Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0018074
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) is offering a 15-month, results-focused cooperative agreement to strengthen the counterterrorism performance of an advanced tactical law enforcement unit within Kenya's Administrative Police Services (APS) that is responsible for securing the Kenya-Somalia border. The core purpose is to improve the unit's operational readiness and ability to detect, deter, and neutralize terrorist threats operating in or moving through the border region, with a particular emphasis on improving security around Manda Bay Military Base (Camp Simba) in Lamu County. Because the base supports U.S. military assets and personnel, the program is framed as directly contributing to the protection of American servicemembers and broader U.S. interests by reducing the likelihood of cross-border terrorist attacks.
The program is built around three specific capability areas, described as lines of effort. First, it aims to enhance low-light and night-vision proficiency, which typically includes developing tactics, techniques, and procedures for operating safely and effectively in limited visibility, along with the associated enabling equipment. Second, it seeks to build competence in the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR), meaning the supported unit should be able to employ drones to collect actionable information, improve situational awareness, and better monitor terrain and potential infiltration routes. Third, it intends to develop an organic explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capability, enabling the unit to identify, manage, and respond to explosive hazards without relying entirely on external specialized teams, which can be critical when time and access are constrained in remote border environments.
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that the U.S. government expects to have substantial involvement in the project during implementation (for example, coordination on planning, oversight of activities, and alignment with U.S. counterterrorism objectives). The funding opportunity number is DFOP0018074, and the assistance listing/CFDA number is 19.701. The announcement anticipates a single award, with an award ceiling of $5,920,078, signaling that applicants should propose a comprehensive approach that fits within that maximum budget while delivering measurable improvements across the three capability areas over the 15-month period.
Eligibility is broad and effectively unrestricted across multiple organization types. Applicants may include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs/civil society groups), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. CT is explicitly inviting all eligible organizations to apply, with the expectation that the selected implementer will provide both training and necessary equipment to help the targeted APS tactical unit build and sustain these specialized skills in a way that translates into improved border security operations and enhanced protection for Manda Bay.
Key dates and administrative details include an opportunity creation date of 2026-05-15 and an original closing date of 2026-06-10. The funding opportunity title is "Reinforcing Protection of the Kenya Border shared with Somalia," and the administering agency is the Bureau of Counterterrorism within the U.S. Department of State.Apply for DFOP0018074
- The Bureau of Counterterrorism in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Reinforcing Protection of the Kenya Border shared with Somalia" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.701.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-10. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,920,078.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity title is "Reinforcing Protection of the Kenya Border shared with Somalia."
2) Which U.S. government office is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT).
3) What type of award is being offered?
The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement.
4) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates the U.S. government expects to have substantial involvement during implementation, such as coordination on planning, oversight of activities, and alignment with U.S. counterterrorism objectives.
5) Is this discretionary funding?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
6) What is the project period (duration) for this program?
The program is described as a 15-month, results-focused cooperative agreement.
7) What is the primary purpose of the program?
The core purpose is to strengthen the counterterrorism performance of an advanced tactical law enforcement unit within Kenya's Administrative Police Services (APS) that is responsible for securing the Kenya-Somalia border.
8) Which unit is expected to benefit from the program?
The targeted beneficiary is an advanced tactical law enforcement unit within Kenya's Administrative Police Services (APS) responsible for securing the Kenya-Somalia border.
9) What operational outcomes is the program trying to improve?
The program aims to improve the unit's operational readiness and its ability to detect, deter, and neutralize terrorist threats operating in or moving through the border region.
10) Is there a specific geographic focus area?
Yes. The work focuses on the Kenya-Somalia border region, with a particular emphasis on improving security around Manda Bay Military Base (Camp Simba) in Lamu County.
11) Why is Manda Bay Military Base (Camp Simba) specifically emphasized?
The base supports U.S. military assets and personnel. The program is framed as contributing directly to protecting American servicemembers and broader U.S. interests by reducing the likelihood of cross-border terrorist attacks.
12) What are the main program components or "lines of effort"?
The program is built around three capability areas (lines of effort): (1) low-light and night-vision proficiency, (2) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) competence for ISR, and (3) development of an organic explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capability.
13) What does the low-light and night-vision line of effort include?
It aims to enhance low-light and night-vision proficiency, typically including the development of tactics, techniques, and procedures for operating safely and effectively in limited visibility, along with associated enabling equipment.
14) What does UAS mean in this program, and how will it be used?
UAS refers to unmanned aircraft systems (drones). The program seeks to build competence in using UAS for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) so the unit can collect actionable information, improve situational awareness, and better monitor terrain and potential infiltration routes.
15) What does ISR refer to in the context of this opportunity?
ISR refers to intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance, meaning activities focused on collecting and using information to improve situational awareness and operational decision-making.
16) What does it mean to develop an "organic" EOD capability?
It means enabling the supported unit to identify, manage, and respond to explosive hazards without relying entirely on external specialized teams, which can be critical when time and access are constrained in remote border environments.
17) Is the selected implementer expected to provide training, equipment, or both?
Based on the opportunity description, the selected implementer is expected to provide both training and necessary equipment to help the targeted APS tactical unit build and sustain specialized skills.
18) How many awards does the announcement anticipate making?
The announcement anticipates a single award.
19) What is the maximum funding amount available under this opportunity?
The award ceiling is $5,920,078.
20) What does the award ceiling mean for applicants?
It indicates applicants should propose a comprehensive approach that fits within the maximum budget of $5,920,078 while delivering measurable improvements across the three capability areas over the 15-month period.
21) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0018074.
22) What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing/CFDA number is 19.701.
23) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs/civil society groups), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
24) Is eligibility limited to U.S.-based organizations only?
The description states eligibility is broad and effectively unrestricted across multiple organization types, but it does not specify a U.S.-only limitation in the provided information.
25) Are government entities allowed to apply?
Yes. Governmental institutions are listed among eligible applicant types.
26) Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations are included in the eligible applicant categories.
27) Are NGOs, civil society organizations, and think tanks eligible?
Yes. Not-for-profit organizations are eligible, and the description explicitly includes think tanks and NGOs/civil society groups.
28) Are educational institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Public and private educational institutions are eligible.
29) Are public international organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Public international organizations are included among eligible applicants.
30) What is the opportunity creation date?
The opportunity creation date is 2026-05-15.
31) What is the closing date for applications?
The original closing date is 2026-06-10.
32) What kind of results is the program expecting?
The program is described as results-focused and is intended to deliver measurable improvements across low-light/night operations, UAS/ISR competence, and organic EOD capability, translating into improved border security operations and enhanced protection for Manda Bay.
33) How does this program relate to U.S. interests?
The program is framed as contributing to the protection of American servicemembers and broader U.S. interests by reducing the likelihood of cross-border terrorist attacks, especially around Manda Bay Military Base (Camp Simba), which supports U.S. military assets and personnel.
34) What is the implementing partner expected to accomplish operationally for the APS unit?
The implementer is expected to help the unit build and sustain specialized skills and capabilities so they translate into improved border security operations, including better detection, deterrence, and neutralization of terrorist threats in the border region.
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