What does Preamble of HR 6196 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To authorize and encourage the United States to pursue a model of locally led development and humanitarian response and expand engagement with local actors and increase its local partner base,' aims to authorize and encourage the United States to adopt a locally led development and humanitarian response model. The bill seeks to expand engagement with local actors and increase the United States' local partner base.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 6196 do?

This Act is formally titled the Locally Led Development and Humanitarian Response Act.

What does PURPOSE. of HR 6196 do?

This Act aims to promote a development and humanitarian response model led by local entities. The Act intends to broaden engagement and partnerships with local actors.

What does SENSE OF CONGRESS. of HR 6196 do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress that locally led development and humanitarian response are linked to more efficient and sustainable outcomes. The U.S. government has historically sought greater development outcomes through stronger local partnerships, referencing initiatives like "Country Ownership" and "Locally Led Development". The relevant foreign assistance agency is encouraged to increase direct funding to local entities. The agency should ensure its programming enables local communities to lead in setting priorities, designing projects, and evaluating results. Award processes should outline expectations for implementers to elevate local leadership and ensure accountability. Working with local partners requires more time, staffing, and flexible resources, including extended fund availability. Increased flexibility is considered critical to responding to local priorities and leveraging local capacities.

What does WORKING WITH LOCAL PARTNERS. of HR 6196 do?

This section directs the head of relevant foreign assistance agencies to localize development and humanitarian assistance partner bases. It outlines numerous strategies to support local partners, including funding existing projects, simplifying access to resources, and offering matching grants. The section encourages exploring government-to-government partnerships with guardrails and oversight, and diversifying funding modalities. It emphasizes regular consultation with local partners in local languages and promoting multi-year, flexible funding. The section also addresses internal agency processes, such as addressing delays related to indirect cost rates and updating performance evaluation criteria to incentivize locally led development. Outreach campaigns are directed to raise awareness about opportunities and compliance with federal regulations.

What does INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF ACTIONS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 4. of HR 6196 do?

This section requires the head of the relevant foreign assistance agency to initiate policy actions within 180 days of the Act's enactment. These actions are intended to institutionalize actions described in section 4. The agency may use rulemaking if necessary to implement these actions. Institutionalization should occur to the extent appropriate and feasible within existing agency rules and regulations. Relevant regulations include the Foreign Affairs Manual, the Foreign Affairs Handbook, and the Department of State Acquisition Regulation.

What does AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS, PROPOSALS, AND CONTRACTING of HR 6196 do?

This section authorizes foreign assistance agencies to accept applications or proposals in languages other than English if it eases the burden on local actors and the agency can effectively evaluate them. The head of a relevant foreign assistance agency must assess options for utilizing local languages in various partnership activities, including award solicitations, evaluations, and management. The agency head must submit a report to Congress detailing this assessment within one year of the Act's enactment.

What does MODIFICATIONS RELATING TO THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND of HR 6196 do?

This section authorizes the head of relevant foreign assistance agencies to increase the de minimis indirect cost rate for local partners. It allows for the establishment of a de minimis indirect cost rate for acquisitions awarded to local partners, with potential for further increases based on OMB regulations. The head of the agency can exempt local partners from certain reporting requirements under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, allowing a 180-day delay for obtaining identifiers and registration. The agency head may limit competition for contracts and acquisition instruments to local entities if it results in cost savings, strengthens local capacity, or improves program delivery. Awards under this authority are capped at $25,000,000 and cannot exceed 10% of the agency's annual appropriations. The agency head is authorized to allow foreign entities to use national or international generally accepted accounting principles instead of U.S. GAAP for certain contracts and grants.

What does REVIEW OF LOCALLY-LED DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL of HR 6196 do?

This section requires a review of public international organizations' support for locally-led development. The review must be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees within one year of the Act's enactment. The review should assess how organizations' approaches and financing structures support locally-led development and humanitarian response. An action plan is required to detail how the United States will encourage greater focus on locally-led approaches within these organizations.

What does ANNUAL REPORT. of HR 6196 do?

This section mandates an annual report on the progress of a foreign assistance agency in advancing locally led development and humanitarian response. The report must be submitted to congressional committees and published on the agency's website. The report must detail the amount of funding implemented directly and indirectly by local partners. It requires an assessment of how the agency is enabling local leadership in foreign assistance programs. The report must assess the agency's use of authorities granted in sections 6 and 7 and their impact. It includes an assessment of the use of provisional Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) extensions and steps to reduce them beyond 12 months.

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Locally Led Development and Humanitarian Response Act — HR. 6196

Last updated: 11/20/2025 · Introduced: 11/20/2025

Author: Sara Jacobs (D-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill encourages the U.S. to prioritize locally led development and humanitarian response models, expanding partnerships with local entities.
It directs foreign assistance agencies to broaden their base of local partners and simplify access to resources through funding, matching grants, and government-to-government partnerships.
The bill authorizes agencies to accept applications and proposals in languages other than English to ease the burden on local actors and allows for increased de minimis indirect cost rates for local partners.
It exempts local partners from certain reporting requirements and may limit competition for contracts to local entities to save costs and strengthen local capacity.
The bill mandates annual reports on progress in advancing locally led development, including funding amounts and assessments of agency efforts to enable local leadership.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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