[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 178 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47801-47804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22908]



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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Exchanges and Training Program With the Newly Independent States

ACTION: Notice--Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Division of Russia/Eurasia of 
the United States Information Agency's Bureau of Education and Cultural 
Affairs announces a competitive grants program. Public or private non-
profit organizations meeting the provisions described in 26 CFR 
1.501(c)(3) may apply to develop training programs in (1) local 
government and public administration, (2) business administration and 
business development, (3) rule of law, and (4) independent media 
development for the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, 
Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikstan, 
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual 

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Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as 
amended, 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 Fulbright-Hays Act and the Freedom 
Support Act.
    Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and 
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package. USIA projects and 
programs are subject to the availability of funds.

ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE AND NUMBER: All communications with USIA concerning 
this announcement should refer to the above title and reference number 
E/PN-96-16.

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m., Washington, DC time on Wednesday, 
November 15, 1995. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will 
documents postmarked November 15, 1995 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, Russia/
Eurasia Division, E/PN, Room 216, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel.: 202-619-5326, fax: 202-619-
4350, to request a Solicitation 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 USIA Program Specialist Jim Del Giudice on all 
inquiries and correspondence. Mr. Del Giudice may also be reached at 
the following e-mail address: [email protected]. Interested applicants 
should read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
addressing inquiries to the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Russia/Burasia 
Division or submitting their proposals. Once the RFP deadline has 
passed, the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Russia/Eurasia Division may 
not discuss this competition in any way with applicants until after the 
Bureau proposal review process has been completed.

SUBMISSIONS: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
Solicitation Package and send an original and ten copies of completed 
applications to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/PN-96-16, Office of 
Grants Management, E/XE, Room 336, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20547.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette, 
formatted for DOS. This material must be provided in ASCII text (DOS) 
format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. USIA will transmit 
these files electronically to USIS post overseas for their review, with 
the goal of reducing the time it takes to get posts' comments for the 
Agency's grants review process.

Diversity Guidelines

    Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs 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 ethnicity, 
race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and 
physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to 
the advancement of this principle both in program administration and in 
program content. Please refer to the review criteria under the `Support 
for Diversity' section for specific suggestions on incorporation 
diversity into the total proposal.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    USIA is interested in proposals that encourage the growth of 
democratic institutions in the NIS. The main areas are local government 
and public administration; rule of law; business management; and media. 
Proposals should demonstrate support for host-country institutions and 
should discuss what impact activities are expected to have over the 
long run. Proposals which build upon previous efforts and/or show 
significant cost-sharing will receive preference.
    The projects may include: internships; study tours; short-term 
training; consultations; and extended, intensive workshops taking place 
in the United States or in the countries listed in this announcement:
    We encourage applicants to design creative programs aimed at non-
English speakers both for in-country as well as for U.S.-based training 
projects. USIA is interested in proposals whose designs take into 
account the need for ongoing sharing of information and training. 
Examples include: ``train the trainers'' models; the creation of 
indigenous training centers; and/or plans to create professional 
networks or professional associations to share information.

    Note: While this competition may fund programs in which American 
universities work with NIS counterparts, it is not intended to be a 
university linkage program. Such programs are funded by USIA's 
Office of Academic Programs (E/A) and proposals whose purpose is to 
exchange faculty or otherwise support direct academic links should 
be submitted under the E/A RFP for the College and University 
Affiliations Programs (CUAP).

Local Government and Public Administration

    USIA is interested in proposals for training programs that foster 
effective administration of local and regional governments.
    Programs in Public Administration for Kazakstan will not be 
accepted.
    Proposals are encouraged for the following themes/topics which have 
been requested by USIA's posts in Ukraine and Russia:
     RUSSIA: Projects that build the capacity of local 
institutions and that use Russian language materials are strongly 
encouraged. Proposals that show support from local administrations in 
Russia--city or oblast--will receive preference, as will proposals that 
demonstrate some basis for continuity--for example, those that build on 
Sister City relationships or other professional associations. USIA is 
particularly interested in exchange programs designed for regional 
legislators, in particular the oblast legislatures of Irkutsk and 
Buryatia. Programs that emphasize the practical ramifications of a 
federated system of government will receive particular consideration. 
Programs should involve exchanges and continuing consultations between 
counterparts, for example, oblast duma members and U.S. state 
legislators. Proposals should be very specific, emphasizing concrete, 
tangible results that leave something behind in Russia once projects 
are completed.
     UKRAINE: Priority will be given to programs on themes such 
as: setting up a civil service and the concept of merit-based 
recruitment; the relationship between government and business; how to 
create a business-friendly environment through local laws and 
practices; combating corruption in law enforcement officials; 
governmental 

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budgeting processes; taxation; privatization of government services; 
models of local government, including city manager, city council, 
county government; regional planning at multi-city, multi-county level; 
and administration of civic organizations such as library school 
boards, community centers. Ukrainian partner institutions might include 
the Institute of Public Administration in Kiev, the L'viv Management 
Institute, the International Management Institute in Kiev, or similar 
institutions.

