[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9669]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 21, 1994]


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

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

 

Public and Private Nonprofit Organizations in Support of 
International Educational and Cultural Activities: Exchange Programs To 
Promote the Strengthening of the Rule of Law in Africa Through the 
Development of Law Schools and Bar Associations

AGENCY: United States Information Agency.

ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.

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

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces a competitive grants program 
for nonprofit organizations to develop two separate initiative grant 
projects on the theme of rule of law for audiences in selected African 
countries. One project will involve exchanges with law schools in 
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia; 
the second project will focus on bar associations in Ghana, Kenya, 
Tanzania and Uganda. Interested organizations are welcome to submit 
proposals for one or both projects. USIA is particularly seeking 
projects linking American legal institutions with partners in Africa.

BACKGROUND: Many African countries are striving to create and 
institutionalize more democratic polities by establishing multi-party 
systems, writing new constitutions, holding free elections, creating 
new legal systems and making a variety of political and economic 
reforms. The highest priority of U.S. embassies in Africa is supporting 
democratization, of which one crucial aspect is the growth of strong 
legal systems and legal institutions firmly committed to the rule of 
law.
    The two projects described in this announcement are intended to 
engage American legal institutions, particularly law schools and bar 
associations, in working with African counterparts to strengthen the 
legal institutions essential to an enduring democratic society. By 
establishing long-term linkages among like institutions in the U.S. and 
Africa, these projects will increase the capacity of the African law 
schools and bar associations to play leadership roles in the 
democratization process.
    Interested applicants are urged to read the complete Federal 
Register announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office or 
submitting their proposals. After the RFP deadline, the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges may not discuss this competition in any way with 
applicants until the final decisions are made.

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: This announcement number is E/P-94-27. Please 
refer to the title given above and this 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 June 24, 1994. 
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked 
June 24, 1994, but received at a later date. It is the responsibility 
of each grant applicant to ensure that proposals are received by this 
deadline. Grant activity should begin after October 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: E/P-94-27, Office of Grants Management (E/XE), 301 Fourth 
Street, SW.--room 336, Washington, DC 20547.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested organizations/institutions 
should contact the Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P), room 224, USIA, 
301 Fourth Street SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel. (202) 619-5319, fax 
(202) 619-4350, to request detailed application packages which include 
all necessary forms and guidelines for preparing proposals, including 
specific budget preparation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

African Law School Exchange

    USIA will accept proposals designed to develop a two-way exchange 
program to strengthen legal education in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, 
Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, and to foster linkages 
between law schools in the U.S. and these countries. The amount 
requested from USIA should not exceed $200,000, of which $30,000 must 
be devoted to developing or purchasing specialized support materials 
for participating African institutions. For technical information, 
interested organizations may contact E/P Program Specialist Charlotte 
Peterson at (202) 619-5319.

Project Themes and Objectives

    1. Provide an introduction to the American legal system and the 
principles upon which it is based, particularly the rule of law;
    2. Examine the role of law schools within the U.S. legal system as 
well as the role of the bar and the judiciary in legal education;
    3. Provide for intensive firsthand observation of the operations of 
American law schools, with special emphasis on teaching, research, 
library development and curriculum development;
    4. Establish long-term linkages between individual African and U.S. 
law schools to foster dialogue on issues of common concern and to 
enhance the institutional capabilities of the African law schools;
    5. Develop and/or purchase specialized support materials for 
participating institutions in each of the target countries. Grant funds 
of no less than $30,000 must be used for this purpose. Such materials 
might include but are not limited to law library reference and research 
books, textbooks or other instructional audiovisual materials.

Participants

    The African participants will be law school deans, administrators 
and professors nominated through coordination with U.S. Information 
Service personnel in the target countries and USIA. All participants 
must have strong English-language skills.
    The U.S. participants will be selected by the grantee institution 
in consultation with USIA and U.S. Information Service personnel. The 
grantee should provide the names of American participants and brief, 
relevant biographical data. American participants should be selected on 
the basis of their experience and expertise in the thematic field. 
Experience in communicating to foreign audiences and general knowledge 
of Africa and of the countries involved in the project are highly 
desirable.
    The USIS offices will facilitate the issuance of visas and other 
program-related materials.

