[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45302-45304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19632]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4429]


Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs: Middle East Partnership 
Initiative (MEPI)

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice.

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Introduction

    The Office of Partnership Initiative (NEA/PI), announces an open 
competition for proposals for the production, distribution, and 
placement of Arabic-language early reading books throughout the Middle 
East. Multiple awards may be made from this announcement.

Purpose

    The purpose of this program is to respond to the urgent need for 
options in primary and basic Arabic-language literacy for young Arabic-
speaking readers in the Middle East. The primary objective is to 
provide access to Arabic-language reading materials for young readers, 
and provide accompanying preparatory teacher training and curriculum 
materials to maximize the effectiveness of the reading materials in the 
classroom.

Background

    This program for Arabic reading books has evolved from the Bureau 
of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Partnership Initiative, NEA/PI. NEA/
PI coordinates the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). A primary 
component of MEPI is a focus on Education. To bridge the ``knowledge 
gap,'' MEPI seeks to improve the quality, quantity, and relevance of 
education in the Middle East (to include North Africa and the Gulf) 
through the implementation of programs that highlight, inter alia, 
improved digital readiness and increased literacy, especially for 
girls. More information about MEPI can be found at: http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rt/mepi.
    In the context of the Education component of MEPI, President Bush 
announced plans to launch a major new effort to provide resources for 
the Arabic translation of early reading books for use in primary 
schools in the region. The program is intended to encourage independent 
reading, thinking, and analytical skills in young readers; train 
teachers; engage parents and local communities in the support of 
independent reading by young readers; and, provide sustainable 
resources for classrooms. This Notice seeks to initiate the MEPI 
Arabic-language early reading program, with a beginning focus on

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third and fourth (3rd and 4th) grades. Guiding parameters for proposals 
include that the program:
    [sbull] Establish school-based libraries in approximately 5,000 
schools in the Middle East.
    [sbull] Each school to receive two libraries, one each for the 3rd 
and 4th grades.
    [sbull] Each library to have 40 titles; five (5) copies of each 
title = 200 books.
    [sbull] Each library to be accompanied by related teacher training 
programs and materials.
    Books should be ready for placement in schools by January 1, 2004. 
All Arabic-language reading books should be of high-quality; titles and 
texts must be carefully vetted and translated to assure cultural 
appropriateness. Because the impact of this program should be deep and 
sustained, it is likely that the initial program plan will introduce 
early reading books in a handful of (TBD) countries in the Middle East. 
Proposals should, however, contemplate an expansion of the successful 
completion of this initial phase, and include budget and strategy plans 
for future years. The expansion must consider the growth of the initial 
project (3rd and 4th grades) into more schools and in more countries, 
and also possible program growth into higher grades. Successful 
applicants must demonstrate an ability to work throughout the Middle 
East and in the context of a broad range of contrasting political, 
religious, and cultural views.
    Proposals must also address:

--Applicant's experience in working with foreign governments and in the 
Middle East.
--Cost-sharing by applicant (to include in-kind goods and services 
contributions such as discounts on U.S. retail prices of books, etc.).
--Explanation of the handling of copyright issues.
--An effective, timely, and cost-effective distribution system for the 
books throughout the region.
--Related teacher training programs and materials.
--Availability of accessory materials/opportunities for teachers, 
students, and parents (i.e., posters, take-home exercise, web-based/
interactive programs.)
--Integrated roles for parental and community involvement.
--Program monitoring and evaluation standards and methods.
--Public Diplomacy/outreach activities to engage the public in the 
region.
--Variety of titles available.
--Process by which book titles and texts will be vetted for 
appropriateness (i.e., cultural and educational).

    All products/services bought or produced as a result of this 
cooperative agreement must clearly acknowledge the U.S. Middle East 
Partnership Initiative (MEPI). Similarly, all related written 
materials, public statements/press or media releases or events must 
acknowledge MEPI. The grantee will also allow for Internet connectivity 
with the MEPI Web site.
    Successful applicants will be expected to coordinate closely with 
the Department of State, NEA/PI, in the implementation of all aspects 
of this program.
    The ideal applicant has extensive experience in the business of 
producing, publishing, and distributing children's reading books into 
classroom settings. In addition, the ideal applicant will have the 
tools and experience necessary to develop and implement a program that 
also engages teachers and parents, and has the flexibility to 
accommodate and meet the varying and changing levels of learning among 
young students. As a result of this project, Arabic-speaking children 
in the Middle East will gain greater access to recreational reading 
materials through which they will increase their overall literacy, 
independent thinking, and analytical skills. Teachers will have an 
enhanced understanding of the need for and a developed capacity to 
impart the values of independent, recreational reading. In addition, 
teachers will receive up-to-date training and materials.

