Job Description

Issuance Date: 11/13/2023 Closing Date: 12/13/2023 Closing Time: Midnight Subject: Request for Applications (RFA) Number FY24-IREX-CREDIBLE-AILAB-001 Reference : Issued under International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) program and USAID COAG Number 7200AA21CA00024 This Request for Applications outlines the information required by the applicant for the development and submission of a proposal for consideration. The potential applicant is expected to review, understand, and conform with specifications contained in this RFA. Failure to do so will be at the applicant\'s own risk. All reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the subaward program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards ( Awards to U.S. organizations will be administered in accordance with USAID Standard Provisions for U.S. Nongovernmental Organizations. For non-U.S. organizations, USAID Standard Provisions for non-U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations would apply. This RFA is being issued and consists of this cover letter, Schedule A, and Annexes. Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of CREDIBLE/IREX nor does it commit CREDIBLE/IREX to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. The application is submitted at the risk of the applicant. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant\'s expense. Thank you for your interest in CREDIBLE/IREX activities. SCHEDULE A SECTION I: FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION: The CREDIBLE program is a 5-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IREX. CREDIBLE aims to strengthen the resilience of youth and civil society to disinformation and misinformation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Following the testing and iterative approach of CREDIBLE, the activity AI Lab for Youth (AILY) will aim to empower youth to use AI to develop and test models to detect and counter disinformation online in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. IREX will select competitively an organization in charge of running this activity. Objectives of this activity: Up to 25 youth in Colombia and Dominican Republic will participate of the learning component that will provide youth with valuable skills for the job market through tailored training on AI, covering topics such as detecting information manipulation, data collection, data analysis, natural language processing, computer vision, machine learning, and ethical and social implications of AI. Selected participants will apply their AI skills and knowledge to design and implement projects that use AI to detect disinformation online with topics in line with CREDIBLE\'s activities in these countries. The vendor will provide mentoring support to these projects. USG Regulations: Standard Provisions for U.S Nongovernmental Organizations: Standard Provisions for Non-U.S., Nongovernmental Recipients: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/303mab.pdf SECTION II: AWARD INFORMATION: Subject to the availability of funds, IREX expects to award one (1) subgrant, ranging from $25,000 to $35,000. The total amount available is $35,000. The expected duration of IREX\'s support or the period of performance is 1/1/2024-5/30/23. CREDIBLE/IREX reserves the right to fund any or none of the application submitted. SECTION III: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: The applicant / application must meet the following requirements Be officially registered and working in compliance with all applicable civil and fiscal regulations, including, but not limited to pertinent local laws and status. In lieu of official registration, a subawardee may show proof of effort to secure registration, exemption from registration, or show cause why such registration is either not optional or practicable Meet the projects objectives and principles Contain expected outcomes and results consistent with and linked to the projects objectives Applicant is not a debarred organization Received or be able to acquire Unique Entity ID (UEI) Types of Eligible Subawardees: U.S Non-Governmental Organizations (U.S. NGOs) Non-US Nongovernment Organizations (Non-US NGOs) International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) Community Based Organization (CBOs) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Private Enterprises Professional Associations Universities Section IV: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION: Any questions concerning this RFA should be submitted in writing not later than 15 days prior to the closing date shown above to Nick Ebert, Sr. Program Officer II ([HIDDEN TEXT]). Applicants should retain for their records one copy of all enclosures which accompany their application. The application must be received at CREDIBLE/IREX\'s email indicated below no later than the closing date listed on the front page of this RFA. Pre-award costs are not allowable and will not be reimbursed. An application and modifications thereof shall be submitted in electronic format to the following address: CREDIBLE Nick Ebert, Senior Program Officer II 1275 K St NW, Ste 600 Washington, DC 20005 Application must be submitted in electronic form. The complete application packet must be submitted in the required format with the required attachments. Application: UEI number Organizational background, including information about current activities in these countries/region and availability of training materials in Spanish (1 page) Program description (2 pages) that includes: Goal Outreach, Beneficiaries- including plans for rapid needs assessment of participants Outcomes and expected impact Monitoring