[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21054-21056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9731]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE


Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; 
Anti-Crime Training and Technical Assistance Program (ACTTA)

[Public Notice 3292]

AGENCY: Office of Europe, NIS, and Training; Bureau for International 
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, State.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: State Department's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law 
Enforcement Affairs (INL) developed the Anti-Crime Training and 
Technical Assistance program (ACTTA) in 1994 to bring U.S. Federal law 
enforcement agencies together to provide training and technical 
assistance in consultation with their counterparts throughout the 
world. Training continues to focus on combating transnational organized 
crime, financial crimes, and narcotics trafficking. The goal of the 
program is to increase the professionalism and develop the technical 
capabilities of foreign law enforcement institutions to combat 
organized crime and to ensure that through international law 
enforcement cooperation, U.S. agencies and their foreign counterparts 
succeed in intercepting the movement of transnational organized 
criminal elements in the United States.
    The ACTTA program continues to include the participation of non-
Federal agencies (e.g., universities, non-profit organizations) in the 
design and implementation of scientific evaluations of these programs. 
This non-Federal component of the ACTTA program has a timeframe of 
2000-2002.

DATES: Strict deadlines for submission to the FY 2000 process are: A 
full proposal must be received at INL no later than Wednesday, May 31. 
A letter of intent will not be required. We anticipate that review of 
full proposals will occur during June 2000 and funding should begin 
during September 2000 for most approved projects.
    September 1, 2000 should be used as the proposed start date on the 
proposal, unless otherwise directed by a program manager. Applicants 
should be notified of their status within 3 months of submission 
deadline. The proposal must be submitted in accordance with the 
guidelines below. Failure to heed these guidelines may result in the 
proposal being returned without review.

ADDRESSES: The proposal may be submitted to: U.S. Department of State, 
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Navy 
Hill South, 2430 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20520, Attn: Linda Gower.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Gower at above address, TEL: 
202-776-8774, FAX: 202-776-8775, or Thom Browne at above address, TEL: 
202-736-4662, FAX: 202-647-6962.
    Once the RFA deadline has passed, DOS staff may not discuss 
competition in any way with applicants until the proposal review 
process has been completed.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Funding Availability

    This Program Announcement is for one project to be conducted by 
agencies/programs outside the Federal government, over a period of up 
to two years. The actual funding level will depend upon availability of 
funds. Current plans are for up to a total of $800,000 to be available 
for one new ACTTA award. The funding instrument for this award will be 
a grant or a cooperative agreement. Funding for non-U.S. institutions 
and contractual arrangements for services and products for delivery to 
INL are not available under this announcement. Matching share, though 
encouraged, is not required by this program. No proposal should exceed 
a total cost of $800,000.

Program Authority

    Authority: Section 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, 
as amended.

Program Objectives

    The goal of the ACTTA program is to increase the technical 
capabilities of foreign country law enforcement institutions to control 
organized crime,

[[Page 21055]]

combat corruption, institute democratic practices, and to ensure that 
through international law enforcement cooperation, U.S. agencies 
succeed in intercepting the movement of transnational organized 
criminal elements into the U.S. and throughout the world.
    The program objectives of the ACTTA program are: (1) Combat the 
growing threat to U.S. national security posed by the broad range of 
organized crime activities, (2) help emerging democracies strengthen 
their national and law enforcement institutions to counter illegal 
criminal activities, (3) help emerging democracies develop laws and 
prosecutorial frameworks to counter organized crime activities, and (4) 
provide foreign law enforcement institutions with the skills to detect, 
arrest, and prosecute major transnational criminal offenders.

Program Priorities

    The FY 2000 ACTTA Program Announcement invites program evaluation 
design proposals for the following program priority:
    (1) Program evaluation (process and impact) of USG-funded 
international law enforcement training academies.
    For the purpose of this announcement, the International Law 
Enforcement Academy in Bangkok, Thailand will be the focus of the 
program evaluation. Applicants should propose technical designs 
(measurements and comparisons) to be used in evaluating the training 
academy and test those designs by collecting data on the program's 
performance. Applicants should identify and apply the appropriate 
evaluation methodologies and research designs, construct and field 
test/validate a survey instrument, compile written survey protocols, 
train interviewers as necessary, perform extensive survey related tasks 
and perform the appropriate survey follow up, analyze raw data for 
significance, and develop a final report of results and 
recommendations.
    Any grant applicants who will be working with counterpart research 
institutions/universities to implement the proposed assessment or 
evaluation programs may sub-grant or sub-contract services to assist in 
fulfilling program objectives.

