[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 156 (Thursday, August 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43445-43447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21792]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Regional Investment Initiative (RII) Internet Project in Samara 
Oblast: Public Access Internet Sites, Training and Development of 
Internet Resources

ACTION: Notice--Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Programs, Academic Exchanges Division, 
European Programs Branch 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 with at least four years experience administering 
international exchange and training programs and demonstrated 
experience administering Internet projects in the Russian Federation 
and meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) 
may apply to develop the Regional Investment Initiative (RII) Internet 
Project in Samara Oblast.
    For the RII Internet Project in Samara Oblast, USIA seeks proposals 
that would: Establish and/or enhance at least five non-commercial 
public access Internet sites at libraries, universities or other RII 
partner institutions in Samara and Togliatti designated by the United 
States Information Service in Moscow with the concurrence of the oblast 
administration; Train staff of the partner institutions to manage and 
maintain the public access Internet sites; Provide e-mail and Internet 
training to diverse groups of end-users, including participants in and 
alumni of USIA and other U.S. government-sponsored programs; Develop, 
adapt, or identify Russian language training materials for individual 
and group instruction and training of trainer courses at public access 
Internet sites; Publicize the project to target audiences; Organize a 
series of topical seminars designed to attract target audiences to the 
public access Internet sites, and; Administer a small grants 
competition for the development of Internet materials in Russian and 
English that further higher education and professional training in 
business, law, public administration, and transparency of governance.
    Proposals should reflect a thorough understanding of the 
telecommunications infrastructure in Samara Oblast, technical 
requirements for implementing all aspects of the project including 
procurement of appropriate equipment and services required to connect 
partner institutions to the Internet and establish non-commercial 
public access Internet sites, and the political, economic, and social 
environment in which the program activity will take place.
    The goal of the RII Internet Project is to foster free and open 
access to Internet-based information resources and facilitate the 
dissemination of useful online information in Russian and English to 
students, professors and practitioners of business, law, public 
administration, non-governmental organizations and other constituencies 
in Samara and Togliatti that promote and support Russian-American 
cooperation and communication. The Regional Investment Initiative is a 
new program to expand trade and investment between Russia's regions and 
the U.S., foster U.S.-Russia economic, social, and community-based 
linkages, and coordinate U.S. government assistance in the Russian 
Federation. USIA expects the Internet project to achieve results on two 
levels: by building institutional capacity in Samara and Togliatti and 
by empowering end-users to obtain and publish online information 
resources, such as Web sites, newsletters, and listservs in business, 
law, public administration and related educational and professional 
fields. Applicant organizations must include a plan with clear 
benchmarks that demonstrates how permanent results will be achieved, 
monitored, and reported to USIA as a result of the activities funded by 
the grant.
    Successful applicant organizations will be required to work in 
ongoing consultation with the United States Information Service in 
Moscow, the State Department's Regional Investment Initiative 
Coordinator in Samara, and the United States Information Agency in 
Washington to ensure effective implementation of project activities.
    Interested organizations should read the complete Federal Register 
Announcement and request a Solicitation Package from USIA prior to 
preparing a proposal and should consult with USIA and USIS Moscow about 
the proposed partner institutions for public access Internet sites in 
Samara and Togliatti before submitting a proposal.
    Applicant organizations may apply to administer the Project 
individually or as a consortium, via a subcontract arrangement, as long 
as one organization is designated to be the recipient of the grant. 
USIA anticipates awarding one assistance award in an amount not to 
exceed $350,000 for the implementation of this Project for a period of 
20 months. The award is expected to begin in late October 1998. Project 
activities should be completed by June 30, 2000.
    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 counties . . .; 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 project is provided through the 
Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets 
Act of 1992 (Freedom Support Act). The legislation was established to 
assist the economic and democratic development of the New Independent 
States of the former Soviet Union. Programs and projects must conform 
with Agency requirements and guidelines outlined in the Solicitation 
Package.
    Announcement Title and Number: All communications with USIA 
concerning this RFP should refer to the announcement's title and 
reference number E/AEE-99-01.
    Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Thursday September 
17, 1998. 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. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that 
proposals are received by the above deadline.

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Academic Programs, 
Academic Exchanges Division, European Programs Branch, E/AEE, Room 246, 
U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547; 
telephone number (202) 205-0525; fax: (202) 260-7985 to request a 
Solicitation Package containing more detailed award criteria. Please 
request required application forms, and standard guideline for 
preparing proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of the 
proposal budget.
    To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation

[[Page 43446]]

