[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 195 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54189-54193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27032]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


NIS Training Program for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, 
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

ACTION: Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Russia/Eurasia Division of 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. 
U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions 
described in IRS regulations 26 CFR 1.501(c) may submit proposals to 
develop training programs. Grants are subject to the availability of 
funds.
    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 above is provided through the Fulbright-Hays Act and the 
Freedom Support Act.
    Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and 
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package.
    Announcement Title and Number:  All correspondence with USIA 
concerning this RFP should reference the above title and number E/PN-
99-10.
    Deadline for Proposals: All proposal copies must be received at the 
U.S. Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on December 30, 
1998. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents 
postmarked the due date but received on a later date will not be 
accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Russia/Eurasia Division, Office 
of Citizen Exchanges, (E/PN), Room 224, U.S. Information Agency, 301 
4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, attn: Cassandra Barber, tel: 
202-619-5327 and fax: 202-619-4350 or Internet address: 
[email protected], to request a Solicitation Package. The Solicitation 
Package contains detailed award criteria, required application forms, 
specific budget instructions and standards guidelines for proposal 
preparation.
    To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://
ww.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 requested from 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.
    Please specify USIA Program Officer Cassandra Barber on all 
inquiries and correspondence. Please 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 
with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.
    Submission: Applicants must follow all instructions in the 
Solicitation Package. The original and ten (10) copies of the 
application should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/PN-

[[Page 54190]]

99-10. Office of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20547.
    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 of 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 reflect 
advancement of this goal in their program contents, to the full extent 
deemed feasible.

Program Information

Overview

    USIA is interested in proposals that encourage the growth of 
democratic institutions in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, 
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Exchanges 
and training programs supported by Office of Citizen Exchanges 
institutional grants should operate at two levels: they should enhance 
institutional relationships; and they should offer practical 
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 an in-country institution in one of the countries 
targeted in this announcement; a proven track record of conducting 
program activity; cost-sharing from American or in-country sources, 
including donations of air fares, hotel and/or housing costs, 
experienced staff with language facility; and a clear, convincing plan 
showing how permanent results and continuing activity will be 
implemented 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 and American and NIS grantee institutions, as well as 
funding from third party sources.
    Unless otherwise specified below, project activity may include: 
Internships; study tours; short-term training; consultations; and 
extended, intensive workshops taking place as a two-way exchange in the 
United States and in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, 
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Proposals 
should reflect the applicants' understanding of the political, 
economic, and social environment in which the program activity will 
take place. Program designs based on a one-way exchange will be 
considered under circumstances where the proposal outlines as 
exceptional program.
    USIA encourages applicants to design programs for non-English 
speakers. Programs can take place in the United States or in the target 
countries. USIA is interested in proposals whose designs take into 
account the need for ongoing sharing of information, training and 
concrete plans for self-sustainability. Examples include: support for 
training centers in the target countries; plans to create professional 
networks or professional associations to share information; 
establishing ongoing internet communication; and/or train the trainers 
models.
    USIA will consider proposals that respond to the following country-
specific topics for the countries listed in this announcement:

Women's Leadership Training

Women's Leadership Programs for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova

    Over the past decade women and women's groups in many countries in 
Newly Independent States have come forth as the leaders in grassroots 
activism and have been the cornerstone of social development. Women's 
groups have shown their willingness to cooperate and coordinate with 
organizations both in the NIS and the West. Women have begun to take 
their place in the political arena, in NGO development, and in advocacy 
groups. The dedication and commitment of women's groups have 
contributed to democratic and civil values taking root in the region. 
USIA recognizes, however, that there are many places where women's 
groups are still nascent and thus need basic organizational and 
leadership training, just as there are other regions where women's 
organizations are at a different stages of development, requiring more 
sophisticated programs.
    USIA is looking for proposals that offer leadership training to 
women active in their communities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and 
Moldova. In each country, programs should target women in the outlying 
regions and not focus on capital cities. The thrust of the training 
programs should be on identifying priorities, creating organizational 
and work plans, forming networks and coalitions, and advocacy training 
regarding specific issues important to their local communities and 
regions. Proposals are not limited to a one-country focus. They may 
address building regional associations and networks among women's 
organizations in several countries. For projects with Belarusan and 
Moldovan women's organizations, USIA will also consider project 
proposals that build bridges between women's groups in Central European 
countries, particularly Poland and Romania.
    Prospective grantee institutions should identify the NIS local 
organizations and individuals with whom they are proposing to 
collaborate and describe in detail previous cooperative programming and 
contacts. Detailed information about the NIS organizations' activities 
and accomplishments in their own communities is also required. Program 
activity may take place either in the target countries and/or in the 
United States. These programs are intended to provide NIS women and 
women's groups opportunities to capitalize on their potential and to 
strengthen their collective voice in the political, social and 
democratic arena.

Women's Leadership Programs for Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia

    USIA is also interested in training programs for women leaders from 
the Caucasus region. The issues described in the above section on 
Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova, largely apply to the Caucasus 
region. Programs should be designed to reflect these concerns. USIA is 
particularly interested in training proposals that have a regional 
focus: linking women together in the three countries of the Caucasus 
region.

