[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45593-45596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18171]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 8397]


Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) Request for 
Proposals for the Fundraising, Construction, Development, Organization, 
Management, Disassembly and Removal of a USA Pavilion/Exhibition at 
Universal Expo Milan Italy 2015, Hereafter Referred to as Milan Expo 
2015

Key Dates

    Application Deadline: Sunday, Sept 15, 2013.

Executive Summary

    The Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) of the Department 
of State requests proposals from private U.S. individuals, firms, 
associations and organizations (for profit and non-profit) for the 
fundraising, construction, development, organization, and management, 
and disassembly and removal of a USA Pavilion/exhibition at Milan Expo 
2015. The USA Pavilion will be situated on a 2790 square meter plot 
with a building footprint no more than 70% of the plot size.
    The Department will issue a ``letter of intent'' to the selected 
organization authorizing that organization to proceed with fundraising 
to complete the USA Pavilion project. The letter will include 
guidelines on fundraising to be followed by the selected organization 
and will establish a deadline for completion of all fundraising 
activities. Note that all prospective donors must be vetted with the 
Department of State for potential conflicts of interest.
    Cost for a representative USA Pavilion/exhibition for Milan Expo 
2015 is estimated to range between $25 million and $45 million and will 
be the sole responsibility of the selected organization.
    The Department of State is not now authorized, and does not in the 
future intend to seek authorization from the U.S. Congress, to provide 
federal funding for any aspect of the USA Pavilion/exhibition at Milan 
Expo 2015. The successful applicant will be responsible for all costs 
associated with all aspects of the USA Pavilion including its design, 
development, construction, staffing, management and dismantling and 
removal of the exhibit at the end of the Expo, as well as all support 
for the U.S. Commissioner General to be appointed by the President of 
the United States. The U.S. Pavilion shall be considered on loan to the 
U.S. Government, and the successful applicant shall be solely 
responsible for the disposition of the USA Pavilion Exhibits at the 
conclusion of Milan Expo 2015. The aforementioned loan shall be treated 
as a gift to the U.S. Government.
    The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate to the U.S. 
Department of State that it can raise the funds necessary to complete 
the project. Only after the applicant is able to demonstrate that all 
funding required for this project will be in hand will the Department 
of State sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with that applicant, 
sign a Participation Contract with the Expo organizing body, and 
appoint a Commissioner General. Proposals from non-U.S. citizens or 
non-U.S. firms or organizations shall be deemed ineligible for 
consideration.

Authority

    Overall authority for Department of State support for U.S. 
participation in international expositions is contained in Section 
102(a)(3) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 
as amended (22 U.S.C. 2452(a)(3), 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.'' Pursuant to this 
authority, on a one-time basis, the Secretary of State has delegated 
authority for this particular Expo to the Bureau of European and 
Eurasian Affairs (EUR), which will be responsible for coordinating U.S. 
participation in the Milan Expo 2015. Consequently, EUR will represent 
the U.S. Government in dealings with the organizers of the Milan Expo 
2015.

Background

    The Government of Italy has invited the United States to 
participate in the Milan Expo 2015 and the U.S. Government has advised 
the Italian Government of its intention to participate with an official 
USA Pavilion assuming identification of a viable private sector partner 
and successful fundraising efforts. Milan Expo 2015 will be held on 
specially constructed exhibition grounds. The Expo opens on May 1, 2015 
and closes on October 31, 2015.
    ``Expo 2015 Milano Italy'' is a large-scale, universal exposition 
(world's fair) registered (sanctioned) by the Bureau of International 
Expositions (BIE). The BIE is an international treaty organization 
established to sanction and monitor international exhibitions of long 
duration (over three weeks) and significant scale.
    Invitations to world's fairs are extended from the host government 
to other governments. The United States is not a member of the BIE, and 
the U.S. Commissioner General, therefore, will not be a formal member 
of the Steering Committee of the College of Commissioners General for 
Milan Expo 2015.
    With a projected 20 million visitors, Milan Expo 2015 offers an 
excellent opportunity to inform, inspire and persuade foreign audiences 
about the United States, its people and values, and to promote broad 
U.S. commercial interests around the world. U.S. participation in Milan 
Expo 2015 will confirm the strength and importance of U.S.-Italy 
bilateral ties and promote mutual understanding between Americans and 
foreign visitors.

