Call for Proposal for Cambodian Migrant Empowerment Activities

Winrock International

USAID Thailand Counter Trafficking in Persons

Request for Applications

Title: Support USAID Thailand CTIP in Cambodian Migrant Empowerment Activities

RFA Number: USAID Thailand CTIP-RFA-08

Reference: Cooperative Agreement Number AID-486-LA-17-00001

RFA Issuance Date: July 24, 2024

Information session: August 16, 2024, over Microsoft Team (if applicable)

Closing Date and Time: August 30, 2024, 17:00 Bangkok, Thailand time

1. INTRODUCTION

In September 2017, Winrock International began implementing the USAID Thailand Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) project. In September 2022 the period of performance was extended by five years to September 2027. The aim of the project is to reduce trafficking in persons (TIP) and better protect the rights of trafficked persons in Thailand. Subject to availability of funds, the USAID Thailand CTIP project is seeking grant applications from qualified organizations registered in Thailand with experience working with Cambodian migrant worker communities near the Cambodian border. This grant will be awarded and implemented in accordance with USAID regulations and Winrock International’s internal grant management policies.

Questions related to the submission of this request for applications (RFA) must be submitted by email to [email protected] before 17:00 on August 13, 2024. Use USAID Thailand CTIP-RFA-08 as the subject of the email. These questions will be answered during the pre-application conference on August 16, 2024, and/ or in writing.

The USAID CTIP Project Staff and Winrock International employees will not ask for, and applicants are prohibited from offering, any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value, or compensation to obtain or reward improper favorable treatment regarding this solicitation. Any improper request from a Winrock or project employee should be reported to authorized Winrock International representatives, or to www.winrock.ethicspoint.com.

The following Annexes are included with this request for applications:

• Annex A – Grant Application Form

• Annex B – Grant Application Budget Template

1. RFA PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Background

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from prospective grantees to support Winrock International (Winrock) in the implementation of the ​USAID Thailand Counter-Trafficking in Persons Project​, funded by ​USAID​ Award No. ​AID-486-LA-17-00001​.

​​As a source, transit, and destination country, Thailand faces multiple manifestations of TIP, including forced labor and sex trafficking due to the growth and demand for low-skilled labor in sectors such as agriculture and fishing, tourism and hospitality, construction, and food​ processing. New challenges have emerged in the last few years. Channels for legal migration decreased as a result of pandemic-related border closures, which led to more undocumented migration and increased potential for TIP. Restricted movement made it more difficult for the Royal Thai Government (RTG) to manage migration, identify trafficking victims, support survivors, and prosecute perpetrators. Economic stressors and unemployment led to deteriorating working conditions and poor wages, particularly for women working in agriculture and domestic sectors. While the number of TIP prosecutions decreased, online recruitment increased both for TIP for sexual exploitation and exploitive work. Thailand has also experienced an increase in the number of refugees and irregular migrants from Burma stemming from the February 2021 coup d’etat, who are desperate for work, making them vulnerable to TIP. Finally, during the pandemic, a new trend emerged of Thais being trafficked to neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, due to increasing economic hardship in Thailand. This exposed deficiencies in cross-border CTIP systems as they are primarily geared towards those trafficked to Thailand.

OBJECTIVE AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

USAID Thailand CTIP has two objectives, to reduce trafficking in persons in Thailand and better protect the rights of trafficked persons. The project’s specific aims include:

• Demands and incentives for trafficked Labor are reduced.
• At-risk populations are empowered to safeguard their rights.
• Protection systems for survivors of trafficking are strengthened.

The project employs a 5C strategy: engagement, change agents, communication, collaboration, and continuity. It empowers at-risk populations through story sharing and networking, offers access to a safe space for dialogue and helps mainstream the voices of at-risk populations in policy discussions. In addition to the 5Cs, the project incorporates critical crosscutting factors into all activities. These include a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) approach that mainstreams gender and social inclusion in all components and the use of innovative solutions such as E-learning platform. USAID Thailand CTIP prioritizes areas with increased risk of human trafficking, including known trafficking routes and locations. Currently, USAID Thailand CTIP is targeting five different provinces in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Sa Kaeo, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phuket.

