[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51726-51728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26153]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
International Visitor Program
ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Office of International Visitors (E/V) of the United
States Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces a competition for an assistance award. Public and Private
nonprofit organizations not currently receiving Office of International
Visitors assistance awards and meeting the provisions described in IRS
regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may apply to develop programming for
projects of one to twenty-five International Visitors nominated by U.S.
Embassies abroad.
The intent of this announcement is to attract new organizations to
the International Visitor (IV) programming process. USIA is seeking new
organizations to provide diversity and an infusion of program
experience to the IV program. The winning applicant will function as a
national programming agency and will work closely with USIA staff
members who will guide and mentor the applicant through procedural,
budgetary or programmatic issues as they arise in a variety of
International Visitor projects. This experience is expected to build
the selected organization's capacity to compete for a continuing grant
in IV project administration.
USIA is seeking a qualified applicant to develop over the course of
fiscal year 1998 (October 1, 1997-September 30, 1998) the following
series of projects: 25 Individual Visitor projects, 6 Single Country
Projects (SCPs), 2 Regional Projects (RPs) and 1 Multi-Regional Project
(MRP).
The objective of the International Visitor Program is to increase
mutual understanding through communication and collaboration with
professional counterparts in the U.S. Participants are current or
potential foreign leaders in government, politics, media, education,
science, labor relations, and other key fields. They are selected by
American embassies abroad and approved by USIA in Washington, DC. Since
the program's earliest inception in 1941, more than 120,000
distinguished visitors have participated in the program, and over 155
program alumni have subsequently become heads of state or government in
their home countries.
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 Title and Number
All communications with USIA concerning this RFP should refer to
the announcement's title and reference number E/V-98-01.
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. Interested
applicants should read the complete Federal Register announcement
before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.
Bidders Conference
USIA will host a Bidder's Conference for this assistance award on
November 5, 1997 at a USIA location in Washington, DC. Substantive
questions about this RFP will be addressed at the conference.
Interested applicants are asked to submit questions by mail, fax, or e-
mail to the E/VC address given above. Questions must be received by COB
Friday, October 31, 1997. Details of the Bidders Conference will be
sent to responding applicants at a later date.
Submissions
Applicants must follow all instructions given in the Solicitation
Package. The original and 10 copies of the application should be sent
to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/V-98-01, Office of Grants
Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
Applicants must also submit the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette,
formatted for WordPerfect.
Deadline for Proposals
All copies must be received at the U.S. Information Agency by 5
p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Monday, December 1, 1997. Faxed or e-
mailed 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 by mid-January 1998.
To Request a Solicitation Package, Contact
The Office of International Visitors, Community relations Division,
E/VC, Room 266, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20547, Tel: (202) 619-5234, 1-800-827-0804; Fax: (202)
619-4655, E-Mail address: rfp@usia.gov (available October 14, 1997).
Please request required application forms, and standard guidelines
for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of
the proposal budget.
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
[[Page 51727]]
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. Pub. L. 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: Programs must maintain a non-partisan character.
Programs and awards must conform to all Agency requirements and
guidelines.
Guidelines: USIA seeks proposals from non-profit organizations for
development and implementation of professional projects for
approximately 100 USIA-sponsored International Visitors to the U.S.
Once the award is made, separate proposals will be required for each
group project [MRP, RP, and SCP], as well as less-formal proposals for
Individual Visitor projects. Each project will be focussed on a
substantive theme. Further information giving examples of some of these
program themes is included below and in the Solicitation Package.
Goals and objectives for all projects will be shared with the
winning applicant organization following the announcement of the
assistance award. Most projects will be 21 to 30 days in length. Most
projects will begin in Washington, DC, with an orientation and overview
of the issues and a central examination of Federal policies regarding
these issues. Well-paced project itineraries include programs in four
or five communities. Group and individual project itineraries will
ideally include urban and rural small communities in diverse
geographical and cultural regions of the U.S., as appropriate to the
project theme. Projects should provide opportunities for participants
to experience the diversity of American society and culture. Depending
on the size and theme of the project, the participants in Multi-
Regional or Regional group projects can be divided into smaller sub-
groups for simultaneous visits to different communities, with
subsequent opportunities to share their experiences with the full group
once it is reunited. Project may provide opportunities for the visitors
to share a meal or similar experience (home hospitality) in the home of
Americans of diverse occupational, age, gender and ethnic groups. Some
individual and group projects might include an opportunity for an
overnight stay (home stay) in an American home. The visitors should be
provided opportunities to address student, civic and professional
groups in relaxed and informal settings. For some projects,
``shadowing'' experiences with American professional colleagues may be
proposed. Visitors should have appropriate opportunities for site
visits and hands-on experiences that are relevant to project themes.
