[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50041-50044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20818]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3390]


Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; 
International Law Enforcement Academy--Roswell, New Mexico

AGENCY: Office of Europe, NIS, and Training; Bureau for International 
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, State.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of State (DOS) is soliciting a proposal to 
conduct international law enforcement training at the deBremmond 
National Guard facility, located in Roswell, New Mexico. The recipient 
will have access to the deBremmond facility for the purpose of 
implementing this program, as required by the pertinent congressional 
appropriation language. The recipient is required to have extensive 
knowledge of the local area and experience in dealing with cooperative 
agreements.
    The facilities available at the deBremmond complex include 
dormitories, classrooms, office space, conference rooms, an auditorium 
and storage areas. These buildings will undergo extensive renovations 
prior to their occupancy, to meet exacting international standards. 
Initial training will be conducted at temporary commercial facilities. 
Dining and recreational facilities will be either provided on-site or 
contracted elsewhere. The maintenance, operation and repair of these 
buildings are the responsibility of the New Mexico National Guard.
    This project envisions the creation of an International Law 
Enforcement Academy, utilizing a curriculum comprised of courses 
similar to those provided at a typical Criminal Justice university/
college. The courses shall be designed and taught by academicians, for 
foreign law enforcement officials. The students will be mid-to-senior 
law enforcement and criminal justice officials from Eastern Europe, 
Russia, the former Soviet Union, ASEAN member countries and the PRC. 
After an initial period, countries from Latin America and Africa will 
also participate.
    Typically, these courses will cover topics such as police 
organization and administration, psychology of criminal behavior, 
police organization and administration, family violence, planning for 
police operations, women in policing, urban violence, civil 
disobedience and dissent, etc. The instruction should be structured in 
four separate modules, each one week in duration, for an overall course 
length of four weeks. In addition, a cultural and institutional 
orientation component should be blended throughout the course. These 
courses will be offered year around, except for two breaks, one in the 
summer and the other at year's end, each lasting two weeks.
    Each class will be comprised of approximately 50 students. After an 
initial phase of approximately one year, two classes will be run 
simultaneously bringing the student population to 100 for a total 
annual output of 1200 students. The instruction will be in English with 
simultaneous translation into at least three languages.
    The recipient will be expected to offer administrative and 
logistical support for the program, to include, but not limited to: 
international and domestic travel arrangements for all participants, 
coordination with United States missions overseas to effect the

[[Page 50042]]

identification and notification of candidates, cultural and 
programmatic orientation, provision of lodging and meals for the 
students, facilitation of emergency medical care, shipping of 
instructional materials, maintenance of personal and academic files, 
coordination with university staff to develop curriculum and deliver 
instruction, implementation of training plans, evaluation of training 
effectiveness, dissemination of information concerning the Academy, 
hosting of official visitors and foreign dignitaries, facilitation of 
cultural and recreational activities, interaction with city, county and 
military personnel connected with the Academy.
    The Department of State's involvement in the execution of this 
project is considered substantial. DOS will provide guidance in the 
nature and composition of the courses, selection of students, training 
schedules, coordination with U.S. missions overseas, extracurricular 
activities and interaction with foreign officials involved in the 
operation of the program. DOS will also play a predominant role in the 
evaluation and modification of training methodologies. A DOS 
representative resident in Roswell, NM, and the International Narcotics 
and Law Enforcement (INL) Bureau, in Washington, DC will conduct these 
activities.

DATES: Strict deadlines for submissions are: Full proposals must be 
received at INL no later than 30 days from the date of the 
announcement. Prospective respondents to this notice should contact 
Linda Gower, Grants Officer, as soon as they have determined an 
interest in this notice. For contact information see page 4.
    Sixty days from the closing date should be used as the proposed 
start date on proposals, unless otherwise directed by a program 
manager. All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the 
guidelines below. Failure to heed these guidelines may result in 
proposals being returned without review.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be submitted to: U.S. Department of State, 
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Navy 
Hill South, 2430 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20520, Attn: Linda Gower.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Gower, Grants Officer, at above 
address, TEL: 202-776-8774, Fax: 202-776-8775, E-mail: 
[email protected] or Thom Browne at above address, Tel: 202-736-4662, 
Fax: 202-647-6962.
    Once the RFA deadline has passed, DOS staff may not discuss 
competition in any way with applicants until the proposal review 
process has been completed.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Funding Availability

