[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7098-7103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03116]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 10310]


Office of the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and 
Public Affairs Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Fundraising, Project 
Management, Design, Construction, Operation, Disassembly and Removal of 
a USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Request for Proposals for the Design, Development, 
Installation, Operation, and Final Disposition of a U.S. Pavilion at 
Expo Dubai 2020.

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SUMMARY: The Expo Unit within the Office of the Under Secretary of 
State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of the U.S. Department of 
State requests proposals from private U.S. individuals, firms, 
associations, educational institutions, and organizations (for profit 
and non-profit) for the fundraising, project management, design, 
construction, operation, and disassembly and removal of a USA Pavilion 
at Expo 2020 Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (https://expo2020dubai.ae/). The UAE is a strong U.S. partner, and the largest 
export market for U.S. goods and services in the Middle East. The six-
month long Expo 2020 Dubai from October 2020-April 2021 will be the 
first Expo (also known as World's Fair) to take place in the Middle 
East, North Africa, or South Asia and is expected to attract 25 million 
visitors and coincides with the UAE's 50th founding anniversary. 
Proposals from non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. firms or organizations 
shall be deemed ineligible for consideration.

DATES: Submit proposals on or before April 17, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Asada, Dubai Expo 2020 Project 
Manager, at [email protected] or by phone at: (202) 647-9905.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Description of Project

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, the Secretary of State has authorized the Under Secretary of 
State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs to provide for U.S. 
participation in international expositions abroad. The Expo Unit, in 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public 
Affairs, will represent the U.S. Government in dealings with the 
organizers of Expo 2020 Dubai and serve as the primary point of contact 
with the selected applicant.

Background

    Expo 2020 Dubai is a large-scale, universal exposition (also known 
as a World's Fair) registered by the Bureau of International 
Expositions (BIE). The BIE is an international treaty organization 
established to regulate certain international exhibitions. The United 
States rejoined the BIE on May 10, 2017. Invitations to world's fairs 
are extended from the host government to other governments.
    The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has invited the 
United States to participate in Expo 2020 Dubai and, on October 19, 
2017, the Secretary of State informed the UAE Government of the U.S. 
Government's intention to participate with an official USA Pavilion, 
contingent upon identification of a viable private sector partner and 
successful fundraising efforts. The Expo officially opens on October 
20, 2020, and closes on April 10, 2021.
    With a projected 25 million visitors, 70 percent of whom will come 
from outside of the UAE, Expo 2020 Dubai offers an excellent 
opportunity to inform and inspire foreign audiences--especially those 
residing in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia--about the 
United States, its people, values and foreign policies, and to promote 
U.S. economic and commercial interests. Expo 2020 Dubai is the first 
World's Fair hosted in the Middle East. U.S.

[[Page 7099]]

participation in Expo 2020 Dubai would reconfirm the strength and 
importance of U.S.-UAE bilateral ties and promote mutual understanding 
between Americans and peoples of the region.

Content

    The theme of Expo 2020 Dubai is Connecting Minds, Creating the 
Future, representing the potential of what can be achieved when 
meaningful collaborations and partnerships are forged. The Expo's 
subthemes are Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability reflecting the 
timeless drivers of progress that continue to inspire people, 
organizations, and nations in their endeavors to create a better 
future. A detailed description of the themes and their meaning is 
available in the Expo 2020 Participant Guide. The USA Pavilion should 
emphasize the ``Mobility'' sub-theme and the pavilion's architecture 
and interior design should communicate American progress, ingenuity, 
and innovation in social, physical, and mechanical (transportation) 
mobility.

U.S. Direction

    The USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will be an official 
representation of the United States; the Department must therefore 
ensure that the USA Pavilion is nonpolitical and nonpartisan in nature, 
of the highest possible quality, and balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. The USA 
Pavilion must maintain the highest level of scholarly integrity and 
meet the highest standards of artistic achievement and academic 
excellence. It should also be entertaining and interactive. The USA 
Pavilion will be used to promote U.S. commercial interests, U.S. 
foreign policy, as well as highlight outstanding U.S. cultural, 
scientific, technological, and artistic achievement.

