[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44372-44374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19108]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4421]


Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; Gulf Educational Reform Program

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice.

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Introduction

    The Office of Public Diplomacy (NEA/PD) announces an open 
competition for a proposal for Gulf Educational reform program in the 
following countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Yemen. One 
award will be made with this announcement.
    Proposals may address any area or sector within a broad range of 
educational reform initiatives in the aforementioned countries, 
including, but not limited to, the following:
    [sbull] Designing and mapping curriculum,
    [sbull] Developing critical thinking skills,
    [sbull] Introducing modern and innovative teaching methods to the 
classroom,
    [sbull] Consulting on accreditation for Ministries of Education for 
both secondary and university-level institutions.
    In order to optimize the impact of the educational reform program, 
initiatives should target the following groups:
    [sbull] Ministry of Education supervisors and inspectors,
    [sbull] Curriculum developers,
    [sbull] Senior teachers and staff members from as many educational 
districts as possible,
    [sbull] Teacher trainers.
    The list is not intended to be exclusive or binding, and the office 
of Public Diplomacy in the bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA/PD) 
remains open to considering a broad range of educational-related NGO 
activities and innovative projects designed to support and encourage 
educational reform in the region.

Purpose

    The purpose of this agreement is educational reform in the Gulf, 
Chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended 
(PL 107-206). Projects should focus on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the 
United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen. Regional initiatives are 
encouraged where appropriate (depending on local situation/level of 
education system). Due to staffing constraints, Public Affairs Sections 
of U.S. Embassies in the region will be very limited in the assistance 
they can provide. Organizations should, therefore, have their own 
network of contacts, infrastructure and resources in-country and be 
prepared to carry out their programs with a minimum of official 
support. Public Affairs Officers will be available for consultations 
and program planning. NEA/PD encourages direct cooperation with 
Ministries of Education to ensure the successful completion of the 
program and to foster continuing linkages to American educational 
institutions.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include all non-governmental and non-profit 
organizations.

Legislative Authority

    This program is authorized by the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations 
Act for Further Recovery From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the 
United States. PL 107-206.

Availability of Funds

    The funding level for this program is $290,000.00. NEA/PD reserves 
the right to award less, or more, than the funds described, in the 
absence of worthy applications, or under such other circumstances as 
may be deemed to be in the best interest of the government. Program 
funds will be available until September 30, 2003.

Review Criteria

    Eligible applications will be competitively evaluated according to 
the following criteria:
    Results or Benefits Expected--The applicant clearly describes the 
results and benefits to be achieved. The applicant identifies how 
improvement will be measured on key indicators and provides milestones 
indicating progress. Proposed outcomes are tangible and achievable 
within the grant project period. (30 points)
    Approach--The applicant must demonstrate that its strategy and plan 
are likely to achieve the proposed results; the proposed activities and 
timeframes are reasonable and feasible. The plan describes in detail 
how the proposed activities will be accomplished as well as the 
potential for the project to have a positive impact on the quality of 
education in the region. (25 points)
    Organization Profiles--Where sub-contractors are proposed, the 
applicant describes the rationale for the collaboration, each partner 
agency's respective role, and how the sub-contractor will enhance the 
accomplishment of the project goals. In all cases, the applicant 
describes planning consultation efforts undertaken. The proposed sub-
contractor is appropriate with respective roles and financial 
responsibilities delineated. Evidence of commitment by sub-contractors 
in implementing the activities is demonstrated, i.e., by letters or the 
terms of the signed agreement among participants. The applicant or sub-
contractor provide documented experience in performing the proposed 
services as well as adequate gender balance and constituent 
representation on the proposed project's advisory

[[Page 44373]]

board. Assurance is provided that proposed services will be delivered 
in a manner that is linguistically and culturally appropriate to the 
target population. Individual organization staff must be well-
qualified. The administrative and management features of the project, 
including a plan for fiscal and programmatic management of each 
activity, is described in detail with proposed start-up times, ongoing 
timelines, major milestones or benchmarks, a component/project 
organization chart, and a staffing chart. (25 points)
    Budget and Budget Justification--The budget and narrative 
justification are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and 
anticipated results and the plan for services is realistic. (20 points)

Application/Proposal Submission and Deadline

    An application (Standard Form 424) with an original signature and 
two clearly identified copies is required. The application form 
(Standard Form 424) and instructions can be obtained from either:
    (1) The following Web sites:

<http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/#forms
<http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/SF-424/

Jessica Davies and Lavenia Holland, U.S. Department of State, NEA/PD, 
Room 6247, 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20520, telephone (202) 
647-6489, fax (202) 647-6448, e-mail [email protected] and 
[email protected].

