[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 28 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6938-6941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3423]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


International Visitor Program

ACTION: Notice--Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Office of International Visitors (E/V)* of the United 
States

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Information Agency's (USIA) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces a competition for two assistance awards, Award A (to program 
between 100 and 250 participants) and Award B (to program between 750 
and 1,000 participants). International Visitor (IV) program 
participants are current or potential foreign leaders. Each award is to 
develop and implement IV programs over the course of fiscal year 2000 
(October 1, 1999--September 30, 2000). USIA is seeking proposals from 
public and private nonprofit organizations that are not already in 
communication with USIA regarding an FY-2000 assistance award from E/V. 
These organizations must meet the provisions described in IRS 
regulation 26 CFR 1.501  to apply for these awards. *[See 
Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) for definitions of 
program-related terminology].
    The intent of this announcement is to provide the opportunity for 
two organizations to develop and implement a variety of IV program 
models. The winning applicants will function as national program 
agencies (NPA)* and work closely with USIA staff, who will guide the 
applicants through the variety of procedural, budgetary and/or 
programmatic issues that arise.
    An organization can only win one award. Applicants should indicate 
on the proposal cover sheet after the reference number if they are 
bidding on Award A, Award B, or both. If bidding on both, two separate 
budgets must be submitted with the proposal.
    IV program objectives are based on U.S. foreign policy and are 
designed to: (1) increase mutual understanding between the people of 
the U.S. and the people of other countries; and (2) provide substantive 
professional exchange between the foreign participants and their U.S. 
counterparts. Participants are current or potential foreign leaders in 
government, politics, media, education, science, labor relations, and 
other key fields. They are selected by officers of U.S. embassies 
overseas and approved by USIA staff in Washington, DC. Since the 
program's earliest inception in 1940, there have been more than 140,000 
distinguished participants in the program. Almost 200 program alumni 
have subsequently become heads of state or government in their home 
countries.
    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of 
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the 
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us 
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural 
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United 
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of 
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States 
and the other countries of the world.''
    IV programs must conform with USIA requirements and guidelines 
outlined in the Solicitation Package. USIA programs are subject to the 
availability of funds.
    Announcement Title and Number: All communications with USIA 
concerning this RFP should refer to the announcement's title and 
reference number E/V-99-02.
    To Request a Solicitation Package, Contact: The Office of 
International Visitors, Community Relations Division, E/VC, Room 266, 
U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, 
Tel: (202) 619-5234, 1-800-827-0804; Fax: (202) 619-4655, e-mail 
address: [email protected]
    To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://
e.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 USIA's ``Grants Information 
Fax on Demand System'', which is accessed by calling 202/401-7616. 
Please request a ``Catalog'' of available documents and order numbers 
when first entering the system. Interested applicants should read the 
complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals.
    Bidders' Conference: USIA will host a Bidders' Conference on 
Thursday, March 4, 1999, at the USIA headquarters building in 
Washington, D.C., 301 4th St., S.W., from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Substantive questions about this RFP will be addressed at the 
conference. Interested applicants are asked to RSVP and submit 
questions by mail, fax, or e-mail to: The Office of International 
Visitors, Community Relations Division, E/VC, Room 266, U.S. 
Information Agency, 301 4th St., SW, Washington, D.C. 20547, Tel: (202) 
619-5234; 1-800-827-0804; Fax: (202) 619-4655, e-mail address: 
[email protected]
    Questions must be received by close of business Friday, February 
19, 1999. To request a copy of written details of the Bidders' 
Conference, please contact the above address.
    Submissions: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
Solicitation Package. The original and 10 copies of the proposal 
submission should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/V-99-02, 
Office of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20547.
    Deadline For Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Thursday, April 
1, 1999. Faxed or e-mailed documents will not be accepted at any time. 
Documents postmarked by the due date but received at a later date will 
not be accepted. Assistance awards will be effective on or about 
October 1, 1999.
    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.

