[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1681]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 27, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

 

Thai Local Government Project

AGENCY: United States Information Agency.

ACTION: Notice--request for proposals.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

TITLE: Thai Local Government Project.

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) announces a competitive 
grants program for non-profit organizations to develop programs in the 
area of local government/public administration. The project should link 
the U.S. organization's international exchange interests with 
counterpart institutions or groups in Thailand.
    Interested applicants are urged to read the complete Federal 
Register announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office or 
submitting their proposals. After the deadline for submitting 
proposals, USIA officers may not discuss this competition in any way 
with applicants until final decisions are made.

ANNOUNCEMENT NAME AND NUMBER: All communications concerning this 
announcement should refer to the Thai Local Government Project. This 
announcement number is E/P-94-18. Please refer to this title and number 
in all correspondence or telephone calls to USIA.

DATES: Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m., Washington, DC time on March 11, 1994. 
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked 
March 11, 1994, but received at a later date.
    It is the responsibility of each grant applicant to ensure that 
proposals are received by the above deadline. The grant project 
activity should begin after June 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The original and 14 copies of the completed application and 
required forms should be submitted by the deadline to: U.S. Information 
Agency, Ref: Thai Local Government Project (E/P-94-18), Grants 
Management Division (E/XE), 301 Fourth Street SW--room 336, Washington, 
DC 20547.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested organizations, institutions 
should contact: Elroy Carlson, American Republics and East Asia and 
Pacific Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P), room 216, United 
States Information Agency, 301 Fourth Street SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
telephone 202/619-5326, fax 202/260-0437, to request detailed 
application packets, which include award criteria, all necessary forms, 
and guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific budget 
preparation.

Objectives of the Thai Local Government Project

Overview

    The newly elected government of Thailand has committed itself to 
improving the process of government. One aspect of this commitment is 
an effort to decentralize aspects of the political process. USIA is 
interested in proposals for programs that will foster effective 
administration of local and regional governments. Programs might 
examine and seek to improve relationships among local executive, 
legislative, and judicial elements, or they might address the knowledge 
and skills necessary to administer one or more of these branches of 
local government.
    Program topics might include one or more of the following: judicial 
administration, budget development, financial management, tax policies 
and mechanisms, election practices, management of municipal services, 
privatization of government property, consumer protection, business 
regulation (as opposed to control), licensing, or environmental 
protection. Programs might further the development of information and 
library systems relevant to local government, improve committee and 
staff structures, research capability, legislation drafting capability, 
or structural and procedural needs of local governments. Programs 
should be conducted mostly in local centers, preferably situated 
outside the capital city. Projects should lay the groundwork for new 
and continuing links between American and Thai professional 
organizations.
    Projects may include: Study tours in the U.S. for small groups; 
short-term non-technical workshops conducted in Thailand; four- to ten-
week internships in the U.S.; planning trips or consultations in 
Thailand; and the development of specialized training materials.

Programmatic Considerations

    Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, grant programs 
must maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and 
representative of the diversity of American political, social and 
cultural life.
    All proposals should demonstrate:
    (1) In-depth, substantive knowledge of the relevant issues;
    (2) Established connections with partner institutions;
    (3) The capacity to organize and conduct the program, including 
appropriate orientation activities for the participants; detailed work 
plan for all phases of the project; tentative agendas for study tours, 
workshops, and internships; letters of commitment from internship 
hosts; and selection procedures.
    USIS post consultation by applicants, prior to submission of 
proposals, is recommended. Address inquiries to Assistant Cultural 
Affairs Officer, AmEmbassy (USIS) Bangkok, Box 48, APO AP 96546-0001, 
Telephone 66-2-286-0900; Fax 66-2-287-2102.
    USIA will give priority to proposals from U.S. organizations that 
have partner organizations in Thailand or Southeast Asia, which will 
assist logistically and will contribute to the realization of program 
goals and objectives and will themselves be enhanced by the program. 
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate partner relationships by 
providing copies of correspondence or other materials as appendices to 
proposals.
    The partner institutions are encouraged to provide cost-sharing or 
significant in-kind contributions such as local housing, 
transportation, interpreting, translating and other local currency 
costs and to assist with the organization of projects.

Materials Development

    USIA encourages the development, where needed, of written, audio 
and video materials in the local language to enhance the programs. For 
example, if not already available, glossaries of specialized terms in 
local government or public administration might be developed.

