[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2348]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 22, 1994]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
 

Federalism in Russia Partnership Program

ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the United States 
Information Agency's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs announces 
an open competition for an assistance award program. Public or private 
non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS 
regulation 501(c)(3) may apply to develop training programs which 
foster permanent professional and political partnerships between 
Russian regional governments, institutions, political leaders and their 
American counterparts. The program is designed to increase the 
commercial, economic, educational, and political ties between Russia 
and the United States at the regional level.
    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Pub. 
L. 87-256, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the Act 
is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual 
understanding between the people of the United States and the people of 
other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other 
nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, 
developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and 
other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of friendly, 
sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the 
other countries of the world.''
    The funding authority for the program cited above is provided 
through the Freedom Support Act.
    Projects must conform with Agency requirements and guidelines 
outlined in the Application Package. USIA programs and projects are 
subject to the availability of funds.
    Announcement Name and Number: All communications with USIA 
concerning this announcement should refer to the above title and 
reference number E/PN-94-22.

DATES: Deadline for proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on December 7, 1994. 
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked on 
December 7, 1994 but received at a later date. It is the responsibility 
of each applicant to ensure that proposals are received by the above 
deadline.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Office of Citizen Exchanges, E/PN Room 
216, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20547, 202-619-5326 (phone number), 202-619-4350 (fax number), to 
request an Application Package, which includes more detailed award 
criteria; all application forms; and guidelines for preparing 
proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of the proposal 
budget. Please specify Ruth Fair Leeb, Program Specialist in the office 
of Russia/Eurasian Programs, on all inquiries and correspondences. 
Interested applicants should read the complete Federal Register 
announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office of Citizen 
Exchanges or submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, 
representatives from USIA may not discuss this competition in any way 
with applicants until the Bureau proposal review process has been 
completed.

ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
Application Package and send only complete applications to: U.S. 
Information Agency, Reference: E/PN-95-22, Office of Grants Management, 
E/XE, Room 336, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing 
legislation, projects must maintain a non-political character and 
should be balanced and representative of the diversity of American 
political, social, and cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be 
interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including 
but not limited to race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-
economic status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle.

Overview

    USIA is interested in proposals that further the development of 
federalism in Russia at the regional level through the establishment of 
long-term, comprehensive relationships between regional organizations/
institutions in the United States and their regional counterparts in 
Russia.
    Projects should examine the roles of national and regional 
governments that exist in a federated system of government and focus on 
the tasks, responsibilities, and obligations charged to each. General 
program content will vary depending on the regions involved. Issues of 
interest might include but are not limited to: The balance of power 
between federal and regional governments; communication and 
coordination between regional and federal governments; regional 
economic development and management; and regional resource management 
and environmental policy. Projects should reflect the issues shared by 
the American and Russian regions.
    Priority will be given to projects that produce tangible, 
manageable results, i.e. a federalism curriculum for a Russian 
institute/university, development of a regional association, 
development of a center/institute within an existing Russian 
institution to study regional issues, development of Russian and 
American business/commercial links, etc.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges is not interested in projects that 
are largely academic in nature (classroom lectures, structured course 
work, participation in existing academic courses, etc.).
    USIA encourages applicants to design creative projects involving 
non-English speaking Russians for both in-country and U.S.-based 
training. USIA is interested in proposals whose designs take into 
account the need for the continued sharing of information and ongoing 
training.
    Priority will be given to those projects which include a resident 
American in Russia for a duration of at least three months. Proposals 
that include U.S. specialists with background in Russia and some 
language will be given priority. Priority will also be given to those 
projects which demonstrate concrete results at the end of program 
activity (conference reports, ongoing exchanges, continued involvement 
of grantee organization in Russia, etc.). The goal of the program is to 
create working relationships between Russian and American officials in 
areas of mutual interest in order to form permanent professional and 
political partnerships between regional leaders and their respective 
institutions.
    Given the regional nature of the program, American universities 
interested in submitting proposals are strongly encouraged to 
collaborate with American national and regional professional 
associations and organizations.

Geographic Focus

    The following regions are the priority areas for the Federalism in 
Russia Partnership Program:
    Ural Mountain region; in particular the Chelyabinsk, Perm, and 
Sverdlovsk oblasts.
    The Volga Valley region; in particular the Samara, Saratov, and 
Volgograd oblasts.
    Southern Siberia; in particular the Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk, and 
Tomsk oblasts.
    Interested organizations are encouraged to include two or more 
oblasts in the programmatic design of their proposal to increase its 
multiplier effect, but to simplify logistics and administration, 
prospective grantees are strongly encouraged to coordinate planning 
with a single oblast administration. One assistance award will be 
granted per region.

