[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2348]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 22, 1994]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Federalism in Russia Partnership Program
ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the United States
Information Agency's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs announces
an open competition for an assistance award program. Public or private
non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS
regulation 501(c)(3) may apply to develop training programs which
foster permanent professional and political partnerships between
Russian regional governments, institutions, political leaders and their
American counterparts. The program is designed to increase the
commercial, economic, educational, and political ties between Russia
and the United States at the regional level.
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Pub.
L. 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.''
The funding authority for the program cited above is provided
through the Freedom Support Act.
Projects must conform with Agency requirements and guidelines
outlined in the Application Package. USIA programs and projects are
subject to the availability of funds.
Announcement Name and Number: All communications with USIA
concerning this announcement should refer to the above title and
reference number E/PN-94-22.
DATES: Deadline for proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on December 7, 1994.
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked on
December 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:Office of Citizen Exchanges, E/PN Room
216, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC
20547, 202-619-5326 (phone number), 202-619-4350 (fax number), to
request an Application Package, which includes more detailed award
criteria; all application forms; and guidelines for preparing
proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of the proposal
budget. Please specify Ruth Fair Leeb, Program Specialist in the office
of Russia/Eurasian Programs, on all inquiries and correspondences.
Interested applicants should read the complete Federal Register
announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office of Citizen
Exchanges or submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed,
representatives from USIA may not discuss this competition in any way
with applicants until 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, Reference: E/PN-95-22, Office of Grants Management,
E/XE, Room 336, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing
legislation, projects 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
USIA is interested in proposals that further the development of
federalism in Russia at the regional level through the establishment of
long-term, comprehensive relationships between regional organizations/
institutions in the United States and their regional counterparts in
Russia.
Projects should examine the roles of national and regional
governments that exist in a federated system of government and focus on
the tasks, responsibilities, and obligations charged to each. General
program content will vary depending on the regions involved. Issues of
interest might include but are not limited to: The balance of power
between federal and regional governments; communication and
coordination between regional and federal governments; regional
economic development and management; and regional resource management
and environmental policy. Projects should reflect the issues shared by
the American and Russian regions.
Priority will be given to projects that produce tangible,
manageable results, i.e. a federalism curriculum for a Russian
institute/university, development of a regional association,
development of a center/institute within an existing Russian
institution to study regional issues, development of Russian and
American business/commercial links, etc.
The Office of Citizen Exchanges is not interested in projects that
are largely academic in nature (classroom lectures, structured course
work, participation in existing academic courses, etc.).
USIA encourages applicants to design creative projects involving
non-English speaking Russians for both in-country and U.S.-based
training. USIA is interested in proposals whose designs take into
account the need for the continued sharing of information and ongoing
training.
Priority will be given to those projects which include a resident
American in Russia for a duration of at least three months. Proposals
that include U.S. specialists with background in Russia and some
language will be given priority. Priority will also be given to those
projects which demonstrate concrete results at the end of program
activity (conference reports, ongoing exchanges, continued involvement
of grantee organization in Russia, etc.). The goal of the program is to
create working relationships between Russian and American officials in
areas of mutual interest in order to form permanent professional and
political partnerships between regional leaders and their respective
institutions.
Given the regional nature of the program, American universities
interested in submitting proposals are strongly encouraged to
collaborate with American national and regional professional
associations and organizations.
Geographic Focus
The following regions are the priority areas for the Federalism in
Russia Partnership Program:
Ural Mountain region; in particular the Chelyabinsk, Perm, and
Sverdlovsk oblasts.
The Volga Valley region; in particular the Samara, Saratov, and
Volgograd oblasts.
Southern Siberia; in particular the Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk, and
Tomsk oblasts.
Interested organizations are encouraged to include two or more
oblasts in the programmatic design of their proposal to increase its
multiplier effect, but to simplify logistics and administration,
prospective grantees are strongly encouraged to coordinate planning
with a single oblast administration. One assistance award will be
granted per region.