Scope of Work

The Applicant shall work to improve Cambodian migrants’ access to legal support while also increasing awareness and understanding of their rights. Eligible Applicants shall work on the following activities near the Cambodian border, including but not limited to the provinces of Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, and Sa Kaeo:

1. Facilitate access to legal services and justice for Cambodian migrants living in Thailand.

2. Conduct awareness raising activities on migrant workers’ rights and potential forms of exploitation targeting Cambodian migrant communities.

3. Support network building and worker organizing among Cambodian migrant worker communities to better facilitate outreach, information sharing and access to services and improve their inclusion and engagement.

4. Provide capacity building, mentorship and technical support to community leaders, so that Cambodian migrant communities achieve more agency and self-determination in the conditions that determine their lives.

Selected applicant(s) will, as needed, receive tailored capacity strengthening in technical, communication and management areas following an assessment.

Applications should clearly outline the following:

• Details of how activities within the proposed program will be implemented

• Expected outcome of the activities in relation to CTIP in Thailand

• Detailed activity schedule for the proposed program (timeframe ending June 30, 2026)

• Detailed budget and justification for the different activities in the proposed program

• Reporting, monitoring and evaluation plans

• Qualification and experience of proposed activity, with named team lead(s)

• Information on external collaborators (if applicable)

Authority

USAID Thailand CTIP grant awards are made under the authority of the U.S. Foreign Affairs Act and USAID’s Standard Provisions for Non-U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as Winrock International’s grants management policies and procedures.

USAID has the right to supersede any decision, act, or omission by Winrock with respect to any grant. USAID retains the right at all times to (1) dictate a different decision with respect to the award or administration of any grant; (2) rectify an omission by Winrock with respect to the award or administration of any grant; 3) take over the administration of any grant awarded hereunder; and/or (4) terminate, in whole or in part, Winrock’s grant-making authorities.

1. BASIC AWARD INFORMATION

Expected Amount of the Grant

Winrock expects to award 1 (one) grant under this RFA but reserves the right to award fewer or none based on the quality of applications received and availability of funding.

It is expected that an individual grant amount will not exceed ​USD 50,000 (Fifty Thousand US Dollars)​ equivalents to ​THB 1,800,000 (One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Thai Baht)​. The final amount awarded will depend on award activities and final negotiations.

Grant Applications will be accepted through August 30, 2024, at 17:00 hrs. Bangkok Time.

Expected Start and Duration of the Grant

The anticipated period of performance is ​November 01, 2024, to June 30, 2026​, depending on the negotiated award activities.

Type of Grant Awards

The USAID Thailand CTIP project will determine the appropriate grant mechanism to award, in consultation with the applicant, based on the pre-award assessment of the applicant, nature of the grant activity, and estimated cost. If possible, a cost- reimbursement grant will be issued.

1. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants should be organizations registered in Thailand and working with Khmer migrant workers communities specifically in the provinces bordering Cambodia including but not limited to Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat and Sa Kaeo.

This solicitation is open to all organizations including non-profit and for-profit non-US organizations. To be minimally eligible for funding, applicants must comply with the following conditions:

• Registered as a legal entity in Thailand and have appropriate clearance and/or

authorization from relevant national governments to conduct activities in proposed locations.

Agree to be subject to a pre-award assessment to examine that the applicant has sound management in the form of financial, administrative, and technical policies and procedures.

• Be able to demonstrate successful past performance in implementation of integrated development programs related to ​labor rights research and advocacy, migrant workers’ rights and community outreach, labor trafficking,​ and counter trafficking in person.

• Provide a Unique Entity ID (UEI) at the time of award. If the applicant already has a UEI number, it should be included in their application. Otherwise, applicants will be expected to get a UEI number before an award is issued. UEI numbers can be obtained online at https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei.* *

Any organization or individual whose name appears on any of the following lists is ineligible for an award:

• List of Parties Excluded from federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs

• Office of Foreign Assets Control Specially Designated Nationals List

• UN Security Council Terrorist List

PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE

A virtual pre-application conference will be held in both English and Thai on August 16, 2024. To register for this conference and receive instructions to join the call, please send an email to [email protected] All applicants are encouraged to attend this session and ask any inquiries related to the RFA.

Limits on the Number of Applications an Applicant Can Submit

An applicant can submit only one application under this RFA.

Here is the link to the RFA:

https://winrock.org/contracts/rfa-support-usaid-thailand-ctip-in-cambodian-migrant-empowerment-activities/

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.

Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization