[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25218-25220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11869]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, Administrative and Program
Services; Request for Proposals
SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Programs of the United States
Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for an assistance award. Public and
private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in
IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may apply to provide administrative and
program services for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program (E/ASX).
The Program administers approximately 200 one-on-one exchanges (400
participants) at the primary, secondary and community college levels
between U.S. and overseas counterpart teachers from over 25 countries.
Overall grant-making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual 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 throught the Fulbright Hays Act.
Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and
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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/ASX-98-AD.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency in Washington, D.C. by 5 p.m. on June 18, 1997.
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked
June 18 but received at a later date. It is the responsibility of each
applicant to ensure that proposals are received by the above deadline.
Grants should begin on or about October 1, 1997 and run through
September 30, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ilo-Mai Harding, Teacher Exchange
Branch, E/ASX, room 349, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547,
telephone: (202) 619-4556, fax: (202) 401-1433, Internet:
[email protected] to request a Solicitation Package containing more
detailed award criteria, required application forms, and standard
guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for
preparation of the proposal budget.
To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's
website at http://www.usia.gov/education/rfps. Please read all
information before downloading.
To Receive a Solicitation Package Via Fax on Demand
The entire Solicitation Package may be requested from the Bureau's
``Grants Information Fax on Demand System,'' which is accessed by
calling (202) 401-7616. The ``Table of Contents'' listing available
documents and order numbers should be the first order when entering the
system.
Please specify USIA Senior Program Officer Ilo-Mai Harding on all
inquiries and correspondences. Interested applicants should read the
complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or
submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, Agency staff
may not discuss this competition in any way with applicants until the
Bureau proposal review process has been completed.
Submissions
Applicants must follow all instructions given in the Solicition
Package. The original and 10 copies of the application should be sent
to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/ASX-98-AD, Office of Grants
Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20547.
Diversity, Freedom and Democracy 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
critiera under the `Support for Diversity' section for specific
suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total proposal.
Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not
fully enjoy freedom and democracy'' the U.S. Information Agency ``shall
take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in
such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such
countries.'' Proposals should reflect advancement of this goal in their
program content, to the full extent deemed feasible.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Program and Policy
In the Administration of the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, USIA
Will Have Responsibility for
A. establishing program policy, and providing instructions and
guidance, both general and specific, on the functions listed below;
B. acting as the major agent in establishing new programs;
monitoring all programs; serving as the liaison with overseas
cooperating agencies in all program matters; overseeing all program
activity including recruiting and matching, publicity and outreach, and
orientation workshops; ensuring that the program is representative of
the diversity of U.S. political, social, and cultural life by actively
encouraging minority participation in all aspects of programming; and
evaluating all aspects of the program;
C. preparing final paperwork for the J. William Fulbright Foreign
Scholarship Board approval on U.S. and foreign candidates and projects;
D. providing funds sufficient to cover staff time and expenses
incurred in the execution of this grant;
E. providing liaison and supervision to effectively carry out the
responsibilities assigned under this grant.
Cooperating Agency Will Be Responsible for
A. providing administrative and program services for the Fulbright
Teacher Exchange Program;
B. observing and complying with the policies of the United States
Information Agency (USIA) and the J. William Fulbright Foreign
Scholarship Board (FSB) in the administration of this grant, and
promoting diversity in programming and staffing;
C. providing data, as required by USIA, concerning the Fulbright
Teacher Exchange Program;
D. submitting quarterly budget and program reports and an annual
report with recommendations for project improvement.
Proposed Budget
The contracted organization must submit a comprehensive line-item
budget based on the specific guidance in the Solicitation Package.
There must be a summary budget as well as a break-down reflecting both
the administrative budget and the program budget. For better
understanding or further clarification, applicants must provide
separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, or activity in
order to facilitate USIA decisions on funding. Administrative costs
should be kept low; this will be an important factor in grant
competition.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
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 be
reviewed by the program office, as well as other USIA elements, where
appropriate. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the
General Counsel. Funding decisions are at the discretion of the USIA
Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final
technical authority for assistance awards (grants
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or cooperative agreements) 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 and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. 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.
2. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in both program administration and program
content (program meetings and resource materials).
3. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
4. 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.
5. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the activity's success. Successful applicants will be expected to
submit quarterly reports.
6. 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.
7. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.
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 funds. Awards made will be subject
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Notification
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.
Dated: April 25, 1997.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-11869 Filed 5-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M