[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68331-68335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32640]
[[Page 68331]]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Training Programs in Central and Eastern Europe; Notice: Request
for Proposals
SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchange of the United States
Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for an assistance award. U.S. public and
private non-profit organizations meeting the provision described in IRS
regulation 26 CFR 1.501(C) may submit proposals to develop training
programs. Grants are submit to the availability of funds.
Program Information
Overview
USIA is interested in proposals that encourage the growth of
democratic institutions in Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland,
Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Exchanges and training
programs supported by Office of Citizen Exchanges institutional grants
should operate at two levels: they should enhance institutional
relationships, and they should offer practical information to
individuals to assist them with their professional responsibility.
Strong proposals usually have the following characteristics: an
existing partner relationship between an American organization and an
in-country institution in one of the countries targeted in this
announcement; a proven track record of conducting program activity;
cost-sharing from American or in-country sources, including donations
of air fares, hotel and/or housing costs; experienced staff with
language facility; and a clear, convincing plan showing how permanent
results and continuing activity will be implemented as a result of the
activity funded by the grant. USIA wants to see tangible forms of time
and money contributed to the project by the prospective American and
Central/Eastern European grantee institutions, as well as funding from
third party sources.
Unless otherwise specified below, project activities may include:
internships; study tours; short-term training; consultations; and
extended, intensive workshops taking place as a two-way exchange in the
United States and in Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland,
Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Proposals should reflect the
applicants' understanding of the political, economic, and social
environment in which the program activity will take place. Program
designs based on a one-way exchange will be considered under
circumstances where the proposal outlines an exceptional program.
USIA is interested in proposals whose designs take into account the
need for ongoing sharing of information, training and concrete plans
for self-sustainability. Examples include: support for training centers
in the target countries; plans to create professional networks or
professional associations to share information; establishing ongoing
Internet communication; and/or ``train the trainers'' models.
USIA recommends that programs with a U.S. component include letters
of commitment from host institutions, even if tentative. Letters of
commitment from any in-country partners should also be provided.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with USIS offices
regarding program content and partner institutions before submitting
proposals. Award-receiving applicants will be expected to maintain
contact with the USIS post(s) throughout the grant period.
USIA will consider proposals that respond to the following country-
specific topics for the countries listed below. Themes have been
developed in consultation with the Central and Eastern European USIS
offices and USIA's Office of Eastern European and NIS Affairs.
For the following project, priority will be given to single country
proposals; however, proposals for projects in both Bosnia and Serbia
will also be considered. A total of $500,000 has been set aside for
both countries. $200,000 is for Bosnia. $300,000 is for Serbia, out of
which $100,000 is designated for activities in Kosovo.
1. For Bosnia and Serbia
INTERNET training for journalists.
The goal of this project is to create Internet access in newsrooms
of major media outlets (both print and broadcast) and to provide
training from a U.S. expert or experts on how to include Internet-based
information in local reporting. The program should include training on
how to set up Web sites for newspapers and broadcast outlets. The U.S.
team could also work with interested broadcasters to develop public-
service programs on the Internet. The project budget may include costs
to cover equipment purchases and Internet access, if necessary.
For the following project, priority will be given to proposals in
the range of $160,000 to $210,000.
1. For Bosnia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Serbia Media Internships.
Applicants must submit proposals that include all of the countries
listed above.
The development of a free and open media has been described as
fundamental in the development of democratic societies in Central and
Eastern Europe. USIA is looking for proposals that will provide media
training for journalists and media managers. The program should include
a week-long orientation, an internship program of approximately six
weeks in small to medium-sized media organizations, and a three-day
debriefing. Participants should be from print, radio and television.
USIS posts reserve the right to nominate participants for the media
internships. Please note the following requirements for individual
posts:
BOSNIA: 6 participants
BULGARIA: 1 participant
MACEDONIA: 10 10 12 participants
SERBIA: 2 participants
For the following six projects, priority will be given to proposals
in the range of $80,000 to $120,000.
1. For Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia
Reform of Court Administration. Applicants must submit proposals
that include all of the countries listed above.
