[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 179 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55667-55670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23386]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3408]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Proposals: 
Georgian School of Journalism Project

NOTICE: Request for proposals.

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. Public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may submit proposals to assist in 
establishing and developing a school of Journalism in the Republic of 
Georgia with the goal of training 25 journalists each year during the 
grant period. Bureau policy stipulates that awards to organizations 
with less than four years experience in conducting international 
exchanges are limited to $60,000. The Bureau anticipates awarding one 
grant in the amount of $540,000 to conduct activities outlined in this 
Request for Proposals. Therefore, only organizations with four or more 
years experience in coordinating international exchange programs are 
eligible to apply for this competition.

PROGRAM INFORMATION:   

Overview

    This project is designed to provide training to journalists in 
Georgia in ways that reflects the practice of American journalism with 
special emphasis on training in fact-based, fair and balanced 
reporting. In partnership with the Media Development Center, a Georgian 
NGO, a one-year English language Master's certificate program in 
journalism will be established, using American practitioners to train 
the next generation of Georgian journalists. The curriculum for the 
program should begin with three months of intensive training in 
economics, followed by nine months of training in journalism. Twenty-
five students will be trained each year in the Master's program during 
the period of this grant. Applicants should propose a plan to provide 
instruction for up to three years. The applicant should also propose 
plans to establish a professional student newspaper as a practical 
training-based component of the overall program.

Background

    The Republic of Georgia is undertaking efforts to implement 
democratic reforms, including steps to establish a free press in 
Georgia. However, Georgian journalists currently lack the skills to 
explain the forces of change. Journalists also do not always perceive 
their obligation to act as credible watchdogs; nor do they see the need 
to form associations to protect practitioners. The lack of 
professionalism creates severe impediments to the development of 
democracy, depriving citizens of reliable information about what is 
happening in their societies.

Program

    This program is designed to provide journalism training in Georgia 
that reflects the practice of American journalism with special emphasis 
on training in fact-based, fair and balanced reporting. A one-year 
English language Master's certificate program in journalism will be 
established. Training should emphasize the fundamentals of reporting, 
writing, researching and editing. Courses in visual journalism and 
broadcast techniques should be provided, as well as theory courses that 
focus on ethics, the influence of media on society, and the role of a 
journalist in a democratic society. Since it is important that all of 
the students have a basic understanding of economics, it is recommend 
that the school year start with an intensive three-month session on 
micro and macro-economics. Economics in Georgia as in other

[[Page 55668]]

transitional economics in the NIS plays a pivotal role in all aspects 
of Georgian life. An academic background in economics will aid in the 
graduates' ability on report on and interpret current events in Georgia 
for their audience.
    For the remaining nine months, students will choose either a print 
or broadcast component in the journalism program, though the grantee 
organization will be free to consider whether students may train in 
both areas, to give them greater professional flexibility. The focus 
should be on developing basic reporting and research skills for print 
and broadcast; computer-assisted research and reporting should also be 
included in the curriculum. By the end of the academic year students 
should be doing advanced reporting, and completing a final project. The 
journalism school should also function as a resource for graduates of 
the program in their work as practicing journalists. Courses will be 
taught in English, so language testing will be required as part of the 
application process.
    Applicants should propose a plan to provide instruction for up to 
three years. Applicants are encouraged to look for outside sources of 
funding for certain components, such as the student newspaper or 
purchase of broadcast equipment. Additional USG funding may be 
available to expand the program to include students from other 
countries in the NIS region or to continue the program after the 
initial funding period.

Staffing

    A minimum of two full-time American faculty, or the equivalent, 
will teach 25 students each year in the print and broadcast components 
of the Master's program. A third American instructor will consult on 
the creation of a student newspaper and serve as faculty mentor for the 
newspaper. The paper should be fun as independently as possible and be 
able within a year to select student reporters on its own from the 
Master's program and from other Georgian university faculties and 
departments. Applicants should suggest ways to sustain the newspaper at 
the end of the training program. Students enrolled in the journalism 
program will likely hold undergraduate degrees in a variety of 
disciplines. Faculty should be available to spend extensive time one-
on-one with students, for editorial conferences and individual 
critiques. The locally hired Georgian journalism program director and 
founder of the Media Development Center will help with recruitment of 
students, assist students in obtaining access to press conferences and 
policy makers, and locate media outlets that will accept student-
produced news stories. The grant will cover the costs for local staff 
positions including but not limited to: administrative support staff, 
security personnel, computer technical support, and library staff. The 
grantee will be responsible for final decisions regarding the hiring of 
local staff but will consult with the local Georgian journalism program 
director. The grantee will not be responsible for covering the salary 
costs of the local Georgian journalism program director.

