[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51726-51728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26153]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


International Visitor Program

ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Office of International Visitors (E/V) of the United 
States Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces a competition for an assistance award. Public and Private 
nonprofit organizations not currently receiving Office of International 
Visitors assistance awards and meeting the provisions described in IRS 
regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may apply to develop programming for 
projects of one to twenty-five International Visitors nominated by U.S. 
Embassies abroad.
    The intent of this announcement is to attract new organizations to 
the International Visitor (IV) programming process. USIA is seeking new 
organizations to provide diversity and an infusion of program 
experience to the IV program. The winning applicant will function as a 
national programming agency and will work closely with USIA staff 
members who will guide and mentor the applicant through procedural, 
budgetary or programmatic issues as they arise in a variety of 
International Visitor projects. This experience is expected to build 
the selected organization's capacity to compete for a continuing grant 
in IV project administration.
    USIA is seeking a qualified applicant to develop over the course of 
fiscal year 1998 (October 1, 1997-September 30, 1998) the following 
series of projects: 25 Individual Visitor projects, 6 Single Country 
Projects (SCPs), 2 Regional Projects (RPs) and 1 Multi-Regional Project 
(MRP).
    The objective of the International Visitor Program is to increase 
mutual understanding through communication and collaboration with 
professional counterparts in the U.S. Participants are current or 
potential foreign leaders in government, politics, media, education, 
science, labor relations, and other key fields. They are selected by 
American embassies abroad and approved by USIA in Washington, DC. Since 
the program's earliest inception in 1941, more than 120,000 
distinguished visitors have participated in the program, and over 155 
program alumni have subsequently become heads of state or government in 
their home 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.''
    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/V-98-01.

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. Interested 
applicants should read the complete Federal Register announcement 
before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.

Bidders Conference

    USIA will host a Bidder's Conference for this assistance award on 
November 5, 1997 at a USIA location in Washington, DC. Substantive 
questions about this RFP will be addressed at the conference. 
Interested applicants are asked to submit questions by mail, fax, or e-
mail to the E/VC address given above. Questions must be received by COB 
Friday, October 31, 1997. Details of the Bidders Conference will be 
sent to responding applicants at a later date.

Submissions

    Applicants must follow all instructions given in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and 10 copies of the application should be sent 
to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/V-98-01, Office of Grants 
Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Applicants must also submit the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette, 
formatted for WordPerfect.

Deadline for Proposals

    All copies must be received at the U.S. Information Agency by 5 
p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Monday, December 1, 1997. Faxed or e-
mailed 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 should begin by mid-January 1998.

To Request a Solicitation Package, Contact

    The Office of International Visitors, Community relations Division, 
E/VC, Room 266, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20547, Tel: (202) 619-5234, 1-800-827-0804; Fax: (202) 
619-4655, E-Mail address: [email protected] (available October 14, 1997).
    Please request required application forms, and standard guidelines 
for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of 
the proposal budget.

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

[[Page 51727]]

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:

    Overview:  Programs must maintain a non-partisan character. 
Programs and awards must conform to all Agency requirements and 
guidelines.
    Guidelines: USIA seeks proposals from non-profit organizations for 
development and implementation of professional projects for 
approximately 100 USIA-sponsored International Visitors to the U.S. 
Once the award is made, separate proposals will be required for each 
group project [MRP, RP, and SCP], as well as less-formal proposals for 
Individual Visitor projects. Each project will be focussed on a 
substantive theme. Further information giving examples of some of these 
program themes is included below and in the Solicitation Package.
    Goals and objectives for all projects will be shared with the 
winning applicant organization following the announcement of the 
assistance award. Most projects will be 21 to 30 days in length. Most 
projects will begin in Washington, DC, with an orientation and overview 
of the issues and a central examination of Federal policies regarding 
these issues. Well-paced project itineraries include programs in four 
or five communities. Group and individual project itineraries will 
ideally include urban and rural small communities in diverse 
geographical and cultural regions of the U.S., as appropriate to the 
project theme. Projects should provide opportunities for participants 
to experience the diversity of American society and culture. Depending 
on the size and theme of the project, the participants in Multi-
Regional or Regional group projects can be divided into smaller sub-
groups for simultaneous visits to different communities, with 
subsequent opportunities to share their experiences with the full group 
once it is reunited. Project may provide opportunities for the visitors 
to share a meal or similar experience (home hospitality) in the home of 
Americans of diverse occupational, age, gender and ethnic groups. Some 
individual and group projects might include an opportunity for an 
overnight stay (home stay) in an American home. The visitors should be 
provided opportunities to address student, civic and professional 
groups in relaxed and informal settings. For some projects, 
``shadowing'' experiences with American professional colleagues may be 
proposed. Visitors should have appropriate opportunities for site 
visits and hands-on experiences that are relevant to project themes. 
Projects should also allow time for participants to reflect on their 
experiences, and in group projects, share observations with project 
colleagues. Visitors should have opportunities to visit cultural and 
tourist sites. Arrangements for community visits must be made through 
affiliates of the National Council for International Visitors [NCIV]. 
[The NCIV is a national network of private citizen organizations 
located in more than one hundred U.S. communities, which arrange local 
programs for international visitors.] In cities where there is no such 
council, the applicant organization will arrange for coordination of 
local programs.
    The applicant should demonstrate the potential to develop projects, 
as described above, on a variety of program themes. The applicant is 
expected to have e-mail capability to consult with USIA program 
officers, and access to internet resources. USIA will provide close 
coordination and guidance throughout the duration of the award.
    For informational purposes only, the following outlines are 
examples of project themes for multi-regional and regional projects. Do 
not prepare proposals to administer these sample project themes as part 
of your submission package.
    1. Multi-Regional Project (World-wide participants; English-
speaking):
    Globalization of Business and Markets. Project design would examine 
the impact of ``globalization'' in business, markets, and communities. 
The project will examine costs and benefits of the interconnected 
global market, and its effect on international and domestic policies.
    2. Regional Projects (from one continent or region; may include 
interpretation):

