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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51728-51731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25989]

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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

Program Title NIS Training Program: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and 
Moldova

ACTION: Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Russia/Eurasia Division of the Office of Citizen Exchanges 
of the United States Information Agency'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 to develop 
training programs. Grants are subject to the availability of funds.
    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.'' The funding authority for the 
program cited above is provided through the Fulbright-Hayes Act and the 
Freedom Support Act.
    Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and 
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package.
    Announcement Title and Number: All communications with USIA 
concerning this RFP should refer to the announcement's title and 
reference number E/PN-98-5.
    Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Friday, December 
12, 1997. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents 
postmarked by December 12, 1997, but received at a later date, will not 
be accepted.
For Further Information, Contact: The Russia/Eurasia Division, Office 
of

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Citizen Exchanges (E-PN), Room 224, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th 
Street, SW., Washington DC 20547, attn: Cassandra Barber, tel: (202) 
619-5327 and fax: (202) 619-4350, or Internet address: 
[email protected], to request a Solicitation Package which includes: 
proposal and budget guidelines and all application forms.
    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 Packager 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 Cassandra Barber on all 
inquiries and correspondence. 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 10 copies of the application 
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/PN-5-98, Office of 
Grant 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. Public Law 104-319 provides that 
``in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in 
counties 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

    USIA is interested in proposals that encourage the growth of 
democratic institutions in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. 
Exchanges and training programs supported by Office of Citizen 
Exchange's 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 responsibilities. Strong proposals usually have the 
following characteristics: an existing partner relationship between an 
American organization and an in-country institution in Russia, Ukraine, 
Belarus, or Moldova; 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 will be accomplished 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 grantee institution, as 
well as funding from third party sources.
    Unless otherwise specified below, project activity may include: 
internships; study tours; short-term training; consultations; and 
extended, intensive workshops taking place in the United States or in 
Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, or Moldova. Proposals should reflect the 
authors' understanding of the political, economic, and social 
environment in which the program activity will take place.
    We encourage applicants to design programs for non-English 
speakers. Programs can take place in the United States or in the four 
countries. With the exception of the Women's Leadership Training 
Project described below, we want single country programs, not programs 
that mix NIS participants together. USIA is interested in proposals 
whose designs take into account the need for ongoing sharing of 
information and training. Examples include: ``train the trainers'' 
models; support for training centers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus or 
Moldova; plans to create professional networks or professional 
associations to share information; and/or establishing ongoing internet 
communication
    USIA will give priority to proposals that respond to the following 
specific topics for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova.

For Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova

Women's Leadership Training
    Women must take their place in the political arena if democracy is 
to take root in these countries. USIA is interested in proposals that 
offer leadership training skills to women active in their own 
communities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus or Moldova. In Russia, the 
majority of program activity should not take place in Moscow, but 
rather focus on helping women in Russian regions. The focus of the 
training programs should be on how to identify priorities, organize and 
form coalitions, and to influence decision makers about issues and 
problems affecting the well-being of people in local communities. 
Proposals are not limited to a one-country focus, but may also address 
how to build networks among women's organizations in these four 
countries. Prospective grantee institutions should identify the NIS 
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 either in the NIS or in the 
United States. This activity is intended to follow up on issues 
addressed in the Vital Voices Conference held in Vienna from July 9-11. 
For more information on the conference, please see the Vital Voices 
Homepage at http://www.usia.gov/vitalvoices/ for more information.

For Russia

US-Based Internships for Russian Journalists and Media Managers
    USIA is interested in proposals for journalistic training and 
management for Russia regional media organizations (Moscow and St. 
Petersburg are excluded), and we particularly welcome proposals for 
Samara and surrounding regions and Khabarovsk. Journalistic training in 
basic skills and concepts could include; effective writing, 
investigative reporting, objectivity, the clear labeling of editorials 
and opinion pieces, intellectual property issues and ethics. Media 
management training (both print and electronic) should focus on 
management of media as a business; management techniques, desk top 
publishing, advertising, marketing, distribution, personnel, public 
relations, and the financial benefits and pitfalls of

[[Page 51730]]

journalistic advocacy. Radio internships would be especially welcome. 
USIS Moscow will coordinate selection of journalist with the grantee 
organization. Preference will be given to long-term internships for 
English speakers. The US program should be a practical, hands-on 
experience in an American media organization, not an academic course of 
study.
Distance Learning in the Field of Business Management
    USIA is interested in proposals that establish or expand distance 
learning programs in business and management at Russian universities or 
institutes outside of Moscow. The beneficiaries of such a program would 
be both students and professionals already working for enterprises. 
Specific programs could include the delivery of management and business 
content through e-mail, video or text-based internet. Travel to the 
United States by Russian providers and trips to Russia by American 
course organizers are essential. Proposals should address in detail: 
technical requirements for delivery of business/management content 
through distance learning mechanisms; training requirements for 
instructors and faculty on how to use the media, i.e., train the 
trainers; how appropriate print materials might be integrated with a 
distance learning approach, and; language of instruction issues. 
Proposals should show Russian institutional commitment (written letters 
of support) and tangible Russian cost-shares in the form of space, 
security, salaries, and support for visiting Americans such as local 
housing and transportation. Interested American organizations should 
plan trips to Russia of at least 2 weeks duration to get programs 
underway and to monitor progress. Short-term visits of a few days 
duration are discouraged. Grantee institutions are expected to consult 
closely with USIS Moscow on the development of this program. USIA is 
interested in a maximum utilization of low end technologies so that the 
project model might be replicated in other regions.
    Because of the complexity of this program, USIA will consider 
funding proposals in the $150,000-$200,000 range. See Project Funding 
section below for additional guidance on funding levels.

