Somalia Operational Mentorship and Sustainment Capacity Building

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs is offering a cooperative agreement under the Somalia Operational Mentorship and Sustainment Capacity Building program, aimed at enhancing the institutional capabilities of the Somali National Army’s Danab Advanced Infantry Brigade (SNA-Danab). The opportunity is designated as funding number DFOP0017536 under Assistance Listing 19.979, with total funding ranging between $7.5 million and $10 million. The program is designed to ensure the SNA-Danab's operational sustainability and effectiveness by providing mentorship in force management, logistical planning, and accountability systems. The grant period spans 12 to 18 months, with a final application deadline of September 3, 2025, and a question submission deadline of August 20, 2025. The funder, the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, serves as the Department of State’s primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Defense and plays a key role in directing international security policy, military operations, and security assistance. This specific funding opportunity reflects the U.S. commitment to transitioning sustainment responsibilities from the U.S. government to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). As the U.S. concludes its direct support for items like fuel and stipends, this program will help the Somali government develop independent planning, budgeting, and logistics operations for the SNA-Danab. The program also supports the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is tasked with protecting strategic locations through 2025. The grant focuses on three main objectives. The first objective is to integrate Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), especially through standardized training with international partners to increase interoperability between the SNA-Danab and other Somali units such as the Turkish-trained “Gorgor.” The second objective is to increase operational capabilities to counter threats like al-Shabaab and other violent extremist organizations by mentoring units in tactical and strategic planning, conducting joint operations, and enhancing medical outreach. The third objective is to build accountability and self-sustainment mechanisms within the SNAF by developing systems for fuel procurement, vehicle maintenance, facility operations, and inventory management. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofit and non-governmental organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), U.S. for-profit entities, public international organizations, and foreign public organizations. There is no requirement for cost-sharing or matching contributions. For-profit applicants should note that profit is not permitted under this federal assistance award. Organizations must not be excluded in SAM.gov and must be compliant with federal regulations regarding tax liability, criminal violations, and adherence to human rights standards. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov or SAMS/MyGrants. Required documents include SF-424 forms, a cover page, a proposal narrative (not to exceed seven pages), a line-item budget and narrative, a monitoring and evaluation plan, timeline, key personnel summaries, security and contingency plans, and any relevant attachments such as letters of support or past programmatic experience in Somalia. Applications must be formatted in 14-point Calibri font, single-spaced, and in U.S. dollars. The Department of State may approve awards without further negotiation based on the initial submission, so applicants are encouraged to submit their strongest proposal upfront. Evaluation criteria for applications include the quality and feasibility of the project idea, organizational capacity, likelihood of achieving stated objectives, cost-effectiveness, and monitoring and evaluation strategy. Applications will be reviewed by a merit panel and may be subject to additional negotiations. Final award decisions will be made by a senior official from the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Questions regarding the NOFO should be directed to Ryan Kildow at KildowR@state.gov no later than 11:59 PM EST on August 20, 2025. Applications are due by 11:59 PM EST on September 3, 2025, and the anticipated period of performance is from September 30, 2025, through September 30, 2026.

Submit strongest proposal in first round; Department may award without negotiations.