Funding and Fundraising 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 Expo 2020 Dubai. This Request for 
Proposals is intended to help identify a private U.S. individual, firm, 
association, or organization interested in, and capable of, providing a 
complete Pavilion/exhibit at Expo 2020 Dubai as a gift to the United 
States Government. The Department of State is not authorized to provide 
funding for the U.S. Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    Section 5 of Public Law 115-32 (22 U.S.C. 2452b note) prohibits 
Department of State employees from soliciting funds to pay expenses for 
a U.S. pavilion or other major exhibit at any exposition registered by 
the BIE.
    Planning, budgeting, and operating a U.S. pavilion at a Bureau of 
International Expositions-recognized international exposition is a 
complicated, multi-year project. Cost for a representative USA Pavilion 
for Expo 2020 Dubai is estimated at 50-60 million USD and will be the 
sole responsibility of the selected organization.
    The successful applicant will be responsible for all costs 
associated with the USA Pavilion including its fundraising, project 
management, design, construction, operation, and disassembly and 
removal of, as well as any claims arising from, the exhibit at the end 
of the Expo, as well as all support for the U.S. Commissioner General. 
The successful proposer will consult closely with and follow the 
guidance of Department officials and the U.S. Commissioner General with 
respect to Pavilion content, fundraising, and programming. The USA 
Pavilion shall be considered on loan to the U.S. Government. The 
aforementioned loan shall be treated as a gift to the U.S. Government. 
The U.S. Department of State is not authorized to provide federal 
funding for any aspect of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    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 secure sufficient seed 
funding, to be determined based on the successful applicant's proposed 
budget, and demonstrate viable future revenue streams will the U.S. 
Department of State sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with that 
applicant. The Department would subsequently sign a Participation 
Contract with the UAE's Bureau Expo Dubai 2020 (Expo Organizer).

Expo Guidelines

    For information regarding the guidelines for developing the 
exhibits, themes, and the design and construction of a pavilion, please 
refer to documents produced by the Expo 2020 Dubai Organizer, including 
the Theme Guide, Participant Guide, and Self-build Guide available at: 
https://www.state.gov/r/. Exhibit content, and food and beverage 
offerings, should be sensitive to prevailing cultural norms and in 
accordance with Dubai municipal regulations.

Purpose of RFP

    The purpose of this request for proposal is to find a private 
sector partner who will serve as the U.S. Government's fundraiser and 
project manager for U.S. participation in Expo 2020. This entails three 
main tasks: (1) Raise all the funds needed to cover the costs of the 
USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai; (2) manage the USA Pavilion project; 
and (3) conduct all operations associated with the USA Pavilion.
(1) Fundraising
    As described above, the Department of State is prohibited from 
using its appropriated funds for the USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai 
and the Department's employees are prohibited from soliciting funds to 
pay for expenses of the USA Pavilion. Therefore, all funds for the 
establishment and operation of the USA Pavilion must come from other 
sources. It will be the responsibility of the selected entity to 
identify prospective sponsors, solicit the funds, and conclude 
sponsorship agreements. The Department must approve the selected 
entity's fundraising plan, process, and marketing materials.
    Non-profit organizations must have nonprofit status with the IRS, 
or have applied for such status, at the time of application.
    Once the nonprofit status of the selected proposer is confirmed, 
and if the proposer satisfies the U.S. citizenship requirements, the 
Department will issue a ``Letter of Intent'' to the selected 
organization authorizing it to proceed with fundraising to fund the USA 
Pavilion project. The letter will include guidelines on fundraising to 
be followed by the selected organization. Note that all prospective 
donors must be vetted by the Department of State pursuant to the 
Foreign Affairs Manual (2 FAM 962.1 Authority to Solicit and Accept 
Gift Funds https://fam.state.gov/FAM/02FAM/02FAM0960.html). Once the 
selected entity has raised sufficient seed funding to provide for U.S. 
participation at Expo Dubai 2020, the Department of State will sign a 
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the selected organization.
    It is estimated that a representative USA pavilion will cost 
between 50 and 60 million USD, depending on final design, construction, 
and programming. The costs, described in greater detail below, include, 
but are not limited to:
     Design and construction of a building to house the 
exhibition and provide an appealing welcome on the exterior facade; 
provide exterior

