[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3942-3945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1182]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Regulation of Broadcast Radio Frequencies (South Africa)
ACTION: Notice--Request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the United States
Information Agency's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs announces
an open competition for an assistance award. Public or private non-
profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation
501(c)(3) may apply to develop a two-way exchange project to assist
South Africa's Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to enhance its
institutional capacity. The project should provide U.S.-based
activities for approximately 6-8 IBA commissioners and senior staff to
demonstrate U.S. policies and practices involved in the regulation of
broadcasting. The project also should provide in-country consultancies
to assist the IBA implement strategies aimed at enhancing its
organizational structure and policy-making procedures. The program
should begin in summer/fall 1995. Consultation with U.S. Information
Service (USIS) posts in South Africa in the development of the project
proposal is encouraged.
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.''
Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package. USIA projects and
programs are subject to the availability of funds.
Announcement name and number: All communications with USIA
concerning this announcement should refer to the above title and
reference number E/P-95-38.
DATES: Deadline for proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday, March 17,
1995. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents
postmarked on March 17, 1995, but received at a later date. It is the
responsibility of each applicant to ensure that proposals are received
by the above deadline.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Africa/Near East/South Asia
Division of the Office of Citizen Exchanges, U.S. Information Agency,
301 4th Street, S.W., Room 220, Washington, D.C. 20547, tel. 202-619-
5319, fax 202-619-4350, Internet address [email protected], to request a
Solicitation Package, which includes more detailed award criteria; all
application forms; and guidelines for preparing proposals, including
specific criteria for preparation of the proposal budget. Please
specify USIA Program Officer Stephen Taylor on all inquiries and
correspondences. Interested applicants should read the complete Federal
Register announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office of
Citizen Exchanges or submitting their proposals. Once the RFP deadline
has passed, the Office of Citizen Exchanges may not discuss this
competition in any way with applicants until the Bureau proposal review
process has been completed.
ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions provided in the
Solicitation Package and send fully completed applications. Send the
original and 14 copies to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/P-95-38,
Office of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 336, 301 4th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20547.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing
legislation, programs must maintain a nonpolitical 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
race, gender, religion, geographic location, socioeconomic status, and
physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to
the advancement of this principle.
Overview
Background
Prior to 1994, the only legal, unencoded broadcaster in the
Republic of South Africa was the South African
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Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), a state-owned national broadcaster
with both commercial and public service responsibilities. Rather than
provide a forum for the free and open discussion of national issues,
the SABC came to serve as an advocate of government Apartheid policy.
Until recently, SABC was managing some 23 national, regional and
local radio services and three television services. The SABC budget was
approved by Parliament and supervised by the Ministry of Home Affairs,
which, together with the Postmaster General, managed the airwaves.
Legislation adopted in 1993 created the Independent Broadcasting
Authority (IBA), loosely modeled on the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), to publicly manage the radio frequency spectrum and
institutionalize freedom of speech protections by shielding the
broadcast media from direct political controls. The IBA consists of six
commissioners and two co-chairpersons appointed in April 1994.
Program Overview
The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) proposes development of a
two-way exchange project designed to enhance the institutional
capabilities of South Africa's Independent Broadcasting Authority. The
project should assist the Authority to develop a plan to assure
citizens' access to the airwaves in a manner consistent with democratic
practices in public resource management. The project should bring South
African participants to the United States to study U.S. regulation of
the broadcast media, and send U.S. specialists to South Africa to
provide on-site consultancies. While the program should cover
regulations of all broadcast media, activities should focus on radio,
which is South Africa's predominant broadcast medium. The program
should begin in summer/fall 1995.
