Addressing Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Improving Working Conditions in Select Supply Chains in Brazil and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) of the U.S. Department of Labor has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) regarding an upcoming funding opportunity, designated as NOI-ILAB-24-03. This forecasted cooperative agreement intends to support project activities addressing child labor, forced labor, and broader labor violations in Brazil and other Latin American and Caribbean countries. ILAB functions as a federal agency tasked with enforcing labor-related rights internationally, especially where labor abuses are prevalent in global supply chains. The agency frequently partners with international organizations to implement targeted labor reforms, monitor supply chains, and improve labor standards. This specific initiative will be implemented in partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO), leveraging the ILO’s unique qualifications and position to lead on international labor reform. The cooperative agreement seeks to support labor stakeholders, such as Brazil's Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), in the implementation of tripartite “pactos.” These are collaborative agreements among governments, employers, and workers aimed at promoting decent work and addressing systemic labor violations, including child and forced labor, within key industries and supply chains. The funding mechanism for this opportunity is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies significant involvement by the federal agency during the project implementation. While the anticipated total program funding is $15,000,000, the award floor is $5,000,000 and the ceiling is $15,000,000. Only one award is expected to be granted, which aligns with the nature of a direct award to a uniquely qualified organization. The funding is non-competitive; the announcement states clearly that this is not a call for applications but rather a public notification of the Department of Labor’s intention to fund the ILO under specific federal authority that allows sole-source awards. Eligibility for this funding is exclusive. The Department of Labor has determined that only one responsible source—the International Labor Organization—possesses the requisite qualifications and scope to implement the described activities. This aligns with the justification cited under DLMS 2-836 G.3, which states that services are available from only one responsible source and no substitutes will suffice. The forecasted posting date of this notice is July 12, 2024, and while there is no application open or close date provided—because no open solicitation is planned—this document serves to inform the public and stakeholders about the Department's intentions. The grantor contact for this opportunity is Carlie Ortiz, who can be reached at (202) 693-9303 or via email at ortiz.carlie@dol.gov. The expected fiscal year of award is 2024, but without an estimated start date or further submission instructions, prospective applicants are advised that applications are not being accepted at this time. Due to the notice's exclusivity and non-competitive nature, there are no application questions, timelines, evaluation criteria, or pre-application events outlined. The content of this notice primarily serves transparency requirements and stakeholder awareness in accordance with federal grant policy. This opportunity does not recur and is not offered on a rolling basis.