[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60142-60144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26525]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4516]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant 
Proposals: Internet Access and Training Program in the Caucasus, 
Central Asia and Russia

SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the 
Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) in the Caucasus, Central 
Asia and Russia. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting 
the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 
501(c)(3) may submit proposals to oversee and carry out IATP 
operations, including the establishment of new IATP sites, the 
maintenance and enhancement of existing sites, the development of 
Internet outreach and educational projects, and engaging ECA alumni and 
other targeted groups in the IATP. All activities of the IATP will be 
undertaken in regular and consistent consultation with the Public 
Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in each participating 
country. Applicants may submit proposals to implement the program in 
only one of the three regions, (Russia, Caucasus, Central Asia) or in 
two or all three regions. Important Note: This Request for Grant 
Proposals contains language in the ``Shipment and Deadline for 
Proposals'' section that is significantly different from that used in 
the past. Please pay special attention to procedural changes as 
outlined.

Program Information

Overview

    The Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) was established in 
1995 with funding from the FREEDOM Support Act (FSA) to multiply the 
U.S. Government's investment in exchanges by supporting and maintaining 
contact with the over 100,000 Eurasian alumni of U.S. Government-funded 
programs through a network of public Internet access sites in twelve 
countries of Eurasia. IATP centers extend the exchange experience and 
expand avenues of mutual understanding by continuing to engage alumni 
and other targeted groups in U.S. based programs and dialogues. In 
Eurasia, where Internet access and freedom of information is often 
restricted by economic and political factors, IATP public access 
Internet sites allow USG exchange alumni to maintain contact with their 
host institutions and colleagues in the United States and across their 
home region, as well as with U.S. government officials and U.S. 
exchange NGOs, while maintaining access to world wide information 
centers. They also serve as catalysts for alumni action by furthering 
the ability of alumni to introduce American values and practices into 
their home societies. The IATP centers train alumni in practical and 
meaningful uses of the Internet, including how to create a website, how 
to design distance learning courses, publish journals and use 
databases. Exchange alumni also design courses and lead training 
sessions at the centers to transfer their knowledge and skills to their 
home communities. IATP sites are most often located at public libraries 
and at universities that provide unrestricted access to USG exchange 
alumni and other key individuals, such as educators, NGO staff members 
and journalists.
    The main components of this program for which grant funding is 
provided are:
    1. Enhancement of existing IATP sites.
    2. Maintenance of existing IATP sites.
    3. Establishment of new IATP sites.
    4. Outreach and educational activities at IATP sites.
    5. Monitoring of IATP activities.
    6. Evaluation of IATP activities, including the sustainability of 
open access to information and Internet training.
    Subject to the availability of funds, it is anticipated that the 
grants will begin on or about May 1, 2004. The grant period should be 
fifteen to twenty-four months. Please refer to the Solicitation Package 
for further information.

Budget Guidelines

    All organizations applying under this competition must demonstrate 
in their proposal narrative a minimum of four years experience managing 
and conducting international exchange programs. Bureau grant guidelines 
require that organizations with less than four years of experience 
managing and conducting international exchange programs be limited to 
$60,000. Since the grant or grants under the competition will exceed 
the $60,000 ceiling, organizations with less than four years 
experience, per above, are not eligible to apply under this 
competition.
    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for each program. ECA 
anticipates awarding $4,795,000 ($340,000 in Armenia, $420,000 in 
Azerbaijan, $345,000 in Georgia in the Caucasus; $380,000 in 
Kazakhstan, $345,000 in Kyrgyzstan, $445,000 in Tajikistan, $150,000 in 
Turkmenistan, $380,000 in Uzbekistan in Central Asia; $1,990,000 in 
Russia) to support the program and administrative costs required to 
implement this program. ECA encourages applicants to provide maximum 
levels of cost sharing and funding from private sources in support of 
its programs. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification. Please refer to the 
Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and formatting 
instructions.

