Election Violence Reporters (Ekiti & Osun) at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

IFES is an independent, non-governmental organization providing professional support to electoral democracy. IFES supports citizens’ rights to participate in free and fair elections. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Nigeria Election Violence Report (NEVR) Project (RFA-18-020)

Locations: Ekiti & Osun, Nigeria

Background
As the global leader in democracy promotion, we advance good governance and democratic rights by:

• Providing technical assistance to election officials
• Empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process
• Applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle

Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries–from developing democracies, to mature democracies.

Purpose

• IFES is currently engaged in implementing the Support for Electoral Reforms Project in Nigeria, funded by USAID. The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to carry out its Nigeria Election Violence Report (NEVR) project during the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections in Nigeria. The RFA provides prospective organizations with the relevant operational and performance requirements.

Scope of Work
As part of its program activities in the lead up to the July 14 and September 22, 2018, Gubernatorial Elections in Ekiti and Osun States, respectively, IFES hopes to provide a sub-grant to a local Civil Society Organization (CSO) to carry out a project to monitor electoral violence and promote peaceful elections. The successful CSO will identify, train and deploy monitors across all the Local Government Areas of Ekiti and Osun states to monitor, analyze and respond to incidents of electoral violence. Findings will be reported on the existing NEVR website maintained by IFES. Advocacy for peaceful elections is also an important part of this project.

IFES has partnered with local CSOs since 2006 to carry out its Nigeria Election Violence Report (NEVR) project - through which the capacity of CSOs is built to monitor, analyze and advocate against issues of electoral violence during election periods (pre, during and post-election). In a continuation of this project for the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections, IFES may issue a sub-grant and provide training to a local CSO to identify, train and deploy monitors across all the Local Government Areas of Ekiti and Osun States to monitor, analyze and respond to incidents of electoral violence. It is anticipated that this will build upon the NEVR experience in 2015 (general elections) and 2016 (Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections), increasing awareness of and accountability for election violence through conflict monitoring, public education and advocacy.

The NEVR project is guided by the following objectives:

• To increase public knowledge and awareness of the dangers of electoral violence pre, during and post elections IFES Nigeria; RFA-18-020
• To increase the participation and involvement of election stakeholders in the mitigation and prevention of electoral violence
• To increase the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the electorate to monitor and prevent electoral violence

Using IFES’ tailored Election Violence Education and Resolution (EVER) approach, which combines assessment, research, on-the-ground monitoring and reporting as well as stakeholder participation and dialogue, the prospective CSO would carry out the following tasks:

• Work with local CSOs and election stakeholders (including the electoral management body [INEC] and community and faith-based organizations) in each state, assess election impact, observe and document incidents, report and share electoral violence-related information.
• Provide an assessment of the election violence landscape in Ekiti and Osun states. Identify election violence hotspots at the outset, focusing on areas that experienced high levels of violence during previous elections and other areas identified by stakeholders as likely hotspots.
• Build relationships, dialogue and conduct evidence- and knowledge-based advocacy to key stakeholders and government institutions before, during and after the election that can be used to share information to key decisionmakers for violence-free elections across the State.
• Identify, train and deploy NEVR monitors in each LGA across the two States (Ekiti and Osun).
• Work with IFES to document incidents of violence on the NEVR website through SMS transmission (website to be maintained by IFES).
• Review and update electoral violence monitoring forms including the incident reporting form, log book, training manuals and procedures. In addition, develop weekly reports for IFES and publish a Final NEVR Project Report for each of the two states detailing findings, trends, lessons learned, and recommendations. These reports are expected to be submitted to IFES within the timeframes stipulated in the sub-award.

General Information
RFA Schedule:
IFES will conduct a competitive process to identify grantees per the timeline below:

• Issuance of RFP - February 12, 2018
• Questions Due - February 16, 2018 by 5pm local Abuja time
• Response from IFES - February 20, 2018
• RFA Closes - All Applications Due - March 2, 2018 by 5pm local Abuja time
• Implementation Period - April 1, 2018 - October 31, 2018

Application Preparation Instructions
Applicant’s Understanding of the RFA:

• In responding to this RFA, the applicant accepts full responsibility to understand the RFA in its entirety, and in detail, including making any inquiries to IFES as necessary to gain such understanding. IFES reserves the right to disqualify any applicant who demonstrates less than such understanding. Further, IFES reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, whether the applicant has demonstrated such understanding. Such disqualification and/or cancellation shall be at no fault, cost, or liability whatsoever to IFES.

