[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3983]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 24, 1994]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

 

AR Human Resource Management Project

AGENCY: United States Information Agency.

ACTION: Notice; request for proposals.

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TITLE: Labor, Conflict Resolution, and Economic Development: Strategies 
To Address Human Resource Management Problems in Brazil.

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) announces a competitive 
grants program for non-profit organizations to develop programs in the 
area of labor/management relations and human resource management. The 
project should link the U.S. organization's international exchange 
interests with counterparts in the American Republics.
    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 AR Local Government Project. This 
announcement number is E/P-94-25. 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 24, 1994. 
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked 
March 24, 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 July 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: AR Human Resource Management Project (E/P-94-25), Grants 
Management Division (E/XE), 301 4th Street, SW., room 336, Washington, 
DC 20547.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Interested organizations, institutions should contact: Benjamin Cromer, 
American Republics and East Asia and Pacific Division, Office of 
Citizen Exchanges (E/P), room 220, United States Information Agency, 
301 Fourth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547. Please telephone 202-619-
5326 or fax 202-619-4350 to request detailed application packets, which 
include award criteria, all necessary forms, and guidelines for 
preparing proposals, including specific budget preparation.

Objectives of the AR Human Resource Management Project

    The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) of the United States 
Information Agency proposes a two-way exchange program for Brazilian 
decision-makers to develop strategies to address human resource 
management problems in Brazil. This exchange will involve two 
components: a two-week U.S. study tour by a delegation of 12-16 
Brazilian leaders selected from the national government, the national 
employers organizations, and labor unions; and a follow-on visit to 
Brazil by U.S. human resource management experts.
    These study tours will explore methods of human resource 
development based on private sector initiative that involve the 
cooperation of labor, management, and government.
    Moreover, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education support such 
models as solutions to resolve labor-management conflict. In Brazil, 
coordination will be with the Ministry of Labor's Secretary For 
Training and Professional Development, the national employer's 
organizations, and the Labor Central.
    Other goals of this program are to aid in modernizing Brazil's 
economy, ensure the growth of its democratic institutions, and increase 
public awareness of the vital policy-making role that labor can play in 
the general well-being of a dynamic society.

Program Guidelines

    Structural unemployment, technological change, and the pressure of 
global competition, combined with a poorly educated work force, have 
magnified Brazil's lack of a coherent approach to human resource 
development. Currently, the formation of human capital is financed by 
payroll taxes and run by the business community, ostensibly with 
government approval. However, there is no manpower development strategy 
in Brazil that involves all parties: labor, management, and the 
government. With Brazil's ever-increasing levels of unemployment and 
social unrest the optimum use of labor is essential in modernizing the 
country's economy.
    Labor-management human resource development in the U.S. 
telecommunications, automobile, construction and steel industries 
provides practical models for the situation in Brazil. The following 
case studies are suggested as sources: The AT&T/CWA Alliance project; 
the pioneering work of the UAW and the automobile industry; and the 
entry level programs of the construction industry in tandem with the 
building trades organizations of the AFL-CIO.
    The research of former Labor Secretary Ray Marshall and Dr. Barry 
Bluestone could also be consulted, in addition to more recent efforts 
by U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich. Other sources include labor 
studies centers such as those at George Washington University and the 
University of the District of Columbia; the AIFLD education program at 
the George Meany Center for Labor Studies; the AFL-CIO's Human Resource 
Institute; the National Association of Manufacturers; and the 
Conference Board.
    Models used to illustrate effective labor-management-government 
relations must include those involving currently-employed individuals, 
the chronically unemployed, and new entrants into the labor pool.
    The decisive and expanding role of labor-management cooperation 
should be emphasized as a key element in meeting the competitive 
challenges of the global economy. The program should also emphasize the 
coordination between human resource development delivery methods and 
the constant change that occurs in business and industry.