Year 2000 Issue

    The year 2000 (Y2K) issue is a broad operational and accounting 
problem that could potentially prohibit organizations from processing 
information in accordance with Federal management and program specific 
requirements, including data exchange with USIA. The inability to 
process information in accordance with Federal requirements could 
result in grantees' being required to return funds that have not been 
accounted for properly.
    USIA therefore requires that all organizations use Y2K compliant 
systems including hardward, software, and firmware. Systems must 
accurately

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process data and dates (calculating, comparing, and sequencing) both 
before and after the beginning of the year 2000 and correctly adjust 
for leap years.
    Additional information addressing the Y2K issue may be found at the 
General Services Administration's Office of Information Technology 
website at http://www.itpolicy.gsa.gov.

Qualification and Guidelines

Qualifications

    1. Applicants must demonstrate four years of successful programming 
experience.
    2. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop and 
administer IV programs.
    3. Applicants must have a broad knowledge of international 
relations and U.S. foreign policy issues.
    4. Applicants must have a broad knowledge of the United States and 
U.S. domestic issues.
    5. Applicants must have an established resource base of programming 
contacts and the ability to keep the base continuously updated. This 
resource base should include speakers, thematic specialists, or 
practitioners in a wide range of professional fields in both the 
private and public sectors.
    6. Applicants must demonstrate sound financial management.
    7. Applicants must have a sound management plan to carry out the 
volume of work outlined in the POGI. This plan should include an 
appropriate staffing pattern and a work plan/time frame.

Requirement for Past Performance References

    Instead of Letters of Endorsement, USIA will use past performance 
as an indicator of an applicant's ability to successfully perform the 
work. Tab E of the proposal must contain between three and five 
references from recently completed or ongoing work performed for 
professional exchange programs (may include the IV program). The 
references must contain the information outlined below. Please note 
that the requirements for submission of past performance information 
also apply to all proposed subcontractors when the total estimated cost 
of the subcontract is over $100,000.
    At a minimum, the applicant will provide the following information 
for each reference:
     Name of the referenced organization
     Project name
     Project description
     Performance period of the contract/grant
     Amount of the contract/grant
     Technical contact person and telephone number for 
referenced organization
     Administrative contact person and telephone number for 
referenced organization
    USIA may contact representatives from the organizations cited in 
the examples to obtain information on the applicant's past performance. 
USIA also may obtain past performance information from sources other 
than those identified by the applicant.

Personnel

    Applicants must include complete and current resumes of the key 
personnel who will be involved in the program management, design and 
implementation of IV programs. Each resume is limited to two pages per 
person.

Guidelines

    IV programs must maintain a non-partisan character.
    Programs and awards must conform to all USIA requirements and 
guidelines. Once the awards are made, USIA requires separate proposals 
for each group program [Single Country (SCP)*, Regional (RP)*, and 
Multi-Regional (MRP)*] as well as less formal proposals for Individual* 
and Individuals Traveling Together (ITT)* programs. At this time 
proposals are not required for Voluntary Visitor (VolVis)* programs. 
*(See POGI for program descriptions).
    Each program will focus on a substantive theme. Some broad IV 
program themes include: (1) U.S. government systems; (2) U.S. political 
system; (3) U.S. foreign policy; (4) economic development; (5) 
education and training; (6) media; (7) information technology; and (8) 
U.S. social concerns.
    Applicants should demonstrate the potential to develop the type of 
programs described below:
     Programs must contain substantive meetings that focus on 
foreign policy goals and program objectives and are presented by 
experts. Meetings, site visits, and other program activities should 
promote dialogue between participants and their U.S. professional 
counterparts. Programs must be balanced to show different sides of an 
issue;
     Most programs are 21 days in length and begin in 
Washington, DC, with an orientation and overview of the issues and a 
central examination of federal policies regarding these issues;
     Well-paced program itineraries usually include visits to 
four or five other communities. Program itineraries ideally include 
urban and rural communities in diverse geographical and cultural 
regions of the U.S., as appropriate to the program theme;
     Programs should provide opportunities for participants to 
experience the diversity of American society and culture. Depending on 
the size and theme of a large group program, the NPA can divide the 
participants 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;
     Programs may provide opportunities for the participants to 
share a meal or similar experience (home hospitality) in the homes of 
Americans of diverse occupational, age, gender and ethnic groups. Some 
individual and group programs might include an opportunity for an 
overnight stay (home stay) in an American home;
     Programs should provide opportunities for participants to 
address student, civic and professional groups in relaxed and informal 
settings;
     Participants should have appropriate opportunities for 
site visits and hands-on experiences that are relevant to program 
themes. The NPA may propose ``shadowing'' experiences with U.S. 
professional colleagues for some programs;
    Programs should also allow time for participants to reflect on 
their experiences and, in group programs, to share observations with 
program colleagues. Participants should have opportunities to visit 
cultural and tourist sites; and
     The NPA must make arrangements for community visits 
through affiliates of the NCIV. In cities where there is no such 
Council, the applicant organizations will arrange for coordination of 
local programs.
    The applicants are expected to have a Washington, D.C. presence, e-
mail capability, and access to Internet resources. USIA will provide 
close coordination and guidance throughout the duration of the awards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Visa Requirements