Project Objectives
The project should be designed to:
--Provide participants with a broad understanding of U.S. laws,
regulations and policies relevant to the administration of
broadcasting;
--Introduce participants to the operation of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), including its administrative, technical and legal
branches, and examine its relations with the three branches of the
federal government and other public and private organizations;
--Study FCC policies affecting local control, ownership and management
of broadcasting operations; guidelines promoting diversity of station
ownership; policies affecting freedom of speech and programming;
historic and contemporary public service requirements; the history of
regulations promoting political fairness in broadcasting; free speech
limits on broadcasters; ownership requirements; and licensing
procedures;
--Examine major trends and developments in broadcasting technologies
and related policy issues such as the implications of direct
broadcasting from satellites; competition for limited broadcasting
frequencies; the sale and leasing of frequencies; the funding of public
broadcasting, including university and community-based operations; and
management of cable television systems;
--Introduce participants to U.S. commercial and public broadcasting
organizations, professional associations and public interest groups to
study the impact of regulatory policies;
--Assist participants to identify specific objectives for enhancing the
IBA's institutional capacity;
--Provide consultancies in South Africa aimed at assisting the IBA to
enhance organizational structure, administrative practices and policy
formulation which ensure public participation, transparency in decision
making, and respect for the business integrity and free speech of
broadcasters;
--Develop appropriate support materials to assist participant achieve
their objectives relative to the IBA's instutitional capacity;
--Lay the groundwork for linkages between institutions in the United
States and South Africa aimed at promoting regulatory policies
consistent with constitutional free speech protections in South Africa
and evolving technological trends.
Participants
The project should be designed for commissioners and senior staff
members of South Africa's Independent Broadcasting Authority. The
delegation during the U.S. phase of the project probably would total 6-
8 participants. The delegation possibly who play role in formulating
regulatory policy governing South Africa's airwaves. USIS personnel
will select the South African participants, although recommendations
from the grantee institution are welcome. For program phases in South
Africa, the grantee institution will select the American presenters in
consultation with USIA.
USIS offices will facilitate the issuance of visas for the South
African participants and can help with the distribution of program-
related materials in South Africa.
Programmatic Considerations
USIA will give careful consideration to proposals which
demonstrate:
(1) In-depth, substantive knowledge of the historic evolution of
U.S. policy relative to the regulation of radio and television
broadcasting, as well as contemporary issues in the broadcasting field;
(2) First-hand connections with appropriate U.S. public and private
sector organizations and institutions involved in the management of
broadcast frequencies;
(3) The capacity to organize and manage international exchange
programs, including the handling of pre-departure arrangements,
orientation activities, oversight and problem-solving involved in such
programs.
USIA is especially interested in multi-phase programs in which the
phases build on one another and lay the groundwork for new and long-
term relationships between American and South African professionals.
Proposals which are overly ambitious and those which are very general
in nature will not be competitive. The Office of Citizen Exchanges does
not award grants to support projects whose focus is limited to
technical matters, or to support scholarly research projects,
development of publications for dissemination in the United States,
individual student exchanges, film festivals or exhibits. The Office of
Citizen Exchange does not provide scholarships or support for long-term
(one semester or more) academic studies. Competitions sponsored by
other Bureau offices also are announced in the Federal Register and may
have different application requirements as well as different
objectives.
Program Suggestions
The proposed project should include at least one phases for South
African participants in the U.S. and at least one phase for American
specialists in South Africa. Programming elements might include in-
country workshops or seminars led by American experts, specialized
American consultancies conducted in South Africa, a study tour in the
U.S. for selected South African participants and U.S.-based
professional attachments. A planning visit overseas by the American
organizer can also be considered if crucial to successful
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development and implementation of the program.
The project should include formats which maximize interaction
between the South African participants and the program presenters.
Participants should observe interaction between public and private
sector officials involved in the formulation, implementation and
evaluation of regulatory policy, such as legislators, regulators,
stations managers, technicians, advertisers, interest group leaders and
educators. The program design should provide adequate time for
participants to meet individually with American professionals who have
similar interests and specializations. While not required, the
presenters' familiarity with broadcasting in South Africa is desirable.
