[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63279-63281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30137]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3851]


Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Computer Training of Trainers 
Workshop; Request for Proposals

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Division of the NIS Secondary 
School Initiative of the United States Information Agency's Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs, announces an open competition for the 
Computer Training of Trainers Workshop for the Future Leaders Exchange 
(FLEX) program. The FLEX program brings secondary students from the New 
Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union to the U.S. for an 
academic year. During their time in the U.S., FLEX students live with 
American host families and attend U.S. high schools.
    The primary goal of the Computer Training of Trainers Workshop is 
to train the participants to educate others in basic computer skills 
and Internet access. Public and private non-profit organizations 
meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 
USC 501c(3) may submit proposals to conduct a one-week workshop in 
Spring, 2002 to train a minimum of 30 FLEX students.
    Participants will be selected from among a group of 1200 students. 
We anticipate the maximum grant award to be approximately $75,000. Cost 
sharing to maximize the number of participants will be looked at very 
favorably.

Program Information

    The recipient of the grant is responsible for developing and 
conducting the Computer Training of Trainers Workshop based on 
guidelines set forth by the Division. The grantee organization will 
also have responsibility for selecting participants. Additional 
responsibilities include coordinating travel arrangements for each 
participant from his/her host community to the training site and 
return, and for providing room and board for students during their time 
at the workshop.

Background

    Academic year 2001/2002 is the ninth year of the FSA/FLEX program, 
which now includes over 10,000 alumni. This component of the NIS 
Secondary School Initiative was originally authorized under the FREEDOM 
Support Act of 1992 and is funded by annual allocations from the 
Foreign Operations and Department of State appropriations. The goals of 
the program are to promote mutual understanding and foster a 
relationship between the people of the NIS and the U.S.; assist the 
successor generation of the NIS to develop the qualities it will need 
to lead in the transformation of those countries in the 21st century; 
and to promote democratic values and civic responsibility by giving NIS 
youth the opportunity to live in American society for an academic year.

Other Components

    Two organizations have already been awarded grants to perform 
functions that include recruitment, selection, international travel of 
all FLEX students, and ongoing follow-up with alumni upon their return 
to the NIS. Additionally, ``placement organizations'' have been awarded 
grants to place FSA/FLEX students in schools and homestays for the 
academic year. The organization selected for the Computer Training of 
Trainers Workshop will need to request that each placement organization 
disseminate information on the workshop to all its students and assist 
in coordinating travel of finalists to the workshop site, and return.

Overview

    Workshop participants should be selected according to computer 
ability, interest, and teaching potential as well as motivation to help 
citizens of their countries. The workshop should provide an 
opportunity, first and foremost, for participants to learn about 
teaching methodologies that will enable them to instruct others. In 
addition, this can serve as a venue for them to improve their computer 
expertise so they will be well-prepared to teach these skills to 
others. Participants should learn about tools they can use to teach 
basic computer skills, keeping in mind that some of these tools may not 
be available in their home countries. They should also gain an 
awareness of how computers can enhance societal development through 
communication with appropriate organizations, distance learning 
projects, local language web sites, etc. Particular attention should be 
paid to those issues that will be especially significant to people from 
the former Soviet Union. The program should be arranged for seven days, 
including arrival and departure.
    Selection of workshop participants will be completed by the 
recipient of the grant through a merit-based, equitable selection 
process. Finalists must represent all 12 NIS countries.

Guidelines

    The workshop should be held in Spring 2002, preferably in March or 
April. Proposals must effectively describe the organization's ability 
to accomplish the following essential components of the program:
    1. Provide a Computer Training of Trainers Workshop, as described 
above and, preferably, at the time period indicated.
    2. Include a description of the student selection process.
    3. Describe training that will be provided for organization staff 
on NIS society and culture.
    4. Provide housing and meals for the students throughout the 
program.
    5. Arrange travel for students from their U.S. host communities to 
the training site, and return, in coordination with FLEX placement 
organizations.
(Note: Students will likely be coming from as many as 30 states.) 
Provide ground transportation for students in the training area, 
including to and from airports.
    6. Provide opportunities to attend cultural events in the area 
during non-class hours.
    7. Provide staff to assist in case of medical emergencies.
    8. Incorporate a program component designed to facilitate students' 
transition from the computer workshop to their host communities.
    9. Include a description of the ways in which students will be 
encouraged to share what they have learned in their U.S. host 
communities, and to teach others when they return to their home 
countries. Include a plan for how returning students will interface 
with FLEX alumni associations that exist throughout the NIS.
    10. Provide a mechanism in which participants can continue to 
communicate with each other upon completion of the workshop.
    11. Provide tools for evaluation of the program in terms of its 
impact on the students and its success in fulfilling objectives, 
particularly the component that involves their teaching others in their 
home countries. Plan for continued activity to build upon program