Women's Leadership Programs for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstand, and Uzbekistan

    Again, the same general concerns regarding the status and role of 
women apply to these three Central Asian countries. Women in Central 
Asia are eager to work at the grassroots level to effect change in 
their communities.

[[Page 54191]]

For Organizations Which Received USIA Funding for Women's Leadership 
Training in FY98

    USIA welcomes proposals from organizations which received FY98 
funding to continue and extend the activity on current USIA Women's 
Leadership Programs. These follow-on proposals should outline a plan 
for implementing a more advanced phase of the program with an emphasis 
on true sustainability. Such proposals should also include an exchange 
component to complement in-country training programs.

For Russia and Ukraine

Prevention of Trafficking in Women

    Trafficking of women and girls from the NIS has grown at an 
alarming rate. The U.S. Government is seeking to assist NIS governments 
and NGOs in the region to address the problem by: (1) Educating young 
women and girls about trafficking so that they will not fall victim to 
traffickers' tactics of coercion, fraud and deceit; (2) providing 
protection and assistance for victims; (3) enhancing the capability of 
law enforcement officials to combat trafficking.
    Public attention in these countries is increasingly focused on this 
serious problem. Information campaigns, including the production and 
distribution of informational materials are seeking to inform the 
public about this issue. A major interagency initiative is underway in 
Ukraine. Efforts in other NIS countries are still nascent. USIA is 
seeking creative proposals which are designed to assist people in the 
region to meet the goals stated above: prevention, protection and 
prosecution. Proposals which show a strong knowledge about efforts that 
have already been implemented, which show an ability to integrate or 
otherwise use existing materials and human resources, and which outline 
a concrete plan for innovative programming with proven experience on 
the ground and the ability to reach populations in outlying regions are 
strongly encouraged. USIA is particularly interested in proposals which 
build an indigenous capacity to address the issue. Proposals developed 
in partnership with local NIS organizations will be given priority.

For Russia

Distance Learning in the Field of Business Management

    USIA is looking for proposals that establish or expand distance 
learning programs in business and management at Russian universities or 
institutes outside of Moscow. Programs which create new or continue 
existing partnerships with institutions participating in the Yeltsin 
Presidential Management Training Initiative (PMTI) will receive special 
consideration, in particular, the following institutions:

Mordova State University
Stavropol State Technical University
Udmurtia State University
Bashkir Consortium (Bashkir Academy of State Service, Ufa State 
University)
Petrozavodsk State University
Omsk State University
Krasnoyarsk State University
Kuzbass Consortium (Kemerovo State University)
Ulyanovsk State University
Yaroslavl State University
Krasnodar Kray Consortium (Krasnodar Institute of Agrobusiness, Kuban 
State University)
Perm State University
Ryazan State Radio-Technical Academy

    The beneficiaries of such a program would be both students and 
business people already working for Russian enterprises. Specific 
programs could include the delivery of management and business content 
through low-end technologies such as e-mail, CD Rom, video or text-
based Internet, so that the project model might be replicated in other 
regions. Travel to the United States by Russian providers and travel to 
Russia by American course organizers is an essential component of these 
programs. Proposals should address in detail: technical requirements 
for delivery of business/management content through distance learning 
mechanisms, training requirements for instructors and faculty on 
utilization of the media (i.e., train the trainers), integration of 
appropriate print materials with a specific distance learning approach, 
and language of instruction issues. Modest purchases of equipment and 
software is acceptable in a proposal, subject to negotiations with 
USIA.
    Proposals should demonstrate Russian institutional commitment 
(written letters of support) and tangible Russian cost-sharing in such 
things as space, security, salaries, and support for visiting Americans 
(local housing and transportation). Interested American organizations 
should plan trips to Russia of at least two weeks in duration to start 
programs and to monitor progress. Short-term visits of a few days 
duration are discouraged. Successful grantee institutions will be 
expected to consult closely with USIA and USIS Moscow to determine a 
list of final partner institutions.

For Russia

Management and Financial Reform of Russian Universities

    Russian universities need advice on how to overhaul their own 
management structures to prepare for a fast approaching future of 
vanishing state and regional government subsidies. USIA is looking for 
proposals from U.S. institutions of higher learning with strong 
partnerships with Russian universities or with U.S. educational 
organizations with relevant experience in providing strategic advice to 
American educational institutions to work with Russian universities in 
designing strategies to become financially solvent. These could include 
strategies such as continuing education and other services to the local 
business community; licensing and commercialization of intellectual 
product; textbook publishing and software development; contract 
services to government; ongoing access to advice through the world wide 
web and other sources of support, and other sources of revenue 
generation. Practical ``nuts and bolts'' topics should also be 
considered: proper budgeting; collection of tuition and fees; long-
range financial planning; creation of endowments. Proposals should not 
duplicate activities underwritten by the Soros Foundation or other 
Western funders engaged in educational reform in Russia.