Programmatic Considerations

    USIA will give careful consideration to proposals which 
demonstrate:
     In-depth, substantive knowledge of the issues related to 
federalism in Russia.
     Established relations with Russian regional institutions/
organizations and a demonstrated commitment to continue such 
relationships following the conclusion of the grant period.
     The capacity to organize, manage, and administer a program 
of this magnitude on a regional level; including conducting 
orientations for both American and Russian participants, arranging all 
logistical aspects of the program, providing in-county support for 
participants prior to and following the program.
     Development of practical, written information in Russian 
relevant to the interests of Russian regional and local officials.
     A clear and detailed method for participant selection. The 
proposal should clearly describe the type of person who will 
participate and how that person will be selected. Grantee institutions 
are expected to develop slates of candidates from which to choose the 
final participants. USIS Moscow retains the right to accept or deny any 
candidate recommended for participation by the grantee institution. 
Also, USIS Moscow retains the right to suggest deserving individuals 
for participation.
     Consultations with USIS Moscow staff in the development of 
a training program is strongly encouraged.
     Projects must comply with J-1 visa regulations.

Materials Development

    USIA encourages the development and use of written materials in 
Russian to increase the impact of the program. US government funds, not 
to exceed ten percent (10%) of the total grant award, may be used to 
purchase and/or translate documents and materials and to purchase the 
required software and hardware to achieve the goals of the project. In 
developing written materials, consideration should be given to their 
wider use, beyond the Federalism in Russian Partnership Program. USIA 
is interested in the multiple use of training materials through their 
dissemination to universities, libraries, and other organizations for 
use by a larger audience.

Budget

    The decision to submit a proposal should not be taken lightly. 
Competition for USIA funding is always keen and this program is highly 
competitive. A USIA grant award should constitute only a portion of the 
total project funding. Proposals should list and provide evidence of 
other anticipated sources of financial and in-kind support. USIA 
requires that at least 50% of all outbound travel costs be provided by 
the American partner organization(s) with non-federal funds. Russian 
partner organizations will be expected to provide for lodging, 
transportation, and interpreting for visiting American officials. 
Additional cost-sharing is strongly recommended; it indicates a 
commitment on the part of the prospective grantee institution to the 
project.
    Proposals for less than $175,000 will receive preference. 
Organizations with less than four yeas of not-for-profit status are 
limited to grants of $60,000.
    All participants are covered under the terms of a USIA-sponsored 
health insurance policy. The premium is paid directly to the insurance 
company by USIA.
    Please refer to the Application Package for complete budget 
guidelines.

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 stated herein and in the 
Application Package. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of 
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be 
reviewed by the budget and contracts offices, as well as the USIA 
Office of East European and NIS Affairs and the USIA post overseas, 
where appropriate. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the 
General Counsel or by other Agency elements. Funding decisions are at 
the discretion of the USIA Associate Director for Educational and 
Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grant awards resides 
with the USIA grants officer.
    Tchnically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the following criteria:
    1. Quality of the Program Idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to Agency mission.
    2. Program Planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above.
    3. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. Multiplier Effect: Proposed projects should strengthen long-term 
mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and 
establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages.
    5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    6. Institution's Ability/Record: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange projects, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office of 
Contracts. The Agency will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    7. Thematic and Area Expertise: Proposals should reflect the 
institution's expertise in the subject area and should address the 
specific issues of concern facing the countries involved in the 
project.
    8. Project Personnel: Personnel's thematic and logistical expertise 
should be relevant to the proposed program. Resumes should be suited to 
the specific proposal and no longer than two pages each.
    9. Cross-Cultural Sensitivity: Proposals should show evidence of 
sensitivity to historical, linguistic, and other cross-cultural 
factors, as well as appropriate knowledge of the geographic area, and 
should show how this sensitivity will be used in practical aspects of 
the program, such as pre-departure orientations or briefing of American 
hosts.
    10. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without USIA support) which insures that 
USIA supported projects are not isolated events.
    11. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. 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. Award-receiving 
organizations/institutions will be expected to submit intermediate 
reports after each project component is concluded or quarterly, 
whichever is less frequent.
    12. Cost-Effectiveness/Cost-Sharing: The overhead and 
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and 
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be 
necessary and appropriate.
    13. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the 
recipient's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of 
diversity throughout the program. This can be accomplished through 
documentation (such as a written statement or account) summarizing and/
or on-going activities and efforts that further the principle of 
diversity within both the organization and the program activities.

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 that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on 
the part of the Government. The needs of the program may require the 
award to be reduced, revised, or increased. Final awards cannot be made 
until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed 
through internal USIA procedures.

Notification

    All applicants will be notified of the results of the review 
process on or about March 6, 1995. Awards made will be subject to 
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: September 16, 1994.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director, Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-2348 Filed 9-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M