Announcement Title and Number

    All correspondence with ECA concerning this RFGP should reference 
the above title and number ECA/A/E/EUR-04-04.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Academic Exchanges, ECA/
A/E/EUR, Room 246, SA-44, U.S. Department of State, 301 4th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel. (202) 205-0525, fax (202) 260-7985, 
[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 ECA Senior Program 
Manager Ilo-Mai Harding 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, Department of State staff may not discuss this competition with 
applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

New OMB Requirement

    An OMB policy directive published in the Federal Register on 
Friday, June 27, 2003, requires that all organizations applying for 
Federal grants or cooperative agreements must provide a Dun and 
Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when 
applying for all Federal grants or cooperative agreements after October 
1, 2003. The complete OMB policy directive can be referenced at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/062703_grant_identifier.pdf. Please 
also visit the ECA Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu/htm for additional information on how to comply with this 
new directive.

To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet

    The Solicitation Package may be downloaded from ECA's Web site at

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http://exchanges.state.gov/education/RFGPs. Please read all information 
before downloading.

Shipment and Deadline for Proposals

    Important Note: The deadline for this competition is Monday, 
December 8, 2003. In light of recent events and heightened security 
measures, proposal submissions must be sent via a nationally recognized 
overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne 
Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.) and be 
shipped no later than the above deadline. The delivery services used by 
applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping identification and 
tracking systems that may be accessed via the Internet and delivery 
people who are identifiable by commonly recognized uniforms and 
delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or before the above deadline 
but received at ECA more than seven days after the deadline will be 
ineligible for further consideration under this competition. Proposals 
shipped after the established deadlines are ineligible for 
consideration under this competition. It is each applicant's 
responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible 
tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the 
Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local 
courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will 
not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above 
will be considered.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and eight (8) copies of the application should be 
sent to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/E/EUR-04-04, Program Management, ECA/EX/
PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Applicant must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal 
Narrative'' section of the proposals in text (.txt) format on a PC-
formatted disc. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to 
the Public Affairs Section at U.S. Embassies for their review.

Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines

    Pursuant to ECA'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,'' ECA 
``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.

Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa

    For your information only:
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is placing renewed 
emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J 
visa) Programs and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all 
regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should 
demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing 
the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 
part 6Z, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate 
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, 
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, 
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, 
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements. The Grantee will be 
responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office 
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 401-9810, 
FAX: (202) 401-9809.

Review Process

    ECA 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 by the Public Affairs Sections overseas, where appropriate. 
Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and ECA 
regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Department of State grant 
panels 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 
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final 
technical authority for assistance awards (grants or cooperative 
agreements) resides with ECA'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. Program Development and Management: The proposal should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, innovation, and relevance to ECA's 
mission. Objectives should be reasonable, feasible and flexible. The 
proposal should clearly demonstrate how the grantee organization will 
meet the program's objectives. A relevant work plan should demonstrate 
substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. The work plan should 
adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above.
    2. Multiplier Effect/Impact: The IATP should strengthen long-term 
mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and 
Internet expertise. The applicant organization should include ECA 
alumni as a resource for facilitating IATP outreach and education.
    3. Support of Diversity: The proposal should demonstrate the 
grantee organization's commitment to promoting the awareness and 
understanding of diversity through geographic distribution of IATP 
sites and outreach to groups identified in consultation with PAS 
officers in each region.
    4. Institution's Record/Ability: The proposal should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful administration of Internet programs. 
Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and 
appropriate to achieve the program's goals.

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    5. Project Evaluation: The proposal should include a plan to 
evaluate the success of the IATP. ECA recommends that the proposal 
include a draft survey questionnaire or other technique, plus a 
description of methodologies that can be used to link outcomes to 
original project objectives. The applicant organization will be 
expected to submit periodic progress reports that elucidate the 
successes achieved, and obstacles encountered, by the IATP.
    6. Cost-Effectiveness and 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. The proposal should maximize cost sharing 
through other private sector support as well as institutional direct 
funding contributions.
    7. Follow-on and Sustainability: The proposal should provide a plan 
for continued follow-on activity that ensures that ECA-supported 
programs are not isolated events, but have meaning and scope beyond the 
time the actual exchange took place. The proposal should address the 
feasibility of sustaining viable IATP sites and training seminars after 
ECA funding ends.

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 in part through the FREEDOM Support Act of 
1992.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may 
not be modified by any ECA representative. Explanatory information 
provided by ECA that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment 
on the part of the Government. ECA 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: October 15, 2003.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 03-26525 Filed 10-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P