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landscaping; incorporate appropriate internal and external crowd 
control features;
     Design of the exhibition and 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;
     Development and implementation of a media engagement and 
communications plan to promote and advertise the USA Pavilion to U.S. 
and foreign audiences, before and during Expo 2020;
     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 of 
all pavilion materials;
     Security, development and implementation of a security 
program for the USA Pavilion in consultation with the State Department 
and appropriate UAE authorities;
     Tear-down, including removal of exhibits, and return of 
the pavilion lot in the condition required by the Expo organizers; 
final disposition plan must be approved by the Expo Unit;
     Cultural and informational programs associated with the 
exhibition, including, but not limited to, production of U.S. National 
Day activities (each participating country has a national day 
celebration at some point during the six-month fair);
     Funding all expenses associated with the U.S. Commissioner 
General; and,
     Creation and staffing of facilities devoted to hosting 
VIPs visiting the USA Pavilion.
(2) Project Management
    The selected organization would be responsible for all aspects of 
providing for U.S. participation in Expo 2020 Dubai. This includes, but 
is not limited to, (a) design, (b) construction and removal, (c) 
staffing, (d) programming, and (e) supporting the U.S. Commissioner 
General:
a. Design of USA Pavilion
    The pavilion will be the physical representation of the United 
States, and therefore should be worthy of representing our country and 
its people. The architecture and interior design of the USA Pavilion 
must reflect the theme of Expo 2020 Dubai, Connecting Minds, Creating 
the Future, described above. 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 design 
concept for the USA Pavilion exhibition should appeal to a general, 
non-expert audience.
    The two main components to the design of the USA Pavilion are (i) 
architecture and (ii) interior design:
i. Architecture
    National pavilions are closely associated with their architecture. 
The design of the USA Pavilion should be spectacular, and worthy of 
carrying the name of the United States. The applicant should describe 
how they plan to create a design that is inspiring, while remaining 
cost-efficient. The successful applicant will be encouraged to hold a 
national design competition.
ii. Interior Design
    The concept for the pavilion structure should include an exhibition 
area, a live performance area, a VIP hospitality area, and 
administration/staff area. Food, beverage, and retail offerings can be 
considered, but are not required. The exhibition area is where the 
Expo's theme and sub-themes communicate American creativity, innovation 
and ingenuity to the visitors. Successful exhibits are those that 
communicate a message, are informative, but are also interactive and 
fun. The selected organization must also ensure that the exhibits are 
nonpolitical in nature and are of the highest possible quality. The VIP 
hospitality area should provide a reception space to support symposia, 
meetings, receptions, and delegations that advance economic and public 
diplomacy goals of the United States.
    In designing the USA Pavilion, the selected entity is encouraged to 
translate the theme into an authentic portfolio of stories and 
perspectives that highlight the interconnections between the subthemes 
in a way that engages visitors of all ages. The selected entity will 
consult with the Department of State's Expo Unit for approval on all 
final designs, exhibit content, programmatic activities, and 
communications products.
    In responding to this Request for Proposal, applicants should 
include a two-page Theme Statement that explains design, components and 
content of the USA Pavilion (per Annex) by the initial application due 
date. The submission should define the overall theme and the exhibits 
that will make up the pavilion, providing a general overview of the 
proposed strategy, thematic content, installations, events, and 
architectural expression of the pavilion. The selected organization 
will be required to develop a more detailed and final Theme Statement 
for approval by the Expo Unit followed by full design proposals for the 
USA Pavilion--Concept and Final--no later than June 30, 2019.
b. Construction and Removal of USA Pavilion
    After the approval of the designs, and with necessary funding in 
hand, the selected entity will be responsible for constructing the USA 
Pavilion in Dubai in accordance with the specifications listed in the 
Organizer's Self-Build Pavilions Guide. Ideally, such a pavilion will 
meet the specifications for a ``Large'' or an ``Extra Large'' pavilion, 
but proposals should specify what size they recommend. The USA Pavilion 
can comprise one or more buildings. Construction of the pavilion's 
shell and core must be completed by October 2019. Interior work must be 
complete by July 2020 and exhibits must be installed by September 2020.
    The selected entity is also responsible for the dismantling and 
removal of the USA Pavilion after conclusion of the Expo in April 2021.
    The overall budget, including construction, must be reviewed by the 
Expo Unit before work can start, and the entity must consult with the 
Expo Unit before undertaking any changes in budget line items greater 
than $50,000. The implementing partner will be encouraged to establish 
an escrow account or obtain insurance to ensure that removal of the 
pavilion is completed.
c. Pavilion Staffing
    Unlike other national pavilions that hire local workers to staff 
their pavilions, the U.S. pavilions have historically used American 
college students or recent graduates to staff the USA Pavilion as 
guides under a program called ``Student Ambassadors.'' For Dubai, 
applicants may also consider supplementing the Student Ambassador 
program with an additional cohort of alumni from U.S. Department of 
State exchange programs. Proposals must include a plan for funding, 
recruiting and managing student ``ambassadors'' and Department of State 
exchange alumni at the USA Pavilion. All Student Ambassadors, but not 
the exchange program alumni, must be U.S. citizens, from a diverse set 
of backgrounds and U.S. states, and ideally with two or more years of 
college-level Arabic language or area studies course work, or 
equivalent ability gained through family or residence in the Arab 
world. The selected organization is encouraged to

