BJA FY 2026 Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Program

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, announces an open competition under funding opportunity OFOP0003172, Disrupting Transnational Criminal Organizations Through Advanced Forensic Capabilities in Morocco. INL works to protect U.S. interests by countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad through foreign assistance, diplomatic engagement, and policy coordination. This project is intended to strengthen Morocco's ability to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate complex transnational crimes. Morocco is a significant transit point for illicit goods, and the project seeks to improve evidence-based investigations and prosecutions of drug trafficking and other transnational crimes while strengthening regional security cooperation. The project has two integrated components. The first will strengthen forensic science training by working with Morocco's General Directorate of National Security forensic experts and the Higher Institute of Security Sciences in Ifrane, as well as the DGSN Forensic and Scientific Police Laboratory in Casablanca. Activities may include needs assessments, development of modern forensic curricula, five regional training courses, hands-on and case-based learning, and train-the-trainer activities that enable Moroccan instructors to independently deliver and update forensic science courses. The second component will procure, equip, deliver, and operationalize one mobile forensics facility serving Laayoune, Dakhla, and surrounding areas. The implementer will also develop standard operating procedures, train Moroccan personnel in operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, conduct operational testing, and provide technical support. Required deliverables include finalized curricula and training materials, five completed forensic science courses, a trained cadre of Moroccan instructors, the operational mobile facility with inventory and manuals, documented operating procedures, operator training documentation, quarterly reports, a final report, and a sustainability plan. The Department anticipates one grant with total available funding of USD 2,100,000. Awards may range from USD 1,500,000 to USD 2,100,000 for an initial 24-month period of performance. The NOFO states that funding is subject to availability and is supported with International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement funds. Proposed budgets should account for appropriate project costs such as implementer travel and lodging, training materials and forensic supplies, the mobile forensic facility and associated laboratory equipment and information technology, evidence storage and security features, shipping and delivery, translation and interpretation when needed, and consultant subject matter experts. Applicants must not budget costs for U.S. Government employees, including their travel, per diem, or administrative expenses. Costs must be reasonable, allocable, and consistent with established cost policies. Cost sharing is recommended but is not required. Any voluntary cost share proposed must be documented, tracked, and reflected in the SF-424A, budget, and budget narrative. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations, U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) or section 26 USC 115, foreign-based nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations, and foreign-based educational institutions. Applicants must also demonstrate business registration in the Kingdom of Morocco. Public International Organizations are excluded. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier and valid SAM.gov registration, and only one proposal per organization is permitted. Consortium applications are allowed if one organization serves as the lead applicant and other organizations are identified as subrecipient partners. 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 Performance Monitoring Plan including a Change Map and Illustrative Performance Indicator Reference Sheet, a Project Risk Analysis, timeline, organizational biographical information, key personnel information, partner information when applicable, summary and detailed spreadsheet budgets, a Budget Narrative, applicable indirect cost documentation, a history of U.S. Government federal assistance awards or comparable projects, the FY2026 INL Applicant Pre-Award Risk Survey and its requested 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 in the circumstances specified by the NOFO. Applications are evaluated on a 100-point technical evaluation framework. Project Analysis and Design accounts for 55 points and considers problem analysis, evidence-based approaches, implementation feasibility, knowledge of Morocco's forensic infrastructure, coordination with DGSN and the Higher Institute, integration of the training and mobile facility components, risk mitigation, and sustainability. Program Monitoring and Risk accounts for 20 points, Institution's Record and Capacity accounts for 15 points, and Cost Effectiveness accounts for 10 points. Reviewers specifically consider Morocco and regional experience, forensic science and law enforcement training expertise, familiarity with DGSN's accredited forensic system, equipment procurement and operationalization capacity, project management, appropriate staffing and partner roles, and realistic costs. If applications receive equivalent scores, the lower indirect cost rate may be used as a tie breaker. INL first conducts a technical eligibility review, after which eligible applications proceed to committee evaluation and then management and Grants Officer approval. Successful applicants are notified by email, and unsuccessful applicants are expected to be notified by October 2026. The NOFO was issued July 15, 2026. Questions are due by August 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST by email to the listed INL contacts, and applications are due September 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST through Grants.gov. No letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or other pre-application gating stage is stated. The first page gives an estimated project start date of November 2026, while the Federal Award Information section gives an anticipated program start date of October 2026; because the official NOFO contains both dates, this discrepancy should be verified rather than silently resolved. The initial project implementation period is 24 months, although INL may extend it subject to priorities, performance, approvals, and funding availability, with INL projects not to exceed five total years. Recipients must provide participant information sufficiently early for required Leahy vetting and must submit financial and program reports, including quarterly performance reporting through INL's DevResults system and final financial and program narrative reports 120 days after the project end date. The NOFO does not state that this funding opportunity recurs on an annual or other regular schedule. The listed INL points of contact are Najar Starr, Grants Officer, at StarrND@state.gov; Stephanie Sabbath, Program Officer, at SabbathSN@state.gov; and Hanan Souilmi, Program Manager or Grants Officer Representative, at SouilmiH@state.gov. Applicants are encouraged to review the NOFO closely and submit questions to these contacts by the question deadline. Following that deadline, INL states that responses will be made public through a Questions and Answers document in the Related Documents area of the opportunity. Applicants should allow sufficient time for required entity registrations because SAM.gov registration or renewal may take four to eight weeks. Recipients may begin incurring project expenses only on the start date shown in the award document signed by the Grants Officer, and applicants should not assume that expansion or continuation funding will be available beyond the initial award.

Prioritize the 55-point Project Analysis and Design criteria. Demonstrate detailed understanding of Morocco's forensic infrastructure, DGSN's ISO17025-accredited laboratory and preservation room system, and realistic coordination with DGSN and the Higher Institute of Security Sciences. Clearly show how the training and mobile forensic facility components reinforce one another. Present evidence-based approaches, measurable outcome indicators, a strong data collection plan, realistic sustainability measures, and mitigation for security, procurement, customs, and Leahy vetting risks. Demonstrate relevant Morocco or regional experience and forensic science, curriculum development, training, specialized equipment procurement, and operationalization capacity. Ensure mobile facility and training costs are realistic and directly tied to objectives.