the processing priorities established for his/her nationality.
  4. Conduct pre-screening interviews and casework in the countries listed in section III.A so as to capture all relevant information pertaining to the case, e.g. biographical data, cross-referencing information, special medical needs, information about victims of torture, etc. Ensure that all necessary security name-checks are completed and remain in a valid status for travel in accordance with SOP. Prepare the case file, including completion of all forms necessary for presentation of the case to DHS/USCIS for adjudication.
  5. Enter all required information into WRAPS on a timely basis in adherence with the USRAP manual and RPC Standard Operating Procedures.
  6. Remain in close contact with the RPC, cooperating fully and at all times to ensure that collected refugee information, the WRAPS system, and related equipment remains secure, functional, up to date, and in compliance with State Department guidance where appropriate.
  7. For applicants approved by USCIS, assist the refugees in completing all post-adjudication steps required for admission to the United States. This includes: coordinating with the RPC to obtain sponsorship assurances from Reception and Placement agencies working under cooperative agreements with the Bureau; preparing travel packets; coordinating medical screening; conducting cultural orientation training; and coordinating with the International Organization for Migration on travel arrangements.
  8. Correspond, as necessary, with applicants and partners on relevant case statuses and to obtain, as necessary, information relevant to the applicant’s qualifications for admission.
  9. Provide cultural orientation to approved refugees aged 15 and above in accordance with guidelines developed by the Bureau and described in the publication “Welcome to the United States–A Guidebook for Refugees” (CAL, 2012) and other materials developed by the current Cultural Orientation Technical Assistance provider (see http://coresourceexchange.org/cultural-orientation/teaching/).
  10. Develop a formal curriculum, in consultation with the Bureau, for cultural orientation training for refugees that will prepare them for travel and initial adjustment to life in the United States. Develop a training and management plan, in consultation with the Bureau, for RSC staff who will conduct cultural orientation training. Conduct cultural orientation in such a way as to achieve performance outcomes as delineated by the Bureau.

The cultural orientation training will cover, at a minimum, the following subjects:

  • Travel
  • Role of the Resettlement Agency
  • Housing
  • Health
  • Cultural Adjustment
  • Rights and Responsibilities
  • Employment
  • Education
  1. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Proposed Program Start Date: October 1, 2017.

Duration of Activity: An initial period beginning October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018, subject to the availability of funds. This agreement may be renewable for up to two additional fiscal years based upon budget submissions on an annual basis. Continued funding after the initial 12-month award requires the submission of a noncompeting single year proposal narrative and budget and will be contingent upon available funding, strong performance, and continuing need. At the end of three years, if the need to operate the RSC continues, the Bureau will re-compete the project, and the recipient of this award may participate in that process. In funding a project one year, PRM makes no representations that it will continue to fund the project in successive years.

Funding Limits:

For organizations competing for RSC TuME, project proposals must not be more than $14,000,000 per year or they will be disqualified.

For organizations competing for RSC Eurasia, project proposals must not be more than $5,500,000 per year or they will be disqualified.

For organizations competing for RSC Africa, project proposals must not be more than $20,000,000 per year or they will be disqualified.

  1. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
  2. Eligible Applicants: Organizations eligible to submit proposals include entities that have demonstrated satisfactory performance working as a U.S. Department of State-funded organization with the United State Refugee Admissions Program, domestically or overseas, within the last five years.

Organizations must also meet the following requirements in order to be considered as candidates to operate the RSC:

(a) Be one of the following types of organization:

  1. Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
  2. Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education; or
  3. International Organizations. International multilateral organizations should not submit proposals through Grants.gov in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement. Multilateral organizations that are seeking funding for programs relevant to this announcement should submit their proposal by email to the relevant PRM Program Officer (as listed below) on or before the closing date of the funding announcement.

(b) Be authorized, or eligible for authorization, by the host governments, in particular:

  1. Africa: Be authorized, or eligible for authorization, by the Governments of Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa to conduct activities relating to the processing of refugees for eventual resettlement in the three countries. This should be understood, when required by each government’s law, to include registration with or receipt of project approval from any relevant country ministry, agency or other official organ with jurisdiction over any activity to be conducted by the RSC.
  2. TuME: Be authorized, or eligible for authorization, by the Government of Turkey to conduct activities relating to the processing of refugees for eventual resettlement of refugees in Turkey. This should be understood, when required by Turkish law, to include registration with or receipt of project approval from any relevant Ministry, agency, or other official organ with jurisdiction over any activity to be conducted by the RSC.
  3. Eurasia: Be authorized, or eligible for authorization, by the Government of Russia to conduct activities related to the processing of refugees for eventual resettlement of refugees in Russia. In addition, all non-governmental organization applicants must have a Certificate of Registration issued by the Federal Government per the Federal Laws Governing Non-Profit Organizations prior to March 16, 2017. International organizations must be accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming that the organization is authorized by the government to conduct its activities as of March 16, 2017.

(c) Have evidence of effective coordination with U.S. government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations involved with the refugee admissions program.

(d) Possess management capacity at the agency’s headquarters sufficient to oversee the operation of the RSC.

(e) Proposals must have a concrete implementation plan with well-conceived objectives and indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and reliable, time-bound, and trackable (SMART), have established baselines, and include at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective; objectives should originate from the Program Objectives listed under Section III above. Applicants may include additional objectives and indicators if they choose.

Failure to satisfy the above requirements will preclude any further consideration of a proposal.

In addition, the Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) is deployed in all refugee processing sites. The use of WRAPS is mandatory, and the RSC must therefore establish itself as WRAPS-ready. Equipment that will be procured by the RSC and related costs must be included in the proposal. (See Appendix C for a list of hardware and software items that are currently needed to access and/or operate WRAPS, including the equipment to operate the Circuit Ride functionality.)

  1. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not a requirement of an application in response to this funding announcement.
  2. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
  3. Address to Request Application Package:

Application packages may be downloaded from the website www.Grants.gov.

Cont. here