[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44676-44681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22299]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Program Title: Multi-Regional and Regional Projects for 
International Visitors; Request for Proposals

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 assistance awards. Public and private 
non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS 
regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1 may submit proposals to develop one or 
more groups (three projects per group) of thematically linked projects 
for Multi-Regional and Regional Groups of International Visitors 
traveling in the United States for period of 21 to 30 days. Groups will 
be comprised of from 12 to 30 American Embassy contacts in the fields 
of economics, trade, the judiciary, and journalism.
    Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on the due date 
indicated for submission of proposals for each project series described 
below. 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 series.
    Program Information: USIA seeks proposals from non-profit 
organizations for development and implementation of four sets of three 
professional programs for USIA-sponsored International Visitor 
participants. A separate proposal is required for each project. Each 
series will be focussed on a broad substantive theme. Interested 
organizations should submit one proposal for each set of linked 
projects, but within the ``Narrative'' and ``Detailed Budget'' sections 
(Tabs C and D on the Proposal Submission Checklist found at the end of 
the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI)) applicant should treat each 
of the three projects individually with a separate detailed project 
proposal and budget.
    More detailed descriptions of the MRPs and RPs will be included in 
the Solicitation Package under ``Preliminary Project Summaries.'' 
Participants in the projects will be foreign leaders or potential 
leaders selected by U.S. embassy committees abroad. Each group will 
typically consist of from 12 to 30 foreign visitors in addition to the 
two to three American English language escort officers (ELEOs) or 
foreign language Escort Interpreters (E/I's) selected by USIA, who 
accompany them. 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. 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. 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

[[Page 44677]]

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.
    Projects may provide opportunities for the visitors to share a meal 
of similar experience (home hospitality) in the home of Americans of 
diverse occupational, age, gender and ethnic groups. Some projects 
might include an opportunity for an overnight stay (home stay) in an 
American home. The participants may 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. As appropriate, opportunities 
for site visits and hands-on experiences that are relevant to project 
themes may be included. All projects should include demonstrations of 
the Internet and discussions on how it can be productively used in the 
context of each project theme. Projects should also allow time for 
participants to reflect on their experiences, and to share observations 
with project colleagues. Participants should have opportunities to 
visit cultural and tourist sites which complement the program theme. 
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 arranges local programs for 
international visitors.) In cities where there is no such council, the 
applicant will arrange the local programs.
    The applicant should demonstrate the potential to develop projects, 
as described, 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.
    Series One: Economics and Trade.
    Deadline for Submission: October 6, 1998.

Project One

    Title: U.S. Trade and World Markets (I).
    Type: Multi-Regional.
    Dates: January 14-February 4, 1999.
    Officer: E/VP--Janet Beard.
    Telephone: (202) 205-3058.
    Fax: (202) 205-0792.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    This project will concentrate on the institutions, industries, and 
federal and local offices concerned with trade development and 
investment. Participants will hear perspectives of U.S. trade policy 
from federal executive and congressional speakers, lobbying 
organizations, unions, media, and state officials. The project will 
include site visits to representative sectors of the U.S. economy, such 
as industry, agriculture, and high-technology firms.

Project Two

    Title: U.S. Financial System.
    Type: Multi-Regional.
    Dates: July 22-August 12, 1999.
    Officer: E/VP-Janet Beard.
    Telephone: (202) 205-3058.
    Fax: (202) 205-0792.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    This project will review the U.S. banking and financial system, 
including industry regulation, trends in domestic and foreign 
investment, and the roles and differences between different players in 
the financial marketplace. Domestic and international finance issues 
studied will include changing global finance flows, small community 
banking, project finance, stock exchanges, and economic trends' 
analysis.

Project Three

    Title: U.S. Trade and World Markets (II).
    Type: Multi-Regional.
    Dates: September 9-30, 1999.
    Officer: E/VP--Janet Beard.
    Telephone: (202) 205-3058.
    Fax: (202) 205-0792.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    See description under Project One.

    Series Two: Journalism.
    Deadline for Submission: November 10, 1998.