[[Page 63280]]

achievements without additional U.S. government support.
    A competitive proposal will incorporate important elements of 
American/NIS culture in sessions that are largely interactive and 
designed to appeal to high school-age students. The program must be 
substantive and academic while, at the same time, paced realistically 
to meet the needs of young people. A strong proposal will reflect a 
clear, convincing agenda outlining exactly how the program will be 
carried out and how outcomes will be accomplished as a result of the 
grant. Knowledge of the current technological capacity (Internet 
connectivity, e-mail, hardware and software) of NIS countries is 
essential.
    Please refer to the Program Objectives, Goals, and Implementation 
(POGI) section of the Solicitation Package for greater detail regarding 
the design of component parts as well as other program information.

Budget Guidelines

    Organizations must submit proposals that arrange a program for a 
minimum of 30 students, but may increase the number of participants 
through cost sharing. Proposals that maximize the number of students 
will be favorably viewed. One grant will be awarded for this activity. 
It is estimated that the total costs of the Computer Training of 
Trainers Workshop will average $2,500 per NIS participant for a one-
week program, including U.S. domestic travel.
    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
program. We anticipate awarding one grant for approximately $75,000. 
There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both 
administrative and program budgets. Please refer to the Solicitation 
Package for further details and for complete budget guidelines and 
formatting instructions.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Transportation for participants from their host U.S. cities/
towns to workshop site.
    (2) Daily travel to/from workshop site location.
    (3) Room and board during the time of the workshop.
    (4) Rental of facilities and equipment.
    (5) Fees for related activities/excursions.
    (6) Honoraria for speakers/trainers, as appropriate.
    (7) Supplies.
    (8) Security services.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.

Announcement Title and Number

    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/PY-02-40.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Youth Programs Division, Office 
of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C/PY, Room 568, U.S. Department of State, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, phone: 202/619-6299, fax: 
202/619-5311, e-mail: [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 Anna Mussman on all other inquiries and correspondence.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP 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 web site at 
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/RFGPs. 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 January 14, 2002. 
Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents postmarked 
the due date but received on a later date will not be accepted. It is 
the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that its proposal is 
received by the above deadline.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and seven copies of the application should be 
sent to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY-02-40, Program Management, ECA/EX/
PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.

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.'' Public Law 106-113 requires that 
the governments of the countries described above do not have 
inappropriate influence in the selection process. Proposals should 
reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the 
full extent deemed feasible.

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 the program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section 
overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to 
panels of Bureau officers for advisory review. Proposals may also be 
reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department 
elements. 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 (grants or 
cooperative agreements) resides with the Bureau's 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. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission.
    2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above.

[[Page 63281]]

    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the organization will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. 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).
    5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals. Proposing organization should demonstrate it has 
experience with computer education, preferably with youth, as well as 
familiarity with the culture of the New Independent States (NIS) of the 
former Soviet Union.
    6. Track Record: Proposals should demonstrate an institutional 
record of successful 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.
    7. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should describe how 
workshop participants will be motivated and enabled to reach out to 
other individuals in their communities in the U.S. and in their home 
countries.
    8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should describe how the program 
will track participants to confirm that they share their knowledge and 
information with their U.S. communities and organize ways to teach 
others in their home countries.
    9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique 
plus description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives are recommended. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit a final report after the project has been completed.
    10. Cost-effectiveness/Cost Sharing: 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. 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 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 above is provided through legislation of the Freedom Support 
Act.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFGP 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 RFGP 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 26, 2001.
Patricia S. Harrison,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 01-30137 Filed 12-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P