Sister Ports Program: Bolstering Economic and Security Resilience in Foreign Ports | DFOP0016597

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Sister Ports Program: Bolstering Economic and Security Resilience in Foreign Ports?

It is a U.S. Department of State initiative designed to strengthen both economic resilience and security resilience in foreign ports by creating structured partnerships between a foreign port and a comparable port in the United States. The model emphasizes practical, peer-to-peer learning, relationship building, and real-world exchanges that translate into improved port practices.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0016597.

Which U.S. government office runs this opportunity?

The program is run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The listing identifies CFDA 19.322.

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

This opportunity is expected to be awarded as a cooperative agreement. That structure generally indicates the U.S. government is likely to remain actively involved in shaping, guiding, or overseeing implementation rather than providing funding with minimal engagement.

What does the program mean by a "sister port" partnership?

A sister port partnership is a structured pairing between one foreign port and one U.S. port. The intent is to match ports with similar size, similar operational function, or shared strategic interests so they can exchange concrete practices and collaborate on improvements.

How will ports be matched or paired under the sister port model?

The program intends to match one foreign port with one U.S. port based on factors like comparable size, operational function (such as container, bulk, energy, mixed-use, or passenger operations), or strategic interest.

What types of port operations are specifically mentioned as examples for matching?

The examples provided include container operations, bulk operations, energy-related operations, mixed-use operations, and passenger operations.

What are the main objectives of the program?

The core objectives described are to strengthen economic resilience and security resilience in foreign ports through structured partnerships, practical peer-to-peer learning, and relationship building that leads to measurable improvements in port practices and connectivity.

What kinds of improvements is the program aiming for in participating ports?

The opportunity highlights improvements in areas such as port security procedures, governance, operations, and sustainable development approaches, supported by direct exchanges between peer ports.

Does the program emphasize in-person exchanges and visits?

Yes. The description explicitly mentions creating opportunities for international and domestic ports to visit with each other, which suggests activities like site visits, delegations, workshops, and meetings to observe operations firsthand and build durable relationships.

What kinds of activities might be supported based on the description?

Based on what is described, likely activities include coordinating port-to-port exchanges, organizing site visits and delegations, hosting workshops or meetings between port leadership and stakeholders, and facilitating practical peer learning focused on security, governance, operations, and sustainable development.

Is this program only about technical port improvements, or does it also focus on relationships and networks?

It is framed as both. The opportunity is not presented solely as a technical assistance effort; it also aims to expand the network of trusted commercial and government partners available to participating ports and to create durable working relationships.

What does the opportunity mean by expanding a network of "trusted" partners?

The description emphasizes connecting foreign ports to trusted commercial and government partners, relevant U.S. government stakeholders involved in maritime security and trade, and vetted maritime technology and industry representatives. The repeated use of "trusted" signals a focus on secure, transparent, and resilient supply chains and infrastructure decisions.

Will the program introduce foreign ports to U.S. government partners and industry representatives?

Yes. The opportunity describes facilitating connections with U.S. agencies involved in maritime security and trade, and creating exposure to trusted maritime technology providers and industry representatives aligned with secure and sustainable port development.

What is the maximum funding amount available under this opportunity?

The award ceiling is $789,200.

How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The agency anticipates making one award.

What does it imply that only one award is expected?

It suggests one implementing organization will likely be selected to run the overall program, including coordinating the port pairing, organizing exchanges, and delivering the planned activities and outcomes across both the U.S. and foreign port participants.

What is the application closing date listed in the opportunity summary?

The original application closing date listed is July 8, 2024.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on May 23, 2024.

Who is eligible to apply based on the summary information provided?

The eligibility information highlighted includes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education). The description also notes additional categories such as foreign-based nonprofit organizations and nongovernment organizations, public international organizations, foreign public organizations, and U.S. for-profit organizations.

If different eligibility categories are mentioned, which eligibility rules should an applicant rely on?

Applicants are instructed to consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), specifically the section titled "Eligible Applicants" on page 1, for the definitive eligibility requirements. The NOFO language is described as the controlling reference.

Are institutions of higher education included in the highlighted eligibility category?

The highlighted eligibility statement specifies 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education.

What kind of applicant is likely to be competitive, given the program design?

Because a single award is expected and the awardee would run the overall program, the description suggests the competition may favor applicants with strong program management capacity, credible maritime or port-sector experience, established networks, and the ability to coordinate across international partners, government stakeholders, and private-sector technology or industry participants.

Is this opportunity focused on a single foreign port and a single U.S. port?

The described pairing model intends to match one foreign port with one U.S. port, indicating a one-to-one partnership structure at the core of the program.

What is the overarching purpose of the program in plain terms?

In plain terms, it is a structured port-to-port partnership program meant to turn relationship-building into measurable improvements in port security practices, sustainable port development, and economic connectivity, supported through a cooperative agreement with active U.S. government engagement.