Judicial reform has become increasingly important throughout
Central Europe as governments, legal professionals, and concerned
citizens recognize the need for a modern, efficient court system to
keep pace with the social, economic, and political changes in their
countries. Legal experts note that courts throughout the region are
overburdened, inefficient, and unresponsive to citizens. This exchange
should focus on promoting an independent judiciary in Central Europe by
exposing judicial and legal practitioners from the five Central
European countries listed above to U.S. court structures, to functions,
practices and characteristics of the American judiciary, and to U.S.
court management and administration practices. Two participants from
each country--one lawyer and one judge, both fluent English speakers--
should spend approximately two weeks in the U.S. The first week should
consist of training and the second week should be in a U.S. city other
than Washington, where participants would visit courts at all levels,
bar associations and prisons. In
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phase two of the program American experts would visit the five
countries to address in more detail topics identified by the
participants. Rather than expecting all members of the U.S. group to
visit all five countries, we recommend that the American participants
split up according to their expertise and the requests of the Central
European hosts.
2. For Poland
Strategic planning for universities.
The concept of strategic planning for universities is just now
developing in Poland. USIA welcomes proposals on how to use more
effectively the universities' resources (financial, human, and
physical) to implement their mission and reach their long-term goals.
Project activities could include a country-wide workshop for Polish
university rectors, vice rectors and deans on how to implement
strategic planning. A second phase could consist of a U.S. program for
a selected number of participants. The program should be geared to non-
English speakers. Priority will be given to proposals from U.S.
institutions with existing links with Poland.
3. For Slovenia and Bosnia
Intellectual Property Rights. Single and multi-country projects are
eligible.
Although some Central and Eastern European countries have made
strides in upholding intellectual property rights, there remain
significant problems regarding software piracy, illegal cable
retransmission of satellite broadcasts, illegal photocopying of
protected works, illegal reproduction of protected works for direct
commercial gain, and intellectual property and the Internet. Proposals
should focus on intellectual property rights (IPR), with a special
concentration on copyright protection for films/videos, music
recordings, computer software, and similar products subject to piracy.
USIA is interested in proposals that help local organizations develop
advocacy skills for intellectual property rights issues through
training and consultations by American experts. Proposals might also
provide expertise and training in how to set up indigenous NGOs in the
field of Intellectual Property Rights that would have as their goal
that of promoting the awareness and respect of Intellectual Property
Rights. Participants should include: (1) government officials
responsible both for drafting and enforcing laws and regulations; (2)
lawyers, judges and distributors or licensing organizations involved
with presenting and deciding infringement cases; and (3) press and
media, to engage them in raising public consciousness about IPR
protection.
4. For Bosnia, Poland and Lithuania
Media Training for Government Spokespersons. Single and multi-
country projects are eligible.
As governments in Central and Eastern Europe begin to communicate
more openly with their citizens, the role of the government
spokesperson takes on greater importance. USIA is interested in
proposals that focus on public affairs and public information as they
are handled by government institutions. Program activities should cover
such topics as spokesperson skills and the government's responsibility
to provide accurate, timely information to the public, especially to
journalists. For the Polish participants, the emphasis should be on
spokespersons for local government institutions.
5. For Slovakia
Fundraising for universities.
Universities in Slovakia are entirely funded by the national
budget. Because any fees the universities may receive are taken by the
central government, there is little to no incentive for universities to
make money selling services. At the same time the government is under
great pressure to provide a college education to more young people
without increased budget resources for education. USIA is interested,
therefore, in proposals that will assist Slovakian universities in
developing a healthier funding base. Proposals should examine various
strategies for universities to gain financial autonomy. Public-private
financing of higher education and its legislative underpinning might
also be discussed. Proposals should engage Slovak institutions with an
interest in higher education. Participants might include university
administrators; members of the national association of rectors, the
Slovak Academic Information Agency, or other education-focused
organizations; the Ministry of Education; and/or relevant members of
parliament.
6. For Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia,
Slovakia, and Slovenia
Fundraising for NGOs. Single and multi-country projects are
eligible.
Non-governmental organizations in Central and Eastern Europe have
lessened their dependency on foreign donors and are beginning to raise
money from in-country sources. USIA is interested in proposals that
encourage local businesses to support community development. Proposals
should demonstrate the benefits of corporate giving not only to worthy
causes but to the businesses themselves. Proposals should offer
fundraising training such as grant writing to non-governmental
organizations. The reform of tax codes to encourage charitable
donations by businesses and individuals could also be addressed.
