REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA) -Local Research Partner

WINROCK INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (WINROCK) 

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA) 

1.1 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND 

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from prospective grantees (local research partners) to support Winrock International (Winrock) in the implementation of the Hamro Samman Project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK Aid Award No. AID- 367-A-17-00001. 

Hamro Samman Project is carrying out a variety of research studies on different topics. Thus, the project is seeking local research partners to conduct field research in Nepal. This will involve working together with international research partners in designing and carrying out the research.  

1.2   OBJECTIVE AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

Hamro Samman is a five-year project generously supported by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the British people through UK aid. It is implemented in Nepal by Winrock International. Its goal is to reduce the prevalence of trafficking in persons (TIP) in 10 strategically selected districts of Nepal by strengthening coordination and partnerships between government, civil society and the private sector. It aims to improve the delivery of services to trafficking survivors and people at risk of being trafficked. 

The Hamro Samman Project is seeking local research partners to carry out different research works to contribute to the learning and adaptation components of the CLA (Collaboration, Learning and Adaption) approach. This approach is a set of practices that helps us improve our development effectiveness through research and other learning activities. The research will contribute to better understanding of counter-trafficking responses and what works to reduce human trafficking and further adapt in other CTIP interventions. The local research partners will carry out 3 research projects (one research for one research partner) on the research topics that has been finalized by the Hamro Samman Project as per the list provided below. The local research partner will implement the research project in coordination with Hamro Samman and CSO partners. 

Each local research grantee will produce a final research report presenting the findings and recommendations from the research. The local research grantee will also develop a brief paper on the research and engage to facilitate uptake of the research by different CTIP stakeholders. The research report and recommendations will be shared with a wide range of CTIP stakeholders and government agencies to strengthen CTIP advocacy efforts and promote systemic changes for more effective CTIP interventions with development of appropriate policies and programs. The research results and recommendations will also contribute towards Hamro Samman Project’s learning and adapting agenda, drive evidence-based program design and delivery of robust CTIP interventions, and help expand the evidence based practices on what works and what doesn’t in countering TIP, improving service delivery to TIP survivors and at risk. Hamro Samman Project will own the data and final research product and use it further for dissemination and adapting purpose.   

The main objective of the grant awards by Hamro Samman Project is to carry out a total of 3 JDR3 Research related to countering human trafficking in collaboration with local research partners. The three identified research topics along with brief research areas are as follows:  

• Disrupting TIP in Foreign Employment Sector: Identification of what works to reduce the patterns of TIP and to protect the survivors and people at risk  (Explore how individuals become trafficked in the foreign employment sector and determining the indicators of vulnerability and the factors that contributes towards trafficking of individuals in the foreign employment sector and analysis on CTIP interventions to reduce TIP in this sector) 
• Review of existing legal barriers for victims’ access to justice and the state’s role in countering TIP  (Review of national and international legislation, legal instruments and procedures, and other policies and practices related to CTIP) 
• Assessment of existing approaches for shelter care services and alternative approaches for delivery of care services to support reintegration of victims of TIP  (Action research on different approaches for delivery of care services including referrals to survivors of human trafficking, especially those that are traditionally being provided through shelters, identification of best practices and successful strategies) 

SECTION 2:   GRANT INFORMATION 

2.1  ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF GRANTS TO BE ISSUED 

The Hamro Samman Project expects to award maximum upto 3 research grants under this RFA but reserves the right to award fewer or none based on the quality of applications received and availability of funding. Interested parties can submit applications for only one research topic listed above under this RFA.  

2.2   ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF GRANTS 

It is expected that an individual grant amount (for a single piece of research) will not exceed USD 25,000. The final amount awarded will depend on award activities and final negotiations. 

2.3   ANTICIPATED START DATE AND DURATION OF GRANTS 

The anticipated period of performance is 6 to 12 months (varies as per the research areas/topics), depending on the negotiated award activities. The research is expected to start from March 2021.  

2.4   TYPE OF GRANTS TO BE ISSUED 

Winrock will determine the appropriate grant mechanism, in consultation with the applicant during the negotiation process, based on the pre-award assessment of the applicant, nature of the award activity, and estimated total cost of the award.  

SECTION 3:   ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 

3.1   ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

This solicitation is open to all organizations including non-profit and for-profit non-US organizations. To be minimally eligible for funding, applicants must comply with the following conditions: 

• Be legally registered or otherwise authorized to conduct business in the applicant’s country or countries of operation. 
• Agree to be subject to a pre-award assessment to examine that the applicant has sound management in the form of financial, administrative, and technical policies and procedures, if short listed. 
• Be able to demonstrate successful past performance in implementation of similar research projects in the fields of human trafficking and CTIP programs.   
• Provide a documentable, measurable minimum cost-share requirement, if applicable. 
• Provide a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number at the time of award.  If the applicant already has a DUNS number, it should be included in their application.  Otherwise, applicants will be expected to get a DUNS number before an award is issued.  DUNS numbers can be obtained online at https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html.  

SECTION 4:   INSTRUCTION TO APPLICANTS AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

4.1.   PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE 

A pre-application conference will not be held. 

4.2.     Technical Application 

Applicants will develop their applications based on their understanding of the program’s needs, and their determination of the approaches that would be feasible and successful. In all cases, applicants shall clearly explain the rationale for the proposed approaches chosen. 