Scope

    Proposals should limit their focus to local governance. Proposals 
for programs that are broader in scope will be eligible, but are less 
likely to receive USIA support. USIA encourages proposals that feature 
``train the trainers'' models; the creation of indigenous training 
centers; schemes to create professional networks or professional 
associations to disseminate information; and other enduring aspects.

Participant Selection

    All grant proposals must clearly describe the type of persons who 
will participate in the program as well as the process by which 
participants will be selected. Programs in support of internships in 
the U.S. must include letters tentatively committing host institutions 
to support the internships. In the selection of all foreign 
participants, USIA and USIS posts retain the right to nominate 
participants and to accept or deny participants recommended by the 
program institution.

Guidelines and Restrictions

    USIA does not support proposals limited to conferences or seminars 
of only a few days length which are organized as plenary sessions, 
major speakers, and panels with a passive audience. It will support 
conferences only insofar as they are a minor part of a larger project 
in duration and scope which is receiving USIA funding from this 
competition. Furthermore, grants are not given to support projects 
whose focus is limited to technical issues, or for research projects, 
for publications intended for dissemination in the United States, for 
individual student exchanges, for film festivals or exhibits. Nor does 
this Office provide scholarships or other support for long-term (i.e., 
a semester or more) academic studies. Proposals that request support 
for the development of university curriculums or for degree-based 
programs will not be eligible under this RFP.
    Proposals to link university departments or to exchange faculty 
and/or students are funded by USIA's Office of Academic Programs (E/A) 
under the University Affiliation Program and should not be submitted 
under this RFP.
    Competitions sponsored by other offices of USIA's Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs are also announced in the Federal 
Register, and may have different guidelines or restrictions.

Funding

    The amount requested from USIA should not exceed $125,000. However, 
exchange organizations with less than four years of successful 
experience in managing international exchange programs are limited to 
$60,000.
    While applicants must provide an all-inclusive budget with the 
proposal, they may also include separate sub-budgets for each program 
component, phase, location or activity. Competition for USIA funding 
support is keen. Please note: All participants will be covered under 
the terms of a USIA-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is 
paid by USIA directly to the insurance company.
    The following project costs are eligible for consideration for 
funding:
    1. International and domestic air fares; visas; transit costs; 
ground transportation costs.
    2. Per Diem. For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of 
using a flat $140/day for program participants or the published U.S. 
Federal per diem rates for individual American cities. For activities 
outside the U.S., the published federal per diem rates must be used.

    Note: Grantee staff must use the published federal per diem 
rates, not the flat rate.

    3. Interpreters: Interpreters for the U.S. program are provided by 
the U.S. State Department Language Services Division. Typically, a pair 
of simultaneous interpreters is provided for every four visitors who 
need interpretation. USIA grants do not pay for foreign interpreters to 
accompany delegations from their home country. Grant proposal budgets 
should contain a flat $140/day per diem for each DOS interpreter, as 
well as home-program-home air transportation of $400 per interpreter 
plus any U.S. travel expenses during the program. Salary expenses are 
covered centrally and should not be part of an applicant's proposed 
budget.
    4. Book and cultural allowance: Participants are entitled to a one-
time cultural allowance of $150 per person, plus a book allowance of 
$50. Escorts are reimbursed for actual cultural expenses up to $150. 
U.S. staff do not get these benefits.
    5. Consultants. May be used to provide specialized expertise or to 
make presentations. Daily honoraria generally do not exceed $250 per 
day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in which case the 
written agreement between the prospective grantee and subcontractor 
should be included in the proposal.
    6. Room rental, which generally should not exceed $250 per day.
    7. Materials development. Proposals may contain costs to purchase, 
develop, and translate materials for participants.
    8. One working meal per project. Per capita costs may not exceed 
$5-8 for a lunch and $14-20 for a dinner; this includes room rental if 
applicable. The number of invited guests may not exceed participants by 
more than a factor of two to one.
    9. A return travel allowance of $70 for each participant which is 
to be used for incidental expenditures incurred during international 
travel.
    10. Audit Requirements: The proposal shall include the cost of an 
audit that:
    a. Complies with the requirements of OMB Circular No. 1-133, Audits 
of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Institutions;
    b. Complies with the requirements of the American Institute of 
Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) No. 
92-9; and
    c. Includes review by the recipient's independent auditor of a 
recipient-prepared supplemental schedule of indirect cost rate 
computation, if such a rate is being proposed.
    The audit costs shall be identified separately for:
    a. Preparation of basic financial statements, and other accounting 
services; and
    b. Preparation of the supplemental reports and schedules required 
by OMB Circular No. A-133, AICPA SOP 92-9, and the review of the 
supplemental schedule of indirect cost rate computation.
    11. Cost-sharing is encouraged. Cost-sharing may be in the form of 
allowable direct or indirect costs. The Recipient must maintain written 
records to support all allowable costs which are claimed as being its 
contribution to cost participation, as well as costs to be paid by the 
Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for 
determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular No. A-110, Attachment E, ``Cost-sharing 
and Matching'' and should be described in the proposal. In the event 
the Recipient does not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as 
stipulated in the Recipient's budget, the Agency's contribution will be 
reduced in proportion to the Recipient's contribution.

