[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36095-36097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17417]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program
ACTION: Request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Programs of the United States
Information Agency's (USIA's) Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs announces an open competition for an assistance award. Public
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described
in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may apply for an assistance award to
provide administrative and program support services for the Israeli-
Arab Scholarship Program. Organizations having less than four years
experience in conducting international exchange programs may not
receive grants in excess of $60,000, and therefore are ineligible to
apply for this assistance award.
The Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program (IASP) is a congressionally
mandated and endowed program. The grant making authority for this
program is contained in Public Law 102-138, the ``Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993.'' The purpose of the
legislation is to establish ``a program of scholarships for Israeli-
Arabs to attend institutions of higher education in the United
States.'' The funding authority for the program is provided through the
legislation.
The Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program provides and opportunity for
highly qualified Israeli-Arab graduate students to attend institutions
of higher education in the U.S., providing them both a quality graduate
education and an opportunity to experience American democracy and
society.
Program administration involves performance of services in the
following broad categories: Program Planning and Management;
Recruitment/Selection Support Services; Placement and Budgeting
Services; Supervision and Support Services; Special Programs
Management; and Program Projection and Reporting Services.
Programs and projects must conform to Agency requirements and
guidelines
[[Page 36096]]
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/AEN-IASP98-01.
Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Thursday, July
31, 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 on or about October 1, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Near East/South Asian Programs
Branch, E/AEN, Room 212, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20547, telephone: 202-619-5368; fax: 202-205-2466
Internet address: lgtaylor@usia.gov, to request a Solicitation Package
containing more detail. 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 Program Officer Lydia Giles Taylor 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 ten (10) copies of the
application should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/AEN-
IASP98-01, Office of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547.
Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette,
formatted for DOS. This material must be provided in ASCII text (DOS)
format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. USIA will transmit
these files electronically to USIS posts overseas for their review,
with the goal of reducing the time it takes to get posts' comments for
the Agency's grants review process.
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 Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program (IASP), a congressionally
mandated and endowed program, is jointly administered by USIA's Office
of Academic Programs and the U.S. Information Service (USIS) in Tel
Aviv, Israel. Applicants are recruited, screened, and selected by USIS
Tel Aviv through a panel of host-country academics. USIA's Office of
Academic Programs is responsible for the allocation of funding and
policy administration. The award recipient will have responsibility for
supporting the selection process, placement of applicants at academic
institutions and day-to-day management of the program.
Guidelines
Program administration activities should cover the time period
October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998. The expected grantee
caseload for Fiscal year 1998 is projected as follows: 6 second-year
(renewal) grantees, 4 first-year (new) grantees, 6 new FY 1999
principals and 2 alternates.
Administrative Services for the Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program Must
Include
I. Program Planning and Management
Includes: Development of a Cadre of Cost-Sharing Institutions;
Development and Maintenance of a Financial Aid and Institutional
Network; Monitoring and Adjustment of Grantee Allowances; Establishment
and Maintenance of Grantee Statistical Database; Records Maintenance;
Review of Grant Agreement; and Recommendation of Program Adjustments or
Improvements.
II. Recruitment/Selection Support Services
Include: Materials Disbursement; Forecasting Costs; Preparing and
Distributing Grant Documents and Related Forms.
III. Placement and Budgeting Services
Include: Applications Review; Candidate Evaluation/Academic Program
Matching; Admissions Form Preparation/Submission; Estimation of
University Expenses; Preparation and Distribution of Individual Cost
Estimates; Finalization of Placements; Arranging Temporary Housing.
IV. Supervision and Support Services
Include: Oversight and Management of Grantees' Visa Status;
Management of Travel Arrangements/Allowances; Accident and Illness
Insurance Enrollment; Academic Monitoring; Processing of Grant
Renewals, Extensions and Transfers; Disbursement of Grant Benefits;
Management of Grantee Emergencies; Monitoring of Departure Plans.
V. Special Programs Management
Includes: English Language Evaluation: English Language/Orientation
Enrollment; Management of Professional Enhancement Stipend; Publication
and Distribution of Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program Newsletter;
Publication and Distribution of Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program
Handbook.
VI. Fiscal Management
Includes: Preparation and Distribution of Payments; Auditing
Payments and Tuition Bills; Reviewing Accounting System; Auditing
Internal Functions and Controls; Tax Assistance to Grantees;
Preparation and Submission of Financial Reports.
[[Page 36097]]
VII. Program Projection and Reporting Services
Include: Maintenance of Grant Records (computer and paper);
Preparation of Departure and Status Reports (computer and paper);
Preparation of Statistical Studies and Semester Reports; Preparation of
Subsequent Year Program Projections.
Proposed Budget
Organizations must submit a comprehensive line item budget based on
the specific guidance in the Solicitation Package. Total award may not
exceed $400,000.
Program costs are pre-determined and will be fixed at an amount
not-to-exceed $345,000. (USIA will provide a budget break-down of
program costs for inclusion in the proposal.) Administrative costs are
limited to $55,000.
Please Note: Organizations having less than four years experience
in conducting international exchange programs may not receive grants in
excess of $60,000, and therefore are ineligible to apply for this
assistance award.
Appicants 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.
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 program office, the USIA Office of North African, Near
Eastern, and South Asian Affairs and the U.S. Information Service Intel
Aviv, Israel. 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. Proposal Quality: Proposals should address all program
administration requirements set forth in the request for proposal and
PSI (POGI).
2. Plan of Operation: Proposal should clearly demonstrate how the
institution will manage program operations.
3. 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 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.
4. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve program
objectives.
5. Institutional Network: proof of existing network with U.S.
academic and international exchange community or demonstrated potential
to develop such a network.
6. Facilitation of Communications: Proposal should demonstrate the
organization's ability to maintain communication with grantees and to
put grantee in touch with each other. Particular emphasis should also
be placed on program coordination between USIA, USIS Tel Aviv and the
organization.
7. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in the program's administration e.g.,
selection of academic institutions and geographic distribution of
grantees.
8. Understanding of Program Impact: Proposal should address how the
organization views the Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program as
strengthening long-term mutual understanding.
9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the activity's success. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique
plus description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original
project objectives is recommended.
10. Cost-Effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components
of the proposal should be kept as low as possible. All other items
should be necessary and appropriate.
12. Cost-Sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
private sector support, e.g., from academic institutions. The plan
should reflect the organization's willingness and/or ability to secure
tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, and financial aid for IASP
grantees.
13. Value to U.S.--Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects
should receive positive assessments by USIA's geographic area desk and
overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance
in the partner country.
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: June 27, 1997.
David Whitten,
Acting, Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-17417 Filed 7-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
