[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 9238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5025]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


VOA Seeks Private Sector Partners

AGENCY: United States Information Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Voice of America (VOA) is the United States Government's 
world-wide broadcasting service and a major component of the U.S. 
Information Agency's (USIA) International Broadcasting Bureau. VOA has 
an unparalleled worldwide news gathering service, with more than 22 
bureaus around the globe; it produces a wide variety of programming in 
English and 52 other languages, reaching about 92 million people around 
the globe; it has a 55-year worldwide reputation for accuracy and 
excellence, making it far and away the best known and respected 
American source of news and information in the world; its music 
programs have brought and now bring American popular culture to remote 
areas of the world; millions of people have learned English by 
listening the English teaching and Special English programs of VOA; 
many of its language services, such as the Spanish and Portuguese 
Services for Latin America (VOA Latin America) now work with hundreds 
of affiliate stations.
    Like other major media enterprises, the VOA is now prepared to 
explore a variety of possible arrangements with telecommunications/
broadcasting corporations. VOA is prepared to accept proposals for 
joint ventures, corporate underwriting, and other relationships 
designed to further its mission while reducing the expenditure of 
taxpayer dollars. The Agency is authorized, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 1437, 
to encourage and utilize private agencies' participation, including 
existing American press, publishing, radio, et al., in carrying out its 
mission.
    Accordingly, the U.S. Information Agency and its International 
Broadcasting Bureau are seeking private sector partners for its various 
VOA programs and program services. It is specifically interested in 
exploring proposals from companies that would like to provide financing 
for VOA Latin America and/or other components of VOA.
    Expressions of interest should be submitted in writing by April 1, 
1997, to John G. Busch, Office of Contracts, 301 4th St., S.W., Room M-
22, Washington, DC 20547; telephone no. 202-205-5480; fax no. 202-205-
5466; or Internet: [email protected]. All correspondence will be 
considered.

    Dated: February 21, 1997.
John G. Busch,
Senior Contracting Officer, Office of Contracts.
[FR Doc. 97-5025 Filed 2-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M