Application Requirements

    Proposals must be structured in accordance with the instructions 
contained in the application package.

Review Process

    USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will review them 
for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they 
do not fully adhere to the guidelines established herein and in the 
application packet. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of 
USIA officers for advisory review. Proposals are reviewed by USIS posts 
and by USIA's Office of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
    Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of General Counsel or 
other Agency offices. Funding decisions are at the discretion of the 
Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final 
technical authority for grant awards resides with USIA's contracting 
officer. The award of any grant is subject to availability of funds. 
The U.S. Government reserves the right to reject any or all 
applications received. USIA will not pay for design and development 
costs associated with submitting a proposal. Applications are submitted 
at the risk of the applicant; should circumstances prevent award of a 
grant all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's 
expense.
    USIA will not award funds for activities conducted prior to the 
actual grant award.

Review Criteria

    USIA will consider proposals based on their conformance with the 
objectives and considerations already stated in this RFP, as well as 
the following criteria:
    1. Quality of program idea: Proposals should exhibit relevance, 
originality, rigor and substance to USIA's mission. They should 
demonstrate the match of U.S. resources to a clearly defined need.
    2. Institutional ability/capacity/record: Applicant institutions 
should demonstrate their potential for program excellence and/or 
provide documentation of successful programs. If an organization is a 
previous USIA grant recipient, responsible fiscal management and full 
compliance with all reporting requirements for past USIA grants as 
determined by the Office of Contracts (M/KG) will be considered. 
Relevant program evaluation of previous projects may also be considered 
in this assessment.
    3. Project personnel: Personnel's thematic and logistical expertise 
should be relevant to the proposed program. Resumes should be relevant 
to the specific proposal.
    4. Program planning: A detailed work plan should provide milestones 
for the accomplishment of each phase of the project and clearly 
demonstrate how the grantee institution will meet milestones. In 
addition, the work plan should indicate how the work plan will 
accomplish the overall project goals.
    5. Thematic expertise: Proposals should demonstrate the 
organization's expertise in the subject area.
    6. Cross-cultural expertise and Area Expertise: Proposals should 
show evidence of sensitivity to historical, linguistic, and other 
cross-cultural factors, as well as relevant knowledge of target area/
country.
    7. Multiplier effect/follow-on activities: Proposed programs should 
strengthen long-term mutual understanding, to include maximum sharing 
of information and establishment of long-term institutional and 
individual ties. Proposals should also reflect an institutional 
commitment for continued exchange activity beyond the term of the USIA 
grant.
    8. Cost-effectiveness: Overhead and administrative costs should be 
kept as low as possible. All other items proposed for USIA funding 
should be necessary and appropriate to achieve the program's 
objectives.
    9. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as direct funding contributions 
and/or in-kind support from the prospective grantee institution.
    10. Project evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success. In this respect the applicant should include a 
draft survey questionnaire or other technique and a methodology that 
will be used to link outcomes to original project objectives. 
Applicants will be expected to submit intermediate reports after each 
project component is concluded or quarterly, whichever is less 
frequent.
    Notice: The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding 
and may not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory 
information provided by USIA that contradicts published language will 
not be binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award 
commitment on the part of the U.S. Government. Awards cannot be made 
until funds have been fully appropriated by the U.S. Congress and 
allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.
    Notification: All applicants will be notified of the results of the 
review process on or about June 1, 1994. Awarded grants will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: January 14, 1994.
Barry Fulton,
Acting Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-1681 Filed 1-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M