[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51731-51733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25988]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
USIA-Bosnia Undergraduate Development Program; Request for
Proposals
SUMMARY: Subject to the availability of funds, the Office of Academic
Programs, Academic Exchanges Division, European Branch, of the United
States Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for an assistance award. Colleges and
universities (including community colleges and/or four year
institutions) meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR
1.501(c) may apply to host between two and five Bosnian students in a
one year, non-degree undergraduate program for the academic year 1998-
1999.
The USIA-Bosnia Undergraduate Development Program is designed to
allow Bosnian students an opportunity to obtain knowledge, insight and
cultural enrichment through their academic studies at American colleges
and universities. The USIA strongly encourages institutions to guide
students to courses in American studies, or other courses which
emphasize
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democracy, market economy, and civic society per the intent of the SEED
funding. The USIA is holding an open solicitation for all universities
and colleges giving preference to those that have demonstrated
experience in hosting Bosnian students, partnerships with Bosnian
higher education institutions, or expertise and interest in the region.
Increase in program expenses together with reduced overall government
funding for exchange programs make cost-sharing arrangements with host
institutions a critical part of the USIA-Bosnia Undergraduate
Development Program. Preference will be given to institutions that can
provide cost-sharing toward tuition, fees, room and board expenses and/
or other direct participant expenses. Cost-sharing may also be in the
form of direct administrative and program costs.
The proposed funding will support one academic year of study in the
fields of agriculture, business administration, civic education,
criminal justice, economics, education, environmental resource
management, journalism/mass communications, political science, and
public administration. Similarly, the grant will support international
round-trip travel of students, the housing of the students on campus or
with host families, a four to twelve week internship in the students'
field of specialization, culturally enriching activities, including but
not limited to community outreach and service projects, and additional
activities such as an orientation program.
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States
and the other countries of the world.''
The grant and funding for this program has been allocated by the
Support for the East European Democracy (SEED) initiative. The SEED
initiative is special funding targeted to advance the democratic and
economic transition of Central and Eastern Europe. The funding
authority for the USIA-Bosnian Undergraduate Development Program is
provided through the Support for East European Democracy Act of 1989.
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 TITLE AND NUMBER: All communications with USIA concerning
this RFP should refer to the announcement's title and reference number
E/AEE-98-02.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Thursday,
December 4, 1997. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time.
Documents postmarked by the due date but received at a later date will
not be accepted. Grants should begin April 1, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Academic Programs,
European Branch, E/AEE Room 246 U.S. Information Agency, 301 Th Street,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, (202) 205-0525, fax (202) 206-7985,
E.Mail: treed@usia.gov to request a Solicitation Package containing
more detailed information. Please request required application forms,
and standard guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific
criteria for preparation of the proposal budget.
TO DOWNLOAD A SOLICITATION PACKAGE VIA INTERNET: The entire
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://
www.usia.gov/education/rfps. Please read all information before
downloading.
TO RECEIVE A SOLICITATION PACKAGE VIA FAX ON DEMAND: The entire
Solicitation Package may be received via the Bureau's ``Grants
Information Fax on Demand System'', which is accessed by calling 202/
401-7616. Please request a ``Catalog'' of available documents and order
numbers when first entering the system.
Please specify USIA Senior Program Manager Mr. Ted Kniker, and
Program Associate Ms. Jaime Lofstrand on all inquiries and
correspondences. Interested applicants should read the complete Federal
Register announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.
Once the RFP deadline has passed, Agency staff may not discuss this
competition in any way with applicants until the Bureau proposal review
process has been completed.
SUBMISSIONS: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the
Solicitation Package. The original and 8 copies of the application
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/AEE-98-02, Office
of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 Th Street, S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20547.
Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic
status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to
adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program
administration and in program content. Please refer to the review
criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section for specific
suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total proposal. Public
Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of educational and
cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom
and democracy'', USIA ``shall take appropriate steps to provide
opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and
democracy leaders of such countries.'' Proposals should account for
advancement of this goal in their program contents, to the full extent
deemed feasible.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
The Bosnia Undergraduate Development Program is a one year
educational exchange that aims at bringing Bosnian students to study at
American universities or colleges in specified disciplines pertaining
to democracy, market economies, and civil society per the SEED funding
initiative.
Guidelines
Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations and the host
institutions are responsible for ensuring the 10-15 students' return to
Bosnia. Please refer to program specific guidelines (POGI) in the
Solicitation Package for further details.
Proposed Budget
Institutions desiring to host students from Bosnia must submit a
comprehensive line item budget based on the specific guidelines listed
in the Solicitation Package. ``Grants awarded to eligible organizations
with less than four years of experience in conducting
[[Page 51733]]
international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.''
Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire
program. There must be a summary budget as well as a break-down
reflecting both the administrative budget and the program budget. For
further clarification, applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for
each program component, phase, location, or activity in order to
facilitate USIA decisions on funding.
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 program office, as well as the USIA Office of East
European and NIS Affairs and the USIA post overseas, where appropriate.
Proposals may 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 assistance awards (grants or cooperative
agreements) 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. Strength of Academic Program: Proposals should exhibit academic
rigor and a demonstrated capacity to meet the participants needs.
2. Cost Effectiveness: Plans should indicate a high level of cost-
sharing and a competitive level of cost per individual student for the
USIA.
3. Ability to Provide Support Services: Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the advisement and support
needs of the international students.
4. Ability to Provide Support for Securing Internships: Proposed
programs should demonstrate that they can strengthen and reinforce what
has been learned in the classroom by aiding students in obtaining
internships for the summer session.
5. Ability to Provide Cultural Enrichment and Community Outreach
Opportunities: Proposals should demonstrate a commitment to planning,
implementing, and supporting the Bosnian students in participating in
cultural and community outreach programs.
6. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in program content (orientation and wrap-up
sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up
activities).
7. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs or a potential to
meet this standard. This includes responsible fiscal management and
full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Agency grants
as determined by USIA's Office of Contracts. The Agency will consider
the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential
of new applicants.
8. Ability for Institutions to Develop or Enhance Linkages with
Bosnian Institutions: Proposals should provide a plan for developing or
enhancing a relationship with Bosnian institutions.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may
not be modified by any 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 Agency reserves the right to reduce,
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Options for Renewals
Subject to the availability of funding for FY 1999 and the
satisfactory performance of grant programs, USIA may invite grantee
organizations to submit proposals of renewals of awards.
Notification
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.
Dated: September 25, 1997.
Robert Earle,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-25988 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
