University Partnership - ESF Funding Opportunity
Issuance Date: July 10, 2009
Closing Date: July 30, 2009
Closing Time: 4:00 pm local Tunis time
Subject: US Embassy Tunis RFA
US –Tunis University collaboration in fields related to: building public-private university and business partnerships to increase entrepreneurship/business opportunities; legal issues related to investment and business; or rule of law and legal capacity building.
The United States Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia, is seeking applications (proposals for funding) to support U.S. academic institutions that seek to engage with higher education institutions in Tunisia. (Eligible Applicants: All members of the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the Association of American Universities (AAU), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), and other regionally accredited, degree-granting, U.S. higher education institutions. ) Applicant institutions with previous project or exchange experience in Tunisia are preferred.
The selected recipient will be responsible for ensuring achievement of program objectives that enhance mutual, fully collaborative relationships between Tunisian and U.S. higher education institutions and their public and private sector partners in both countries.
It is USG policy not to award profit under assistance instruments. However, all reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 CFR 226, OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 31 for for-profit organizations), may be paid under the award.
Subject to the availability of funds, US Embassy Tunis plans to provide up to $300,000 in ESF funding for one or more grants for a program not to exceed two years, but with the possibility of no-cost limited extensions. The US Embassy reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted. Although it is planned to make an award of one cooperative agreement under this RFA, the US Embassy in its discretion may make awards to more than one organization.
For the purposes of this program, this RFA is being issued and consists of this cover letter and the following: (downloadable application in PDF)
1. Section A - Application Format;
2. Section B - Selection Criteria;
3. Section C - Program Description;
4. Section D - Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of Applicant/Recipient
5. Section E - Attachments to Program Description (attachments 1, 2, and 3)
To be eligible for an award, the applicant must provide all required information in its application, including the requirements found in any attachments. Applicants must submit the full application package in compliance with the method indicated in this cover letter and in Section A of this RFA.
For the purposes of this RFA, the term "Grant" is synonymous with "Cooperative Agreement"; "Grantee" is synonymous with "Recipient"; and "Grant Officer" is synonymous with "Agreement Officer".
Any questions concerning this RFA should be submitted in writing to Patricia Kabra, via email to kabrapk@state.gov with cc to saaieds@state.gov . If you decide to submit an application, it must be received by the closing date and time indicated at the top of this cover letter.
Faxed proposals will not be accepted. Applicants should submit their applications by e-mail attachment formatted in Microsoft Word (up to 2MB limit per email. PDF files are acceptable. Important: please refer to Section A.1.g of the RFA for detailed instructions regarding submission of applications via email. Applications and modifications thereof shall be submitted with the name and address via email to kabrapk@state.gov and saaieds@state.gov
Applicants shall confirm that their electronic submissions (via email) were successfully received by the required due date.
Awards will be made to that responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) best meets the requirements of this RFA and the selection criteria contained herein.
Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of US Embassy Tunis, nor does it commit the Embassy to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, US Embassy Tunis reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. In addition, final award of any resultant cooperative agreement(s) cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal procedures. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense.
Applicants should retain for their records one copy of all enclosures which accompany their application.
Thank you for your interest in US Embassy Tunis activities.