[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62726-62729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30048]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 3160]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; NIS Community College
Partnerships Program: Request for Proposals
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Global Educational Programs of the United States
Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for an assistance award program.
Accredited community colleges offering the two-year Associate's degree
and meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501 may
apply to pursue institutional or departmental objectives in
international partnerships with counterpart institutions from Russia or
Ukraine for the purpose of supporting, through teaching, scholarship,
and professional outreach from the partner institutions, the transition
of the New Independent States to democratic systems based on market
economies, as well as the purpose of strengthening mutual understanding
and cooperation between the United States and the New Independent
States. Eligible fields are education, continuing education or
educational administration; the social, political or economic sciences;
business/accounting/trade; or journalism/communications. Within these
fields, themes of special interest may be described in additional
detail in the section on ``Country Eligibility.'' Community colleges
interested in working with partner institutions in the NIS outside of
Russia and Ukraine are eligible to apply through the NIS College and
University Partnerships Program, described separately in this
announcement.
The NIS Community College Partnerships Program is designed to
encourage community colleges to share with their educational partners
in the NIS their practical experience in designing and implementing
programs which provide targeted training in professional fields;
provide outreach and services to surrounding communities; and provide
education to underserved populations.
In general, underlying the specific objectives of projects funded
by this program should be the goal of fostering freedom and democracy
through a deepened mutual understanding of fundamental issues and
practical applications in the encouragement of civil society, economic
growth and prosperity, or the free flow of information. Creative,
innovative strategies to address these underlying concerns in the
pursuit of clearly defined institutional goals are encouraged. The
extension of understanding about these issues through outreach from
academic institutions to larger communities of citizens and
practitioners is encouraged, particularly by linking educational
programs in the NIS to the communities which they serve.
In addition to the NIS Community College Partnerships Program, the
Bureau also supports institutional linkages in higher education with
partners from the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union
through the NIS College and University Partnerships Program, which was
described in a previous announcement dated September 16, 1999 with a
deadline of January 19, 2000. The Bureau supports institutional
linkages in higher education with partners worldwide through the
College and University Affiliations Program; the College and University
Affiliations Program was described in a previous announcement dated May
18, 1999 with a deadline of November 15, 1999. Applicants interested in
either of these two programs should contact the Bureau's Humphrey
Fellowships and Institutional Linkages Branch at (202) 619-5289. In
addition, the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) supports the Sustaining Partnerships into the Next Century
(SPAN) program, which supports organizational and institutional
partnerships, including university partnerships, in the Russian
Federation. Applicants interested in USAID's SPAN program should
contact the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) at (202)
628-8188 (E-mail: [email protected]).
In the NIS Community College Partnerships Program, partner
institutions may pursue specific institutional goals with support from
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through exchanges of
teachers and administrators for any appropriate combination of
teaching, consultation, research, and outreach, for periods ranging
from one week (for planning visits) to an academic year. The Bureau's
support may be used to defray the costs of the exchange visits as well
as the costs of their administration at any partner institution up to a
maximum of 20 percent of the total grant, including administrative
salaries but excluding indirect costs. Although grants under this
program will be issued to eligible U.S. community colleges, adequate
provision for the administrative costs of the project at all partner
institutions is encouraged. Administrative salary support may be
included for project directors and administrative assistants within the
20 percent maximum that may be allocated to administrative costs. (See
the section of the POGI on ``Allowable costs''.) Students may
participate in the project, but not with the Bureau's support for the
costs of their visits. With the Bureau's support, institutions may
reinforce the activities of exchange participants through the
establishment and maintenance of Internet and/or electronic mail
communication facilities as well as through interactive technology or
non-technology-based distance-learning programs. Applicants may propose
other project activities not specifically anticipated in this
solicitation if the activities reinforce exchange activities and their
impact.
