Disrupting TCOs through Evidence Reform

The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, is offering funding under the program titled Disrupting TCOs through Evidence Reform. This opportunity is part of the Central America Regional Security Initiative within the Criminal Deterrence Program and is designed to strengthen criminal justice systems in Honduras. The Bureau’s mission centers on reducing international crime, drug trafficking, and instability abroad, and this funding opportunity aligns with broader U.S. priorities to enhance regional security, improve prosecution outcomes, and reduce the influence of transnational criminal organizations. The primary purpose of this grant is to support the development and implementation of a secure and standardized evidence management system for the Honduran Office of the Attorney General and the Honduran National Police. Current deficiencies in evidence handling such as weak chain of custody procedures, inadequate storage, and inconsistent documentation have created vulnerabilities that allow criminal organizations to evade prosecution. This project seeks to address those systemic gaps by modernizing procedures, introducing digital tools, and strengthening institutional capacity to ensure evidence integrity and accountability. Funding will support a wide range of activities across four major areas: assessment and planning, education and training, information technology deployment, and organizational development. Allowable uses of funds include conducting institutional assessments, developing legal and regulatory frameworks, training personnel, deploying digital inventory systems, and establishing standardized operating procedures. The project must also include sustainability measures such as institutional budget integration, coordination mechanisms, and long term operational planning. Construction costs are not allowed, and all expenses must comply with federal cost principles and guidelines. Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. and foreign based nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and for profit entities. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. Public international organizations are not eligible. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required, and applicants must demonstrate the ability to track and document any proposed cost share contributions. Only one proposal per organization is permitted, though consortium applications are allowed with a designated lead applicant. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and include a comprehensive proposal package. Required components include standard federal forms, a detailed proposal narrative, a performance monitoring plan, a risk analysis, a project timeline, organizational information, and detailed budget documentation. The proposal narrative must outline the problem context, theory of change, implementation plan, prior experience, and sustainability strategy. Evaluation criteria focus on project design, monitoring and risk management, organizational capacity, and cost effectiveness. The application deadline is August 31, 2026, with a separate deadline for submitting questions by July 31, 2026. The anticipated award start date is October 2026, with an initial performance period of 24 months. The program expects to make one award, subject to funding availability. Successful applicants will be notified several months after submission, and reporting requirements include quarterly performance updates through the DevResults system. Contacts for the program include designated grants officials within the Bureau who can be reached via email for inquiries.

Ensure strong evidence based theory of change; align implementation plan with objectives; provide detailed monitoring indicators and realistic risk mitigation strategies