Good Faith Statement:

• All information provided by IFES in this RFA is offered in good faith. Individual items are subject to change at any time. IFES makes no certification that any item is without error. IFES is not responsible or liable for any use of the information or for any claims asserted there from.

Communication:

• Verbal communication shall not be effective unless formally confirmed in writing by "Elisa Velasco". In no case shall verbal communication govern over written communication.
  • Applicant Inquiries:
    • Inquiries, questions, and requests for clarification related to this RFA should be submitted in writing, no later than September 22nd, 2018, and be submitted only to "Elisa Velasco - Sr. Contracts and Grants Administrator" via: [email protected]
    • Please reference “RFA-18-020 Nigeria Election Violence Report (NEVR) Project” in all communications via email.

Application Closing Date
2nd March, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates send their Applications which should include the following in order for it to be considered:
Technical Narrative:

• The Technical Narrative must include a written proposal in English to include an Executive Summary of no more than one (1) page; Problem Statement; description of Project Activities to be undertaken, to include methodology/approach and proposed implementation schedule; description of Organizational Capacity to implement the proposed activities, including a management plan; statement on Financial Capacity describing the CSO’s internal financial and procurement controls/systems. Up to 10 pages total, submitted in PDF format.
• The evaluation criteria can be found below. The Technical Narrative should be responsive to each element of the evaluation criteria.
• A template for the Technical Narrative can be found in Attachment A.

Cost Application - Budget & Budget Narrative:

• The Budget should reflect costs associated with the technical activities and deliverables. All applicants must use the budget template provided in Attachment B and submit it in Excel format as part of their application. The Budget should be presented in local currency Naira (NGN). Unit costs are required and, in the case of discrepancies between unit costs and total costs, the unit cost will be taken as the reference basis in the evaluation.
• If the applicant has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, the applicant may elect to charge a de minimis indirect rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as per 2 CFR 200.414(f). If the prospective applicant chooses to charge the de minimis rate, the applicant must follow the requirements in 2 CFR 200.414(f).
• The applicant must agree to keep these costs valid for a minimum of 90 calendar days.
• The Cost Application should include a Budget Narrative that describes each cost element of the Budget. The Budget Narrative may be submitted in Excel, Word, or PDF format.
• Funds of up to 15 million Naira are available for this project. Budgets exceeding this amount will not be considered.

Project Monitoring & Evaluation Plan:

• The Project Monitoring & Evaluation Plan will track and assess the results of the interventions for the life of the project. Applicants should identify a project goal, specific objective(s), expected outputs and results, and indicators to track these results. The method of collecting data should also be explained in the Plan.
• The Project Monitoring & Evaluation Plan may be submitted in Excel, Word, or PDF format.

Timeline:

• Applicants must submit a detailed timeline in their proposal showing the time required to implement the services requested. The project is expected to begin April 1, 2018, and conclude by October 31, 2018. Monitoring and reporting should occur April 1 – July 31, 2018 for Ekiti State and July 1 – October 31, 2018 for Osun State.

A brief outline of the applicant’s organization and experience, including:

• Full legal name and address of the organization;
• Full legal name of organization’s Director and / or Chief Executive Officer;
• Applicant’s background, its relationship and work experience with the government if any, and other stakeholders;
• Evidence of successful completion of a project of a similar nature and complexity, and if applicable, an overview of projects supported by other international organizations;
• Evidence that the organization has available personnel required for the program;
• References: If applicable, contact information for three references from donor funded projects similar in scope and a brief description of their implementation (including location and year).

All Applicants must send final Applications in electronic copy via e-mail, on or prior to the RFA closing date and time identified above to "Elisa Velasco" via: [email protected]

Criteria for Selection

• The evaluation of each response to this RFA will be based on its demonstrated competence, compliance, format, and organization. The purpose of this RFA is to identify those organizations that have the interest, capability, and financial strength to implement the project as described in Article 2 of this RFA.