Submissions must clearly state the objectives and the expected results of the activity within the life of the funding period and define an implementation plan with a proposed time frame and budget. On- going monitoring and reporting of the funded activities will be the responsibility of the applicant. 

One applicant is eligible to submit only one application as in the above-mentioned research topics.  

4.3.   COST APPLICATION 

The applicant is required to provide detailed information about the financial proposal with a justification of each line items for the budget requested. A budget template is attached as annex with this RFA.  

4.4.   COST-SHARE 

• Cost-share is not required. 

4.5.   SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

All questions and other communications regarding this RFA should be submitted in writing to Grants and  Contracts  Specialist at Hamro.Samman@winrock.org. Written responses to questions will be made available to all applicants. 

Attached Application Form should be used. The form should be filled in English language, and word limits should be strictly adhered to; lengthy applications will be disqualified. The word limit does not include Annexes and supporting documents. 

The application must be submitted electronically via email to Hamro.Samman@winrock.org and should reference “Application for CTIP Research Award”. Hamro Samman will not accept hard copies. Applications must be submitted no later than the time and date indicated on the cover page. 

Incomplete or late applications will be marked as such and will be ineligible for review or award; however, Winrock reserves the right to accept and include incomplete or late applications in the review and award process when it is considered within the best interest of Winrock to do so. Applications that are submitted late or incomplete run the risk of not being considered for review. 

Applications may be withdrawn by written notice via email received at any time before an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by an organization or its authorized representative if the representative’s identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the application before award is made. 

A complete submission, at a minimum, will include the following: 

• A copy of the applicant’s valid legal registration 
• A completed and signed technical application  
• CVs for Proposed Key personnel (not more than 3 pages) 
• A completed and signed budget application  
• Budget supporting documents, including the budget narrative, as applicable 
• Evidence of past research in similar field carried out by research team members 
• Evidence of past research in similar field carried out by the local research organization.  
• List of references [at least three relevant recent research referee’s details] 

Receipt time for electronic submissions is when the application is received by Winrock’s Internet Server. Hand delivery and hardcopy paper submissions of the application will not be accepted after the stated time on the cover page. Please do not send files in ZIP format and/or online drive link.  

SECTION 5:  APPLICATION EVALUATION AND REVIEW PROCESS 

5.1.   MERIT REVIEW 

The criteria presented below have been tailored to the requirements of this RFA. A total of 100 points are possible for all components of the application. The relative importance of each criterion is indicated by approximate weight by points. 

5.2.   REVIEW PROCESS 

Grant applications will be reviewed and evaluated by an evaluation panel using the merit review criteria indicated above.  

It is anticipated that awards will be made within three months after the submission deadline, as stated on the cover page of this RFA. Final negotiations and award will be managed by Winrock.  

SECTION 6:   OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

6.1.   DISCLAIMERS 

• The issuance of this solicitation does not commit Winrock to make an award to any prospective grantee responding to this solicitation. Prospective grantees will not be reimbursed for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Winrock reserves the right to reject any and all applications, or to make an award without further discussion or negotiation.  
• All awards will be negotiated, denominated and funded in Nepalese Rupees. All costs funded under the grant must be allowable, allocable and reasonable.   

6.2.   CONFLICT OF INTEREST 

Applicants must provide disclosure of any past, present or future relationships with any parties associated with the issuance, review, or management of this RFA and anticipated grant. Failure to provide full and open disclosure may result in Winrock having to re-evaluate selection of a potential applicant. 

6.3.   OTHER CONDITIONS  

• Applicants must agree and be willing to sign and submit required certifications before a grant is issued.
• For those selected for a grant award, Winrock will conduct a pre-award risk assessment.
• Issuance of grant agreements will be subject to applicable prior written approval by Winrock funder, as needed.
• Applicants may only submit upto any two research topics listed above in the RFA.
• Individuals are not eligible to receive funding under this solicitation.
• Applications must remain valid for at least 180 days.
• Application forms should be signed by an authorized agent of the applicant’s organization.
• Applicants that submit applications that meet or exceed the evaluation criteria will be notified of next steps in the application process.

Additionally, the following items cannot be purchased under the potential resultant grants:  

• Any purchases or activities deemed unnecessary to accomplish grant purposes as determined by Winrock, including any grantee headquarters expenses that are not directly linked to the implementation of the proposed activities 
• Private ceremonies, parties, celebrations or "representation" expenses 
• Previous obligations and/or bad debts 
• Expenses related to overtly religious purposes  
• Expenses intended to influence the outcome of elections or other political processes 
• Fines and/or penalties 
• Creation of endowments 
• Alcoholic beverages  
• Real property (land, including land improvements, and structures there to)

The following items are also ineligible or restricted under USAID-funded:  

• Prohibited goods under USAID eligibility rules, including military equipment, surveillance equipment, commodities and services for support of police or other law enforcement activities, abortion equipment and services, luxury goods, and gambling equipment, and weather modification equipment  
• Restricted goods under USAID eligibility rules, such as agricultural commodities, motor vehicles, including motorcycles, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, used equipment, contraceptive products, USG-owned excess property or fertilizer  
• Goods and services whose source and nationality are other than Geographic Code - 937  
• Construction or infrastructure activities of any kind. 

Section 7:   ANNEXES

• Annex A – Application Form 
• Annex B –Technical (Research) Proposal Template 
• Annex C – Financial (Budget) Proposal Template