Proposals must be submitted by the U.S. institutional partner and
must include a letter of commitment from the foreign partner(s). While
the benefits of the project to each of the participating institutions
may differ significantly in nature and scope, proposals should outline
well-reasoned strategies leading to specific, demonstrable changes (for
example, new courses, new research or teaching capacities or
methodologies, new programs or revised curricula) that are anticipated
for each participating department or for the institution as a whole as
a result of the project. The strategy for achieving project goals may
include exchange visits in either or both directions, but no single
formula is anticipated for the duration, sequence, or number of these
visits. However, visits of one semester or more for participants from
each of the institutional partners are encouraged. Although strong
budgetary and programmatic emphasis may be given to visits in one
direction over another, the benefits of these visits to the sending as
well as the receiving sides should be clearly explained in terms of
their contributions to the departmental or institutional objectives
which the project is designed to achieve.
In addition to demonstrating the capacity of each participating
institution to contribute to its partner(s), proposals should also
explain how this cooperation will enable each of the institutions to
address its own needs. Accordingly, applicants are encouraged to
describe the needs as well as the capabilities of each participating
department as well as the broader social and educational needs which
the partner institutions attempt to serve. Effective proposals will
explain the anticipated cooperation in ways that demonstrate that the
institutions
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proposed for participation in the partnership clearly understand one
another and are committed to support one another in project
implementation. If the proposed partnership would occur within the
context of a previous or on-going project, the proposal should explain
how the request for Bureau funding would build upon the pre-existing
relationship or complement concurrent projects and cooperation.
The commitment of all partner institutions to the proposed project
should be reflected in the cost-sharing which they offer in the context
of their respective institutional capacities.
To provide adequate time to meet institutional goals, the program
awards grants for periods of approximately three years. The maximum
award in the FY2000 competition will be $200,000. Requests for amounts
smaller than the maximum are eligible. Grants awarded to organizations
with less than four years of experience in conducting international
exchange programs will be limited to $60,000. Grants are subject to the
availability of funds for Fiscal Year 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 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 cited above is provided through the Freedom for Russia and
Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992
(Freedom Support Act).
Projects must conform with the Bureau's requirements and guidelines
outlined in the solicitation package for this RFP, which can be
obtained by following the instructions given in the section below
entitled ``For Further Information.'' The ``Project Objectives, Goals,
and Implementation'' (hereafter, POGI) and the ``Proposal Submission
Instructions'' (hereafter, PSI), which contain additional guidelines,
are included in the Solicitation Package. Proposals that do not follow
RFP requirements and the guidelines appearing in the POGI and PSI may
be excluded from consideration due to technical ineligibility.
Announcement Title and Number
All communications with the Bureau concerning this RFP should refer
to the NIS Community College Partnerships Program and reference number
ECA/A/S/U-00-08.
Deadline for Proposals
All copies must be received at the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Wednesday, March 15,
2000. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time, nor will
documents postmarked on Wednesday, March 15, 2000 but received on a
later date. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure
compliance with the deadline.
Approximate program dates: Grants should begin on or about August
15, 2000.
Duration: Approximately August 15, 2000-August 14, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: United States Department of State,
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Global
Educational Programs, Humphrey Fellowships and Institutional Linkages
Branch, State Annex 44 (ECA/A/S/U) room 349, 301 4th Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20547, fax: (202) 401-1433 to request a Solicitation
Package containing more detailed award criteria; all application forms;
and guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for
preparation of the proposal budget. Please specify Bureau Program
Officer Jonathan Cebra (telephone: 202-619-4126, e-mail:
[email protected]) on all inquiries and correspondence.
To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's
website at http://e.usia.gov/education/rfps. Please read all
information before downloading.
Interested applicants should read the complete Federal Register
announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the
RFP deadline has passed, Bureau 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 10 copies of the application should be sent
to: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Cultural and Educational
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/S/U-00-08, Program Management Staff, ECA/EX/PM,
Room 336, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547
Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette,
formatted for DOS. This material must be provided in ASCII text (DOS)
format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. The Bureau will
transmit these files electronically to public affairs sections at U.S.
embassies overseas for their review, with the goal of reducing the time
it takes to get posts' comments for the Bureau's grants review process.
Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic
status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to
adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program
administration and in program content. Please refer to the review
criteria under the ``Support for Diversity'' section for specific
suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total proposal. Public
Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of educational and
cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom
and democracy'', the Bureau ``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.
Year 2000 Compliance Requirement (Y2K Requirement)
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 the Bureau. 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.
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The Bureau therefore requires all organizations use Y2K compliant
systems including hardware, software, and firmware. Systems must
accurately 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Guidelines
The NIS Community College Partnerships Program is limited to the
following academic fields:
(1) Business/accounting/trade;
(2) Education/continuing education/educational administration;
(3) Journalism/communications; and
(4) Social, political, or economic sciences.
Proposals must focus on curriculum, faculty, and staff development
at the NIS partner institution(s) in one or more of these eligible
disciplines. Administrative reform at the foreign partner should also
be a project component. Projects should involve the development of new
academic programs or the building and/or restructuring of an existing
program or programs, and should promote higher education's role in the
transition to market economies and open democratic systems. Feasibility
studies to plan partnerships will not be considered.
Whenever feasible, participants should make their training and
personnel resources, as well as results of their collaborative
research, available to government, NGOs, and business.
Participating institutions should exchange faculty and/or staff
members for teaching/lecturing and consulting. At least once during the
grant period, one U.S. participant should be in residence at the
foreign partner institution for one semester to serve in a coordinating
role.
U.S. institutions are responsible for the submission of proposals
and should collaborate with their foreign partners in planning and
preparing proposals. U.S. and foreign partner institutions are
encouraged to consult about the proposed project with program office
staff in Washington, DC.
U.S. Partner and Participant Eligibility
In the United States, participation in the program is open to
accredited community colleges offering the two-year Associate's degree.
Applications from consortia of community colleges are eligible.
Secondary U.S. partners may include relevant non-governmental
organizations, non-profit service or professional organizations, or
other institutions of higher education. If a lead U.S. institution in a
consortium is responsible for submitting an application on behalf of a
consortium, the application must document the lead school's stated
authority to represent the consortium. With the exception of outside
evaluators on contract with the U.S. institution, participants
representing the U.S. institution(s) who are traveling under Bureau
grant funds must be faculty or staff from the participating
institution(s) and must be U.S. citizens.
Foreign Partner and Participant Eligibility
In other countries, participation is open to recognized
institutions of post-secondary education, including pedagogical
institutes and universities, technical institutes and universities, and
vocational training schools. Secondary foreign partners may include
relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations, non-profit
service or professional organizations. Participants representing the
foreign institutions must be faculty or staff of the primary or
secondary partner institution, and be citizens, nationals, or permanent
residents of the country of the foreign partner, and be qualified to
hold a valid passport and U.S. J-1 visa.
Foreign partners from the following countries are eligible:
Russia--Proposals for partnerships with institutions located in
Moscow or St. Petersburg should clearly indicate how those partnerships
will have impact on other regions. Proposals which designate a partner
institution in the Sakhalin Region are encouraged.
Ukraine--proposals for partnerships with institutions located in
the Kharkiv region are encouraged;
Partnerships including a secondary foreign partner from a non-NIS
country are eligible to participate in a project funded by this
program; however, with the exception of Central European partners as
noted below, the Bureau will not cover overseas non-NIS partner
institution costs.
Central European Partners
The Bureau encourages proposals which build upon established
collaboration between U.S. institutions and partners in Central and
Eastern Europe in order to support faculty and curriculum development
in the NIS and to promote regional cooperation. Within the context of
this partnership agreement and under the guidance of the U.S. partner
institution, funds may be budgeted for the exchange of faculty between
NIS institutions and institutions of higher learning in Central and
Eastern Europe (applicants planning to submit proposals for trilateral
partnerships with a partner from Central or Eastern Europe are
encouraged to contact the program office).