Grassroots Democracy [American Republics]

    Project design would provide participants with a greater 
understanding of the U.S. political system and American social culture 
in a democratic society. It would demonstrate how grassroots 
organizations interact and communicate with federal, state and local 
governments and explore the role and influence of grassroots 
organizations on public policy decision-making at the local and 
national levels.

Civic Education: Fostering Informed and Responsible Citizen 
Participation in a Democracy [Africa]

    Project would demonstrate how a public that is well-educated about 
its civic rights and responsibilities, and which plays an active role 
in public life, is the best guarantor of its own self-government. 
Participants would encounter some of the key organizations involved in 
educating U.S. citizens and in mobilizing effective citizen 
participation in various aspects of the social and political process.

Visa Requirements

    Particpants in individuals or group projects will travel on J-1 
visas arranged by USIA. Projects must comply with J-1 visa regulations. 
Please refer to program specific guidelines in the Solicitation Package 
for further details.

Tax Requirements

    Administration of the projects must be in compliance with reporting 
and withholding regulations for federal, state, and local taxes as 
applicable. Applicant organizations should demonstrate tax regulation 
adherence in the proposal narrative and budget.

Budget

    Applicant organizations are required to submit a comprehensive 
line-item administrative budget in accordance with the instructions in 
the Solicitation Package. A summary budget as well as a detailed budget 
showing all administrative costs is required. Proposed staffing and 
costs associated with staffing must be appropriate to the requirements 
outline in the RFP and the remaining portion of the Solicitation 
Package. The selected applicant will enter into close consultation on 
budgetary matters with the responsible USIA program officer throughout 
the implementation of projects, each one of which will have separate 
budgets. Combined administrative and indirect costs proposed should be 
reasonable. Cost sharing is encouraged.

[[Page 51728]]

    The Agency is seeking proposals from organizations that are not 
currently receiving administrative E/V project grants. Grants awarded 
to eligible organizations with less than four years of experience in 
conducting international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000. 
Since this RFP is for an award greater than $60,000 all applicants must 
have four years of experience as stated. It is therefore incumbent on 
organizations to demonstrate: a capacity for programming visitors from 
all geographical regions of the world; proven fiscal management 
integrity; and an ability to have close consultation with USIA staff 
throughout project administration.

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 E/V program officer, as well as one or more of USIA's 
geographic area offices. 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 program design: Proposals should exhibit originality, 
substance, precision, and be responsive to requirements stated in the 
RFP and the 1998 Solicitation Package.
    2. Program planning: A detailed and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive intent and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan 
should adhere to the program overview and guidelines.
    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Proosals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the goals of the 
International Visitor Program.
    4. 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 
resources, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    6. 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 any past Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office 
of Contracts. The Agency will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the potential of new applicants for effective program 
administration. All applicants must demonstrate: a minimum of four 
years in existence, with proven project management ability and 
demonstrated fiscal soundness and accountability; a potential for 
programming visitors from all geographic regions of the world; a 
Washington, DC presence or ability to have consultations with USIA 
staff on a regular basis (including face-to-face) throughout the 
development of each group or Individual project.
    7. Cost-effectiveness: The administrative and indirect cost 
components of the proposal, including salaries, should be kept as low 
as possible.
    8. Cost-sharing: Consideration will be given to proposed 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: September 27, 1997.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director for Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-26153 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M