Legislative Authority

    The authorization for MEPI is Public Law 108-11, Emergency Wartime 
Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2003, and chapter 4 of 
part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include all non-governmental institutions, 
private organizations, and commercial entities.
    NEA encourages single applications from partnerships or consortia 
of more than one organization. In this context, NEA is defining 
partnership as a negotiated arrangement among organizations that 
provides for a substantive, collaborative role for each of the partners 
in the planning and implementation of the project. Applications that 
represent a coalition of providers should include a signed partnership 
agreement stating a commitment or an intent to commit or receive 
resources from the prospective partner(s) contingent upon receipt of 
funds. The agreement should state how the partnership arrangement 
relates to the objectives of the project. The applicant should also 
include: Supporting documentation identifying the resources, 
experience, and expertise of the partner(s); evidence that the 
partner(s) has been involved in the planning of the project; and a 
discussion of the role of the partner(s) in the implementation of the 
project.
    Funding Availability--NEA expects to award at least $5.0 million in 
FY 2003 supplemental ESF through this announcement. NEA will award one 
or more cooperative agreements.
    NEA 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.
    Project and Budget Periods--This announcement invites applications 
for project periods up to three years. Awards, on a competitive basis, 
will be for a the initial budget period although the full project may 
indicate Federal Assistance needs for additional budget periods up to 
three years total. Applications for continuation grants funded under 
these awards, beyond the initial budget period, but within the three-
year project period, will be entertained on a noncompetitive basis, 
subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee 
and a determination that continued funding would be in the best 
interest of the Department of State.

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, 
including Public Diplomacy/outreach component, 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 
Middle East. (25 points)
    Organization Profiles--Where collaborative partners are proposed, 
the applicant describes the rationale for the collaboration, each 
partner agency's respective role, and how the coalition

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will enhance the accomplishment of the project goals. In all cases, the 
applicant describes planning consultation efforts undertaken. The 
proposed coalition is appropriate with respective roles and financial 
responsibilities delineated. Evidence of commitment of coalition 
partners in implementing the activities is demonstrated, i.e., by 
letters or the terms of the signed agreement among participants. The 
applicant or coalition partners provide documented experience in 
performing the proposed services as well as adequate gender balance and 
constituent representation on the proposed project's advisory 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 including volunteers are 
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/

    (2) Anna Mary Portz, Grants Officer, U.S. Department of State, NEA/
PI Room 4241, 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC, 20520, telephone (202) 
647-6111, fax (202) 736-4464, e-mail portzam,@state.gov.
    Application materials must be submitted to the U.S. Department of 
State, Anna Mary Portz, Grants Officer, NEA/PI, Room 4241, 2201 C 
Street NW., Washington, DC, 20520 on or before close of business (4:30 
p.m. EST) August 15, 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/PI, between the hours of 
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., to the attention of Anna Mary Portz. 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 Anna Mary Portz, Grants Officer at e-mail address 
[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. The Grants Officer 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 p.m. EST) August 15, 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. NEA/PI 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.

Reporting Requirement

    Quarterly progress and financial reports are required for all 
funded projects. One-page, web-ready summaries of each program, for 
posting on MEPI-related sites, are due, updated, on a quarterly basis. 
Final reports, including an assessment of the impact of the project in 
the context of MEPI goals/objectives, will be due 90 days after end of 
project period.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    Questions regarding this Request for Proposals should be directed 
to Anna Mary Portz, Grants Officer, Department of State, NEA/PI, Room 
4241, 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20520, telephone (202) 647-
5281, fax (202) 736-4464, e-mail portzam,@state.gov.

    Dated: July 29, 2003.
Alina L. Romanowski,
Director, Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative, Bureau of 
Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 03-19632 Filed 7-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-31-P