[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41134-41136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20183]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Training Programs in Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and 
the United Kingdom

ACTION: Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the United States 
Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces an open competition for an assistance award program. Public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may apply to develop projects that 
link their international exchange interests in Western Europe with 
counterpart institutions/groups in ways supportive of the aims of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
    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 
through the Fulbright-Hays 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 RFP should refer to the announcement's title and 
reference number E/P-98-03.
    Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Friday, October 31, 
1997. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents 
postmarked by the due date but received at a later date will not be 
accepted. Grants may begin February 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, E/PE, 
Room 220, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20547, telephone: 202-619-5319, fax: 202-619-4350, Internet Address: 
[[email protected]] to request a Solicitation Package containing more 
detailed information. Please request 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 received via the Bureau's ``Grants 
Information Fax on Demand System'', which is accessed by calling 202/
401-7616. Please request a ``Catalog'' of available documents and order 
numbers when first entering the system.
    Please specify USIA Program Officer Christina Miner 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 
Solicitation Package. The original and ten copies of the application 
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/P-98-03, Office of 
Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 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 posts 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, 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 
criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section for specific 
suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total proposal. Pub. L. 
104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of educational and 
cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom 
and democracy'', USIA ``shall take appropriate steps to provide 
opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and 
democracy leaders of such countries''. Proposals should account for 
advancement of this goal in their program contents, to the full extent 
deemed feasible.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Diminished resources have forced USIA to 
limit the scope of this announcement; regrettably, proposals for 
countries and themes other than the ones described below will not be 
eligible for consideration.

[[Page 41135]]

    USIA is interested in proposals in the following areas and 
countries:
    Canada: Projects should focus on a U.S.-Canada parliamentary staff 
exchange program.
    Germany: Projects should focus on a parliamentary exchange program 
for U.S. and German state legislators. The program for German 
legislators should examine such issues as the state political process, 
legislative structure, federalism, school to work transition and 
immigration/multiculturalism.
    Greece: Projects should focus on the practices and ethics of 
journalism. The first part of the exchange should include an in-country 
seminar on the practical techniques and ethical requirements needed to 
report stories. The program would include sessions for professional and 
student journalists from Greek newspapers and public and private 
communications/journalism schools. In the second part of the exchange 
up to twelve journalists and students would participate in a U.S. 
internship program.
    Italy: Projects should focus on judicial reform. Participants 
should include key magistrates, academics or think tank researchers. In 
part one of the exchange a small Italian delegation would travel to the 
U.S. for a program involving meetings, shadowing, and direct 
observation of the U.S. judicial system. The U.S. program should focus 
on the U.S. white collar criminal trial process, typical case 
development at the state and federal levels and the administration of 
the U.S. judicial system, including the organization of federal and 
state courts, continuing education for judges and court employees, the 
role of court and law clerks, and the use of new technology. In the 
second part of the exchange American legal experts/practitioners would 
spend time in Italy consulting with the Ministry of Justice, the 
Superior Council of the Magistracy in Rome, and individual magistrate 
associations in Milan, Rome and Naples.
    Turkey: Projects should focus on local government administration in 
both eastern and western Turkey. Participants should include mayors and 
municipal officials, who are members of the Turkish Municipal 
Association. In the first part of the exchange Turkish participants 
would travel to the U.S. for a program concentrating on administration 
and fiscal and management procedures and relations with the federal 
government. The second part of the exchange would send approximately 
two U.S. specialists in administration and fiscal management to Turkey 
to conduct workshops with regional associations in at least three key 
regions (Ankara, Istanbul and Adana).
    United Kingdom: Projects should focus on student political 
activists. The program would bring to the U.S. student political 
activists from Great Britain, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The 
exchange should concentrate on developing political and personal skills 
with no relations to Northern Ireland specific issues. The program 
might include workshops on writing and speaking skills, media, 
negotiation, and the American system of government. Case studies and 
role playing could also be included. A cultural component which would 
support the development of personal relationship is also be 
recommended.
    Exchange and training programs supported by institutional grants 
should operate at two levels: they should enhance institutional 
relationships; and they should offer practical and comparative 
information to individuals to assist them with their professional 
responsibilities. Strong proposals usually have the following 
characteristics: An existing partner relationship between an American 
organization and a host-country institution; a proven track record of 
conducting program activity; cost sharing from American or in-country 
sources, including donations of air fares, hotel and housing costs; 
experienced staff with language facility; and a clear, convincing plan 
showing how permanent results will be accomplished as a result of the 
activity funded by the grant. USIA wants to see tangible forms of time 
and money contributed to the project by the prospective grantee 
institution, as well as funding from third party sources.

