Job Title: NICRA (Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement)
Consultant Organization: Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA)
Program Name: US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)
Location: [Remote]
Type of Contract: Short-term Consultancy
Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) is seeking a highly qualified NICRA (Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement) Consultant to provide short-term, expert support for the development, negotiation, and implementation of an indirect cost rate in compliance with U.S. federal regulations. The consultant will assist IRUSA in recovering appropriate indirect costs from federal grants or contracts while ensuring adherence to relevant federal guidelines and regulations. IRUSA is currently engaged in the final year of a three-year partnership authorized by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).
This consultancy is for a fixed period, with specific deliverables and a defined timeline. The consultant will work closely with IRUSA’s finance team to achieve the below objectives. Interested consultants should submit a proposal outlining their approach, timeline, and methodology for each deliverable.
B. Scope of Work & Deliverables:
The NICRA Consultant will be responsible for the following key deliverables, with a proposed timeline for completion. The consultant is expected to submit a detailed proposal including their approach, work plan, and timeline for each of these deliverables.
1. Indirect Cost Rate Calculation
● Deliverable: Develop a cost allocation plan that categorizes costs as direct or indirect and calculates the appropriate indirect cost rate in compliance with federal guidelines.
● Timeline: March 2025
● Consultant’s Responsibility: Work with the IRUSA finance team to identify and classify costs, and provide a detailed cost allocation plan.
2. NICRA Proposal Preparation
● Deliverable: Prepare the NICRA proposal, including all necessary financial documentation, cost breakdowns, historical data, and a detailed explanation of the methodology used to calculate the indirect cost rate.
● Timeline: March 2025
● Consultant’s Responsibility: Compile financial statements, and justification documents, and ensure the proposal meets all compliance standards (e.g., Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200, 600).
3. Negotiation with Federal Agencies
● Deliverable: Assist in negotiating the indirect cost rate with the appropriate federal agency, providing support to clarify any questions and defend the proposed rate.
● Timeline: April 2025
● Consultant’s Responsibility: Act as an intermediary between IRUSA and the federal agency, ensuring the negotiated rate is maximized to recover allowable indirect costs.
4. NICRA Implementation and Monitoring
● Deliverable: Provide guidance on implementing the approved indirect cost rate across federal awards and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
● Timeline: End of April 2025
● Consultant’s Responsibility: Develop a clear implementation plan and assist in monitoring the application of the rate during the grant lifecycle, including any necessary adjustments.
5. Training, Capacity Building, and NICRA Renewal/Amendments
● Deliverable: Provide training for IRUSA’s finance team on managing indirect costs, applying the NICRA, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and assisting with the renewal or amendment of the NICRA agreement based on updated financial data or organizational changes.
● Timeline: April 2025
● Consultant’s Responsibility: Develop and conduct training sessions for the finance team on indirect cost management and compliance with federal regulations. Additionally, assist with updating the NICRA or making amendments if necessary, based on the organization’s changes or updated financial data. Support the improvement of internal policies for indirect cost allocation and reporting.
C. Qualifications and Competencies:
Consultants should meet the following qualifications:
● Proven experience in finalizing NICRA rates for organizations, with a track record of successful proposals.
● At least 7 years of experience working with U.S. government-funded contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements.
● Strong understanding of compliance issues related to U.S. government-funded awards, including FAR, AIDAR, and CFR regulations.
● Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly.
● Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA, CGMA) are highly desirable.
● Familiarity with various contract types, including fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, and time-and-material contracts.
D. Proposal Submission:
Interested consultants are invited to submit a proposal including:
1. Approach and Work Plan: A detailed description of your methodology for completing the deliverables outlined above, with a clear timeline for each.
2. Qualifications and Experience: A summary of relevant experience, including specific examples of previous NICRA work, and any relevant certifications or qualifications.
3. Financial Proposal: A breakdown of the consultant’s fees, including the expected number of hours for each deliverable and the total consultancy cost.
4. References: Contact details for at least two professional references who can speak to the consultant’s experience and expertise.
E. Selection Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
● Demonstrated expertise in NICRA preparation and negotiation.
● Relevant experience with U.S. government-funded contracts and compliance regulations.
● A clear and feasible approach to completing the deliverables within the specified timeline.
● Competitive financial proposal.
Proposals Deadline: 12/20/2024
Submit Proposals to Rimaz Eldirdieri & Kiran Mahmood