    This Program Announcement is for a project to be conducted by 
agencies/programs outside the Federal government, over a period of up 
to five years. Actual funding levels will depend upon availability of 
funds. Current plans are for up to a total of $6,000,000 for the first 
year and $5,000,000 for every year thereafter, to be available for one 
new award. The funding instrument for this award will be a cooperative 
agreement. Funding for non-U.S. institutions and contractual 
arrangements for services and products for delivery to INL are not 
available under this announcement. No proposal should exceed a total 
cost of $26,000,000.

Program Authority

    Authority: Section 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as 
amended.

Program Objectives

    The goal of this program is to increase the technical capabilities 
of foreign country law enforcement officials to combat crime, institute 
democratic practices, and to ensure that through international law 
enforcement cooperation, U.S. agencies succeed in intercepting the 
movement of transnational criminal elements into the U.S. and 
throughout the world.

Program Priorities

    This Announcement invites proposals for the following program 
priorities. The recipient shall be responsible for the execution of all 
four areas described below:
    (1) Development of curriculum to meet the requirements described in 
the Summary above.
    (2) Organization and start-up of the Academy in Roswell, NM.
    (3) Day-to-day operations and administrative and logistical support 
of the Academy.
    (4) Conduct of training activities to reach the student output 
levels described in the Summary above.
    Any applicants who will be working with universities to implement 
the proposed assessment or evaluation programs may sub-grant or sub-
contract services to assist in fulfilling program objectives.

Eligibility

    Eligibility is limited to non-Federal agencies and organizations. 
Universities and non-profit organizations are included among entities 
eligible for funding under this announcement. Direct funding for non-
U.S. institutions is not available under this announcement.

Evaluation Criteria

    Consideration for financial assistance will be given to those 
proposals which adequately address the Program Priorities identified 
above and meet the following evaluation criteria:
    (1) Relevance (15%): Importance and relevance to the goal and 
objectives of the program identified above. Definition of how the 
training to be provided at the Academy will satisfy the needs of the 
participating countries, as described under ``Program Objectives''.
    (2) Methodology (25%): Adequacy of the proposed approach and 
activities, including development of training programs and project 
milestones. Clear definition of the steps required for the gradual 
implementation of the program, from its inception to full development.
    (3) Readiness (25%): Relevant history and experience in conducting 
training related programs, past performance record of proposers. 
Familiarity with foreign environments and ability to deal with 
individuals of diverse linguistical and cultural backgrounds.
    (4) Linkages (20%): Ability to interact with key personnel in the 
local community, intended training facility and universities in the 
Roswell, NM area.
    (5) Costs (15%): Adequacy/efficiency of the proposed resources.

Selection Procedures

    All proposals will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the 
assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria by independent peer 
panel review composed of INL and other Department of State experts. The 
panel's recommendations and evaluations will be considered by the 
program managers in final selections. Those ranked by the panel and 
program managers as not recommended for funding will not be given 
further consideration and will be notified of non-selection. For the 
proposals rated for possible funding, the program managers will: (a) 
Ascertain which proposals meet the objectives and fit the criteria 
posted; (b) select the proposals to be funded in accordance with the 
evaluation criteria.
    Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal 
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.

[[Page 50043]]

Proposal Submission

    The guidelines for proposal preparation provided below are 
mandatory. Failure to heed these guidelines may result in proposals 
being returned without review.

(a) Full Proposals

    (1) Proposals submitted to INL must include the original and three 
unbound copies of the proposal. (2) Program descriptions must be 
limited to 30 pages (numbered), not including budget, personal vitae, 
letters of support and all appendices, and should be limited to funding 
requests for one to five years duration. Federally mandated forms are 
not included within the page count. (3) Proposals should be sent to INL 
at the above address. (4) Facsimile transmissions of full proposals 
will not be accepted.