Content

    Milan Expo 2015 will be a stage on which participants from all over 
the world showcase the most innovative solutions to the problems of the 
Expo's theme of ``Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.''

[[Page 45594]]

    ``The Expo will be the largest worldwide event to discuss issues 
related to food production, availability, nutrition and the culture of 
food.''
    The theme for the USA Pavilion Exhibition should be directly linked 
to the overall theme of the Expo. EUR would welcome proposals for an 
exhibition to showcase American expertise, best practices and trends in 
some or all of the following areas:

Food Security

Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture
The Role of Technology and Innovation in Food Production and
Environmental Sustainability
Food Security and Global Trade: Economic Systems, Markets and Rules
Improving Efficiency of Food Systems and Reducing Food Loss
The Role of Human Labor
Nutrition/Eradicating Hunger

Food Safety

Food and Health
Research and Technology
Food Education

Sustainability

Biodiversity
Technologies, Nature and Traditions
Water
Energy

Food, Peace And Culture

Food Security as a Resource for Peace
The Role of Women in Agriculture
Food in Art, Culture, and Social and Regional Trends
Community Driven Approaches/Contributions to Food Security

Energy For Life

Bio-energy
Technologies Driving U.S. Energy Production
U.S. Energy Policy
The design concept for the USA Pavilion and exhibition should appeal to 
a general, non-expert audience.
    The USA Pavilion at Expo 2015 Milan will be an official 
representation of the United States. EUR, therefore, must ensure that 
the U.S. exhibition is nonpolitical in nature, of the highest possible 
quality, balanced and representative of the diversity of American 
political, social and cultural life. The USA Pavilion and exhibition 
must maintain the highest level of scholarly integrity and meet the 
highest standards of artistic achievement and academic excellence.
    The USA Pavilion will be used to promote U.S. commercial interests 
as well as highlight outstanding U.S. cultural, scientific, educational 
and artistic achievement. The proposed design for the USA Pavilion 
should include functional space for four purposes: an exhibition 
area(s); a food demonstration or exhibition/gift shop area; a VIP 
hospitality area, and administrative/staff area.
    Further information on the Expo 2015 Milan can be found at the 
official expo Web site: http://en.expo2015.org.

Student Ambassadors

    Proposals must include a plan for funding and managing student 
``ambassadors'' (guides) at the USA Pavilion. All student ambassadors 
must be U.S. Citizens, from a diverse set of backgrounds and U.S. 
States, and fluent in Italian with two or more years of college-level 
language training or equivalent ability gained through family or 
residence in Italy. Experience has shown that it is highly advantageous 
to have a student ambassador program run in conjunction with a U.S.-
based college or university.

Funding Limitations

    Section 204 of Public Law 106-113 (22 U.S.C. 2452b) limits the 
support the Department of State may provide for U.S. participation in 
international expositions registered by the Bureau of International 
Expositions (BIE). This includes Milan Expo 2015. This Request for 
Proposals is intended to help identify a private U.S. individual, firm 
or organization interested in, and capable of providing a complete 
pavilion/exhibit at Milan Expo 2015 as a gift to the United States 
Government. The Department of State is not now authorized, and does not 
in the future intend to seek authorization from the U.S. Congress, to 
provide federal funding for any aspect of the U.S. exhibition at the 
Milan Expo 2015.