plan Timeline Budget and budget narrative Cost-share is preferred, but not required Due Diligence Questionnaire Restrictions: Subaward funds provided under the terms of this RFA shall not be used to finance any of the following commodities as per Ineligible Commodities: Military equipment, surveillance equipment, commodities or equipment for the support of police or other law enforcement activities, abortion equipment and services, luxury goods, gambling equipment, weather modification equipment. Restricted commodities: Agricultural commodities, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, contraceptives and condoms, pesticides, used equipment, fertilizer. Others: Purchases of goods or services restricted or prohibited under the prevailing USAID source and nationality and other regulations found under Any purchases or activities deemed unnecessary to successfully complete the activity, including any subawardee headquarters expenses that are not directly linked to the implementation of the proposed project. Previous obligations and/or bad debts. Fines and /or penalties. Other costs unallowable under USAID and/or federal regulations such as referenced Cost Share Cost share is desired but not required; applicants are encouraged to contribute resources from their own private or local sources for the implementation of this program where feasible. The Cost Share must follow Late Application Late applications are marked as \'late\' and are ineligible for review or award; however, IREX reserves the right to accept and include late applications in the review and award process when it is considered within the best interest of IREX to do so and if applications that were received on time have not been opened and reviewed. Applications that are submitted late or incomplete run the risk of not being considered for review. SECTION V: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION: The application will be evaluated according to the evaluation criteria set below. To the extent necessary (if an award is not made based on initial applications), negotiations may be conducted with each applicant whose application, after discussion and negotiation, has a reasonable chance of being selected for award. Evaluation Criteria: Technical Merit 50 points Relevance to program goals Innovative and inclusive training materials Creativity of approach Past Performance / Organizational Capacity 30 points Past performance in similar projects Relevant staff skills to the proposed project, including a team of qualified trainers, mentors, and experts who can provide technical and pedagogical support to the youth participants. Experience and network in geographical region Capacity to adhere to USAID financial guidelines. Feasibility and Cost Effectiveness 20 points Are costs reasonable, allowable, and allocable. Is the proposal cost effective Does the proposal propose cost share/leveraging Section VI: AWARD AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION The recommendation or selection of an application in accordance with established procedures does not guarantee an award. All applicants must demonstrate that they possess, or have the ability to obtain, the necessary management competence to practice mutually agreed upon methods of accountability for funds and other assets provided. A successful applicant can expect to receive an Award Letter, signed by the program. The award letter will be addressed to the organizations point of contact as stated in the application. Applicants that were not successful can expect a letter explaining the reason for their unsuccessful application. Following the Award Letter, final negotiations will take place before the signing of a subaward agreement. All applicants will be required to show their Unique Entity Identifier or be able to prove they can acquire one. Reporting Procedures: A description of reporting requirements will be included in the subaward Agreement. The types of reporting required, along with the schedule of reporting, will depend on the subaward type and project duration. Reporting forms will be provided to subaward recipients. Types of reporting will include the following: Program report to be submitted during project implementation according to a schedule described in the subaward agreement. This report will include a description of progress made during the period, problems in project implementation; actions taken to overcome them; and activities planned for the next period. Final program report will describe how the project objectives and goals were reached, results of the project, and problems and solutions during implementation. Financial reports will be submitted according to a schedule described in the subaward agreements. Types of financial reports, as well as the schedule of reporting, will depend on the type of subaward, length of project, and amount of funding. In addition, the subawardee is required to submit a detailed Final Financial Report. Issuance of the final installment of subaward funds is contingent upon CREDIBLE/IREX receipt and acceptance of Final Financial and Final Program Reports. Section Vii - Other Information Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of IREX, nor does it commit CREDIBLE/IREX to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. IREX reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted. Further, IREX reserves the right to make no awards as a result of this RFA. Annex 1: Mandatory Standard Provisions Standard Provisions for Non-U.S., Nongovernmental Recipients: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/303mab.pdf Powered by JazzHR cH1snLoaZS

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