Recommended Program Structure

    The following suggestions should not serve as a blueprint, but as a 
stimulus for the development of an original program design.
    Phase One: The program might begin with a three- to four-week U.S. 
study tour for a group of African law school deans and administrators 
representing the target countries, perhaps one dean and/or one 
administrator per country. The total number of African participants in 
this phase should be approximately 12-14. The study tour should include 
the following components:

--An orientation to the U.S. legal system and the Constitution on which 
it is founded. This segment should include professional meetings and 
field visits to legal institutions such as courts, lawyers 
associations, and judicial or lawyer training organizations;
--Extended visits to one or more U.S. law schools interested in 
establishing linkages with African counterparts. Participants should 
spend at least several days at each law school in order to study their 
operations in depth and to work with American counterparts on 
developing plans for continued exchanges. In order to maximize 
opportunities for linkages, the grantee may wish to divide the group 
into teams of 2-4 persons, matching each team with a different American 
law school;
--A concluding session to evaluate the study tour, make plans for the 
follow-up visit of American specialists to Africa, and discuss 
prospects for joint activities with U.S. law schools.

    Phase Two: American legal experts would travel to each of the 
target countries for consultations, workshops or other activities with 
local counterparts on such issues as the operation and role of law 
schools in a democratic system, curriculum development, and/or other 
topics of mutual interest. Ideally, each African law school will 
receive a visit from a specialist associated with an American law 
school participating in Phase One; thus these follow-up visits will 
serve to foster long-term relationships between individual law schools 
in Africa and the U.S. In planning these visits the grantee should work 
closely with U.S. Information Service personnel in the target countries 
to ensure that the activities are carefully tailored to meet the needs 
of the individual African law schools.
    Phase Three: African law educators or administrators would travel 
to the U.S. for three to four weeks to work with American partner law 
schools on developing practical collaborative projects.

African Bar Association Development Program

    USIA will accept proposals for a two-way exchange project to foster 
the development of professional bar associations in Ghana, Kenya, 
Tanzania, and Uganda, and to promote linkages between bar associations 
in the U.S. and these countries. The amount requested from USIA should 
not exceed $170,000, of which $10,000 must be devoted to developing or 
purchasing specialized support materials for participating African 
institutions. For technical information, interested organizations may 
contact E/P Program Specialist Charlotte Peterson at (202) 619-5319.

Project Objectives

    1. Study the organizational structure and administration of U.S. 
bar associations, including their thematic committee systems;
    2. Examine the advocacy role of professional bar associations in 
the U.S. and identify appropriate parallel roles for African bar 
associations;
    3. Examine the outreach role of bar associations in the U.S. in 
such areas as legal aid and public legal education, and identify 
appropriate parallel roles for African bar associations;
    4. Develop strategies for professional bar associations to protect 
the independence of the judiciary and the principles of due process and 
equal protection under the law;
    5. Open a dialogue on establishing codes of ethical conduct for the 
legal profession in Africa;
    6. Establish linkages among African and U.S. bar associations to 
foster dialogue on issues of common concern and to enhance the African 
bar associations' institutional capabilities;
    7. Develop and/or purchase specialized support materials for 
participating African institutions. Grant funds of no less than $10,000 
must be used for this purpose. Such materials may include but are not 
limited to legal texts and research volumes, training videos and/or 
other instructional materials.

Participants

    The African participants will be attorneys and law professors 
active in the bar associations/law societies of their countries. It may 
be opportune to include leaders of women lawyers associations in 
countries where such organizations exist. Participants will be 
nominated through coordination among the African partner institutions, 
U.S. Information Service personnel in the target countries, and USIA. 
All participants must have strong English-language skills.
    The U.S. participants will be selected by the grantee institution 
in consultation with USIA and U.S. Information Service personnel. The 
grantee should provide the names of American participants and brief, 
relevant biographical data. American participants should be selected on 
the basis of their experience and expertise in the thematic field. 
Experience in communicating to foreign audiences and general knowledge 
of Africa and of the countries involved in the project are highly 
desirable.
    The USIS offices will facilitate the issuance of visas and other 
program-related materials.