Program Responsibilities
The grantee institution's responsibilities include: selecting
presenters, themes and topics for discussion; organizing a coherent
progression of activities; providing any support materials; providing
all travel arrangements, lodging and other logistical arrangements for
the South African participants and U.S. presenters who travel to South
Africa; and overseeing the project on a daily basis to achieve maximum
program effectiveness. The grantee institution is responsible for
coordinating plans and project implementation with E/P, participating
USIS posts, and any South African collaborating institutions.
At the start of each phase, the grantee institution will conduct an
orientation session for the participants and, at the conclusion,
conduct participant evaluations. The institution will submit a report
at the completion of each program phase, including a final program
report summarizing the entire project and resulting organizational
links. The institution must also submit a final financial report. To
prepare the participants for their U.S. experience, E/P encourages the
grantee organization to forward a set of preliminary materials which
might include an introduction to the U.S. system of government, the
principles underlying U.S. regulation of broadcasting, the practices of
U.S. broadcasters and other background information about the project.
E/P will ask the South African participants to prepare brief outlines
describing their own particular interests in these areas. The grantee
institution should brief the American presenters on the South African
participants' backgrounds, interests and concerns.
Other Program Considerations
Consutation with USIS posts in South Africa in the development of
the project proposal is encouraged. Letters of commitment from
participating U.S. institutions and individuals would enhance a
proposal.
USIA also encourages the development of specialized written
materials to enhance this professional development program. USIA is
interested in organizations' ideas on how to ``reuse'' specialized
materials by providing them to universities, libraries or other
institutions for use by a larger audience. If not already available,
glossaries of specialized terms might be developed. However, please
note that, according to current USIA regulations, materials developed
with USIA funds may not be distributed in the United States.
The grantee institution should maximize cost-sharing in all
elements of the project and seek to stimulate U.S. private sector
support including from foundations and corporations.
All participants will be covered under the terms of a USIA-
sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by USIA directly
to the insurance company.
Funding
Competition for USIA funding support is keen. Selection of a
grantee institution is based on the substantive nature of the program
proposal; the applicant's professional capability to carry the program
through to a successful conclusion; and cost effectiveness, including
in-kind contributions and the ability to keep overhead costs at a
minimum. USIA will consider funding up to approximately $100,000, but
grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years of
experience in conducting international exchange programs will be
limited to $60,000.
Applicants must submit a comparative line item budget for the
entire program based on the specific guidance in the Solicitation
Package. Applicants must provide a summary budget as well as a break-
down reflecting both the administrative budget and the program budget.
For further clarification, applicants may provide optional, separate
sub-budgets for each program phase or activity in order to facilitate
USIA decisions on funding. USIA will consider funding the following
costs:
1. International and domestic air fares; visas; transit costs
(e.g., airport fees); ground transportation costs.
2. Per diem: For foreign participants during activities in the
United States, organizations have the option of using a flat rate of
$140/day or the published Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) per diem
rates for individual American cities. (Note: U.S. institutional staff
must use the published FTR per diem rates, not the flat rate.) For
activities overseas, standard Federal Travel Regulations per diem rates
must be used.
3. Escort-interpreters: Interpretation for U.S.-based programs is
provided by the State Department's Language Services Division.
Typically, delegations ranging from 8-12 participants require two
simultaneous interpreters and one escort officer. Grant proposal
budgets should contain a flat $140/day per diem rate for each State
Department escort/interpreter, as well as home-program-home air fare of
$400 per interpreter and any U.S. travel expenses during the program
itself. Salary expenses are covered centrally and are not part of the
applicant's budget proposal. USIA grants do not pay for foreign
interpreters to accompany delegations during travel to or from their
home country. Interpreters are not available for U.S.-based internship
activities.
4. Book and cultural allowances: Participants are entitled to a
one-time book allowance of $50 plus a cultural allowance of $150 per
person during programs taking place in the United States. U.S. staff do
not receive these benefits. Escort interpreters are reimbursed for
actual cultural expenses up to $150.