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 Manager Rhonda E. Boris on all 
inquiries and correspondences. Interested applicants should read the 
complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitted 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 9 copies of the application 
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/AEE-99-01, Office 
of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 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 our overseas posts for review, with the 
goal of reducing the time it takes to get posts' comments for the 
Agency's grant 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 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: The Samara Regional Investment Initiative 
Internet Project is intended to be a collaborative effort between the 
U.S. and Russian governments, regional authorities and public and 
private sector organizations of both countries. Applicant organization 
must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with other organizations 
that support Internet projects in Samara Oblast and U.S. and Russian 
scholarly, educational, and professional organizations in fields such 
as business, law, and public administration. Such collaboration is 
intended to ensure the dissemination of high quality information to the 
USIA's designated audiences, expand the scope and impact of USIA grant 
funding, maximize resources, avoid duplication of effort, and lay the 
groundwork for sustaining Internet access costs beyond the USIA funding 
period.
    Partner institutions for public access Internet sites may include, 
but should not be limited to, the Samara Oblast Public Library, the 
Samara State Aerospace University, the Togliatti Public Library, and 
the Togliatti International Business and Banking Academy. USIA expects 
applicant organizations and all institutions participating in the 
project to provide significant in-kind contributions and cost-sharing, 
such as facilities and services required for the public access Internet 
sites, existing network and computer equipment, connectivity, 
designated staff, staff time, volunteers, and training materials, as 
appropriate. Proposals should include evidence of the in-kind 
contributions or direct cost-sharing to be provided by potential 
partner institutions, Internet service providers, and other 
organizations interested in collaborating on the project.
    USIA encourages applicant organizations to include the following 
supplementary materials: A feasible and realistic plan for expanding 
connectivity that builds on existing infrastructure and networks; Draft 
partnership agreements with institutions designated for public access 
Internet sites; Proposed equipment packages, services, staff coverage, 
Internet service provider, security, and hours of operation for each 
public access site; Sample training program, courses, topics, and 
materials for staff of partner institutions, individual and group 
instruction for end-users; curriculum for training of trainer program; 
Draft program announcements, publicity plans, and methodology for 
community outreach; Proposed topics and structure of seminar series; 
Concept paper for administration of small grants competition to develop 
Internet-based information resources and draft grant application which 
cites eligibility requirements and selection criteria; Position 
descriptions for project team members; Other materials that are 
reasonable and appropriate.

Guidelines

    Administration of the program must be in compliance with reporting 
and withholding regulations for federal, state, and local taxes as 
applicable. Organizations should demonstrate tax regulation adherence 
in the proposal. Procurement of required computer and networking 
equipment and applications software must be in compliance with year 
2000 requirements (Y2K). Applicant organizations should demonstrate 
compliance with Y2K requirements in the proposal.

Proposed Budget

    Funding for the Regional Investment Initiative Internet Project in 
Samara Oblast is anticipated at $350,000. Applicant organizations must 
submit a comprehensive line item budget request for program costs and 
administrative costs based on the specific guidance on the Solicitation 
Package. There must be a summary budget as well as a break-down 
reflecting both the administrative budget and the program budget and a 
budget narrative demonstrating how costs were derived. Organizations 
whose proposals include an administrative budget that is less than 20% 
of the grant amount requested from the USIA will be considered 
competitive.
    Allowable program costs include, but are not limited to, equipment 
and services required to build on existing networks and infrastructure 
in order to expand connectivity to the beneficiaries of the project, 
and to provide low-cost high speed sustainable access to the Internet 
for the public access Internet sites; required workstations, hardware, 
software, peripherals, training materials, services, and supplies to 
establish or enhance public access Internet sites; monthly Internet 
access fees (if required); salaries to support project team members; 
materials for seminar series; honorarium for selection committee for 
grants competition to

[[Page 43447]]

develop Internet resources; consultants to provide specialized 
expertise or to make presentations.
    Allowable administrative costs would include staff salary and 
benefits, staff travel to project sites; office expenses, 
communications, and shipping. Please refer to the Solicitation Package 
for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.

Review Process

    USIA will acknowledge receipt for 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 Office of East 
European and NIS 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

    Technical 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 and ability to achieve objectives: Program 
objectives should be stated clearly and precisely and should reflect 
the applicant organization's experience administering Internet projects 
and training programs in the Russian Federation. Objectives should 
respond to the project activities cited in this announcement and should 
relate to the current state of connectivity, Internet access, and 
training available in libraries, universities, and NGOs in Samara 
Oblast. A detailed work plan should explain step by step how objectives 
will be achieved and include a timetable for completion of all critical 
technical and programmatic components of the project. The training 
methodology and curriculum should be discussed in detail. 
Responsibilities of all partners should be clearly described.
    2. Institutional capacity: Proposed personnel and organizational 
resources must be adequate and appropriate to implement the project. 
The narrative must demonstrate proven ability to handle the technical 
and programmatic requirements of the project, including a knowledge of 
useful Internet resources in English and Russian in business, law, and 
public administration, and to effectively coordinate logistics and 
project components with diverse Russian and U.S. public and private 
sector organizations.
    3. Organization's track record: Relevant USIA and outside 
assessments of the organization's experience with academic exchange and 
training programs and Internet projects in Russia, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past grants as determined by USIA's Office of 
Contracts.
    4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs must demonstrate an 
impact on the wider community through the sharing of information and 
the establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages.
    5. Cost-effectiveness: Overhead and program and administrative 
costs, including required equipment, services, connectivity, salaries, 
and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items 
should be necessary and appropriate. Preference will be given to 
proposals that leverage existing resources in Samara Oblast, maximize 
in-kind contributions and cost-sharing through other U.S. and/or 
Russian public and private sector partners as well as institutional 
direct funding contributions, and submit an administrative budget that 
is less than 20% of the grant amount requested from the USIA.
    6. Support of diversity and pluralism: Proposals should demonstrate 
substantive support of the Bureau's policy on diversity throughout the 
program.
    7. Program evaluation: USIA is results-oriented. Proposals must 
include a plan to evaluate the project's success, both as the 
activities unfold at each public access Internet site and at the end of 
the project. A draft survey questionnaire plus a description of a 
methodology to be used to link outcomes to original project objectives 
is required. USIA recommends that the proposal include draft questions 
for focus groups for staff and end-users at the public access Internet 
sites.

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: August 7, 1998.
James D. Whitten,
Acting Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-21792 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M