Program Structure

    The following suggestions should not serve as a blueprint, but as a 
stimulus for the development of an original program design.
    Phase One: The program might begin with a three- to four-week U.S. 
study tour for approximately 12 attorneys and law professors 
representing the target countries, focusing on the activities of 
national and state bar associations. The grantee institution would 
develop a program for the participants to observe how bar associations 
and other legal groups support equal protection under the law, perform 
community service and promote standards of legal conduct. Participants 
might also meet with faculty members at leading law schools, 
representatives of advocacy groups, and community leaders. The African 
participants and the grantee institution would also develop the 
framework for institutional linkages between African bar associations 
and American counterpart institutions at the national, state or local 
level.
    Phase Two: U.S. legal specialists, particularly representatives of 
U.S. bar associations which participated in Phase One, would travel to 
the target countries to conduct consultations and workshops with 
members of professional bar associations and other legal professionals. 
These activities should be designed to strengthen the bar associations' 
institutional capabilities and promote development of standards 
professional conduct. Discussions should also examine methods whereby 
legal professionals can contribute to political and economic 
liberalization in the target countries, and ways to further 
collaboration between African bar associations and counterpart 
organizations in the U.S.
    In planning these visits, the grantee should work closely with U.S. 
Information Service personnel in the target countries to ensure that 
the activities are carefully tailored to meet the needs of the 
individual African countries.
    Phase Three: Bar association leaders from the target countries 
would undertake internship or professional attachments with counterpart 
associations in the U.S. Each internship would be tailored to the 
particular interests and needs of the African bar association, whether 
in the area of operations, government relations, public service, or 
other fields of mutual interest.

Additional Guidelines and Restrictions

    USIA is interested in supporting programs which will lay the 
groundwork for new and continuing relationships between American and 
African legal institutions, especially law schools and bar 
associations. Proposals which are overly ambitious and those which are 
very general will not be competitive. Therefore, institutions should 
provide strong evidence of their ability to accomplish a few tasks 
exceptionally well.
    Bureau grants are not given to support projects whose focus is 
limited to technical issues, or for research projects, developing 
publications for dissemination in the United States, individual student 
exchanges, film festivals, or exhibits. Neither does the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges provide scholarships or support for long-term (a 
semester or more) academic studies. Competitions sponsored by other 
Bureau offices are also announced in the Federal Register and may have 
different application requirements as well as different objectives.

Programmatic Considerations

    Pursuant to the legislation authorizing the Bureau of Educational 
and Cultural Affairs, programs must maintain a nonpolitical character 
and should be balanced and representative of the diversity of American 
political, social and cultural life.
    USIA will give priority to proposals from U.S. organizations with 
relevant institutional contacts in the target countries. Partner 
institutions are encouraged to provide cost-sharing or significant in-
kind contributions such as local housing and transportation, 
interpreting, translating and other local-currency costs. These 
institutions are also encouraged to assist with the organization of 
various program activities.
    The grantee will be responsible for most arrangements associated 
with this program. These include selecting speakers, themes, and topics 
for discussion; organizing a coherent progression of activities; making 
all arrangements associated with the African follow-up portion of the 
program; providing international and domestic travel arrangements for 
all participants; making lodging and local transportation arrangements 
for visitors; orienting and debriefing participants; preparing any 
necessary support materials; and working with host institutions and 
individuals to achieve maximum program effectiveness.
    At the start of the U.S. portion of a program, the grantee should 
conduct an orientation session for the visiting delegation which 
addresses substantive details of the program as well as geographic, 
historical, and cross-cultural factors which they should consider to 
enhance program success.
    At the conclusion of each phase, the grantee institution will 
conduct participant evaluations and submit to E/P a progress report. 
Upon conclusion of the program the grantee will be required to submit a 
report to E/P summarizing results of the entire program including 
project outcomes, anticipated follow-on activities, and any resulting 
institutional linkages.
    Grantee institutions should try to maximize cost-sharing in all 
facets of their program design, and to stimulate U.S. private sector 
(foundation and corporate) support. Per diem support from host 
institutions during an internship component is strongly encouraged. 
However, for all programs which include internships, a nonprofit 
grantee institution which receives funds from corporate or other 
cosponsors should then use those monies to provide food, lodging, and 
pocket money for the participants. In no case could the intern receive 
a wage or be hired by the sponsoring institution. Internships should 
also have an American studies/values orientation component at the 
beginning of the exchange program in the U.S. Proposals incorporating 
internships will be more competitive if letters committing prospective 
host institutions to supporting these efforts are provided.
    Program monitoring and oversight will be provided by appropriate 
USIA elements.

