[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9908-9911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4838]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Multi-Regional Project for International Visitors ``Ethics in
Government and Business''
ACTION: Notice, request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Office of International Visitors (IV) of the United States
Information Agency's (USIA) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for an assistance award. Public and
private nonprofit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS
regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1 may apply to develop a Multi-Regional
Group of International Visitors traveling in the United States for 24
days. The group will be comprised of from 12 to 30 American Embassy
contacts in the fields of government officials, business leaders,
politicians, civic and community leaders, journalists and educators.
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Pub. L. 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 to 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.''.
Program and project must conform with Agency requirements and
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package. The U.S. Information
Agency projects, programs and assistance award are subject to the
availability of funds and sufficient number of participant nominations.
Announcement Title and Number: All communications with USIA
concerning this announcement should refer to the above title and
reference number E/VP-98-1.
To download a solicitation package via Internet: Information about
USIA's IV Program is available via Internet at website: http://
www.usia.gov. The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from
USIA's website at http://www.usia.gov/education/rfps.
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.
Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC, time on May 19, 1998.
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked on
the proposal due date but received at a later date. It is the
responsibility of each applicant to ensure that proposals are received
by the due date which has been established for each available project,
as follows:
[[Page 9909]]
Title: Ethics in Government and Business.
Type: Multi-Regional (English-Speaking).
Proposal Due Date: May 19, 1998.
Project Dates: August 20-September 10, 1998.
Contact: Susan Lockwood.
Telephone: (202) 619-6889, FAX: (202) 205-0792.
Project Goals:
To enhance knowledge of the structure and function of
ethics systems in government and business in the United States.
To explore how ethical issues impact civil society;
To explore similarities, contrasts and connections between
ethics in government and in the private sector in the U.S.
Participants
This project is intended for government officials, business
leaders, politicians, civic and community leaders, journalists and
educators.
Summary: For a democratic form of government in a pluralistic
society to be effective, citizens must have confidence in its
integrity. This program will provide a venue for a diverse group of
participants to discuss the meaning and implications of ethical
standards and how they are defined, monitored, and enforced. Topics for
discussion will include the common ethical values that underlie
democratic systems, comparison of administrative structures of ethics
programs and the implementation of ethics laws and codes of conduct
(e.g., financial disclosure systems, education of employees, methods of
enforcement, resolution of conflicts of interest). Through visits with
representatives from private industry, participants will explore the
link between government and business to discover how this relationship
can support democratic values. At a relevant point in the three-week
program, the group should be divided into teams to permit more
intensive discussions with American colleagues.
The project will open in Washington, DC with an overview of the
U.S. political system and economic system. An emphasis will be placed
on explaining the principles of separation of powers and accountability
of elected officials to the electorate and on the responsibilities of
corporate leaders to stockholders and consumers. The role of government
and private oversight organizations will be addressed. An appointment
with officials of the Federal Election Commission to discuss the issues
of election and campaign regulation, including campaign financing and
campaign fund raising will be included. A discussion of ethics law will
be arranged, perhaps with an official of the American Bar Association's
Center for Professional Responsibility. A session will be organized to
address practical techniques for establishing and maintaining ethics
systems in democracies. Additionally, the uniquely American concept of
``lobbying'' will be the focus of one segment of the Washington
program. One-half day of the Washington program should be left free for
the participants to pursue specific individual interests (which will be
ascertained before their arrival in the U.S.).
Participants will travel outside Washington to meet with and
observe ethics officials on the state and local levels. Participants
will also meet with corporate ethics officials to understand their
responsibilities in dealing with government agencies. Topics for
discussion will include: the ``watchdog'' role of the media; citizens'
involvement through advocacy organizations; and how businesses promote
high ethical conduct among their members and employees.
The itinerary will include a combination of geographically diverse
areas of the country as well as communities of varying sizes and ethnic
composition. An in-depth orientation tour of each community visited
will be arranged at the beginning of each city segment. Opportunities
for the participants to attend cultural and social events, met with and
address local groups experience local hospitality, will be incorporated
throughout the program; these events will relate to the themes of the
project to the extent possible.
To receive a solicitation package by mail, contact: The Office of
International Visitors, Group Projects Division (E/VP), Room 255, U.S.
Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547 telephone
202/205-3058, fax 202/205-0792. The Solicitation Package contains more
detailed information including required application forms, and standard
guidelines for preparing proposals, as well as specific criteria for
preparation of the proposal budget.
On all inquiries and correspondence, please specify the name of the
USIA Program Officer as it appears on the ``Contact'' line of the above
project. 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 12 copies of the application
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/VP-98-1, Project
Title: Ethics in Government and Business, Contract Officer: Susan
Lockwood, Office of Grants Management, E/XE, 301 4th Street, SW., Room
336, 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. Public Law 204-319
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 and are
subject to final review by the USIA Grants Officer, Bureau of
Management, Office of Contracts, Grants Division,
[[Page 9910]]
(M/KG).