    Participants in IV programs travel on J-1 visas arranged by USIA. 
Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to 
program-specific guidelines in the Solicitation Package for further 
details.

Budget

    Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive line-item 
administrative budget in accordance with the instructions in the 
Solicitation Package. The submission must include a

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summary budget as well as a detailed budget showing all administrative 
costs. If an organization wishes to bid on both Awards A and B, two 
separate budgets must be submitted with this proposal. Proposed 
staffing and costs associated with staffing must be appropriate to the 
requirements outlined in the RFP and in the Solicitation Package.
    Selected applicants will enter into close consultation on 
individual program budgets with the responsible E/V Program Officer. 
Cost sharing is encouraged.
    The Agency is seeking proposals from public and private nonprofit 
organizations that are not already in communication with USIA regarding 
an FY-2000 assistance award from E/V. All applicants must have four 
years of experience as stated. It is incumbent on organizations to 
demonstrate a capacity for programming participants from all 
geographical regions of the world; proven fiscal management integrity; 
and an ability to have close consultation with USIA staff throughout 
program administration.

Review Process

    USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and 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 a panel 
of USIA officers for advisory review. In addition, proposals may be 
reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel or by other Agency 
elements. Funding decisions are at the discretion of the USIA Associate 
Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical 
authority for assistance awards (grants or cooperative agreements) 
resides with the USIA Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Evidence of Understanding: The proposal should convey that the 
applicant has a good understanding of the overall goals and objectives 
of the IV program. It should exhibit originality, substance, precision, 
and be responsive to requirements stated in the RFP and the 
Solicitation Package.
    2. Program Planning: A detailed and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive intent and logistical capacity. The plan should 
adhere to the guidelines cited in the RFP.
    3. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: The proposal should 
clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the goals of the IV 
program.
    4. Support of Diversity: The proposal should demonstrate 
substantive support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and 
relevant features should be cited in both program administration 
(selection of resources, program venue and program evaluation) and 
program content (orientation and evaluation sessions, program meetings, 
resource materials and follow-up activities).
    5. Institutional Capacity: The proposal should demonstrate the 
applicant's capability for performing the type of work required by the 
IV program. It should reflect the applicant's ability to design and 
implement, in a timely and creative manner, professional exchange 
programs which encompass a variety of project themes. Proposed 
personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and 
appropriate to achieve the program goals. Finally, the proposal must 
demonstrate that the applicant has or can recruit adequate and well-
trained staff.
    6. Institution's Record/Ability: The proposal should demonstrate an 
institutional record of a minimum of four years of successful 
experience in conducting IV or other professional exchange programs 
which are similar in nature and magnitude to the scope of work outlined 
in this solicitation. Note that evidence of success includes 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with reporting 
requirements such as those set out for Agency grants. The applicant 
must have a Washington, D.C. presence and demonstrate the potential for 
programming participants from all geographic regions of the world.
    7. Cost-effectiveness: The administrative and indirect cost 
components of the proposal, including salaries, should be kept as low 
as possible.
    8. Cost-sharing: Consideration will be given to proposed cost-
sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional 
direct funding contributions.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may 
not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Agency that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on 
the part of the Government. The Agency reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

Government Reporting 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 these 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 Americans' understanding 
of foreign cultures and society; foster linkages between U.S. and 
foreign individuals and institutions; and generate cost sharing and 
other forms of financial leveraging for programs.

Notification

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

    Dated: February 6, 1999.
William B. Bader,
Associate Director for
Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 99-3423 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M