Project One

    Title: Radio Broadcasting.
    Type: Multi-Regional.
    Dates: February 25-March 8, 1999.
    Officer: E/VP--Jay Taylor.
    Telephone: (202) 205-3058.
    Fax: (202) 205-0792.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    This project will address responsible and independent journalism 
while providing an opportunity to upgrade technological knowledge and 
journalistic skills. It will consist of visits to a wide variety of 
radio stations in the U.S., including commercial, public, religious, 
national, and local stations. Participants will hear discussions of 
broadcasting regulations and journalist ethics, observe programming, 
news gathering, interviewing and production techniques, and learn about 
the impact of technology on radio broadcasting in the U.S.

Project Two

    Title: Print Journalism.
    Type: Multi-Regional.
    Dates: May 13-June 3, 1999.
    Officer: E/VP--Jay Taylor.
    Telephone: (202) 205-3058.
    Fax: (202) 205-0792.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected]
    This project will provide participants an overview of print media 
practices, traditions, and institutions in the U.S. It will acquaint 
participants with how independent media, with access and freedom to 
convey information and opinions, form an integral part of America's 
open and democratic society. The group will study journalism in its 
American operational context. Featured topics will be: reporting 
skills; ethical considerations and accountability; editorial decision-
making; newspaper administration and management; journalism education 
and training; and research, distribution, and production technology.

Project Three

    Title: Television Broadcasting.
    Type: Multi-Regional.
    Dates: August 12-September 2, 1999.
    Officer: E/VP--Jay Taylor.
    Telephone: (202) 205-3058.
    Fax: (202) 205-0792.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected]
    This project will provide an overview of the impact of television 
on American society, including education, marketing and commerce, news 
coverage, jurisprudence, technological innovations, social and ethical 
issues, as well as entertainment. Its role in the socialization of 
American youth will also be examined. Interactive educational and 
public service television will be highlighted as well as the use of 
television in the distance learning process.

    Series Three: Africa and Economic Development.
    Deadline for Submission: December 4, 1998.

Project One

    Title: Economic Reform and Private Sector Expansion.
    Type: Africa Regional (French-Speaking).
    Dates: February 22-March 13, 1999.
    Officer: E/VGA--Miriam Guichard.
    Telephone: (202) 205-9596.
    Fax: (202) 205-7974.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected] or [email protected]
    The American experience has been that a strong private sector is 
the engine of economic growth and development,

[[Page 44678]]

while government plays an essential role in regulating, rather than 
controlling or owning, the production of goods and provision of 
services. Meanwhile, many African nations are taking increasingly 
dramatic steps, some voluntarily and some under great pressure from 
multi-national donor organizations, towards structural adjustment and 
privatization. In this process, many African government officials, 
journalists, academics, and businesses people are themselves dedicated 
to a vision of economic prosperity through private sector expansion, 
while others lack confidence in the private sector to provide for 
society's needs.
    This project is designed to show the participants the size and 
scope of the private sector, government's role in both promoting and 
regulating business, and the effects on society, both positive and 
negative, of a competitive free-market economic system operating in 
conjunction with government supports for population sectors in need. 
Specific focus will be placed on how communities and regions in the 
U.S. promote economic diversification and expansion, and how the rule 
of law protects both business and citizens, including labor. Other 
segments will focus on how essential services (e.g. utilities) as well 
as basic commodities are provided through the private sector in the 
U.S. Finally, while this program will shift away from a previous focus 
on ``privatization'', it will touch on efforts by federal, state, and 
local governments to privatize some work, as well as to borrow 
traditional private-sector competitive approaches.

Project Two

    Title: Women as Economic Partners in Nation-Building.
    Type: Africa Regional (English- and French-Speaking).
    Dates: April 27-May 16, 1999.
    Officer: E/VGA--Audrey Ford.
    Telephone: (202) 205-9596.
    Fax: (202) 205-7974.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    Over the years, Africans as well as donor nations have come to 
realize that little or no economic development is possible without the 
full participation of women, and African women have increasingly begun 
to organize to promote their own economic development and independence. 
Given the historical context of American women's increased economic 
involvement and activism, as well as current debates focused on issues 
related to women's economic position in the U.S., it is likely that 
International Visitors on this topic and their American interlocutors 
will have much to share, and perhaps new initiatives to undertake 
together. This program will focus on how women network and organize in 
the U.S. to promote economic opportunity and private enterprise, as 
well as to strengthen the community, the society, and the nation. 
Emphasis will be placed on private sector as well as national, state 
and local government support for efforts to increase women's economic 
strength and their voice in policy-making.

