The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based NGOs/non-profit organizations or Educational Institutions for a Cooperative Agreement to implement a program entitled “Mexican Attorneys’ General Offices Technical Assistance and Support.”

The purpose of this project is to increase prosecution rates of high impact crime at the state level in Mexico through improved management practices within AGOs. Since there is no international certification, this project must implement a set of better practices. Results should include increased rates of prosecution of high impact crime at the Mexican state level. Other projects have achieved higher rates of prosecution through short-term efforts, though not necessarily through sustained, improved management practices.

Goals: This project will ensure state AGOs have the necessary evaluation systems and procedures in place that align with the institution’s criminal prosecutorial priorities.

Objectives

• Objective 1: Increase the number of AGOs with clear policies and procedures detailing prosecutorial priorities and guidelines for thirteen, previously identified, key prosecutorial decisions
• Objective 2: Increase the number of AGOs with performance management systems for Ministerios Publicos (MPs) and investigators that set performance goals, track case resolutions, provide regular supervision, and identify training needs
• Objective 3: Increase the number of AGOs that utilize an incentive system for employees linked to the findings of their performance management system.

Funding Information

• Award Ceiling: $6,000,000
• Award Floor: $1,000,000
• The period of performance is three (3) years with an anticipated start date of February/March 2021.

Target Population

Stakeholders include all personnel of Mexican state AGOs, Mexican state judiciaries and public defenders’ offices, as well as other criminal justice operators throughout Mexico.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Mexico and meet INL’s reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Mexico, if required by the country of project implementation. AND
• Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Mexico. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
• Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
• Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
• Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
• Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.