[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25220-25223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11870]


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

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Notice; Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Availability

    Title: Provision of Overseas Direct English Teaching Programs--
Seeking Partnerships.
    Announcement: Call for concept papers.

summary: The English Language Programs Division in the Office of 
Academic Programs of the United States Information Agency's (USIA) 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an opportunity to 
create a public/private sector partnership with USIA in order to ensure 
the long-term viability of one of its direct English teaching programs 
(DETP) abroad. Because of the important role of these programs in 
achieving the United States' public diplomacy and foreign policy 
objectives, USIA is committed to maintaining quality American language 
instruction within professional programs that also reflects American 
cultural thoughts and concepts as well as democratic and educational 
values for important overseas audiences and which facilitates a channel 
of communications vital to America's relationships with other countries 
and cultures. Recent budget reductions however, have limited the 
operational and material support that USIA can offer to the DETPs. USIA 
is seeking a partner in a cooperative agreement to manage the well-
established DETP in Sanaa, Yemen in cooperation with the United States 
Information Service (USIS) post in Sanaa. Management of the program 
must maintain and, if possible, strengthen the DETP's self-sufficiency. 
USIA invites public and private, not-for-profit organizations with a 
minimum of five years experience in successfully managing a self-
sufficient English teaching program to submit concept papers for 
collaborating with USIA and USIS Sanaa. Limited support for any 
initiative may be available, depending on the specific current 
circumstances of the DETP, the interest and requirements of the post, 
and the availability of funds. Any USIA support may be limited to 
international airfare and short-term per diem expenses.

Background Information

English Language Programs Division

    The English Language Programs Division (E/AL) of the United States 
Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
provides professional English language programming to promote a world-
wide understanding and awareness of American Language, society, values 
and policies and to foster an English-competent world community with 
which Americans can engage freely. The Division's English Language 
Officers and Program Officers and staff work on many fronts to promote 
American public diplomacy and policy issues:

    Address national education and language policy issues on a 
government to government basis, sharing American educational 
policies, management practices and state of the art curricula and 
assessment designs.
    Develop and facilitate national and regional conferences, 
seminars and workshops focusing on state of the art language 
instruction, methods, techniques, materials and technologies in 
order to develop a professional cadre of trainers and English 
teachers who can use American educational products and expertise.
    Develop and disseminate instructional materials for use in 
language learning courses, self-study programs or distance education 
programs as well as teacher and trainer professional development 
programs, utilizing the Congressionally legislated authority to 
recycle fees from tuition and the sale of USIA produced English 
teaching materials.
    Increase the audiences' awareness and understanding of American 
society, institutions and values through the learning of American 
English and use of American commercially produced educational 
materials.
    Establish a basis for American academia working in English 
language teaching to develop long term institutional linkages, 
engage in an exchange of scholars, students and research and 
programs.
    Conduct exchange programs for English language professionals to 
enhance country plan objectives and provide support for field 
requests for English language programs.

Direct English Teaching Programs (DETP)

    USIA's Direct English Teaching programs overseas are important 
contributors to the Agency's public diplomacy. The main objective of 
the DETP is to provide important audiences with quality English 
language instruction within a professional program that also reflects 
American cultural thoughts and concepts, as well as democratic and 
educational values.

[[Page 25221]]

The programs and activities the DETPs engage in reflect the goals and 
priorities of the U.S. Missions overseas.
    The activities the DETPs generally engage in include:

    American language courses: intensive and semi-intensive general 
language courses as well as specially designed courses for specific 
clients (from the legal sector, the business sector, various 
Ministerial and other offices in the governmental sector, etc.).
    Cultural programs: lectures, discussions, literary groups, 
plays, movies (commercial or documentary), music/concerts, and 
events related to American holidays, civic education, and issues 
concerning education, democracy, the environment, health, ethics, 
commerce and trade, etc.
    Outreach programs: seminars and workshops for national and local 
professional education associations, assistance with the national 
and local TESOL or IATEFL affiliate, work with the local Ministry of 
Education on curriculum development, teacher training, materials 
development and selection, and assessment.
    Assessment and testing programs: engage in administering 
American educational tests and exams (commercial and non-commercial) 
such as the TOEFL, the TOEIC, the MTAC, the ECMFG, the USMLE, the 
USIA-produced TELP, etc.

    Many DETPs are housed on USIS premises, or USIS-leased premises, 
but some are located at off-site facilities. Wherever the site, there 
should be well-lighted classrooms, an office for the Director of 
Courses (DOC), working space for faculty and staff, and a waiting room 
area for the students. Often there is a library reading room to which 
students have access.
    While the programs are open to the public, due to space, equipment, 
materials and funding limitations, there may not be space for all 
students who wish to attend the DETPs. Because the programs exist to 
promote the public diplomacy efforts and goals of the U.S. Missions 
abroad, the desired primary enrollment at a DETP includes:

Host country government officials
University professors and secondary school teachers
USIA/USIS grantees for various scholarships and grants to the U.S.
Grantees and contacts for programs sponsored by other USG agencies
Prominent community leaders/opinion makers