Costs

    The USA Pavilion will be situated on a 2,790 square meter plot with 
a building footprint no more than 70% of the plot size. Excluding the 
area required for setbacks, the total lot size would be 2,032 square 
meters. The total green and open area would be at least 1,367 square 
meters. The building can be no more than 1,423 square meters, and the 
USA Pavilion could be comprised of one or more buildings. The 
building(s) may be enclosed or open-air. Light structures are 
encouraged, and the building(s) could have two floors. Overall building 
height--that is, both floors together--must be less than 12 meters. The 
height limit for any additional architectural elements (such as 
skylights, roof elements, vertical connections to the roof, sunscreens, 
signals, etc.) is 17 meters and roofs may be used as reception or 
exhibition spaces.
    It is estimated that a representative USA Pavilion in that space 
will cost between $25 million and $45 million, depending on final 
design, construction and programming).
    Costs would include, but not be limited to:
    Design and construction of a building to house the exhibition and 
provide an appealing welcome on the exterior facade; provide exterior 
landscaping; incorporate appropriate internal and external crowd 
control features;
    Design of the exhibition; development of the story line;
    Raising all necessary funds;
    Production of exhibits, audio-visual materials, films, DVDs, 
videos, posters and other promotional materials needed for the exhibit;
    Promote and advertise the USA Pavilion;
    Manage all administrative, personnel and exhibit costs, including 
salaries, benefits, staff housing expenses, contracting and supplier 
costs and consulting fees as well as funding associated with guides, 
escorts, and protocol gifts;
    Transport, travel, insurance, postage and shipping fees;
    Security, development and implementation of a security program for 
the USA Pavilion in consultation with the State Department and 
appropriate Italian authorities;
    Tear-down, including removal of exhibits, and return of the 
pavilion lot in the condition required by the Expo organizers;
    Cultural and informational programs associated with the exhibition, 
including, but not limited to, production of U.S. National Day 
activities;
    Funding all expenses associated with the U.S. Commissioner General; 
and,
    Creation and staffing of facilities devoted to hosting all VIPs 
visiting the USA Pavilion.

Expo Guidelines

    Interested parties may obtain information regarding the
    General Regulations and Expo Guidelines from: Barry Levin, 
Coordinator, Milan Expo 2015, Room 3249, Bureau of European and 
Eurasian Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 
20520, Tel. (202) 647-8801, Email: [email protected].

[[Page 45595]]

Application and Submission Information

Proposals

    Proposals should be provided in a narrative of no more than twenty 
(20) pages, single-spaced, plus a detailed budget with necessary 
attachments and/or exhibits. The narrative and additional documents 
should outline, in as much detail as possible, plans for providing a 
pavilion and exhibition for the United States Government at Milan Expo 
2015.
    Proposals should address the following:
    Willingness to adhere to the General Regulations of Milan Expo 2015 
as stipulated by the Expo organizers, including restrictions and 
limitations related to construction;
    Prior experience working with exhibitions and on the proposed 
theme;
    An institutional record of successful fundraising, and responsible 
fiscal management;
    Detailed fundraising plan listing intended individuals and 
institutions to be approached, description of donation and sample 
donation agreement;
    Detailed budget showing breakdown of budget items required for each 
aspect of the project development and implementation;
    Timeline detailing each step in the fundraising, design, 
construction, and breakdown of the USA Pavilion as well as the 
development of the USA Pavilion content;
    Clear concept for the exhibit plan and storyline;
    Experienced staff with language facility, and;
    Commitment to consult closely with and follow the guidance of the 
Bureau of European And Eurasian Public Affairs (EUR/PD) and U.S. 
diplomatic officers in Italy.
    Proposals should state clearly that the design concept and all 
materials developed specifically for the project will be subject to 
review and approval by EUR/PD.
    Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public and 
private organizations (non-profit and profit). Non-profit organizations 
must meet the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 
U.S.C. 501(c)(3). Non-profit organizations must have nonprofit status 
with the IRS at the time of application. If your organization received 
nonprofit status from the IRS within the past four years, you must 
submit the necessary documentation to verify nonprofit status. Failure 
to do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically 
ineligible.

Requesting an Application Package

    Please contact the Office of European and Eurasian Public 
Diplomacy, EUR/PD, Room 3249, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street 
NW., Washington, DC, 20520, tel.: 202-647-8801; fax: 202-647-3614; or 
email [email protected] (with copies to [email protected] and 
[email protected]) for assistance.
    Please refer to ``EUR/PD-Milan Expo 2015'' when making your 
request.
    General Information Contact: Barry Levin, Coordinator, telephone: 
202-747-8801, fax: 202-647-3614 or email: [email protected].
    Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: Midnight, Sunday, September 15.
    Reference: EUR/PD-Milan Expo 2015.