Evaluation Criteria & Grading:
Criteria

• Technical Narrative (completeness, feasibility) - 25%
• Project Monitoring Methodology and Plan - 25%
• Cost Proposal - 25%
• Past Performance and Organizational Capacity - 25%

Evaluation Criteria Grading:

• Highly Exceeds Expectations - 5 Points
• Slightly Exceeds Expectations - 4 Points
• Meets Expectations - 3 Points
• Meets most but not All Expectations - 2 Points
• Does Not Meet Expectations - 1 Point

Selection and Notification:

• Applicants determined by IFES that possess the capacity to compete for this project will be selected to move into the negotiation phase of this process. Written notification will be sent to these applicants via e-mail. Those applicants not selected for the negotiation phase will also be notified.

Additional Terms & Conditions
Specific Requirements:

• Applications are limited to registered, local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and Faith-Based Organizations or other similar not-for-profit institutions in Nigeria.
• Locally registered implementing chapters of international or regional (network) organisations are eligible if they meet the following minimum criteria:
• Individuals and the following organisations are not eligible to access funding:
  • Governmental and semi-governmental institutions
  • International organizations
  • Political parties
  • Organizations running on a for-profit basis

Pre-Award and Subrecipient Monitoring:

• As part of its due diligence, IFES conducts pre-award surveys on all potential grantees to assess capacity and inform the appropriate grant mechanism. In addition, applicants expected to expend $750,000 or more in U.S. government funded awards during their fiscal year must have an audit conducted in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements. If Applicable, applicants must ensure that funds are included in the grant budget for an audit.
• IFES will issue the appropriate grant mechanism depending on the nature of the work, the capacity of the grantee, the duration of the grant, and the overall value of the grant.
• IFES will provide continuous mentorship, training and oversight to ensure grant management practices are in line with anti-corruption principles as well as to build capacity of local grantees to fully manage and implement their programs in adherence to donor regulations and with a view towards sustainability.
• In accordance with US Government regulations, subrecipients will be required to obtain a DUNS number for awards over $25,000 USD. IFES shall provide instructions prior to award on how to obtain a number.

Non-Disclosure Agreement:

• IFES reserves the right to require any applicant to enter into a non-disclosure agreement.

Intellectual Property:

• Applicants should not use any intellectual property of IFES including, but not limited to, all logos, registered trademarks, or trade names of IFES, at any time, without the prior written approval of IFES, as appropriate.

Applications:

• All accepted applications shall become the property of IFES and will not be returned.

Governing Law

• This RFA and the applicants’ applications shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, USA.

Partial Awarding

• IFES reserves the right to accept all or part of the application when awarding the grant.

No Liability:

• Issuance of this RFA does not constitute a commitment on the part of IFES to make an award nor does it commit IFES to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of any application in response to this RFA. Further, IFES reserves the right to reject any or all applications received or stop solicitation process at any time, without assigning any reason or liability.
• IFES shall not be liable to any applicant, person, or entity for any losses, expenses, costs, claims, or damages of any kind:
  • Arising out of, by reason of, or attributable to, the applicant responding to this RFA; or
  • As a result of the use of any information, error, or omission contained in this RFA document or provided during the RFA process.

Coverage & Participation:

• Issuance of this RFA does not constitute a commitment on the part of IFES to make an award nor does it commit IFES to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of any application in response to this RFA. Further, IFES reserves the right to reject any or all applications received.

Zero Tolerance for Fraud:

• IFES has zero tolerance for fraud. Fraud is any act or omission that intentionally misleads, or attempts to mislead, to obtain a benefit or to avoid an obligation. If you have concerns about potential fraud in any way related to IFES projects, contracts, or activities, please contact IFES’ Compliance Hotline at [email protected] or at +1 202-350-6791.

Entire RFA:

• This RFA, any addenda to it, and any attached schedules, constitute the entire RFA.

Attachments:

• Attachment A: Technical Narrative Template
• Attachment B: Budget Template

Click Here For Additional Information and all Attachments Required (PDF)