Disrupting TCOs through Evidence Reform

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, or INL, is accepting applications for Disrupting TCOs through Evidence Reform under the Central America Regional Security Initiative Criminal Deterrence Program. INL works to keep Americans safe by countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad through foreign assistance programs, diplomatic engagement, and policy coordination. This federal cooperative agreement will support work in Honduras to strengthen the Honduran Office of the Attorney General and Honduran National Police capacity to securely, transparently, and consistently manage seized evidence. The project addresses weaknesses in chain of custody procedures, evidence storage, documentation, tracking, and lawful disposition that transnational criminal organizations can exploit to undermine investigations and prosecutions. The project goal is to strengthen Honduras ability to manage seized evidence in a secure, transparent, and standardized manner, reducing vulnerabilities that transnational criminal organizations exploit to evade prosecution and sustain illicit markets. Objectives include conducting institutional assessments and stakeholder engagement, developing or improving legal and procedural frameworks for evidence management, implementing standardized procedures for intake through lawful disposition, and deploying digital inventory and evidence management tools at priority pilot sites. Activities are organized around assessment and planning, education and training, information technology, and organizational development and sustainability. Expected products include assessment reports, institutional mapping, inventories, legal or regulatory frameworks, training curricula, standard operating procedures, technical manuals, digital inventory systems, custody tracking procedures, coordination agreements, evaluation reports, and a sustainability roadmap. A total of 2000000 U.S. dollars is available, with one award anticipated. Applications must request at least 1800000 and may request up to 2000000. The initial period of performance is 24 months, with an anticipated project start in October 2026. INL may extend the implementation period depending on priorities, recipient performance, Department of State approvals, and funding availability, but INL projects may not exceed five total years of implementation. Cost sharing is recommended but is not required. Any voluntary cost share proposed must be properly tracked and included in the SF-424A, detailed budget, and budget narrative. Funding restrictions include prohibitions concerning support to UNRWA, specified activities encouraging mass migration caravans toward the United States southwest border, and assistance to security force units or individuals prohibited under applicable Leahy Amendment requirements. Other applicable federal award requirements and certifications also apply. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 USC 115, foreign-based nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, foreign-based educational institutions, U.S.-based for-profit organizations, and foreign-based for-profit organizations. Public International Organizations are excluded. Organizations may form a consortium, but one organization must serve as the lead applicant and other organizations must be identified as subrecipient partners. Each organization may submit only one proposal; if an organization submits more than one, all proposals from that organization will be considered ineligible. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier and an active SAM.gov registration, subject to applicable exemptions, and must register with Grants.gov to submit an application. Applications and supporting documents must be submitted through Grants.gov. Required materials include the signed SF-424, SF-424A, a proposal narrative of no more than 20 pages, a Change Map, an Illustrative Performance Indicator Reference Sheet, a Project Risk Analysis, project timeline, biographical information on the applicant organization of no more than four pages, a key personnel list of no more than three pages, applicable partner information of no more than three pages, summary and detailed budgets, a budget narrative, applicable indirect cost documentation, history of U.S. Government federal assistance awards or comparable projects, the FY2026 INL Applicant Pre-Award Risk Survey and its required supporting documentation, and the required organizational audit or an explanation of why an audit is not required. Letters of support and the SF-424B are optional under the circumstances specified in the notice. Application documents must be in English, budgets must use U.S. dollars, pages must be numbered, and Microsoft Word documents must meet the specified formatting requirements. Applications are evaluated on a 100-point scale. Project Analysis and Design is worth 50 points and considers problem analysis, evidence-based approaches and theory of change, feasibility and alignment of the implementation plan, implementation risks and mitigation, and sustainability. Program Monitoring and Risk is worth 25 points and evaluates the Change Map, Illustrative Performance Indicator Reference Sheet, and risk assessment. Institution Record and Capacity is worth 10 points and evaluates relevant organizational experience, staff and institutional resources, roles and responsibilities, experience managing comparable projects, and policies concerning Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Do No Harm. Cost Effectiveness is worth 15 points and considers activity, personnel, and administrative costs. Where technical applications are essentially equal, cost may determine selection, and equivalent scores may be resolved in favor of the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate. INL first reviews applications for technical eligibility before eligible submissions proceed to committee review, management review, and Grants Officer approval. The NOFO was issued July 1, 2026. Questions were due by July 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST by email, and applications are due August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST through Grants.gov. The anticipated program start date is October 2026, and unsuccessful applicants are expected to be notified by November 2026 by email. Quarterly performance reporting through INL DevResults is required, and recipients must complete specified enrollment forms and templates after award. The listed INL points of contact are Tia Allen at allenls2@state.gov and Mariela Maldonado at Maldonadoml@state.gov. No recurring application cycle is stated in the NOFO.

Prioritize the 50-point Project Analysis and Design section with an insightful problem analysis, evidence-based theory of change, feasible implementation plan, realistic risk mitigation, and sustainability plan. Build concrete quantitative outcome indicators and a thorough data collection plan because Program Monitoring and Risk is worth 25 points. Clearly demonstrate relevant Honduras or regional experience, qualified personnel, defined partner roles, experience managing comparable awards, and appropriate PSEA and Do No Harm policies. Tie activity costs directly to objectives, justify personnel costs, and keep administrative costs necessary and proportionate. Ensure every required document is included because incomplete applications are deemed technically ineligible.