For Russia and Ukraine

Ethics of the Public Sector

    Government employees in Russia and Ukraine suffer a litany of ills: 
Low salaries which are rarely paid; difficult working conditions; lack 
of support from political leaders and senior administrators; and out-
of-date equipment and records. For their part, citizens expect public 
servants to be unresponsive at best, and corrupt at worst. Education is 
needed for both the public and civil servants on what each can expect 
of the other. For the government side, this could include training in 
public relations, discussion of ethical standards, and strategies for 
improving government procedures. Citizen action could be encouraged in 
monitoring government performance, working through channels (rather 
than offering bribes), and lobbying elected leaders to create 
responsive, honest, and open government structures. Proposals should 
include training for public sector employees as well as concerned 
citizens, in separate and mixed groups, with participation of elected 
officials also desirable. While existing Russian and Ukrainian NGOs 
active in civic

[[Page 54192]]

affairs would be logical partners in this program, proposals which 
envision the creation of NGOs will be considered if the grantee can 
demonstrate success in grassroots organizing in Russia. Other possible 
partners would be schools, media, and business associations.

Visa Regulations

    Foreign participants on programs sponsored by the Office of Citizen 
Exchanges Programs are granted J-1 Exchange Visitor visas by the U.S. 
Embassy in the sending country. All programs must comply with J-1 visa 
regulations. Please refer to Solicitation Package for further 
information.

Project Funding

    Since USIA grant assistance constitutes only a portion of total 
project funding, proposals should list and provide evidence of other 
sources of financial and in-kind support. Proposals with substantial 
private sector support from foundations, corporations and other 
institutions will be considered highly competitive.
    Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals not to exceed 
$120,000. Because of the complexity of the Distance Learning Program, 
however USIA will consider funding in the $150,000-$200,000 range for 
initiatives addressing that topic. Organizations with less than four 
years of experience in managing international exchange programs are 
limited to $60,000. Applicants are invited to provide both an all-
inclusive budget as well as separate sub-budgets for each program 
component, phase, location or activity in order to facilitate USIA 
decisions on funding. While a comprehensive line item budget based on 
the model in the Solicitation Package must be submitted, separate 
component budgets are optional.
    The following project costs are eligible for consideration for 
funding:
    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 $160/day for program participants or the published U.S. 
Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. For activities 
outside of 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. Per diem rates may be accessed at http://
www.policyworks.gov/.
    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 who need interpretation. USIA grants do not pay for 
foreign interpreters to accompany delegations from their home country. 
Grant proposal budgets should contain a flat $160/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 a part of the applicant's proposed budget.
    4. Book and cultural allowance. Participants are entitled to and 
escorts are reimbursed a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per 
person, plus a participant book allowance of $50. U.S. Staff do not 
receive these benefits.
    5. Consultants. 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. Room rental 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. A return travel allowance of $70 may be provided to each 
participant to be used for incidental expenditures during international 
travel.
    10. All USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of 
USIA-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by USIA 
directly to the insurance company.
    11. Administrative Costs. Other costs necessary for the effective 
administration of the program including salaries for grant organization 
employees, benefits and other direct and indirect costs as described in 
the detailed instructions in the application package. While this 
announcement does not proscribe a rigid ratio of administrative to 
program costs, in general, priority will be given to proposals whose 
administrative costs are less than twenty-five (25) percent of the 
total requested from USIA. Proposals should show cost-sharing, 
including both contributions from the applicant and from other sources.
    Please refer to the Application Package for complete budget 
guidelines.

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 the USIA Office of East European and NIS 
Affairs and the USIA post 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 the General 
Counsel or by other Agency elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of USIA's 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. 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. Objectives should respond to the priority topics in this 
announcement and should relate to the current conditions in the 
included countries. Objectives should be reasonable and attainable. A 
detailed work plan should explain step by step how objectives will be 
achieved, including a timetable for completion of major tasks and 
activities and an outline of the selection process. The substance of 
the seminars, presentations, workshops, consulting, internships and 
itineraries should be spelled out in detail. Responsibilities of in-
country partners should be clearly described.

2. 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.

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

[[Page 54193]]

sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up 
activities).

4. Institutional Capability

    Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate 
and appropriate to achieve the program's goals. The narrative should 
demonstrate proven ability to handle logistics. Proposals should 
reflect the institution's expertise in the subject area and knowledge 
of the conditions in the targeted region(s).

5. Follow-on Activities

    Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity 
(without USIA support) ensuring that USIA supported programs are not 
isolated events.

6. Project Evaluation

    Proposals should include a plan and methodology to evaluate the 
program's successes, both as activities unfold and at the end of the 
program. USIA recommends that the proposals include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus description and/or plan for use 
of another measurement technique (such as a focus group) to link 
outcomes to original project objectives.

7. Cost-Effectiveness and Cost Sharing

    Overhead and administrative costs in the proposal, including 
salaries, subcontracts for services and honoraria, should be kept low. 
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. 
Organizations will be expected to cooperate with USIA in evaluating 
their programs under the principles of the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993, which requires federal agencies to measure and 
report on the results of their programs and activities.

Notification

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

    Dated: October 2, 1998.
Judith Siegel,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-27032 Filed 10-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M