    Note: Research projects or projects limited to technical issues 
are not eligible for support nor are film festivals or exhibits. 
Exchange programs for students or faculty or proposals that request 
support for the development of university curricula or for degree-
based programs are also ineligible under this RFP. Proposals to link 
university departments or to exchange faculty and/or students are 
funded by USIA's Office of Academic Programs (E/A) under the 
University Affiliation Program and should not be submitted in 
response to this RFP.

Guidelines

    1. All grant proposals must clearly describe the type of persons 
who will participate in the program as well as the process by which 
participants will be selected. In the selection of all foreign 
participants, USIA and USIS posts retain the right to nominate 
participants and to approve or reject participants recommended by the 
program institution. Programs must also comply with J-1 visa 
regulations.
    2. Programs that include internships in the U.S. should provide 
letters tentatively committing host institutions to support the 
internships. Letters of commitment from the hosts of study tour site 
visits should also be included, if applicable.
    3. Applicants are encouraged to consult with USIS offices regarding 
program content and partner institutions before submitting proposals. 
Award-receiving applicants will be expected to maintain contact with 
the USIS post throughout the grant period.

Funding

    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete package 
instructions.
    Applicants must submit a detailed line item budget based on 
specific instructions in the Program and Budget Guidelines of the 
Proposal Submission Instructions. Proposals for less than $75,000 will 
receive preference. Proposals with strong cost-sharing will be given 
priority.
    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000.
    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
program. There must be a summary budget as well as a break-down 
reflecting both the administrative budget and the program budget. For 
further clarification, applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for 
each program component, phase, location, or activity in order to 
facilitate USIA decisions on funding.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) International and domestic air fares; visas; transit costs; 
ground transportation costs.
    (2) Per Diem. For the U.S. program, organizations have the option 
of using a flat $140/day for program participants or the published U.S. 
Federal per diem rates for individual American cities. For activities 
outside the U.S., the published Federal per diem rates must be used.

    Note: U.S. escorting staff must use the published Federal per 
diem rates, not the flat rate.

    (3) Interpreters. If needed, interpreters for the U.S. program are 
provided by the U.S. State Department Language Services Division. 
Typically, a pair of simultaneous interpreters is provided for every 
four visitors. USIA grants do not pay for foreign interpreters to 
accompany delegations from their home

[[Page 41136]]

country. Grant proposal budgets should contain a flat $140/day per diem 
for each Department of State interpreter, as well as home-program-home 
air transportation of $400 per interpreter plus any U.S. travel 
expenses during the program. Salary expenses are covered centrally and 
should not be part of an applicant's proposed budget.
    (4) Book and cultural allowance. Participants are entitled to and 
escorts are reimbursed a one-time cultural allowance of $250 per 
person, plus a participant book allowance of $50. U.S. staff do not get 
these benefits.
    (5) Consultants. May be used to provide specialized expertise or to 
make presentations. Daily honoraria generally do not exceed $250 per 
day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in which case the 
written agreement between the prospective grantee and subcontractor 
should be included in the proposal.
    (6) Room rental, which generally should not exceed $250 per day.
    (7) Materials development. Proposals may contain costs to purchase, 
develop, and translate materials for participants.
    (8) One working meal per project. Per capita costs may not exceed 
$5-8 for a lunch and $14-20 for a dinner, excluding room rental. The 
number of invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a 
factor of two-to-one.
    (9) All USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of a 
USIA-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by USIA 
directly to the insurance company.
    (10) Other costs necessary for the effective administration of the 
program, including salaries for grant organization employees, benefits, 
and other direct and indirect costs per detailed instructions in the 
application package.

Review Process

    USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will review them 
for technical eligibility. Proposal 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 the USIA Office of Western 
European and Canadian Affairs and the USIA post overseas, where 
appropriate. Proposals may 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 assistance awards (grants 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. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should respond to the 
program requirements of the RFP.
    2. Program planning and ability to achieve objectives: Program 
objectives should be stated clearly and precisely and should reflect 
the applicant's expertise in the subject area and the region. Goals 
should be reasonable and attainable. A detailed agenda and relevant 
work plan should demonstrate how objectives will be achieved. A 
timetable indicating when major program tasks will be undertaken should 
be provided. The substance of seminars, presentations, consulting, 
internships and itineraries should be spelled out in detail. 
Responsibilities of incountry partners should be clearly described.
    3. 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 (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    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. Institutional capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals. The narrative should demonstrate proven ability to 
handle logistics. Proposal should reflect the institution's expertise 
in the subject area and knowledge of the country. 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.
    6. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without USIA support) which ensures that 
USIA supported programs are not isolated events.
    7. 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. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is recommended. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is 
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
    8. 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. 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: July 28, 1997.
James D. Whitten,
Acting Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-20183 Filed 7-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M