Submitting Applications

    Due to 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 EUR 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 EUR via the Internet. EUR will not notify you upon receipt of your 
application. 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. Applications may not be submitted electronically.
    The original and ten copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, Office of European and Eurasian Public 
Affairs, Ref.: EUR/PD Milan Expo 2015, EUR/PD, Room 3249, 2201 C Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20520.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal in text (.txt) format 
on a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will provide these files 
electronically to the U.S. Mission in Italy for review.

Application Review Information

Review Process

    U.S. citizen, corporation or U.S.-based organization and do not 
fully adhere to the General Regulations of the Milan Expo 2015 and the 
guidelines stated herein.
    The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the 
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. The program 
office, as well as relevant elements of the U.S. Mission in Italy will 
review all eligible proposals. Eligible proposals will be subject to 
compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines. A panel 
of senior U.S. Government employees and private sector experts will 
review eligible proposals. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office 
of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. The final 
decision on a potential U.S. private sector partner will be at the 
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for 
European and Eurasian Affairs.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible proposals will be reviewed according to the 
criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank-ordered and all 
carry equal weight in the evaluation.
    1. Program planning to achieve exhibit objectives: Proposals should 
clearly demonstrate how the planned exhibit will educate and inform 
foreign audiences about the United States and its people and promote 
broad U.S. commercial interests around the world, as well as how 
specifically it will address the theme and General Regulations of the 
Expo. Exhibit objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible.
    The general concept for the pavilion structure should include four 
basic areas: an exhibition area, a food demonstration or exhibition/
gift shop area, a VIP hospitality area, and administration/staff lounge 
area. The proposal should contain a detailed timeline and budget as 
well as information regarding substantial prior projects that 
demonstrate fundraising and logistical capacity.
    2. Institutional Capacity/Record/Ability: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be defined and adequate and appropriate 
to achieve the exhibit's goals. Proposals

[[Page 45596]]

should demonstrate an institutional record of successful exhibit 
activities, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance 
with all BIE-registered Expo requirements. EUR will give serious weight 
to past performance and demonstrated potential of the staffing proposed 
for the project.
    3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposals should clearly state how 
exhibit content and related activities will strengthen long-term mutual 
understanding between the United States and Italy, and present a 
positive U.S. image to the international audience.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate how plans 
will address EUR's requirement to encourage the involvement of 
participants from all traditionally underrepresented groups including 
women, racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.
    5. Monitoring and Project Evaluation Plan: Proposals that include a 
plan to measure the impact of the proposed U.S. exhibition, cultural 
and information programs are encouraged.
    6. Cost-effectiveness: Proposals must include a proposed action 
plan and timeline for all aspects of the project with associated budget 
estimates. Proposals must also present a credible fundraising plan to 
fund all aspects of the USA Pavilion project. Note that prospective 
donors will be vetted with the State Department for potential conflict 
of interest.

Reporting Requirements for Chosen Exhibitor

    You must provide EUR/PD with a hard copy original plus two copies 
of the following reports:
    1. Program and financial reports every 90 days after the signature 
of the Memorandum of Understanding.
    2. Final program and financial reports no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;

For Questions About This Announcement, Contact

    The Office of European and Eurasian Public Affairs, EUR/PD, Room 
3249, Milan Expo 2015, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW., 
Washington, DC, 20520; Attention: Barry Levin; Tel.: 202-647-8801; Fax: 
202-647-3614; Email: [email protected].
    Correspondence with the Office concerning this RFP should 
reference: EUR/PD-Milan Expo 2015.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this Request for Proposals 
are binding and may only be modified in writing. Explanatory 
information provided by EUR that contradicts published language will 
not be binding. Issuance of this RFP does not constitute an intention 
to agree to work with any private sector exhibitor at the Milan Expo 
2015. EUR reserves the right to select the U.S. private sector partner 
for Milan Expo 2015 and to approve all elements of the exhibition and 
project. Decisions made based on indications of interest submitted in 
response to this RFP will be made in the sole discretion of EUR and 
will be final.

    Dated: July 22, 2013.
Paul Jones,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, 
U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2013-18171 Filed 7-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-23-P