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partner with a U.S. higher education institution or cultural exchange 
program organization in the United States or abroad to manage the 
Student Ambassador and Exchange Alumni programs.
d. Programming
    The selected organization will be responsible for all programming 
within the USA Pavilion. Proposals may include content and programming 
partnerships with a variety of community, educational, cultural, 
philanthropic, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Proposals are 
encouraged to identify potential linkages to existing State Department 
educational and cultural programs that could run concurrently with the 
USA Pavilion.
e. Supporting the U.S. Commissioner General
    The selected organization will be responsible for supporting the 
U.S. Commissioner General, who will be appointed by the United States 
Government and serve as the official U.S. representative to Expo 2020. 
Details of this support will be specified in the Memorandum of 
Agreement (MOA).
(3) Operations
    The successful proposer will be responsible for full operation of 
the USA Pavilion. This will include, but not be limited to, such areas 
as protocol, public affairs, sponsorship fulfillment, cultural 
programming, student guide services, communications, operations, 
security, cleaning, and maintenance. Office space must be adequate for 
the proposed number of staff.

II. Eligibility Information

    Applications may be submitted by U.S.-based individuals, firms, 
associations, and public and private organizations, or groups of such 
entities formed for this project. 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, or have applied for such status, at the time of application.

III. Application and Submission Information

1. Proposals
    Proposals should be no longer than thirty-five (35) pages (single-
spaced, single-sided) and outline, in as much detail as possible, plans 
for providing a pavilion and exhibition for the U.S. Government at Expo 
2020 Dubai.
    Proposals should include the following components:
    1. Pavilion Theme Statement (2 pages max) explains design, 
components and content of the USA Pavilion in accordance with the 
Mobility sub-theme and the Expo 2020 Dubai Theme Guide.
    2. Fundraising plan (3 pages)--How and when does the organization 
plan to reach the fundraising goals to cover the project? How does the 
organization plan to make use of sponsorship agreements to fund 
specific exhibits or the overall pavilion?
    3. Project Management Plan (3 pages) that explains how the 
organization plans to accomplish all the tasks listed in the Project 
Management section. This plan should include specifics, including 
whether the organization plans to compete the different elements to 
sub-contractors, or if they plan to fulfill them in-house, and the 
process for each. This action plan should include the following 
sections:
    a. Design of the USA Pavilion architecture and interior;
    b. Construction procurement process; and
    c. Disassembly and legacy (future use of the pavilion structure or 
exhibits).
    4. Pavilion Designs (10 pages) A maximum of 5 conceptual designs of 
the proposed pavilion architecture and a maximum of 5 conceptual 
designs of the proposed interior fit-out.
    5. Proposed Staffing Plan (3 pages) for management and staff before 
and during the expo, including envisioned Student Ambassador and 
Exchange Alumni programs. Provide biographic summaries of no more than 
one paragraph each of the architect, curator, designer, project 
manager, fundraiser, chief financial officer, and all other key 
personnel involved in the project.
    6. Multi-year Operating Budget (4 pages) (narrative and chart in 
USD). A budget narrative should include an explanation of how the 
estimates were created (including but not limited to cost price 
analysis or past experience) for the major cost centers of the project. 
The operating budget should explain how early-stage operations of the 
project will be sustained prior to attaining major gifts and projected 
cash flow.
    7. Track record (2 pages) of the organization's past fundraising 
and project management successes, a description of its resources, 
capabilities, key staff and their qualifications.
    8. Timeline (3 pages) of the entire project.
    9. Work Samples (5 pages) Submit up to 10 images of past 
architectural and design work.
    Proposals must commit to:
     Adhere to the regulations and rules of Expo 2020 as 
stipulated by the Expo organizers (see participant guides), including 
restrictions and limitations related to construction;
     Consult closely with and follow the guidance of the U.S. 
Commissioner General, Expo Unit, and their designated representatives 
at the U.S. mission to the UAE;
     Operate in a transparent and financially responsible 
manner. This includes allowing the Commissioner General and Expo Unit 
insight into the budget and reporting on finances on a regular basis, 
with oversight of the Expo Unit, and seeking prior consultation before 
any expenditure or changes in budget line items greater than $50,000.
     Submit all contracts or sub-contracts contemplated to be 
awarded by the proposer to further the purposes of the USA pavilion 
that are in excess of $50,000 for review by the Expo Unit prior to 
their conclusion.
     Proposals should state clearly that all materials 
developed specifically for the project will be subject to prior review 
and approval by the Department.
     Proposals should state clearly that all fundraising plans, 
processes, and marketing materials will be subject to prior review and 
approval by the Department, including the need to have all potential 
donors vetted and approved by the Department.
2. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
Application Deadline
    Application Deadlines: April 17, 2018.
Submitting Applications
    Responses must be submitted electronically and in hard copy.
    An electronic version of the proposal submission must be sent to 
[email protected]. Please include ``Expo 2020 Proposal--[Entity Name]'' in 
the email subject field. The Expo Unit will acknowledge receipt of an 
electronic proposal.
    Proposal submissions must also 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

