[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 204 (Monday, October 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53468-53469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26542]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3819]


Bureau of African Affairs; Africa/Public Diplomacy (AF/PD) 
Professional Internship Program

Introduction

    The United States Department of State announces an open competition 
for an assistance award. Nongovernmental organizations may apply to 
design and manage a multi-faceted program that consists of (1) U.S.-
based professional internships, (2) Africa-based AGOA workshops.
    AGOA (Africa Growth and Opportunity Act), signed into law in May 
2000, offers qualifying African countries preferential access to U.S. 
markets for their industries. The countries participating in AGOA are 
positioned in varying degrees to take advantage of the bill. Some, such 
as South Africa and Mauritius, have well-developed light industrial 
sectors poised to begin exporting to U.S. markets. Others have little 
industry positioned to compete and no immediate prospects. All have 
indicated enthusiasm for the possibilities offered by AGOA, tempered by 
the realization that the African private sector needs more exposure to 
U.S. markets, business practices, and trade associations before they 
will be able to access U.S. markets and develop viable two-way trade 
relationships and thereby realize the full benefits of AGOA.

Purpose

    The program will provide medium and small African business 
entrepreneurs and members of business associations exposure to AGOA and 
to the American market in order to increase capacity to develop new 
African-U.S. trade linkages. The program will give them an 
understanding of American business norms and actual practices, provide 
them with knowledge of U.S. customs operations, product distribution 
and retailing, and, finally, help them develop business linkages and 
relationships with manufacturers and businesses in their respective 
sectors. The grant will fund a two-part program to offer African 
entrepreneurs both exposure to U.S. markets and the opportunity to 
share their insights and knowledge with business associations and other 
entrepreneurs upon returning home.
    The AF/PD AGOA Professional Internship Program is designed to 
enhance the professional skills and abilities of the participants and 
assist them in understanding the variety, depth, and practices of the 
American market and also provide them with an introduction to American 
entrepreneurs and trade associations.
    The contract agency will be expected to work closely with AF/PD and 
Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Embassies in Africa in developing and 
implementing this program.

Authority

22 U.S.C.-2452(a)(2)

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include all nongovernmental institutions, 
private organizations, and commercial entities.

Availability of Funds

    The funding level for this Cooperative Agreement shall be no higher 
than $750,000. Award of this cooperative agreement is based on the 
availability of funds for fiscal year 2002. A final award will not be 
made until funds appropriated by Congress are available through 
internal Department of State procedures.
    Continuing awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Reporting Requirement

    Periodic progress reports and a final evaluation will be required.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applicants will be competitively reviewed 
under 6 criteria. The criteria are: (1) Cost effectiveness and cost 
sharing; (2) Program planning and ability to achieve objectives; (3) 
Institutional capacity; (4) Program monitoring; (5) Program evaluation 
(6) Support of diversity.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork 
ReductionAct.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and ten (10) copies of the application (Standard Form 
424) must be submitted to the U.S. Department of

[[Page 53469]]

State, Ms. Joanna Pisciotta Snearly, Grants Officer, A/LM/AQM/IP, State 
Annex #44, Room M-22, 301 4th Street SW, Washington, DC, 20547 on or 
before November 28, 2001.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    A detailed program description and application package may be 
obtained from Ms. Joanna Pisciotta Snearly, Grants Officer, U.S. 
Department of State, A/LM/AQM/IP, State Annex #44, Room M-22, 301 4th 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20547, telephone (202) 260-6549, fax (202) 
205-5466 email [email protected]. Please refer to the ``AF/PD 
Professional Internship Program'' when requesting information or 
sending an application.

    Dated: October 16, 2001.
Joanna Pisciotta Snearly,
Grants Officer, Administration/Logistics Management/Acquisition 
Management/International Programs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 01-26542 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-26-P