Building the Capacity of the CT Court Tribunals Administration and Security

Background
The Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) of the U.S. Department of State is seeking organizations to provide assistance to build the capacity of Philippines counterterrorism courts. The goal is to enable these courts to safely and effectively operate, manage cases, and secure court facilities in order to successfully try and adjudicate terrorism-related cases in a timelier fashion.

Grant Details
The program aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of existing infrastructure, administrative procedures, and current practices in counterterrorism courts in Zamboanga (possibly Sulu), Mindanao. It also seeks to increase the efficacy and efficiency of court administrations, enhance security arrangements and management of the counterterrorism courts and their premises through quick impact projects, and provide a robust methodology for assessing the effects of project activities toward achieving project objectives.

The program will involve various participants and audiences including counterterrorism court judges, prosecutors, administrative staff, judicial sector personnel, terrorism investigators in the law enforcement sector, and the Philippines Anti-money laundering council.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations (PIOs), governmental institutions, think tanks, and civil society/non-governmental organizations. Cost sharing or matching is not a requirement for this grant. Each applicant must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov before submitting an application.

Period of Performance
The length of performance period is 36 months with at least one award anticipated. The proposed program should be completed within 36 months or less with an anticipated program start date on September 30, 2024.

Grant Value
The total amount available for funding is $1,071,534 with full amount available for at least one award.

Place of Performance
The initial counterterrorism court for this pilot project is the 9th Judicial Region Hall of Justice in Zamboanga.