Disrupting TCOs through Evidence Reform | OFOP0003184

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled Disrupting TCOs through Evidence Reform.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0003184.

Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

What program area or assistance listing is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 19.703 and focuses on law, justice, and legal services.

What is the overall goal of the project?

The goal is to strengthen Honduras' capacity to manage seized evidence in ways that are secure, transparent, and standardized, so weaknesses in evidence handling cannot be exploited by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).

Why is evidence management a focus for disrupting TCOs?

The core premise is that when evidence is poorly stored, inconsistently documented, or vulnerable to tampering or loss, criminal networks can more easily undermine prosecutions. Weak evidence practices can lead to challenges to chain-of-custody, reduce confidence in evidence integrity, and help illicit markets keep operating. Strengthening evidence control reduces those vulnerabilities.

What type of award will be made under this announcement?

The award will be made as a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically means the U.S. government expects active involvement during implementation, such as collaboration on planning, monitoring, coordination with host-country counterparts, and oversight of major deliverables.

How many awards does INL expect to make?

INL anticipates making a single award under this announcement.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is USD 2,000,000.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2026-07-01.

What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date is 2026-08-31.

Is the application window limited?

Yes. The opportunity information indicates a defined submission window, with the posting created on 2026-07-01 and an original closing date of 2026-08-31.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S.-based and foreign-based applicants. Eligible entities listed include:

• U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• U.S.-based educational institutions that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or 26 U.S.C. 115
• Foreign-based non-profit/NGOs
• Foreign-based educational institutions
• U.S.-based for-profit organizations
• Foreign-based for-profit organizations

Are nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status eligible?

Yes. The source information lists "Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education" as an eligible applicant category.

Are universities or educational institutions eligible?

The opportunity information includes U.S.-based educational institutions that qualify under 501(c)(3) or 26 U.S.C. 115, as well as foreign-based educational institutions. At the same time, the eligible applicants list also includes language that distinguishes nonprofits "other than institutions of higher education," so applicants should verify how INL is applying these categories in the full solicitation for this competition.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The information provided explicitly includes both U.S.-based and foreign-based for-profit organizations as eligible applicants.

Does the opportunity allow foreign-based applicants?

Yes. The eligibility list includes foreign-based non-profits/NGOs, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations.

What country is the project focused on?

The project focus is Honduras, specifically strengthening Honduran capacity for seized evidence management.

What kinds of activities would a competitive proposal likely include?

Based on the description provided, competitive activities would likely center on strengthening evidence management systems and protocols that protect integrity and accountability. Examples mentioned include:

• Developing or improving standard operating procedures for evidence handling
• Strengthening chain-of-custody processes
• Improving secure storage practices
• Establishing consistent documentation standards
• Providing training and capacity building for relevant Honduran institutions
• Implementing mechanisms that increase transparency and reduce opportunities for evidence diversion, contamination, substitution, or disappearance

What problems is this opportunity trying to prevent?

The opportunity targets vulnerabilities such as evidence being tampered with, lost, diverted, contaminated, substituted, or disappearing, as well as weak documentation that makes evidence easier to challenge in court.

What outcomes is INL seeking?

The intended outcome is a more reliable evidence ecosystem that supports prosecutions, reduces case failures tied to evidence issues, and makes it harder for TCOs to exploit procedural weaknesses to avoid legal consequences.

How does the project relate to criminal prosecutions?

The opportunity emphasizes evidence control from the moment evidence is seized through storage, tracking, and use in criminal proceedings, with the goal of reducing challenges to chain-of-custody and strengthening case outcomes.

Does the opportunity specify any particular implementing approach?

The description points to system- and protocol-oriented reforms (standardization, security, transparency, training, documentation, and chain-of-custody). It does not specify a single required approach beyond the overall focus on improving seized evidence management to reduce exploitation by TCOs.

What should applicants pay special attention to regarding eligibility?

Applicants should pay close attention to the full solicitation language because the eligibility categories listed include multiple organization types (including universities and for-profits) alongside language that separately references 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education. The full solicitation is the best place to confirm how INL will apply eligibility categories for this specific competition.