Countering Foreign Terrorist Organization Use of Illicit Mining

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism is soliciting proposals to disrupt the involvement of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) in illicit mining operations, with a primary focus on the Western Hemisphere. The initiative requires an integrated strategy engaging civilian law enforcement, mining sector regulators, judicial officials, prosecutors, and civil society actors to identify, dismantle, and prevent the financial and operational networks that connect illicit mining to terrorist financing. Proposals must assess gaps in host nation enforcement capabilities, strengthen investigative and intelligence efforts to increase arrests and convictions, enhance financial tracking and disruption of illicit revenue streams, and promote cross-border coordination and regional legal harmonization. All activities must align with U.S.-approved investigative standards and be implemented through a clear logic model and performance management plan that tracks both outputs and outcomes, using quarterly PITT submissions and defined performance indicators. Applications must demonstrate organizational capacity, past success in similar contexts, and a realistic, well-justified budget not exceeding $349,105, with an anticipated project start date of September 30, 2026, and a maximum performance period of 24 months. All applicants must possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain an active registration in SAM.gov throughout the application and award period, with U.S.-based entities also requiring an IRS Employer Identification Number. Non-U.S. entities not paying employees in the United States are exempt from the EIN requirement but still must obtain a UEI. Proposals must include mandatory forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B (if applicable), a 12-page technical proposal, a detailed budget in Excel format accompanied by a narrative, CVs of key personnel, letters of support from partners, a NICRA if applicable, a risk analysis, and adherence to U.S. Department of State branding guidelines. Recipients must comply with federal requirements including OMB 2 CFR Part 200, 2 CFR Part 600, and other specific clauses such as those related to trafficking in persons, drug-free workplaces, never contracting with the enemy, and the American Security Drone Act, prohibiting use of prohibited unmanned aircraft systems. Financial and programmatic reporting is mandatory via the HHS Payment Management System or SF-270, and all expenditures must be authorized and justified. Awards will be evaluated based on the quality and feasibility of the program idea (30 points), organizational capacity (20 points