[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34591-34593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9262]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 060505120-6120-01]


Census Information Center Program

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census.

ACTION: Notice; request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) seeks proposals from 
eligible organizations to create 15 Census Information Centers. This 
notice provides information related to eligibility and program 
requirements. The Census Information Center (CIC) Program is an 
integral part of the Census Bureau's data dissemination network. The 
CIC Program was established over 17 years ago to make census data more 
widely available to nongovernmental organizations representing hard-to-
enumerate populations. There are currently 45 such organizations 
participating as Census Information Centers in the CIC Program. The 
Census Bureau will consider all complete proposals received before the 
appropriate deadline.

DATES: Written proposals must be received on or before August 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written proposals should be sent to Mr. Stanley J. Rolark, 
Chief, Customer Liaison Office, U.S. Census Bureau, 4700 Silver Hill 
Road, Room 3634, Federal Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20233; 
Telephone: (301) 763-1544; Fax: (301) 457-4784; E-mail: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ceci A. Villa, Customer Liaison 
Office, U.S. Census Bureau, 4700 Silver Hill Road, Room 3620, Federal 
Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20233; Telephone: (301) 763-6415; 
Fax: (301) 457-4784; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This section provides information on 
eligibility, program requirements, proposal format and content, 
submission instructions, selection, and notification process.
    Established in 1988, the Census Information Center (CIC) Program is 
a cooperative venture among the U.S. Census Bureau and national level, 
community-based organizations and colleges and universities created to 
serve as auxiliary data distribution centers that reach underserved 
populations. Accordingly, each Census Information Center has its own 
target audience often requiring unique information. The CIC Program 
includes organizations, such as chambers of commerce; minority-serving 
colleges and universities; civil rights, social justice, and social 
service groups; think tanks; and research organizations.
    The mission of the CIC Program is to provide efficient access to 
Census Bureau data products through a wide data dissemination network 
of organizations. Those organizations effectively process and 
disseminate Census Bureau data to underserved population groups in 
easily understandable formats. To accomplish this mission, Census 
Information Centers work in partnership with the Census Bureau through 
the Customer Liaison Office.
    The Census Information Centers are recognized as official sources 
of demographic, economic, and social statistics produced by the Census 
Bureau. Census Information Centers provide training and technical 
assistance to local governments, businesses, community groups, and 
other interested data users so that they may access and use Census 
Bureau data for research, program administration, planning, and 
decision-making purposes.
    Census Information Centers have successfully used census data and 
local information to support activities promoting change in underserved 
communities. They have used census data and local statistics to help 
local communities and minority businesses qualify for reconstruction 
resources in the wake of the September 11 attack on New York City; 
establish empowerment zones and revitalization areas in Brooklyn, NY, 
and Shreveport, LA; obtain youth services and construct after school 
facilities in local communities in Nashville, TN, and Oakland, CA; 
provide baseline data to measure the effectiveness of national programs 
on crime in Washington, DC, public housing; develop ways to link 
children in need with public services in Minnesota; help local 
organizations draft grant proposals; and provide American Indians on 
the Navajo Reservation and across the country access to Temporary 
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
    In addition to the Census Information Centers, the Census Bureau's 
overall data dissemination network includes participants in the State 
Data Center/Business and Industry Data Center Program, Census 
Depository Libraries, and the 12 Census Regional Office Partnership and 
Data Services staff. The combined network includes nearly 2,000 
entities located throughout the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, 
Puerto Rico, the Northern Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands. A Memorandum of Agreement is signed with the 
participants to serve as official repositories for census data.
    We are interested in maintaining a CIC Program that represents the 
Nation's diversity and includes organizations with an interest and 
ability to provide underserved communities access to Census Bureau 
data.

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A. Eligibility

    National, regional, and community-based nonprofit organizations 
representing underserved communities are eligible to participate in the 
CIC Program. Organizations must have research as part of their mission 
or as a component of their organization. Organizations must have the 
ability to effectively disseminate data and information to their 
members, community data-users, or persons served in the community. Some 
of the types of organizations we are seeking to include are, but are 
not limited to, minority think tanks, research organizations, minority 
serving colleges and universities, Tribal colleges, minority chambers 
of commerce, economic development corporations, social service 
organizations, rural community and minority business organizations, as 
well as organizations that support community and economic development 
activities, and organizations that serve children and families.

B. Program Requirements

    The Census Bureau does not provide funding to CIC Program 
participants. The Census Bureau does provide access to the full array 
of its data products, training and technical support free of charge to 
the Census Information Centers. In return, the Census Information 
Centers discuss what census data mean for local communities. The Census 
Information Centers produce reports, fact sheets, briefs, and other 
materials in different formats, on more specific subjects, and for more 
unique geographic areas (communities) than those produced by the Census 
Bureau.
    Both parties must sign a Memorandum of Agreement and adhere to the 
following program responsibilities:

Census Bureau Responsibilities

     Provide program administration and staff support to the 
Census Information Centers.
     Provide free access to a wide variety of census products, 
information, and services, including but not limited to, printed 
reports, CD-ROM/DVD products, electronic files, Internet-based products 
(through the American Fact Finder, among other sources), subscriptions, 
documentation, guides, catalogs, statistical compendia, indexes, maps, 
mapping databases, and other reference materials. This does not include 
access to confidential data or preparation of custom tabulations.
     Provide training and technical support on Census Bureau 
data products and services. This assistance includes, but is not 
limited to, training at Census Bureau headquarters, training sponsored 
by Census Bureau regional offices, and training via available 
technologies such as the Internet, teleconferences, videoconferencing, 
and other training methods.
     Provide advance notification of data release(s) through e-
mail.
     Sponsor and pay the travel expenses of Census Information 
Center representatives to attend an annual training conference and 
other meetings as appropriate and as budget permits.
     Maintain a Web site for the CIC Program.

