DRL Ensuring Resilient Seafood Supply Chains: Countering Forced Labor and any associated Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

This program, solicited under DFOP0019538 by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor within the U.S. Department of State, aims to combat forced labor and associated illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in seafood supply chains across East Asia and the Pacific—excluding Indonesia and the Philippines—as well as the Western Hemisphere and other strategically significant nations or prospective Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) partners. The initiative seeks to advance U.S. economic, trade, and maritime interests by strengthening supply chain transparency, identifying labor abuses, and fostering systemic reform through targeted engagement. Proposals must demonstrate a clear, feasible plan to achieve measurable outcomes aligned with these objectives, supported by a detailed monitoring and evaluation framework, organizational capacity, and a realistic budget consistent with OMB cost categories under 2 CFR 200. The award will be made through a trade-off process prioritizing technical merit, with indirect cost rate used only as a tiebreaker for otherwise equal applications. The period of performance spans 24 months, from September 30, 2026, to September 30, 2028, with a total estimated funding of $349,005. Performance is expected in designated regions, with no formal FOB requirements due to its grant nature. Applicants must hold a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), be registered in SAM.gov, and comply with federal regulations including trafficking in persons compliance for awards exceeding $500,000 performed overseas, adherence to the Fly America Act for travel, and Buy American preferences. Proposals are limited to 15 pages in narrative format using 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins, and must be submitted via Grants.gov by September 3, 2026. Funding will be administered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System, with award oversight vested in the Department of State’s Grants Officer. Mandatory certifications cover compliance with civil rights laws, prohibitions on lobbying with federal funds, and exclusion of entities tied to UNRWA, while subrecipients must flow down applicable requirements. All materials must be in English, and branding requirements mandate acknowledgment of U.S. government support using the Department of State’s official logo per 10 FAM 416 and 2 CFR Part 200.