Guidelines
USIA seeks proposals from non-profit organizations for development
and implementation of a professional program for USIA-sponsored
International Visitors to the U.S. who will participate in a Multi-
Regional Group Project (MRP). Participants in the project will be
foreign leaders or potential leaders selected by U.S. embassy
committees abroad. The group will typically consist of from 12 to 30
foreign visitors in addition to the two to three American escort
officers (ELEOs) selected by USIA, who accompany them. The project will
be a 24 days in length and 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. Project itineraries will
ideally include urban and rural small communities and diverse
geographical and cultural regions of the U.S., as appropriate to the
project theme. The project 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 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. The project
may provide opportunities for the visitors to share a meal or similar
experience (home hospitality) in the homes of Americans of diverse
occupational, age, gender and ethnic groups. The participants may be
provided opportunities to address student, civic and professional
groups in relaxed and informal settings. ``Shadowing'' experiences with
American professional colleagues may be proposed. As appropriate,
opportunities for site visits and hands-on experiences that are
relevant to project themes may be included. Time should also be allowed
for participants to reflect on their experiences and share observations
with project colleagues. Participants 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 will arrange
for coordinator of local programs.
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.
Visa Requirements
Program participants will travel on
J-1 visas arranged by USIA. The project must comply with J-1 visa
regulations.
Please refer to program specific guidelines in the Solicitation
Package for further details.
Budget
Organizations are required to submit a comprehensive line-item
budget in accordance with the instructions in the Solicitation Package.
Cost items must be clearly categorized as administrative costs, group
project costs, or program costs. Applicants must use the budget format
presented in the ``1998 Guidelines for Proposals Submitted to the USIA
Office of International Visitors'' for all budget submissions. There
must be a summary budget as well as a detailed breakdown showing the
administrative budget, group project budget and program budget.
Proposed staffing and costs associated with staffing must be
appropriate to fulfillment of all project requirements, which will
include close consultation with the responsible E/VP Program Officer
throughout development and implementation of the program. Proposed
costs may not exceed the guideline amounts. Combined administrative and
indirect costs proposed should be controlled and are subject to
negotiation. Cost sharing is encouraged and, if applicable, must be
shown in the budget presentation. The Agency anticipates that awards to
cover administrative and indirect costs (where applicable) will be less
than $20,400.
Organizations that have received a renewal assistance award from
the Agency for the Office of International Visitors must submit a
budget showing all administrative costs associated with the project for
which application is made. Any award to such an organization pursuant
to this announcement may be adjusted to reflect the status of the
renewal award. Renewal award recipients must identify individuals or
organizations to who they have already paid honoraria in FY 1998 if
they propose to pay an additional honorarium for any project included
in this announcement.
The Agency welcomes proposals from organizations that have not
received USIA grants or assistance awards in the past. Agency
requirements stipulate that ``Grants awarded to eligible organizations
with less than four years of experience in conducting international
exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.'' It is not expected that
the project in this announcement will cost $60,000 or less. It is,
therefore, incumbent on organizations to demonstrate four years of
successful experience in conducting international exchange programs to
be eligible for an assistance award.
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 the USIA's Geographic Area
Offices 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:
1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to Agency mission, and
be responsive to all goals and requirements stated in the RFP,
Preliminary Project Summaries and the ``1998 Guidelines for Proposals
Submitted to the United States Information Agency Office of
International Visitors.''
2. Program planning: The proposed program and work plan should
include a planning and implementation time-line, describe any
preliminary planning undertaken, and demonstrate logistical capability
to implement the program as described.
3. Ability to achieve project objectives: Objectives should be well
designed, reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the project's objectives.
4. Multiplier effect/impact: The proposed project should strengthen
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of
information and establishment of long-
[[Page 9911]]
term institutional and individual linkages.
5. 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 (program venue
and project evaluation) and program content (orientation and wrap-up
sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up
activities).
6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve effective
implementation and fulfillment of the project's goals.
7. 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 Federal assistance awards, if any. The Agency
will consider the past performance of prior USIA award recipients and
the demonstrated potential of new applicants. All applicants must
demonstrate a minimum of four years of successful experience in
conducting international exchange programs.
8. Cost-effectiveness: The administrative and indirect cost
components of the proposal, including salaries, should be kept as low
as possible and should not exceed the amount stated above.
9. Cost-sharing: Consideration will be given to proposed cost-
sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional
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 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: February 19, 1998.
Robert Earle,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-4838 Filed 2-25-98; 8:45 am]
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