Project Three

    Title: Global Business and Trade.
    Type: Africa Regional (English-Speaking)
    Dates: July 12-31, 1999.
    Officer: E/VGA--Mary Ann Ignatius.
    Telephone: (202) 205-9596.
    Fax: (202) 205-7974.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    This project is intended for economic and trade specialists from 
both public and private sectors, policy planners, academics, and 
economic journalists, and the focus is specific: The formation and 
objectives of U.S. trade policy within the context of a highly 
decentralized, liberal and competitive economic system. Visitors will 
examine the domestic political, economic and social concerns that 
affect U.S. trade policy, including the overriding U.S. commitment to 
maintaining a globally competitive position. Particular emphasis will 
be placed on the implication of these factors for U.S.-Africa trade 
relations, and strategies that African countries can pursue to increase 
their competitive position and foster more effective trade relations. 
In addition to addressing global and U.S.-Africa trade issues, visitors 
will also take a look at how federal, state, and local government in 
the U.S. all work to promote international trade and investment, as 
well as strategies employed by the private sector.

    Series Four: The Rule of Law.
    Deadline for Submission: January 15, 1999.

Project One

    Title: Independent Judiciary and the Rule of Law.
    Type: Near East-South Asian Regional (Arabic-Speaking).
    Dates: April 19-May 8, 1999.
    Officer: E/VGN--Alice Shifflett.
    Telephone: (202) 205-9596.
    Fax: (202) 205-7974.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    Judicial reform is an issue of great interest to many throughout 
the Arab world, whether as part of a process of moving towards 
democratization and greater government accountability, or as part of an 
effort to combine or reconcile civil and religious law, or simply as 
part of an effort to improve the economic and investment climate. This 
project will seek to provide visitors with a thorough overview of the 
U.S. legal system, emphasizing the principles of judicial independence, 
as well as the structure of the federal, state, and municipal court 
systems. Key judicial issues such as environmental law, anti-drug laws, 
civil rights, and legal aid will be examined, as well as other topics 
to be determined by the particular interests of the visitors. Through 
meetings at a wide range of U.S. government institutions, as well as 
site visits to court sessions and law school classes, participants in 
this project will also examine the administration of the U.S. legal 
system, including funding, legal education and training, and 
administrative innovations such as computerized case management and 
alternative dispute resolution.

Project Two

    Title: Administration of Justice.
    Type: American Republics Regional (Spanish-Speaking).
    Dates: June 7-25, 1999.
    Officer: E/VGR--Colleen Fowler.
    Telephone: (202) 205-9596.
    Fax: (202) 205-7974.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    Judicial systems in Latin America are seeking to modernize their 
court procedures and introduce new approaches to legal problems, while 
at the same time dealing with the ongoing challenge to ensure the 
fundamental rule of law and an open and transparent legal process. This 
project will examine the role the rule of law plays in the United 
States, with a focus on topics relating to civil justice modernization. 
Topics will include a range of issues such as case management, 
alternative dispute resolution, arbitration mechanisms, and mediation 
techniques. Issues of legal reform and judicial training will be 
addressed, and the visitors (to include lawyers, judges, academicians 
and court officials, as well as community leaders, and journalists) 
will have opportunities throughout to compare their legal systems and 
to exchange perspectives on the management of these systems. Topics for 
meetings at the federal, state, and municipal levels will include how a 
bill becomes law, the jurisdiction of federal and state courts, the 
role of U.S. and state's attorneys, juvenile justice, the impact and 
objectives of new anti-crime and sentencing guidelines legislation, 
nominations of federal judges, and judicial ethics. The program will 
include discussion of white-collar and

[[Page 44679]]

high-tech crime, including corruption, embezzlement, and just-workplace 
issues, and visitors will also look at current trends in legal 
education.