Rule of Law

    For all NIS countries, USIA is interested in proposals for 
parliamentary exchanges that offer a substantive professional visit to 
the United States for groups of elected legislators and their staffs, 
at both national and regional levels. Programs can be designed around a 
specific theme (e.g., budget and finance, legislative and parliamentary 
procedure, oversight of law enforcement) or can serve as a vehicle to 
develop relationships between parliamentarians and Members of Congress 
and state legislators. Direct contact with U.S. Members of Congress is 
a major goal of the program. Proposals for groups composed of deputies 
or a combination of deputies and professional staff are acceptable. A 
compelling program rationale should be given for projects mixing local 
and national officials in one group. Visits to state legislatures in 
the United States are encouraged. Particular care must be taken to 
coordinate participant lists with the American Embassy in the given NIS 
country. In general, the American Embassies will issue the formal 
invitations to parliamentarians to participate in a given program.
    For Russia, USIA is interested in long-term internship-based 
exchange programs between Russian parliamentary staff members and their 
American counterparts. Such programs should expose staff members to the 
workings of a congressional office. Internships should be substantive 
and involve work both in Washington and in congressional districts and 
last approximately eight weeks, USIS Moscow would select English 
speaking participants for this effort.
    For Kazakstan, USIA is particularly interested in proposals 
involving the Parliament-to-be (elections should be held by the end of 
the 1995 calendar year). Programs beginning after March 1996 would be 
ideal for establishing contacts with the new parliament. Proposals 
should focus on the basics of and legislative procedures in drafting, 
debating, and passing legislation.
    For Ukraine, USIA is interested in programs that offer training in 
the administration of local courts.

Business Administration and Development

    USIA's definition of business development and administration is 
broad. It includes: small business development, resource development 
(housing, environment, energy), economic privatization and 
restructuring and agri-business development, including food 
distribution systems or the role of family farms. USIA is interested in 
projects that strengthen university business departments and provide 
management training for people already in the work place. In addition, 
the following USIS posts have expressed interest in the following 
specific themes:
     UKRAINE: Proposals are encouraged on the following themes: 
Business ethics; entrepreneurship; how to start a small business; how 
to promote business; and business curriculum development.
     KAZAKSTAN: Proposals should focus on management training 
for established professionals; particularly in those areas that are of 
importance to the future development of Kazakstan. These fields include 
energy, industry, metallurgy, agriculture, mineral development, and 
small business development.

Independent Media Development

    USIA is interested in media training proposals that focus on 
journalistic training, management of media organizations and foster 
independent media. Journalistic training in basic skills and concepts 
could include: effective writing, investigative reporting, objectivity, 
the clear labeling of editorials and opinion pieces, intellectual 
property issues and ethics.
    Media management training (both print and electronic) should focus 
on management of media as a business: management techniques, desk top 
publishing, advertising, marketing, distribution, personnel, public 
relations, and the financial benefits and pitfalls of journalistic 
advocacy. USIS posts in the following countries have indicated their 
priority themes:
     RUSSIA: USIA is particularly interested in proposals to 
work with nascent media associations and wire services. Collaborative 
efforts with organizations such as (but not limited to) the newly-
founded Association for Investigative Journalists and more established 
organizations like the Russian Association of Editors and Publishers, 
the Glasnost Defense Fund, and the Globe Press Syndicate (GLOBUS) are 
encouraged. Proposals should build institutional capacity, increase the 
number of viable voices promoting the free flow of information, and 
enhance institutional ability to provide training and support.
     KAZAKSTAN: USIA is particularly interested in proposals 
that focus on the business of media and maximize the amount of 
practical, hands-on experience provided to program participants. There 
are many independent media outlets in Kazakstan that are trying to make 
the transition to a market-driven news business, and the Agency is 
interested in proposals that promote the idea of journalism as a 
business. Training programs in news reporting, television production 
and the ethics of journalism are also encouraged. Priority will be 
given to proposals that contain both in-country and U.S.-based 
programming. Programs for non-English speakers will be given priority.
     UKRAINE: The following topics have priority: Ethics in 
journalism; straight news reporting; marketing and advertising in print 
and broadcast media.

Guidelines

    Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to 
program specific guidelines in the Solicitation Package for further 
details.

Proposed Budget

    Organizations must submit a comprehensive line item budget based on 
the specific guidance in the Program and Budget Guidelines sections of 
the Solicitation Package. Proposals for less than $150,000 will receive 
preference.
    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000.
    Applicants are invited to submit an all-inclusive budget as well as 
separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or 
activity in order to facilitate USIA decisions on funding.

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 
Solicitation Package. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of 
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be 
reviewed by the Agency contracts office, as well 

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as the USIA Office of East European and NIS Affairs and the appropriate 
USIA post(s) overseas. 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.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered:
    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/Impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    5. Cross Cultural/Area Expertise: Proposals should reflect the 
institution's expertise in the subject area and should address specific 
areas of concern facing countries involved in the project. 
Additionally, projects should show evidence of sensitivity to 
historical, linguistic and other cross cultural factors and should 
demonstrate how this sensitivity will be used in practical aspects of 
the program, such as pre-departure orientations or briefings of 
American hosts.
    6. 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 past 
and/or on-going activities and efforts that further the principle of 
diversity within both the organization and the program activities.
    7. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    8. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange programs, 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.
    9. Follow-On Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without USIA support) which insures that 
USIA supported programs are not isolated events.
    10. 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 proposals 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.
    11. Cost-Effectiveness: 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.
    12. Cost-Sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.
    13. Value of U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects 
should receive positive assessments by USIA's geographic area desk and 
overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance 
in the partner country(ies).

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 Agency reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
the program and the availability of funding. 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 1, 1996. Awards made will be subject to 
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: September 8, 1995.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director, Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-22908 Filed 9-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M