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received by the Expo Unit more than seven calendar 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 the Expo 
Unit via the internet. The Expo Unit will not notify you upon receipt 
of a hard copy proposal. 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.
    Ten copies of the application should be sent to: U.S. Department of 
State, Ref.: Expo 2020 Dubai RFP, 2201 C Street NW, R/FO, Room 5932, 
Washington, DC 20520.

IV. Application Review Information

Review Process

    The Expo Unit will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they are not submitted by a U.S. 
citizen, U.S.-corporation, or U.S.-based organization and do not fully 
adhere to the General Regulations of the Expo 2020 Dubai and the 
guidelines stated herein.
    Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and 
Department regulations and guidelines. A panel of U.S. Government 
employees will review eligible proposals. Proposals may also be 
reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other elements in the 
State Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The decision 
about which proposal demonstrates the greatest likelihood of achieving 
the goals of the project will be at the sole discretion of the Under 
Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

Review Criteria

    Technically-eligible proposals will be reviewed and scored out of 
100 points, according to the criteria stated below:
1. Pavilion Concept--15 points
    a. Architectural and Design Merit, including how the pavilion will 
educate and inform foreign audiences about the United States and its 
people and promote broad U.S. commercial interests, as well as how 
specifically it will address the theme and sub-themes of Expo 2020 
Dubai.
2. Fundraising Plan--35 points
    a. Fundraising, including proposed plan, timeline, resources on 
hand, as well as potential to find and engage potential sponsors, 
manage sponsor relationships, and fulfill sponsorship agreements. The 
successful proposer must demonstrate to the Department that it can 
raise the funds necessary to complete the USA Pavilion project and has 
past fundraising success in completing time-bound, multi-year, multi-
million dollar campaigns.
3. Operational Plan--10 points
    a. Design, Build, Remove, including plans to project manage the 
pavilion.
    b. Operational Plan, including program management and operational 
staffing before and during the Expo 2020.
    c. Expenditure, including summary and line-item budget.
4. Communications and Cultural Programming--15 points
    a. Proposed Domestic and International Outreach in advance of and 
during the Expo to raise awareness of U.S. participation in Dubai Expo 
2020 and amplify exhibit messages and partners.
    b. Proposed Cultural Programming Events and programs that represent 
the diversity of America including potential linkages to existing State 
Department educational and cultural programs that could run parallel to 
or in conjunction with the USA Pavilion.
    c. Virtual Presence and Engagement of the USA Pavilion before and 
during the Expo.
5. Institutional Capacity--15 points
    a. Program Management for design and build, and design and 
operation of temporary cultural and commercial exhibitions.
    b. Architectural and Design Excellence, including quality and 
significance of the architects, curators, organizations, designs or 
services that the project will involve; record of professional activity 
and achievement by individuals/organizations involved; ability to 
monitor and measure the effectiveness and impact of the exhibition.
6. Regional Experience and Partnerships--10 points
    a. Strategic Partners and Legacy Use, including how the USA 
Pavilion fits in to the strategic plans of partners for their regional 
engagement and expansion and reflective of past regional experience.
    b. Monitoring and Project Evaluation Plan, a plan to measure the 
impact of the proposed U.S. exhibition, and cultural and information 
programs.