    The post USIS director, the Public Affairs Officer (PAO), bears the 
primary responsibility for ensuring that the DETP provides an effective 
representation on behalf of USIS and that it serves as a model American 
language education establishment which, concomitantly, serves as a 
conveyer of U.S. culture, thought and values. The DETP's administration 
is responsible for the management of the program under the auspices of 
the PAO and according to the terms of a cooperative agreement signed 
with USIS Sanaa. The faculty and staff of the DETP are not employees of 
USIA or USIS, but work for the program through an agreement with the 
Administrative Institution. The roles and responsibilities of all 
personnel associated with the DETP and the regulations for 
administering the program are contained in the English Language Program 
Administration Manual.
    The DETPs should be fiscally self-sufficient based on fees received 
for tuition, the sale of USIA produced materials, and fees for other 
services related to English language programming (e.g., testing). The 
DETPs are not dependent on USIA/USIS for sustained financial support. 
Depending on the relationship between the DETP and the local USIS post, 
and the availability of funds, USIS may contribute towards some 
programming for the DETP.
    The authority for USIA/USIS to engage in the DETPs is provided 
through legislation. Under the authorizing legislation PL 97-241 and 
under Section 801 of the United States Information and Educational 
Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1471), and the Mutual Educational and 
Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, USIA is able to receive fees for tuition 
and services for English teaching programs conducted by or on behalf of 
the Agency.
    The authority for USIA/USIS to enter into a cooperative agreement 
is found in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 
as amended, Sections 102(a)(1)(A), 102(b)(4) and 104(e)(1); Executive 
Order 11034, Section 8(a)(3), (5), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12) and (15); 
the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977; Reorganization 
Plan No. 2 of 1977, Executive Order 10248 and the United States 
Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, as amended, Section 
810.

USIS Sanaa Direct English Teaching Program

    The program under current consideration is in Sanaa, Yemen. The 
DETP has been in existence for about 22 years. The DETP currently has 
950 students, of which 565 are returning students. The program employs 
a faculty/staff of 36 (In order to maintain the continuity and 
consistency of services, the new administrative institution may allow 
as many personnel as are qualified and as practicable to remain on the 
job.) Class sizes range form 10 to 17, with 16 being the average. The 
core program has six levels (basic to advanced) and uses the Spectrum 
series as the main text. Advanced classes beyond the core program have 
at various times included Advanced Writing, Advanced Grammar, Advanced 
Conservation, English for Business, TOEFL Preparation, and Teacher 
Training for Yemeni Teachers of English. The DETP is a self-sufficient 
program. A complete profile of the program is available to applicants 
wishing to submit a concept paper.

Scope of Partnership

    USIS Sanaa is looking for an institutional partner to manage the 
DETP. Management of the program includes personnel recruitment (DOC, 
faculty, staff) and the administration of all aspects and activities of 
the program, including English language classes, cultural programs, 
outreach programs, and language testing/assessment activities. 
Management of the program must assure:

    A professionally qualified and experienced Director of Courses;
    A trained teaching staff with a minimum of advanced proficiency 
in English, and with knowledge of current methodologies, techniques 
and technology in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL);
    Well organized curricula that include course achievement goals 
and assessment criteria; Primary use of core texts which are high-
quality, American-published materials, and which include a strong 
American cultural component which acquaints the students with the 
United States;
    Continued program financial self-sufficiency and sound financial 
planning;
    Close cooperation with USIS Sanaa in English for Special 
Purposes outreach, targeted client development, and any cultural 
content and programming.

    Specific guidelines and evaluation criteria for the management of 
the DETP are in the English Language Program Administration Manual 
which is available upon request to applicants wishing to submit a 
concept paper.

Management's Role and Responsibilities

    The role and responsibilities of the managing institution as 
outlined in the standard cooperative agreement include:

    Establishing, with the approval of the Director of USIS (PAO), 
the level, hours and duration of courses to be taught.
    Recruiting and selecting well-qualified teaching and 
administrative personnel; entering into a written work agreement 
with each person; training these individuals; inspecting, reviewing, 
and coordinating the work of these individuals, and deciding on the 
termination, renewal or non-renewal of the work agreement. All 
proposed staff and all proposed terminations, renewals/non-renewals 
must be approved by the PAO.

[[Page 25222]]

    Establishing student prerequisites, conducting placement testing 
and TEFL tests, enrolling and scheduling students.
    Establishing jointly with the PAO the maximum and minimum number 
of students per class.
    Establishing jointly with the PAO a fee structure for students, 
a salary schedule for teachers and other staff, and fiscal 
structures for any other revenue sources.
    Collecting fees from all sources; on a quarterly or semi-annual 
basis remunerate 10% of the gross receipts to USIS Sanaa.
    Making disbursements to staff as well as local or other vendors 
for all operating expenses incurred to conduct the DETP.
    Maintaining student progress reports and issuing appropriate 
certification to students who meet institutional standards at 
various levels of proficiency.
    Maintaining detailed financial and statistical records in 
accordance with the requirements outlined in the cooperative 
agreement and in the English Language Program Administration Manual.
    Accepting responsibility and accountability for the equipment, 
furniture, nonexpendable supplies, textbooks, and other physical 
property assigned to the DETP. Preparing an annual inventory of such 
property on hand as of August 31 of each year. The managing 
organization may be held liable for replacing any such property 
which cannot be accounted for during the annual inventory process.
    Providing all such reports as may be requested by the PAO or 
stated in the English Language Programs Administration Manual.
    Preparing a Financial Plan which includes all funds required to 
operate the DETP for one academic year, with the projected income to 
meet those expenses.