    Application materials must be submitted to the U.S. Department of 
State, Jessica Davies and Lavenia Holland, U.S. Department of State, 
NEA/PD, Room 6247, 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20520, on or 
before close of business (4:30 P.M. EST) August 18, 2003. Due to delays 
in regular mail delivery to the State Department, applicants are 
strongly encouraged to hand-carry or use couriers to deliver 
applications to NEA/PD, between the hours of 8:30-4:30 P.M., to the 
attention of Jessica Davies and Lavenia Holland. Express or overnight 
mail services may also be used, though applicants are cautioned that 
express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed and 
other delays may occur until regular mail delivery is resumed.
    Applicants must also provide an electronic copy of the proposal by 
e-mail to Jessica Davies and Lavenia Holland at e-mail address 
[email protected] and [email protected]. Proposals must be submitted 
in both hard copy and by e-mail; proposals submitted only by e-mail, or 
only in hard copy, will not be considered. NEA/PD must be aware that 
the proposal is on its way, or the package risks being considered late 
or turned away by Diplomatic Security.
    Applications submitted by e-mail and either (1) mail (including 
express mail or overnight mail services), or (2) hand-carried by 
applicant couriers or by other representatives of the applicant, shall 
be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on 
or before close of business (4:30 PM EST) August 18, 2003.

Late Applications

    Applications received after the closing date and time will be 
classified as late. Applications which do not meet the criteria above 
are considered late applications. PD shall notify each late applicant 
that its application will not be considered in the current competition.

General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description

    The project description provides a major means by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications 
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and 
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are 
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can 
present information clearly and succinctly. Applicants are encouraged 
to provide information on their organizational structure, staff, 
related experience, and other information considered relevant. Awarding 
offices use this and other information to determine whether the 
applicant has the capability and resources necessary to carry out the 
proposed project. It is important, therefore, that this information be 
included in the application. However, in the narrative the applicant 
must distinguish between resources directly related to the proposed 
project from those that will not be used in support of the specific 
project for which funds are requested.

Length of Applications

    Each application narrative should not exceed 25 double-spaced pages 
in a 12-pitch font. Attachments and appendices should not exceed 25 
pages and should be used only to provide supporting documentation such 
as administration charts, position descriptions, resumes, and letters 
of intent or partnership agreements. Each page should be numbered 
sequentially, including the attachments or appendices. This limitation 
of 25 pages plus the SF 424 should be considered as a maximum, and not 
necessarily a goal.

Introduction

    NEA/PD is particularly interested in specific factual information 
and statements of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project 
descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance, not length. 
Extensive exhibits are not required. (Supporting information concerning 
activities that will not be directly funded by the grant or information 
that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant funded 
activity should be placed in an appendix.) Applicants shall prepare the 
project description statement in accordance with the following 
instructions.
Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social 
and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative quarterly projections of the accomplishments 
to be achieved for each function or activity. When accomplishments 
cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in 
chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their 
target dates.
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.

Staff and Position Data

    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch 
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.

Organization Profiles

    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners

[[Page 44374]]

such as organizational charts, financial statements, audit reports, 
documentation of experience in the program area, and other pertinent 
information.

Third-Party Agreements

    Include written agreements between grantees and subgrantees or 
subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must 
detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and 
other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.

Budget and Budget Justification

    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
project. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets, sub-grant, or contract budgets for each 
program component, phase, location, or activity to provide 
clarification. Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for 
each budget object class identified. Detailed calculations must include 
estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar 
quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. 
The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the funding sources 
identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative budget 
justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. 
Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed 
costs. The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages. Justification: 
Identify the project director or principal investigator, if known. For 
each staff person, provide the title, time commitment to the project 
(in months), time commitment to the project (as a percentage or full-
time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, wage rates, etc. Do not 
include the costs of consultants or personnel costs of delegate 
agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to be financed by the 
applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate. Justification: Provide a 
breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit 
costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel or 
travel by local program participants for training--i.e. teachers, 
Ministry of Education employees travel to the U.S. for seminars/
workshops). Justification: For each trip, show the total number of 
traveler(s), travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage 
allowances, if privately owned vehicles will be used, and other 
transportation costs and subsistence allowances.
Equipment
    Description: Costs of tangible, non-expendable, personal property, 
having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of 
$5,000 or more per unit. However, an applicant may use its own 
definition of equipment provided that such equipment would at least 
include all equipment defined above. Justification: For each type of 
equipment requested, provide a description of the equipment, the cost 
per unit, the number of units, the total cost, and a plan for use on 
the project, as well as use or disposal of the equipment after the 
project ends. An applicant organization that uses its own definition 
for equipment should provide a copy of its policy or section of its 
policy which includes the equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category. Justification: Specify 
general categories of supplies and their costs. Show computations and 
provide other information which supports the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Justification: Attach a list of proposed 
contractors, indicating the names of the organizations, the purposes of 
the contracts, the estimated dollar amounts, and the award selection 
process.
Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, 
professional services costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and 
publication, computer use, and administrative costs. Justification: 
Provide computations, a narrative description and a justification for 
each cost under this category.
    Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs: 
Self explanatory.

Reporting Requirement

    Quarterly progress and financial reports are required for all 
funded projects. Final reports will be due 90 days after end of project 
period (which should begin no later than September 30, 2004).

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    Questions regarding this Request for Proposals should be directed 
to Jessica Davies and Lavenia Holland, U.S. Department of State, NEA/
PD, Room 6247, 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20520, telephone (202) 
647-6489, fax (202) 647-6448, e-mail [email protected] and 
[email protected].

    Dated: July 21, 2003.
James Larocco,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 03-19108 Filed 7-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-31-P