(b) Required Elements

    (1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the 
Project Director (PD) and the institutional representative. The PD and 
institutional representative should be identified by full name, title, 
organization, telephone number and address. The total amount of Federal 
funds being requested should be listed for each budget period.
    (2) Abstract: An abstract must be included and should contain an 
introduction, rationale and a brief summary of work to be completed. 
The abstract should appear as a separate page, headed with the proposal 
title, institution(s) name, total proposed cost and budget period.
    (3) Prior program experience: A summary of prior experience 
(especially those related to training programs) should be described, 
including activities related to program priorities identified above. 
Reference to each prior program award should include the title, agency, 
award number, period of award and total award. The section should be a 
brief summary and should not exceed two pages total.
    (4) Project description: The proposed project must be completely 
described, including identification of project objectives, relevance to 
the goal and objectives of the program, and the program priorities 
listed above.
    (5) Budget: Applicants must submit a Standard form 424 
``Application for Federal Assistance,'' including a detailed budget 
using the Standard Form 424a, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.'' The proposal must include total and annual budgets 
corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement of work. 
Standard Forms may be downloaded from the following website: 
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
    Additional text to thoroughly support expenses should be included 
(i.e., salaries and benefits by each proposed staff person by name (if 
known); direct costs such as travel (airfare, per diem, miscellaneous 
travel costs); equipment, supplies, contractual, insurance and indirect 
costs). Indicate if indirect rates are DCAA or other Federal agency 
approved or proposed rates and provide a copy of the current rate 
agreement. In addition, furnish the same level of information regarding 
sub-grantee costs, if applicable, and submit a copy of your most recent 
A-110 audit report. A guideline for budget preparation may be obtained 
from the Grants Officer listed above.
    (6) Vitae: Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each 
proposal. Vitae for each project staff person should not exceed three 
pages in length.

(c) Other Requirements

    Primary Applicant Certification--All primary applicants must submit 
a completed Form CD-511, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; DrugFree Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying.'' Applicants are also hereby notified of the 
following:
    1. Non procurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, section 105) are subject to 
15 CFR Part 26, ``Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension,'' and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    2. Drug Free Workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Government 
wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related 
section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants of more than $100,000; and
    4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures--Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit SFLLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B.

Lower Tier Certifications

    (1) Recipients must require applicants/bidders for subgrants or 
lower tier covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, 
if applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier 
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure Form SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to Department of State 
(DOS). SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or sub-recipient should 
be submitted to DOS in accordance with the instructions contained in 
the award document.
    (2) Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all applicable 
Federal laws and Federal and Department of State policies, regulations, 
and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
    (3) Pre-award Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that 
may have been received, there is no obligation to the applicant on the 
part of the Department of State to cover pre-award costs.
    (4) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular No. 
A-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other 
Non-Profit Organizations,'' OMB Circular No. A-133, ``Audits of 
Institutions of Higher Education and Other Non-Profit Institutions,'' 
and 15 CFR Part 24, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' as 
applicable. Applications under this program are not subject to 
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    (5) All non-profit applicants are subject to a name check review 
process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key individuals 
associate with the applicant have been convicted of, or are presently 
facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or other matters 
which significantly reflect on the applicant's management, honesty, or 
financial integrity.
    (6) A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    (7) No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has 
an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:

[[Page 50044]]

    (i) The delinquent account is paid in full,
    (ii) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least 
one payment is received, or
    (iii) Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of State 
are made.
    (8) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are 
reminded that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased with 
funding provided under this program must be American-made to the 
maximum extent feasible.
    (9) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total 
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less.
    (d) If an application is selected for funding, the Department of 
State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in 
connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or 
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the 
Department of State.
    (e) In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person 
on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability 
shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of or be 
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving 
assistance from this INL program.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB control number. The standard forms have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act under OMB approval number 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 
and 0348-0046. Classification: This notice has been determined to be 
not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: August 11, 2000.
Thomas M. Browne,
Deputy Director, Office of Europe, NIS, and Training, Bureau for 
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 00-20818 Filed 8-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-17-P