Selection of Participants

    Participants must be policymakers who can influence changes in 
Brazil, not management experts and professionals. Participants will be 
selected by the grantee, or its local co-sponsoring organization, in 
consultation with USIS posts. This two-way support will ensure 
effective discussion of new models for cooperation and innovation; 
these models should encourage more participation between labor and 
management, supporting Brazil's effort to secure more private sector 
initiative resulting in a more competitive market economy.
    This project will be executed by a U.S. not-for-profit institution 
that, through its proposal, illustrates extensive experience and 
success in coordinating international exchange programs. U.S. 
organizations with established working relationships with counterpart 
institutions in Brazil will receive priority under this competition.
    At the conclusion of the exchange, the grantee will conduct 
participant evaluations and submit a final report to USIA.

Funding

    Competition for USIA funding support is intense. Selection of a 
grantee institution is based on the substantive nature of the program 
proposal; the applicant's professional capability to carry the program 
through to successful conclusion; the cost effectiveness such as in-
kind contributions and the ability to keep overhead costs at a minimum. 
USIA can devote up to $175,000 for this project; however, organizations 
with fewer than four years of successful experience in managing 
international exchange programs are limited to $60,000, and their 
budget submission should correspond to this limitation.
    All proposals should demonstrate in-depth, substantive knowledge of 
the relevant issues, established connections with partner institutions, 
and the capacity to organize and conduct the program. Organizational 
abilities include: 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.


    Note: Applicants may wish to consult the USIS office at the 
appropriate U.S. Embassy before submitting proposals.

    USIA will give priority to proposals from U.S. organizations with 
partner organizations in the American Republics that can help ensure 
the program meets its goals and objectives. Applicants are encouraged 
to demonstrate partner relationships by providing copies of 
correspondence or other materials as appendices to proposals.
    Moreover, these 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.
    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.

    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 costs are eligible for funding:
    1. Transportation costs. International and domestic air fares, 
visas, transit costs, and ground transportation costs are eligible for 
funding.
    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. Generally, two 
simultaneous interpreters are 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 Department of State (DOS) interpreter, as well as home-program-
home air transportation of $400 per interpreter plus any U.S. travel 
expenses during the program.

    Note: Salary expenses for interpreters are covered elsewhere 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, in addition to a book 
allowance of $50. Escorts are reimbursed for actual cultural expenses 
up to $150. U.S. staff do not receive these allowances.
    5. Consultants. Consultants may be employed to provide specialized 
expertise or to make presentations. Generally, honoraria should 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 with the proposal.
    6. Room rental. Room rental 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 amount 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. This 
allowance is for incidental expenditures incurred during international 
travel.
    10. Costs for an audit. The proposal MUST 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. Cost-sharing in the form of allowable direct or 
indirect costs is encouraged. The recipient must maintain written 
records to support all allowable costs claimed as being its 
contribution to cost participation, as well as costs to be paid by the 
U.S. 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 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 American Republics. 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 the objectives stated in this 
RFP, as well as the following criteria:
    1. Quality of Program Idea: Proposals should exhibit originality 
and relevance to USIA's mission, and demonstrate a clearly defined 
need.
    2. Institutional Ability/Capacity/Record: Applicants should 
demonstrate the potential for program excellence by documenting 
previous successful programs. If an organization is a former USIA grant 
recipient, responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all 
reporting requirements for past USIA grants is essential.
    3. Project Personnel: Thematic and logistical expertise should be 
relevant to the proposed program. Resumes included with the proposal 
should reflect this relevance.
    4. Program Planning: A detailed work plan should provide time-lines 
for the accomplishment of each phase of the project and clearly 
demonstrate how the grantee institution will meet these deadlines. In 
addition, the work plan should indicate how it will accomplish 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 the target 
area/country.
    7. Multiplier Effect/Follow-On Activities: Proposed programs should 
strengthen long-term mutual understanding, facilitate sharing of 
information, and establish long-term institutional and individual 
relationships. Proposals should also reflect an institution's 
commitment to 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 objective.
    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. The applicant should include a draft of a 
questionnaire or other evaluation technique to demonstrate which 
evaluation method will be utilized.
    Applicants will be expected to submit intermediate reports after 
each project component is concluded, or quarterly, whichever is less 
frequent.

    Note: 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. 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: February 14, 1994.
Barry Fulton,
Acting Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-3983 Filed 2-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M