5. Consultants: Consultants may be used to provide specialized
expertise or to make presentations. Honoraria generally should not
exceed $250/day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in
which case the written contract(s) should be included in the proposal.
6. Material development: Proposals may contain costs to purchase,
develop and translate materials for participants. USIA reserves the
rights to these materials for future use.
7. Room rentals, which generally should not exceed $250/day.
8. One working meal per project, for which per capita costs may not
exceed $5-$8 for a lunch or $14.-$20 for a dinner. The number of
invited guests may not exceed the number of participants by more than a
factor of two to one.
9. Return travel allowance: $70 for each participant which is to be
used for incidental expenditures incurred during international travel.
10. Other costs necessary for the effective administration of the
program, including salaries for grant organization
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employees, benefits, and other direct and indirect costs per detailed
instructions in the application package.
E/P encourages cost-sharing, which may be in the form of allowable
direct or indirect costs. E/P would be especially interested in
proposals which demonstrate a program vision which goes well beyond
that which can be supported by the requested USIA grant and which would
try to use a USIA grant to leverage additional funding from other
sources to support elements of the broader program plan.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
Review Process
USIA 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. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will be
reviewed by the Agency contracts office, as well as the USIA Office of
African Affairs and the USIA post overseas, where appropriate.
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel or
by other Agency elements. Funding decisions are at the discretion of
the USIA Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final
technical authority for grant awards resides with the USIA 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. Institutional Reputation and Ability
Applicant institutions should demonstrate their potential for
excellence in program design and implementation and/or provide
documentation of successful programs. If an applicant is a previous
USIA grant recipient, responsible fiscal management and full compliance
with all reporting requirements for past Agency grants as determined by
USIA's Office of Contracts will be considered. Relevant substantive
evaluations of previous projects may also be considered in this
assessment.
2. Project Personnel
The thematic and logistical expertise of project personnel should
be relevant to the proposed program. Resumes or C.V.s should be
summaries which are relevant to the specific proposal and no longer
than two pages each.
3. Program Planning
A detailed agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate
substantive rigor and logistical capacity.
4. Thematic Expertise
Proposal should demonstrate the organization's expertise in the
subject area which promises an effective sharing of information.
5. Support of Diversity
Proposals should demonstrate the recipient's commitment to
promoting the awareness and understanding of diversity.
6. Cross-Cultural Sensitivity and Area Expertise
Evidence should be provided of sensitivity to historical,
linguistic, religious, and other cross-cultural factors, as well as
relevant knowledge of the target geographic area/country.
7. Ability To Achieve Program Objectives
Objectives should be realistic and feasible. The proposal should
clearly demonstrate how the grantee institution will meet program
objectives.
8. Multiplier Effect
Proposed programs should strengthen long-term mutual understanding
and contribute to maximum sharing of information and establishment of
long-term institutional and individual ties.
9. Cost-Effectiveness
Overhead and direct administrative costs to USIA should be kept as
low as possible. All other items proposed for USIA funding should be
necessary and appropriate to achieve the program's objectives.
10. Cost-Sharing
Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector
support as well as direct funding contributions and/or in-kind support
from the prospective grantee institution and its partners.
11. Follow-On Activities
Proposals should provide a plan for continued exchange activity
(without USIA support) which ensures that USIA-supported programs are
not isolated events.
12. Project Evaluation
Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the activity's success,
both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. USIA
recommends that the proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or
other technique plus description of a methodology to use to link
outcomes to original project objectives. Grantees will be expected to
submit intermediate reports after each project component is concluded
or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may
not be modified by an USIA representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Agency that contradicts published language will not be
binding. issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on
the part of the Government. The needs of the program may require the
award to be reduced, revised, or increased. Final awards cannot be made
until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed
through internal USIA procedures.
Notification
All applicants will be notified of the results of the review
process on or about June 16, 1995. Awards made will be subject to
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Dated: January 11, 1995.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director, Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-1182 Filed 1-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