Review Process
The Bureau 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 Bureau officers as well as by other State Department
officers in Washington, DC and overseas. All eligible proposals will be
forwarded to the appropriate U.S. Embassy officers for advisory review.
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Advisor or by
other offices of the U.S. Department of State. Funding decisions will
be made at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary for Educational
and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for assistance awards
(grants or cooperative agreements) will reside with a contracts officer
with competency for Bureau programs.
Review Criteria
State Department officers in Washington, DC and overseas will use
the criteria below to reach funding recommendations and decisions.
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank-
ordered or weighted.
1. Quality and Clarity of Program Objectives
Proposed programs should outline clearly formulated objectives for
each participating institution that will also contribute to the
transition of the New Independent States to market economies and
democracies and to a deepened mutual understanding of fundamental
issues and practical applications in the themes eligible for
consideration in this competition.
2. Program Planning
Proposals should include appropriate and feasible project plans and
a detailed schedule which should include a well-reasoned combination of
useful and appropriate teaching, faculty development, curriculum
development, and outreach. The various activities should be clearly
related to project objectives, but need not be equally emphasized
within the proposal.
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Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the partnership will meet the
program's objectives and plan.
3. Impact of Program Objectives
Proposal objectives should have sustainable consequences for the
participating institutions and the societies and communities which
these institutions serve.
4. Support of Diversity
Proposals should demonstrate substantive support of the Bureau's
policy on diversity by outlining relevant aspects of the institutional
profile of each participating institution together with the relevancy
of issues of diversity to program objectives and implementation.
5. Institutional Capacity and Commitment
Proposals should demonstrate commitment of institutional resources
adequate and appropriate to achieve program goals. Proposals should
demonstrate significant understanding at each institution of its own
needs and capacities and of the needs and capacities of its proposed
partner(s), together with a strong commitment, during and after the
period of grant activity, to cooperate with one another in the mutual
pursuit of institutional objectives. Relevant factors include: the
financial and political stability of partner institutions and the
availability of a critical mass of faculty willing and able to
participate. Preference will be given to proposals which include
multiple quarter- or semester-length stays. Proposals should provide
evidence of relevant and successful prior interactions between
institutions and an indication of collaborative program planning. The
Bureau will consider the past performance of prior grant recipients and
all reviewers will consider the demonstrated potential of new
applicants. Reviewers will also consider the quality of exchange
participants' academic credentials, skills, and experience relative to
the goals and activities of the project plan (e.g. language skills).
6. Project Evaluation
Proposals should include a plan and methodology for evaluating the
project's degree of success in meeting program objectives. The plan
should include an updated assessment of the current status of each
department at the time of program inception; on-going formative
evaluation to allow for prompt corrective action; and summative
evaluation of the degree of achievement of project objectives together
with recommendations for further activities and projects to build upon
project achievements.
7. Cost-Effectiveness
Administrative costs should be reasonable and appropriate with
cost-sharing provided by all participating institutions within the
context of their respective capacities and as a reflection of their
commitment to cooperation with one another in pursuing project
objectives.
Ineligibility
A proposal will be deemed technically ineligible if:
(1) It does not fully adhere to the guidelines established herein
and in the Solicitation Package;
(2) It is not received by the deadline;
(3) It is not submitted by the U.S. partner;
(4) One of the partner institutions is ineligible;
(5) The academic discipline(s) is/are not listed as eligible in the
RFP, herein;
(6) The amount requested of the Bureau request exceeds $200,000 for
the three-year project.
Please refer to program-specific guidelines (POGI) in the
Solicitation Package for further details.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Bureau 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 Bureau 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 Bureau procedures.
Dated: November 5, 1999.
Evelyn S. Lieberman,
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
[FR Doc. 99-30048 Filed 11-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-11-P