Project Three

    Title: The Rule of Law and an Independent Judiciary.
    Type: Africa Regional (French-Speaking).
    Dates: August 9-28, 1999.
    Officer: E/VGA--Nancy Falne.
    Telephone: (202) 205-9596.
    Fax: (202) 205-7974.
    E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    The rule of law is an essential foundation stone in political and 
economic development, and while African justice officials, lawyers, 
judges, magistrates, law professors, and legal journalists may 
recognize this fact, they often face severe obstacles in both creating 
an independent judiciary and in managing an effective legal system with 
scarce resources. This program will endeavor to give visitors an 
overview of the rule of law and its complexity within the U.S. federal 
system, as well as the role of the Constitution as a framework for 
lawmakers. Emphasis will be placed on the independence of the U.S. 
judicial system, and the means of guaranteeing protection of the rights 
of the minority in a democracy, including civil and human rights. The 
visitors will also look at alternatives to traditional court 
proceedings, such as arbitration and mediation. In addition, the 
program will explore the nuts and bolts of how the U.S. judicial system 
operates, including legal training, case management, and the working 
relationship between the judiciary and the police.

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. The ``Table of Contents'' listing available 
documents and order numbers should be the first order when entering the 
system.

To Receive a Solicitation Package by Mail, Contact

    For Multi-Regional Projects (MRPs): U.S. Information Agency, Group 
Projects Division, E/VP, Room 255, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20547.
    For Regional Projects (RPs): U.S. Information Agency, Grants 
Division, E/VG, Room 255, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547.
    On all inquiries and correspondence, please specify the name(s) of 
the USIA Program Officer(s) as they appear on the ``Officer(s)'' line 
for each of the above projects. 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/V-99-1, Series 
Title: Office of Grants Management, E/XE, 301 4th Street, S.W., Room 
336, 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 USIS posts overseas for their review.

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.

Visa Requirements

    Program participants 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.

Budget

    Organizations are required to submit a comprehensive line-item 
budget in accordance with the intructions 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 ``1999 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/V 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 projects 
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 whom they have already paid honoraria in FY 1999 if 
they propose to pay an additional honorarium for any projects 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

[[Page 44680]]

of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000.'' It is not expected that any of the projects 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. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
program office, as well as USIA Geographic Area Offices and the USIA 
post(s) overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be 
forwarded to panels of USIA officers for advisory review. Proposals may 
also be reviewed by the Office of General Counsel or by other Agency 
elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of USIA's 
Associate Director for Education and Cultural Affairs. Final technical 
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 ``1999 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: Proposed projects should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-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 proposals, 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.

Authority

    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 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.''
    Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and 
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package. The U.S. Information 
Agency projects, programs and assistance awards are subject to the 
availability of funds and sufficient number of participant nominations.

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.

Government Reporting Requirements

    Awards made will be subject to periodic reporting and evaluation 
requirements.
    In order to account better for the spending of public funds, the 
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) requires federal 
agencies and departments to establish standards for measuring their 
performance and effectiveness. Each Executive Branch Agency and 
Department must develop a strategic plan describing its overall goals 
and objectives, annual performance plans containing quantifiable 
measures of its progress, and performance reports describing its 
success in meeting those goals and measures. USIA will be looking to 
our partner organizations to measure and report in three areas: (1) 
program efficiency (resource costs versus outputs); (2) program 
effectiveness (degree to which program goals are achieved; and (3) 
program impact (outcomes).
    For general administrative assistance awards, such as this, 
specific program results will be worked out on an individual project 
basis. USIA will work closely with its partner organizations to define 
specific project results, coordinate the gathering of information, and 
evaluate the projects according to the three areas listed above. Please 
note that USIA advances six strategic goals (National Security, 
Economic Prosperity, Democracy, Law Enforcement, Foundation of Trust, 
and Free Exchange of Information) and you may be asked to administer 
projects and measure outcomes for each. Project outcomes will be based 
on country or region goals as well as the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs' goals to expose foreign leaders (participants) to 
American ideas, values and society, increase American's understanding 
of foreign cultures and society, foster linkages between U.S. and 
foreign individuals and institutions, and to

[[Page 44681]]

generate cost sharing and other forms of financial leveraging for 
programs.

Notification

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.

    Dated: August 13, 1998.
James D. Whitten,
Acting Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-22299 Filed 8-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M