    The management and the management's personnel shall not be 
considered employees of the Federal Government and shall not be 
eligible, by virtue of performance under the cooperative agreement, for 
payment by the Government or entitlements and benefits accorded federal 
employees unless specifically included in the cooperative agreement or 
the English Language Program Administration Manual.
    The DETP will be established, organized and operated as described 
in the English Language Program Administration Manual. This manual will 
be used to address a number of details necessary for a successful DETP. 
This handbook is made a part of the cooperative agreement and its order 
of precedence is secondary only to the specific written terms of the 
cooperative agreement itself.
    Benefits: Potential benefits to the applicant for entering into a 
cooperative agreement with USIS include, but are not limited to:

    Through a sharing of resources, the opportunity to work 
overseas, or expand current international work;
    Sharing of USIS contacts in the language education profession or 
related fields;
    Opportunity to establish linkages and expansion beyond the 
immediate scope of the partnership;
    Opportunity for exchanges of faculty, students, research, and 
staff;
    On-site recruitment of international scholars and students and 
the ability to conduct pre-departure orientation;
    Expanded international recognition and an expanded network of 
contacts and resources;
    Potential revenue from DETP income to support the benefits 
mentioned above.

    Announcement Title and Number: All communications with USIA 
concerning this announcement should refer to the above title and 
reference number E/AL-97-03.
    Supporting Documents: Applicants should request the following 
supporting documents from the English Language Programs Division (E/
AL):

The English Language Program Administrative Manual
The Sanaa DETP program profile
A sample copy of a Cooperative Agreement to Manage a DETP

    Submissions: Organizations wishing to pursue collaborating as 
described above should prepare a concept paper, not to exceed 10 pages. 
This paper should include the following information:

A. Name and address of organization(s).
B. Principal contact information (name, phone/fax numbers, e-mail 
address).
C. Outline of organization's history, mission, and scope.
D. Brief description of organization's experience in successfully 
managing a self-sufficient English teaching program, preferably an off-
site program.
E. Resources (human, financial, in-kind etc.) which applicant 
organization proposes to contribute to the achievement of the goals of 
the DETP, including the qualifications of the likely Director of 
Courses.
F. Brief description of applicant organization's experience in Yemen 
and/or the region; if no experience in the region, organization's 
overseas experience.
G. Scope of proposed activity, including applicant organization's 
management style and communication style for directing a distance 
program under the guidelines in the English Language Program 
Administration Manual.
H. Brief discussion of the goals and the benefits the applicant 
organization envisions upon entering into such an agreement with USIS 
Sanaa.

    The original and six copies of the concept paper, along with the 
same information on a 3.5'' diskette in ASCII text format, should be 
sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/AL-97-03, Office of Grants 
Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    USIA will use the electronic submissions to transmit concept papers 
to USIS Sanaa for its review and comment.
    Deadline for Submission: All concept papers must be received at the 
U.S. Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on June 6, 
1997. Faxed documents will not be accepted. Documents postmarked June 
6, but received at a later date will also not be accepted.
    Review Process: USIA will review concept papers using as criteria 
the degree to which the applicant organization demonstrates:

    Experience successfully managing an English teaching program;
    Styles of management and communication relating to management of 
an overseas program;
    Overseas experience of the organization and proposed personnel;
    Ability to provide the necessary resources (human and financial) 
to assure the quality and self-sufficiency of the program.
    The goals and benefits the applicant envisions for itself and 
the DETP upon entering into such an agreement with USIS Sanaa.

    All accepted concept papers will be reviewed by a panel which may 
include the program office, geographic area office, and USIS Sanaa. 
Statements may also be reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel or 
by other Agency elements. The panel will determine those interested 
parties that should be recommended for further consideration by USIS 
Sanaa. E/AL will communicate all information regarding the concept 
papers and the panel's recommendations to USIS Sanaa. Final decisions 
regarding the concept papers will be communicated to the applicants by 
E/AL. USIA in cooperation with USIS Sanaa will negotiate a formal 
cooperative agreement with the chosen Administrative Institution.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The English Language Programs 
Division, E/AL, Rm. 304, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, telephone 202-619-5869; fax 202-401-1250; e-mail 
[email protected] Contact officer is Damon Anderson.
    To download this announcement via internet: This announcement may 
be downloaded from USIA's web site at http://www.usia.gov/education/
rfps. Please read all information before downloading.


[[Page 25223]]


    Dated: April 29, 1997.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-11870 Filed 5-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M