For Moldova

Creation of an Independent Broadcaster's Association
    USIA is interested in proposals that strengthen independent 
journalism in Moldova, specifically by assisting in the establishment 
of an independent broadcasters' association. An audio-visual council to 
govern broadcast media has recently been established, and the industry 
has recognized the need to establish an association to interact with 
the newly-formed industry regulator. In addition, the association could 
work to provide continued professional training and even attract 
advertising money to the industry. This project would help the 
association develop a statute and regulations, train a Moldovan staff 
to run the organization and create ties between Moldovan broadcasters 
and American broadcasters' associations.
    USIA envisions most of the project activity taking place in 
Moldova. Project organizers would assist in helping set up the 
association and educating Moldova broadcasts on what an association 
actually does. In-country training of several months in duration by 
American experts could be followed by a month-long visit to the US by 
3-4 Moldovans (who have demonstrated the potential to lead the effort) 
for further training and contact with American professional 
counterparts. A follow-up visit six months later by American trainers 
to ensure the effort has taken hold would be a natural third phase of 
the program.

Selection of Participants

    Proposals should describe clearly the type of persons who will 
participate in the program as well as the process by which participants 
will be selected. We recommend that programs with internships in the US 
include letters of commitment from host institutions, even if 
tentative. In the selection of foreign participants, USIA and USIS 
posts abroad retain the right to nominate all participants and to 
accept or deny participants recommended by grantee institutions. 
However, grantee institutions are usually asked by USIA to suggest 
names of potential participants. Priority will be given to foreign 
participants who have not previously traveled to the United States.

Visa Regulations

    Foreign participants on programs sponsored by the Office of Citizen 
Exchanges are granted J-1 Exchange Visitor visas by the American 
Embassy in the sending country.

Project Funding

    Since USIA grant assistance constitutes only a portion of total 
project funding, proposals should list and provide evidence of other 
sources of financial and in-kind support. Proposals with substantial 
private sector support from foundations, corporations, and other 
institutions will be considered highly competitive.
    Although no set funding limit exists, proposals for less than 
$80,000 will receive preference. Organizations with less than four 
years of successful experience in managing international exchange 
programs are limited to $60,000. Applicants are invited to provide both 
an all-inclusive budget as well as separate sub-budgets for each 
program component, 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.
    The following project costs are eligible for consideration for 
funding:
    1. International and domestic air fares; visas; transit costs; 
ground transportation costs.
    2. Per Diem. For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of 
using a flat $140/day for program participants or the published U.S. 
Federal per diem rates for individual American cities. For activities 
outside 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 $140/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 part of an 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 get 
these benefits.
    5. 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.

[[Page 51731]]

    6. Room rental, which 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 for each participant which is 
to be used for incidental expenditures incurred during international 
travel.
    10. All USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of a 
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 
per 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) per cent of the 
total requested from USIA. Proposals should show cost-sharing, both 
contributions from the applicant and from other sources.
    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 considered 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, as well as the USIA Office of East 
European and NIS Affairs and the USIA post overseas, where appropriate. 
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 (granted 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.

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 each of the 
countries. They 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. The substance of 
seminars, presentations, consulting, internships, and itineraries 
should be spelled out in detail. Responsibilities of in-country 
partners should be clearly described.

2. Institutional Capability

    Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate 
and appropriate to achieve the project's goals. The narrative should 
demonstrate proven ability to handle logistics. Proposal should reflect 
the institution's expertise in the subject area and knowledge of the 
conditions pertaining to it in Russia or Moldova.

3. Cost Effectiveness

    Overhead and administrative costs for the proposal, including 
salaries, honoraria, and subcontracts for services, should be kept low. 
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) per 
cent of the total requested from USIA. Proposals should show cost-
sharing, both contributions from the applicant and from other sources.

4. Support of Diversity

    Proposals should demonstrate the recipient's commitment to 
promoting the awareness and understanding of diversity throughout the 
program.

5. Project Evaluation

    USIA is results-oriented. Proposals must include a plan and 
methodology to evaluate the activity's success, both as the activities 
unfold and at the and of the program. USIA recommends that the proposal 
include a draft survey questionnaire and/or plan for use of another 
measurement technique (such as a focus group) to link outcomes to 
original project objectives. Award-receiving organizations/institutions 
will be expected to submit intermediate reports after each component is 
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may 
not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory information 
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. Organizations will be expected 
to cooperate with USIA in evaluating their programs under the 
principles of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, which 
requires federal agencies to measure and report on the results of their 
programs and activities.

Notification

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.

    Dated: September 25, 1997.
Robert L. Earle,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-25989 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
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