Programmatic Considerations
USIA will give careful consideration to proposals which
demonstrate:
In-depth, substantive knowledge of the issues related to
federalism in Russia.
Established relations with Russian regional institutions/
organizations and a demonstrated commitment to continue such
relationships following the conclusion of the grant period.
The capacity to organize, manage, and administer a program
of this magnitude on a regional level; including conducting
orientations for both American and Russian participants, arranging all
logistical aspects of the program, providing in-county support for
participants prior to and following the program.
Development of practical, written information in Russian
relevant to the interests of Russian regional and local officials.
A clear and detailed method for participant selection. The
proposal should clearly describe the type of person who will
participate and how that person will be selected. Grantee institutions
are expected to develop slates of candidates from which to choose the
final participants. USIS Moscow retains the right to accept or deny any
candidate recommended for participation by the grantee institution.
Also, USIS Moscow retains the right to suggest deserving individuals
for participation.
Consultations with USIS Moscow staff in the development of
a training program is strongly encouraged.
Projects must comply with J-1 visa regulations.
Materials Development
USIA encourages the development and use of written materials in
Russian to increase the impact of the program. US government funds, not
to exceed ten percent (10%) of the total grant award, may be used to
purchase and/or translate documents and materials and to purchase the
required software and hardware to achieve the goals of the project. In
developing written materials, consideration should be given to their
wider use, beyond the Federalism in Russian Partnership Program. USIA
is interested in the multiple use of training materials through their
dissemination to universities, libraries, and other organizations for
use by a larger audience.
Budget
The decision to submit a proposal should not be taken lightly.
Competition for USIA funding is always keen and this program is highly
competitive. A USIA grant award should constitute only a portion of the
total project funding. Proposals should list and provide evidence of
other anticipated sources of financial and in-kind support. USIA
requires that at least 50% of all outbound travel costs be provided by
the American partner organization(s) with non-federal funds. Russian
partner organizations will be expected to provide for lodging,
transportation, and interpreting for visiting American officials.
Additional cost-sharing is strongly recommended; it indicates a
commitment on the part of the prospective grantee institution to the
project.
Proposals for less than $175,000 will receive preference.
Organizations with less than four yeas of not-for-profit status are
limited to grants of $60,000.
All participants are covered under the terms of a USIA-sponsored
health insurance policy. The premium is paid directly to the insurance
company by USIA.
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 by the budget and contracts offices, as well as the USIA
Office of East European and NIS Affairs and the USIA post overseas,
where appropriate. 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.
Tchnically 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. Multiplier Effect: Proposed projects should strengthen long-term
mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and
establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages.
5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
6. Institution's Ability/Record: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange projects, 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.
7. Thematic and Area Expertise: Proposals should reflect the
institution's expertise in the subject area and should address the
specific issues of concern facing the countries involved in the
project.
8. Project Personnel: Personnel's thematic and logistical expertise
should be relevant to the proposed program. Resumes should be suited to
the specific proposal and no longer than two pages each.
9. Cross-Cultural Sensitivity: Proposals should show evidence of
sensitivity to historical, linguistic, and other cross-cultural
factors, as well as appropriate knowledge of the geographic area, and
should show how this sensitivity will be used in practical aspects of
the program, such as pre-departure orientations or briefing of American
hosts.
10. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for
continued follow-on activity (without USIA support) which insures that
USIA supported projects are not isolated events.
11. 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 proposal include a draft survey
questionnaire or other technique plus description of a methodology to
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. Award-receiving
organizations/institutions will be expected to submit intermediate
reports after each project component is concluded or quarterly,
whichever is less frequent.
12. Cost-Effectiveness/Cost-Sharing: 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.
13. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the
recipient's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of
diversity throughout the program. This can be accomplished through
documentation (such as a written statement or account) summarizing and/
or on-going activities and efforts that further the principle of
diversity within both the organization and the program activities.
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 March 6, 1995. Awards made will be subject to
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Dated: September 16, 1994.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director, Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-2348 Filed 9-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
