Simpler Grants.gov #DFOP0019659

Cooperative Agreement for Responsible Investment and Workforce Development in Critical Industries

This opportunity from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (U.S. Department of State) seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to promote responsible investment and rights-respecting production models in critical industries. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor - Program Focus: - Countering unfair competition from production models using forced labor or violating labor rights - Promoting workforce upskilling and resilient, rights-respecting supply chains - Activities Requested: - Research and stakeholder engagement to identify workforce barriers and best practices - Technical assistance, training, workshops, and monitoring & evaluation - Subawards to qualified partners for targeted workforce development interventions - Products/Services Requested: - Equipment purchases (unit costs $10,100–$30,000) - Supplies (laptops, cell phones, unit costs below $10,000) - Contractor and subrecipient services (audits, IT, evaluations, workforce development) - Unique Requirements: - Evidence-based, phased approach with annual work plans and monitoring - Substantial Department of State involvement - No cost sharing or matching required - Eligible applicants: not-for-profit, educational, for-profit (with restrictions), individuals, and public international organizations - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named; focus is on workforce development and supply chain resilience - Estimated contract value: $2,959,500 for one award - Performance period: up to 36 months

Description

This program aims to assist responsible businesses in countering unfair competition from production models that rely on forced labor, worker exploitation, and other violations of internationally recognized labor rights. It promotes worker upskilling by collaborating with leading foreign companies in critical industries to develop and strengthen private-sector workforce development practices and programs that support resilient, rights-respecting supply chains. The program involves a phased, evidence-based approach including research, stakeholder engagement, and providing subawards to qualified partners to implement targeted interventions. The goal is to reduce workforce-related barriers to responsible foreign investment, expand opportunities for American workers, and advance investment and production models grounded in innovation, productivity, workforce skills, and respect for labor rights.

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