For the following project, priority will be given to proposals in
the range of $60,000 to $100,000.
1. For Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia,
Slovakia, Slovenia
Women's Leadership Training Programs. Proposals for single and
multi-country projects are eligible.
Proposals should offer leadership training skills to
representatives of women's organizations who are active in their own
communities. The focus of the training programs should be on how to
identify priorities, organize and form coalitions and conduct advocacy
training regarding specific issues important to local communities and
regions. Media and public relations training could also be included.
Proposals are not limited to a one-country focus but may address how to
build networks among women's organizations in several countries.
Prospective grantee institutions should identify the Central and
Eastern European local organizations and individuals with whom they are
proposing to collaborate and describe in detail previous cooperative
programming and contacts. Program activity may take place in Central
and Eastern Europe or in the United States. Applicants should consider
developing action plans during the project so that activities may be
continued after the expiration of the grant. USIA welcomes projects for
non-English speakers and for participants outside of the capital
cities.
Selection of Participants
Successful applications should include a description of how
participants will be recruited and selected. In the selection of
foreign participants, USIA and USIS posts abroad retain the right to
nominate participants and to approve or reject participants recommended
by the grantee institution. Priority will be given to foreign
participants who have not traveled to the United States.
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Visa Regulations
Foreign participants on programs sponsored by the Office of Citizen
Exchanges are granted J-1 Exchange Visitor visas by the U.S. Embassy in
the spending country. All programs must comply with J-1 visa
regulations. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for further
information.
Budget Guidelines
Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be
limited to $60,000.
Applicants are invited to provide both an all-inclusive budget as
well as separate sub-budgets for each program components, phase,
location, or activity in order to facilitate USIA decisions on funding.
While a comprehensive line item budget based on the model in the
Solicitation Package must be submitted, separate component budgets are
optional.
Allowable costs for the program include the following:
1. International and domestic air fares; foreign visa fees for
outbound Americans; transit costs; ground transportation costs.
2. Per diem. For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of
using a flat $160/day for program participants or the published U.S.
Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. For activities
outside of the U.S., the published Federal per diem rates must be used.
Note: U.S. escorting staff must use the published Federal per
diem rates, not the flat rate. Per diem rates may be accessed at
http://www.policyworks.gov/.
3. Interpreters. If needed, interpreters for the U.S. program are
provided by the U.S. State Department Language Services Division.
Typically, a pair of simultaneous interpreters is provided for every
four visitors who need interpretation. USIA grants do not pay for
foreign interpreters to accompany delegations from their home country.
Grant proposal budgets should contain a flat $160/day per diem for each
Department of State interpreter, as well as home-program-home air
transportation of $400 per interpreter plus any U.S. travel expenses
during the program. Salary expenses are covered centrally and should
not be a part of the applicant's proposed budget.
4. Book and cultural allowance. Participants are entitled to and
escorts are reimbursed a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per
person, plus a participant book allowance of $50. U.S. staff do not
receive these benefits.
5. Consultants. Consultants may be used to provide specialized
expertise or to make presentations. Daily honoraria generally do not
exceed $250 per day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in
which case the written agreement between the prospective grantee and
subcontractor should be included in the proposal.
6. Room rental. Room rental should not exceed $250 per day.
7. Materials development. Proposals may contain costs to purchase,
develop and translate materials for participants.
8. One working meal per project. Per capita costs may not exceed
$5-$8 for a lunch and $14-$20 for a dinner, excluding room rental. The
number of invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a
factor of two-to-one.
9. A return travel allowance of $70 may be provided to each
participant to be used for incidental expenditures during international
travel.
10. All USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of
the USIA-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by USIA
directly to the insurance company.
11. Administrative Costs. Other costs necessary for the effective
administration of the program including salaries for grant organization
employees, benefits and other direct and indirect costs as described in
the detailed instructions in the application package. While this
announcement does not proscribe a rigid ratio of administrative to
program costs, in general, priority will be given to proposals whose
administrative costs are less than twenty-five (25) percent of the
total requested from USIA. Proposals should show cost-sharing,
including both contributions from the applicant and from other sources.