Logistics

    The grantee organization in coordination with the local partner 
will be responsible for most arrangements associated with this program. 
The local partner will assist in recruiting students and arranging for 
language testing of applicants. Final selection of students must be 
approved by the grantee. The grantee will also be responsible for 
developing a curriculum based on practical training, locating American 
journalism teachers (preferably current practitioners of journalism) 
and economics professors, and coordinating with the local partner to 
provide international and domestic travel arrangements for U.S. 
trainers, make lodging and local transportation arrangements for the 
trainers, and manage the facility where the school will be housed. A 
site has been located to house the program and rent costs will be 
covered through a separate budget. Internet access will be available at 
the site but fees for the service should be incorporated into the grant 
budget.

Budget Guidelines

    The award for this program may not exceed $540,000 for a period of 
up to three years. The U.S. grantee organization and the Georgian 
journalism program director will be expected to work together to locate 
other donor support. Other donors in Georgia have indicated an interest 
in this project. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each 
program component including equipment, phase, location, or activity to 
provide clarification. Local budget items must reflect operating costs 
in Georgia accurately; the Georgian program director will assist the 
applicant organizations in estimating operating costs. A nominal 
tuition fee, to be worked out with the advice of the program director, 
may be charged to students. Please refer to the Solicitation Package 
for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
    Announcement Title and Number: All correspondence with the Bureau 
concerning this RFP should reference the above title and number ECA/A/
S/U-01-05.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Office of Global Educational 
Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, ECA/A/S/U, Room 
349, U.S. Department of State S.A. 44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20547, telephone 202-619-6492, fax 202-410-1433, Internet 
[email protected] to request a Solicitation Package. The 
Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria, required 
application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard 
guidelines for proposal preparation. Please specify Bureau Program 
Officer Alanna Bailey on all inquiries and correspondence. Questions 
regarding budget estimates for local costs in Georgia should be 
directed to the founder of the Media Development Center and local 
Georgian journalism program director, Maia Mikazhavidze. She can be 
reached at +995-99-58-97-04.
    Please 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 with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.

To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's website at 
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfps. Please read all information 
before downloading.

Deadline for Proposals: All proposal copies must be received at the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, DC 
time on Friday, November 3, 2000. Faxed documents will not be accepted 
at any time. Documents postmarked the due date but received on a later 
date will not be accepted. Each applicant must ensure that the 
proposals are received by the above deadline.

Approximate Program Dates: Grants should begin on or about December 15, 
2000.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and 10 copies of the Application should be sent 
to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/S/U-01-05, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
336, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.

[[Page 55669]]

    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5" diskette, 
formatted for DOS. These documents must be provided in ASCII text (DOS) 
format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. The Bureau will 
transmit these files electronically to the Public Affairs section at 
the US Embassy for its review, with the goal of reducing the time it 
takes to get embassy 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 reflect 
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.
    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.

Review Process

    Proposals are reviewed for adherence to legal and budgetary 
requirements by Bureau offices responsible for these functions. For 
program content, cost-effectiveness, and other criteria spelled out in 
the RFP, the review is conducted by an advisory, assistance award-
review panel composed of Bureau and Department officers. Additional 
officers, including geographic area personnel, also review proposals 
for feasibility as well as potential for short- and long-term impact. 
Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of 
State's Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final 
technical authority for assistance awards resides with a Bureau Grants 
Officer.
    The submission will be reviewed with the following review criteria 
in mind:
    1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the creation of a 
sound journalism program. Proposals must demonstrate an in-depth 
understanding of the current situation in Georgia, and describe how the 
Master's certificate program and student newspaper will help to create 
a more open and free press in Georgia. Proposals should emphasize the 
practical nature of the curriculum.
    2. Program planning: Proposals should detail curriculum for courses 
on reporting, writing and editing of print and broadcast journalism, 
with an emphasis on fact-based and investigative reporting. A plan for 
personal interaction between the students and faculty, including one-
on-one critiques of student work, and a mechanism for continuing 
support for alumni after they have graduated from the program must be 
included. Agenda and relevant work plan should adhere to the program 
overview and guidelines described above. Student recruitment, English 
testing and selection must be detailed; proposals should include a 
sample application form with questions that will evaluate applicants' 
potential as well as abilities.
    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should demonstrate 
how they would link with and strengthen existing media outlets in 
Georgia, including establishment of long-term institutional and 
individual linkages.
    5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    6. Institutional Capacity/Area Expertise: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the program or project's goals. American faculty and local 
administrative staff must demonstrate the qualifications needed to 
recruit, select, teach and support students in this program.
    7. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grant 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. Draft student course evaluations, faculty questionnaires 
or other techniques plus description of a methodology to use to link 
outcomes to original project objectives are recommended.
    10. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components 
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as 
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.
    11. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.

Authority

    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual

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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).

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: September 4, 2000.
William B. Bader,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 00-23386 Filed 9-13-00; 8:45 am]
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