Census Information Center Responsibilities

     Disseminate Census Bureau data and information to persons 
served and local communities.
     Provide training, education, and technical assistance to 
persons served and local communities on how to access Census Bureau 
data.
     Assist data users in understanding and accessing Census 
Bureau data and information, and answering questions from the public 
and persons served about what the data means for local communities and 
neighborhoods.
     Provide dedicated office space, staff, and equipment to 
operate your Census Information Center.
     Provide access to census data and information by 
establishing a library or reference center with reasonable ``walk-in'' 
access by the public (optional).
     Support Census Bureau programs by assisting with outreach, 
promotion and recruitment efforts for the Census Bureau's censuses and 
surveys.
     Submit an annual report of activities.
     Establish and/or maintain a Web site or Web page that 
highlights the work of your Census Information Center and links to the 
Census Bureau Web site.
     Attend an annual training conference. Travel expenses to 
be covered by the Census Bureau, as budget permits.
     Communicate regularly with the Census Bureau liaison. 
Provide him/her with updates on your Census Information Center 
activities. Make him/her aware of any data or data product issues, 
needs, or concerns expressed by local data users.

C. Suggested Proposal Format and Content

    The suggested format below encourages applicants to describe their 
organization, data dissemination plans, community outreach activities 
and record of service to underserved populations, research and data use 
capabilities and expertise, and past experience working with Census 
Bureau data or the Census Bureau. However, applicants are not required 
to use the suggested format. All submissions will be given full 
consideration, regardless of format.

Format

    The following is the suggested format. Please make sure your 
proposal adheres to the following guidelines, if possible:
     A cover letter with an original signature.
     Proposals should not exceed 10 pages. This does not 
include the cover letter.
     Proposals must be in English.
     Submit proposals on 8\1/2\ by 11-inch paper with printing 
on one side only (single sided). Your typewritten letter and proposal 
should use Times New Roman or similar type and a 12-point font.

Content/Questions

    1. Briefly describe your organization and how it meets the 
eligibility requirements in Section A, ``Eligibility.'' Include 
background information about your organization's history, mission, 
programs, services, persons served, etc.
    2. Briefly describe your organizations research and data use 
capabilities. Include information about your organization's expertise 
in conducting research, any research or data products your organization 
regularly produces, and any specific areas of application for your 
organization's research, especially as it relates to underserved 
communities.
    3. Briefly describe how your organization will disseminate Census 
Bureau data and information to your constituents and local underserved 
communities. Include how your organization will provide data access to 
those without Internet access. Also discuss how your organization will 
assist data users find, interpret, and understand the data they need, 
as well as, the various uses and implications on the data within their 
community.
    4. Describe the resources your organization will commit to your 
Census Information Center, if your organization were selected to 
participate. Include information on the staff, equipment, space, etc., 
your organization will make available to your Census Information 
Center.
    5. Describe what would be the focus of your Census Information 
Center, if your organization were selected to participate. Include 
information on the geographic area(s) you will cover, racial/

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ethnic populations you will serve, and the types of services you will 
offer.
    6. Briefly describe how your organization has worked with the 
Census Bureau or Census Bureau data or data products in the past.

D. Submission Instructions

    Proposals must be received by the date identified in the DATES 
section of this notice. Submit proposals to the official identified in 
the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

E. Selection Process

     Following an initial screening, Census Bureau staff will 
select seven independent reviewers who will individually review and 
score the remaining proposals based on the strength of the responses to 
the questions in Section C, under content/questions. The independent 
reviewers will make their individual recommendations to the Census 
Bureau. All submissions will be given full consideration, regardless of 
the format.
     Proposals will be evaluated as follows:
    [cir] Quality and innovativeness of the organization's plans to 
disseminate census data to persons served and to the local underserved 
communities. 45%
    [cir] Expertise of the applicant organization in conducting 
research, producing research products, and research that focuses on 
underserved communities. 20%
    [cir] Resources and level of organization available to effectively 
carry out the program requirements, including staff, equipment and 
space. 20%
    [cir] Relevancy of the types of services offered and the 
communities served by the applicant organization. 5%
    [cir] Ability to disseminate data to their membership and local 
community. 5%
    [cir] Level of knowledge of and previous interaction with the 
Census Bureau or Census Bureau data products. 5%
     Senior Census Bureau staff will make final decisions on 
the organizations selected for the CIC Program. Preference shall be 
given to nonprofit organizations with research as part of their 
missions or as a component of their organization. The highest 
consideration will be given to an organization's data dissemination 
plans, as reflected in the 45% percentage weight given to this 
criterion.

F. Notification Process

    Organizations selected to participate in the CIC Program will be 
notified in writing by September 15, 2006. The Census Bureau Program 
Office administering the CIC Program will advise organizations whose 
proposals are declined as promptly as possible.
    If your organization is selected, you must send a representative to 
a training conference on October 10-13, 2006.

G. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number. In accordance with the PRA, Title 44, United 
States Code, Chapter 35, OMB approved this information collection under 
OMB control number 0607-0760.

    Dated: June 9, 2006.
Charles Louis Kincannon,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
 [FR Doc. E6-9262 Filed 6-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P