V. Administration Information

    Selection Notices: All applicants will receive a decision 
notification from the Expo Unit.
    Project Launch and Construction & Participation Phases: There are 
two phases to the project. The first phase (Project Launch) will begin 
by the Department issuing a Letter of Intent to the selected proposer 
authorizing that entity to proceed with fundraising to complete the 
project. The letter will include guidelines on fundraising and will 
establish a deadline for completion of fundraising activities. The 
second phase (Construction & Participation) can begin once the 
successful proposer is able to demonstrate that all funding required 
for the project is available. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between 
the successful proposer and the Department will be concluded and the 
Department will conclude a Participation Contract with the Expo 
organizing body.

Reporting Requirement for Selected Organization

    The successful proposer must provide the Expo Unit with an 
electronic and hard copy original plus two copies of the following 
reports:
    1. Program and financial reports every 45 (forty-five) calendar 
days after the signature of the Memorandum of Agreement.
    2. Final program and financial reports no more than 90 (ninety) 
calendar days after the scheduled April 10, 2021, closing of Expo 2020 
Dubai.

VI. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact [email protected]. 
Correspondence with the Expo Unit concerning this Request for Proposals 
(RFP) should reference Expo 2020 Dubai RFP in the subject line.
    Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline for submission of proposals 
has passed, Expo Unit staff may not discuss this competition with 
applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

VII. Other Information

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this Request for Proposals 
are binding and may only be modified in writing. Issuance of this RFP 
does not constitute an intention to agree to work with any private 
sector exhibitor at Expo 2020 Dubai. The Under Secretary for Public

[[Page 7103]]

Diplomacy and Public Affairs reserves the right to select the U.S. 
private sector partner for Expo 2020 Dubai and to approve all elements 
of the Pavilion and project. Decisions made based on proposals 
submitted in response to this RFP will be made in the sole discretion 
of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and will 
be final.

I. Steven Goldstein,
Under Secretary of State, Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, 
Department of State.

Annex: Theme Statement (max 2 pages)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Title                       Title of the exhibition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibition Goals..................  The overall goals of the exhibition
                                     and the key messages that the
                                     Pavilion aims to communicate to the
                                     visitors.
Thematic Concept..................  A clear and comprehensive
                                     presentation of how the exhibition
                                     content relates to the theme and
                                     subthemes of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Content Descriptions..............  A well-described statement for the
                                     exhibition content based on the
                                     theme and subthemes:
                                    What are the main messages that the
                                     exhibition will convey to the
                                     visitors?
                                    How will the visitors experience and
                                     interact with the content?
                                    What will the visitors take away
                                     when they leave the pavilion?
Educational Program...............  A conceptual description of the
                                     educational programs and
                                     opportunities that will be offered
                                     to the visitors as part of the
                                     exhibition.
Architecture and Design...........  A preliminary overview of the design
                                     of the pavilion and exhibition
                                     areas indicating how the chosen
                                     theme and topics are creatively
                                     integrated into the space.
                                     Participants should also indicate
                                     how they plan to showcase America's
                                     unique identity, culture, and
                                     diversity in the design.
Operations........................  A preliminary description of how the
                                     theme and chosen subthemes are
                                     integrated into the pavilion
                                     operations.
List of Materials.................  A preliminary list of the types of
                                     materials that will be used in the
                                     exhibition (such as objects,
                                     artifacts, and media).
Retail............................  A summary of the plan regarding the
                                     products (both culinary and
                                     commercial) that the proposer will
                                     promote during the event. Proposers
                                     should clearly indicate how the
                                     retail activity captures and
                                     incorporates the theme and
                                     subthemes
Legacy Use........................  Description of the pavilion's legacy
                                     use and its incorporation into
                                     pavilion partners' regional
                                     presence and engagement strategies.
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[FR Doc. 2018-03116 Filed 2-15-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-10-P