Projects should also allow time for participants to reflect on their
experiences, and in group projects, share observations with project
colleagues. Visitors should have opportunities to visit cultural and
tourist sites. Arrangements for community visits must be made through
affiliates of the National Council for International Visitors [NCIV].
[The NCIV is a national network of private citizen organizations
located in more than one hundred U.S. communities, which arrange local
programs for international visitors.] In cities where there is no such
council, the applicant organization will arrange for coordination of
local programs.
The applicant should demonstrate the potential to develop projects,
as described above, on a variety of program themes. The applicant is
expected to have e-mail capability to consult with USIA program
officers, and access to internet resources. USIA will provide close
coordination and guidance throughout the duration of the award.
For informational purposes only, the following outlines are
examples of project themes for multi-regional and regional projects. Do
not prepare proposals to administer these sample project themes as part
of your submission package.
1. Multi-Regional Project (World-wide participants; English-
speaking):
Globalization of Business and Markets. Project design would examine
the impact of ``globalization'' in business, markets, and communities.
The project will examine costs and benefits of the interconnected
global market, and its effect on international and domestic policies.
2. Regional Projects (from one continent or region; may include
interpretation):
Grassroots Democracy [American Republics]
Project design would provide participants with a greater
understanding of the U.S. political system and American social culture
in a democratic society. It would demonstrate how grassroots
organizations interact and communicate with federal, state and local
governments and explore the role and influence of grassroots
organizations on public policy decision-making at the local and
national levels.
Civic Education: Fostering Informed and Responsible Citizen
Participation in a Democracy [Africa]
Project would demonstrate how a public that is well-educated about
its civic rights and responsibilities, and which plays an active role
in public life, is the best guarantor of its own self-government.
Participants would encounter some of the key organizations involved in
educating U.S. citizens and in mobilizing effective citizen
participation in various aspects of the social and political process.
Visa Requirements
Particpants in individuals or group projects will travel on J-1
visas arranged by USIA. Projects must comply with J-1 visa regulations.
Please refer to program specific guidelines in the Solicitation Package
for further details.
Tax Requirements
Administration of the projects must be in compliance with reporting
and withholding regulations for federal, state, and local taxes as
applicable. Applicant organizations should demonstrate tax regulation
adherence in the proposal narrative and budget.
Budget
Applicant organizations are required to submit a comprehensive
line-item administrative budget in accordance with the instructions in
the Solicitation Package. A summary budget as well as a detailed budget
showing all administrative costs is required. Proposed staffing and
costs associated with staffing must be appropriate to the requirements
outline in the RFP and the remaining portion of the Solicitation
Package. The selected applicant will enter into close consultation on
budgetary matters with the responsible USIA program officer throughout
the implementation of projects, each one of which will have separate
budgets. Combined administrative and indirect costs proposed should be
reasonable. Cost sharing is encouraged.
[[Page 51728]]
The Agency is seeking proposals from organizations that are not
currently receiving administrative E/V project grants. Grants awarded
to eligible organizations with less than four years of experience in
conducting international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.
Since this RFP is for an award greater than $60,000 all applicants must
have four years of experience as stated. It is therefore incumbent on
organizations to demonstrate: a capacity for programming visitors from
all geographical regions of the world; proven fiscal management
integrity; and an ability to have close consultation with USIA staff
throughout project administration.
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 also be
reviewed by the E/V program officer, as well as one or more of USIA's
geographic area offices. 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. Quality of program design: Proposals should exhibit originality,
substance, precision, and be responsive to requirements stated in the
RFP and the 1998 Solicitation Package.
2. Program planning: A detailed and relevant work plan should
demonstrate substantive intent and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan
should adhere to the program overview and guidelines.
3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Proosals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the goals of the
International Visitor Program.
4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of
resources, program venue and program evaluation) and program content
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials
and follow-up activities).
5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
6. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements for any past Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office
of Contracts. The Agency will consider the past performance of prior
recipients and the potential of new applicants for effective program
administration. All applicants must demonstrate: a minimum of four
years in existence, with proven project management ability and
demonstrated fiscal soundness and accountability; a potential for
programming visitors from all geographic regions of the world; a
Washington, DC presence or ability to have consultations with USIA
staff on a regular basis (including face-to-face) throughout the
development of each group or Individual project.
7. Cost-effectiveness: The administrative and indirect cost
components of the proposal, including salaries, should be kept as low
as possible.
8. Cost-sharing: Consideration will be given to proposed cost-
sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional
direct funding contributions.
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.
Notification
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.
Dated: September 27, 1997.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director for Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-26153 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
