Enhancing Prison Population Management Through Expanded Probation in Tunisia

This contract aims to enhance prison population management in Tunisia by expanding probation and community service programs to divert low-risk, first-time offenders away from incarceration, thereby allowing Tunisian authorities to concentrate limited resources on high-threat criminals. Building on prior U.S. International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) support and the commitment of the Tunisian Ministry of Justice, the project will establish probation offices in the four remaining governorates without such infrastructure, standardize probation services nationwide, and implement technology-driven procedures to streamline operations. The initiative includes training for criminal justice actors and community stakeholders, public awareness campaigns to build support for alternative sentencing, and the development of consistent protocols across all 24 governorates. The project will be implemented over a 24-month period from October 2026 to October 2028, with performance measured through quarterly reports submitted via the DevResults platform and key deliverables such as the Change Map and Performance Indicator Reference Sheet. Funding for this initiative is estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million, with proposals evaluated primarily on project design, implementation feasibility, risk mitigation, and sustainability planning, accounting for 50 points out of a 100-point technical score. While cost may serve as a tiebreaker, the award will be based on a trade-off process favoring technical merit. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier and be registered in SAM.gov, and foreign organizations are eligible without requiring a U.S. EIN. Mandatory requirements include adherence to U.S. Department of State branding standards, compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, and implementation of Trafficking in Persons and Leahy Law vetting protocols where applicable. Subrecipients must also be UEI-registered, and for-profit entities cannot charge profit on this award. All proposals must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by August 25, 2026, and include standardized forms, detailed budgets, biographical information on key personnel, risk assessments, and letters of support. Recipients are subject to termination for convenience if the project no longer aligns with U.S. national interest, and ongoing compliance with human rights, anti-discrimination, and human flourishing policies is enforced.