Finding

    Organizations with less than four years of successful experience in 
managing international exchange programs are limited to $60,000.
    Competition for USIA funding support is keen. The final selection 
of a grantee institution will depend on assessment of proposals 
according to the review criteria delineated below.
    While applicants must provide an all-inclusive budget with the 
proposal, they are also encouraged to include separate sub-budgets for 
each program component, phase, location or activity.
    The recipient's proposal shall include the cost of an audit that:
    (1) Complies with the requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133, 
Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit 
Institutions;
    (2) Complies with the requirements of American Institute of 
Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) No. 
92-9; and
    (3) 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:
    (1) Preparation of basic financial statements and other accounting 
services; and
    (2) 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.
    USIA will consider funding the following project costs:
    1. International and domestic air fares; visas; transit costs 
(e.g., airport taxes); ground transportation costs.
    2. Per diem: For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of 
using a flat $140/day for international participants or the published 
Federal Travel Regulations per diem rates for individual American 
cities. NOTE: U.S. escorting staff must use the published federal per 
diem rates, not the flat rate. For activities overseas, the Standard 
Government Travel Regulations per diem rates must be used.
    3. 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.
    4. Consultants: May be used to provide specialized expertise or to 
make presentations. Honoraria generally do not exceed $250 per day. 
Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in which case the 
written contract(s) must be included in the proposal.
    5. Room rental: generally should not exceed $250 per day.
    6. Materials Development: Proposals may contain costs to purchase, 
develop and translate materials for participants, in addition to the 
specialized support materials to be provided to African institutions. 
USIA reserves the rights to these materials for future use.
    7. One working meal per project: Per capita cost may not exceed $5-
8 per lunch and $14-20 per dinner, excluding room rental. The number of 
invited guests may not exceed the number of participants by more than a 
factor of two to one.
    8. Return travel allowance: $70 for each participant which is to be 
used for incidental expenditures incurred during international travel.
    9. Other costs necessary for the effective administration of the 
program, including salaries for grant organization employees, benefits, 
and other direct and indirect costs per detailed instructions in the 
Application Package.
    E/P encourages cost-sharing, which may be in the form of allowable 
direct or indirect costs. E/P would be especially interested in 
proposals which demonstrate a program vision which goes well beyond 
that which can be supported by the requested USIA grant and which would 
try to use a USIA grant to leverage additional funding from other 
sources to support elements of the broader program plan.
    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 A-110, Attachment E, ``Cost-sharing and Matching,'' and should 
be described in the proposal. In the event the Recipient does not meet 
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.
    Please note: All delegates will be covered under the terms of a 
USIA-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by USIA 
directly to the insurance company.

Application Requirements

    Proposals must be structured in accordance with the instructions 
contained in the Application Package. Confirmation letters from U.S. 
and foreign co-sponsors noting their intention to participate in the 
program will enhance a proposal.

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 Package.
    Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of USIA officers for 
advisory review. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
appropriate geographic area offices and the budget and contract 
offices. 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 following criteria:

1. Quality of Program Idea

    Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, rigor, and 
relevance to the Agency mission. They should demonstrate the matching 
of U.S. resources to a clearly defined need.

2. Institutional Reputation and Ability

    Applicant institutions should demonstrate their potential for 
excellence in program design and implementation and/or provide 
documentation of successful programs. If an applicant is a previous 
USIA grant recipient, responsible fiscal management and full compliance 
with all reporting requirements for past Agency grants as determined by 
USIA's Office of Contracts (M/KG) will be considered. Relevant 
substantive evaluations of previous projects may also be considered in 
this assessment.

3. Project Personnel

    The thematic and logistical expertise of project personnel should 
be relevant to the proposed program. Resumes or C.V.s should be 
relevant to the specific proposal and no longer than two pages each.

4. Program Planning

    A detailed agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate 
substantive rigor and logistical capacity.

5. Thematic Expertise

    Proposal should demonstrate the organization's expertise in the 
subject area which promises an effective sharing of information.

6. Cross-Cultural Sensitivity and Area Expertise

    Evidence should be provided for sensitivity to historical, 
linguistic, religious, and other cross-cultural factors, as well as 
relevant knowledge of the target geographic area/countries.

7. Ability To Achieve Program Objectives

    Objectives should be realistic and feasible. The proposal should 
clearly demonstrate how the grantee institution will meet program 
objectives.

8. Multiplier Effect

    Proposed programs should strengthen long-term mutual understanding 
and contribute to maximum sharing of information and establishment of 
long-term institutional and individual ties.

9. Cost-Effectiveness

    Costs to USIA per exchange participant (American and foreign) 
should be kept to a minimum, and all items proposed for USIA funding 
should be necessary and appropriate to achieve the program's 
objectives.

10. 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 and its partners.

11. Follow-on Activities

    Proposals should provide a plan for continued exchange activity 
(without USIA support) which ensures that USIA-supported programs are 
not isolated events.

12. Project Evaluation

    Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the activity's success. 
USIA recommends that the proposal include a draft survey questionnaire 
or other technique plus description of a methodology to use to link 
outcomes to original project objectives. Grantees 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 the Agency which 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 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 September 5, 1994. Awarded grants will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: April 18, 1994.
Barry Fulton,
Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-9669 Filed 4-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M