[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 169 (Thursday, September 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21386]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 1, 1994]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Airport Arrival Service in New York City
ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Advising and Student Services Branch of the United States
Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for an assistance award program. Public
and/or private non-profit applicants meeting the provisions described
in IRS regulation 501(c)(3) may apply to develop an airport reception
and assistance service based in New York City. The service would assist
U.S. Government-sponsored (including Fulbright scholars and students,
Humphrey Fellows, etc.) and non-sponsored international students,
scholars, exchange visitors, and participants in USIA's International
Visitor Program, arriving in New York City.
The applicant would provide a multilingual, trained staff to assist
international visitors with complex logistics and unexpected problems
which occur when arriving in a foreign country.
USIA anticipates awarding up to $60,000 to an applicant to provide
these services. Up to $29,000 will be devoted to assisting with up to
250 USIA International Visitor meets (i.e., flights, including groups
arriving on a single flight) from January 1-December 31, 1995. Up to
$31,000 will be devoted to assisting the maximum number of U.S.
Government-sponsored and non-sponsored international students,
scholars, and exchange visitors from June 15 to September 30, 1995.
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended,
Public Law 87-256, 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
Application Package. USIA projects and programs are subject to the
availability of funds.
ANNOUNCEMENT NAME AND NUMBER: All communication with USIA concerning
this announcement should refer to the above title and reference number
E/ASA-95-02.
DATES: Deadline for proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Friday, October 7,
1994. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents
postmarked on October 7, 1994, 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 Advising and Student Services Branch (E/ASA); room 349; U.S.
Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547;
telephone 202/619-5434, fax 202/401-1433, internet address
[email protected] to request an Application Package. The Application
Package includes detailed award criteria, all application forms and
guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for
preparation of the proposal budget. Please specify USIA Program
Assistant Brandon Grimes on all inquiries and correspondence.
Interested applicants should read the complete Federal Register
announcement before addressing inquiries or submitting their proposals
to USIA. Once the RFP deadline has passed the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs may not discuss this competition in any way with
applicants until after the Bureau proposal review process has been
completed.
ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the
Application Package and send only complete applications to: U.S.
Information Agency, Ref.: E/ASA-95-02, 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 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 race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-
economic status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle.
Overview
The Agency's long term goals for this program are to strengthen
ties and develop friendly relations between the people of the U.S. and
people of other countries. The Agency's short term goals are to enable
as many international students, scholars, and visitors as possible to
receive a positive first impression of the U.S. by facilitating a
smooth and trouble-free entry into this country.
Guidelines
USIA suggest that the proposal not exceed ten double spaced pages.
A model proposal would offer a comprehensive and flexible service which
would provide an accommodating and knowledgeable staff to ensure that
the arrival of international students, scholars, and visitors is
without difficulties.
The reception and assistance service should include, but not
necessarily be limited to, providing a multilingual, trained staff
available to meet visitors inside the custom and immigration areas to
assist them with declaration forms, baggage claims, messages, phone
calls, currency exchanges, connecting or missed flights, language
problems, local transportation, and emergency overnight accommodations.
The applicant should show evidence of ability to recruit and train
multilingual, professional staff (representing a wide range of
languages) and demonstrate knowledge of the field of international
education to be able to contact and communicate with the greatest
number of international visitors.
The applicant should demonstrate the ability to obtain access
inside the customs and immigration areas and provide comprehensive
services to the maximum number of international students, scholars, and
visitors. Prospective recipient would publicize service worldwide and
have the ability to receive arrival requests 365 days a year.
Proposed Budget
The applicant is required to submit a comprehensive line item
budget based on the specific guidance in the Application Package. The
grant award for this program will not exceed $60,000. Applicants are to
submit separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase,
location, or activity in order to facilitate USIA decisions on funding.
While separate component budgets are required, an all-inclusive budget
may be provided with each proposal.
Allowable costs for the program include the following:
(1) Partial Salaries and Benefits
(2) Local Staff Transportation
(3) Cost of Rent, Utilities, Expendable Supplies, Postage,
Communication, Printing and Duplicating
(4) Books and Periodicals
(5) Indirect Expense
Please refer to the Application Package for complete budget
guidelines.
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
Application Package. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be
reviewed the contracts office. 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 following criteria:
1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to Agency mission.
2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described
above.
3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and
plan.
4. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
5. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful program administration, 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.
6. 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 proposals include a draft survey
questionnaire or other technique plus description of a methodology to
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. Award-receiving
applicants/institutions will be expected to submit intermediate reports
after each project component is concluded or quarterly, whichever is
less frequent.
7. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.
8. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.
9. Language competency: Proposals should exhibit applicant's access
to multi-lingual personnel who can provide the greatest range of
translation assistance to incoming visitors.
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 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 December 1, 1994. Awards made will be subject to
the availability of funds and periodic reporting and evaluation
requirements.
Dated: August 24, 1994.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director, Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-21386 Filed 8-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