Please refer to the Application Package for complete budget
guidelines.
Announcement Title and Number: All correspondence with USIA
concerning this RFP should reference the above title and number E/P-99-
20.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, E/
PE, Room 220, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington,
DC 20547, attn: Christina Miner, tel.: (202) 401-7342, fax: (202) 619-
4350, or Internet address: cminer@usia.gov, to request a Solicitation
Package. The Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria,
required application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard
guidelines for proposal preparation. Please specify USIA Program
Officer Christina Miner on all other inquiries and correspondence.
Please 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 with applicants
until the proposal review process has been completed.
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 requested from the Bureau's ``Grants
Information Fax on Demand System,'' which is accessed by calling 202/
401-7616. The ``Table of Contents'' listing available documents and
order numbers should be the first order when entering the system.
Deadline for Proposals: All proposal copies must be received at the
U.S. Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Tuesday,
February 23, 1999. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time.
Documents postmarked the due date but received on a later date will not
be accepted. Each applicant must ensure that the proposals are received
by the above deadline.
Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation
Package. The original and twelve copies of the application should be
sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/P-99-20, Office of Grants
Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 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. Pub. L.
104-319 provide 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
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opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and
democracy leaders of such countries.'' Proposals should reflect
advancement of this goal in their program contents, to the full extent
deemed feasible.
Year 2000 Compliance Requirement (Y2K Requirement)
The Year 1000 (Y2K) issue is a broad operational and accounting
problem that could potentially prohibit organizations from processing
information in accordance with Federal management and program specific
requirements including data exchange with USIA. The inability to
process information in accordance with Federal requirements could
result in grantees' being required to return funds that have not been
accounted for properly.
USIA therefore requires all organizations use Y2K compliant systems
including hardware, software, and firmware. Systems must accurately
process data and dates (calculating, comparing and sequencing) both
before and after the beginning of the year 2000 and correctly adjust
for leap years.
Additional information addressing the Y2K issue may be found at the
General Services Administration's Office of Information Technology
website at http://www.itpolicy.gsa.gov.
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. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the
program office, as well as the USIA Office of NIS and Eastern European
Affairs and the USIA posts overseas, where appropriate. Eligible
proposals will be forwarded to panels of USIA officers for advisory
review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the General
Counsel or by other Agency elements. Final funding decisions are at the
discretion of USIA's 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. Program Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives
Program objectives should be stated clearly and precisely and
should reflect the applicant's expertise in the subject area and the
region. Objectives should respond to the priority topics in this
announcement and should relate to the current conditions in the
included countries. Objectives should be reasonable and attainable. A
detailed work plan should explain step by step how objectives will be
achieved, including a timetable for completion of major tasks and
activities and an outline of the selection process. The substance of
the seminars, presentations, workshops, consulting, internships and
itineraries should be spelled out in detail. Responsibilities of in-
country partners should be clearly described. A plan for the
recruitment and selection of participants should also be included.
2. Multiplier Effect/Impact
Proposed programs should strengthen long-term mutual understanding,
including maximum sharing of information and establishment of long-term
institutional and individual linkages.
3. 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 (selections of participants, program
venue and program evaluation) and program content (orientation and
wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up
activities).
4. Institutional Capacity
Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate
and appropriate to achieve the program or project's goals. The
narrative should demonstrate proven ability to handle logistics.
Proposals should reflect the institution's expertise in the subject
area and knowledge of the conditions in the targeted country of
counties.
5. Follow-on Activities
Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity
(without USIA support) ensuring that USIA supported programs are not
isolated events.
6. Project Evaluation
Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the program's success,
both as activities unfold and at the end of the program. USIA
recommends that the proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or
other technique plus description and/or plan for use of another
measurement technique (such as a focus group) to link outcomes to
original project objectives.
7. Cost-Effectiveness and Cost Sharing
Overhead and administrative costs in the proposal, including
salaries, subcontracts for services and honoraria, should be kept low.
Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector
support as well as institutional direct funding contributions.
Authority
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Pub. L. 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 funding authority for the
program above is provided through the Fulbright-Hays Act and Support
for Eastern European Democracy Act (SEED).
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 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.
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Dated: November 28, 1998.
William B. Bader,
Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-32640 Filed 12-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