Eligibility

    Eligibility is limited to non-Federal agencies and organizations. 
Proposers are urged to seek collaboration with counterpart research 
institutions/universities either in the U.S. or overseas. Experience of 
U.S. evaluators related to conducting criminal justice evaluations in 
international settings is required. Universities and non-profit 
organizations are included among entities eligible for funding under 
this announcement. Direct funding for non-U.S. institutions is not 
available under this announcement.

Evaluation Criteria

    Consideration for financial assistance will be given to those 
proposals which address the Program Priority identified above and meet 
the following evaluation criteria:
    (1) Relevance (15%): Importance and relevance to the goal and 
objectives of the ACTTA program identified above.
    (2) Methodology (25%): Adequacy of the proposed approach and 
activities, including development of relevant experimental evaluation 
designs, project milestones, and final products.
    (3) Readiness (25%): Relevant history and experience in conducting 
program evaluations of training-related programs (primarily in an 
international setting), strength of proposed evaluation teams, past 
performance record of proposers.
    (4) Linkages (20%): Connections to existing law enforcement 
agencies and/or counterpart research institutions/universities in the 
target country outlined in the Program Priority above.
    (5) Costs (15%): Adequacy/efficiency of the proposed resources; 
appropriate share of total available resources.

Selection Procedures

    All proposals will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the 
assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria by independent peer 
panel review composed of INL and other Federal USG agency experts. The 
panel's recommendations and evaluations will be considered by the 
program manager in the final selection. Those ranked by the panel and 
program manager as not recommended for funding will not be given 
further consideration and will be notified of non-selection. For the 
proposals rated for possible funding, the program manager will: (a) 
Ascertain which proposals meet the objectives and fit the criteria 
posted; (b) select the proposal to be funded; (c) determine the total 
duration of funding for the proposal; and (d) determine the amount of 
funds available for the proposal.
    Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal 
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.

Proposal Submission

    The guidelines for proposal preparation provided below are 
mandatory. Failure to heed these guidelines may result in proposals 
being returned without review.
(a) Full Proposals
    (1) Proposals submitted to INL must include the original and three 
unbound copies of the proposal. (2) Program descriptions must be 
limited to 20 pages (numbered), not including budget, personal vitae, 
letters of support and all appendices, and should be limited to funding 
requests for one to two years duration. Federally mandated forms are 
not included within the page count. (3) Proposals should be sent to INL 
at the above address. (4) Facsimile transmissions of full proposals 
will not be accepted.
(b) Required Elements
    (1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the 
Project Director (PD) and the institutional representative. The PD and 
institutional representative should be identified by full name, title, 
organization, telephone number and address. The total amount of Federal 
funds being requested should be listed for each budget period.
    (2) Abstract: An abstract must be included and should contain an 
introduction of the problem, rationale and a brief summary of work to 
be completed. The abstract should appear as a separate page, headed 
with the proposal title, institution(s) name, investigator(s), total 
proposed cost and budget period.
    (3) Prior program evaluation experience: A summary of prior 
evaluation experience (especially those related to training programs) 
should be described, including evaluations related to program 
priorities identified above and/or conducted in foreign countries. 
Reference to each prior program evaluation award should include the 
title, agency, award number, period of award and total award. The 
section should be a brief summary and should not exceed two pages 
total.
    (4) Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely 
described, including identification of the problem, project objectives, 
proposed evaluation methodology, relevance to the goal and objectives 
of the ACTTA program, and the program priority listed above. Benefits 
of the proposed project to U.S. anti-crime efforts should be discussed. 
A year-by-year summary of proposed work must be included clearly 
indicating that each year's proposed work is severable and can easily 
be separated into annual increments of meaningful work. The statement 
of work, including figures and other visual materials, must not exceed 
20 pages of length.

[[Page 21056]]

    (5) Budget: Applicants must submit a Standard form 424 (4-92) 
``Application for Federal Assistance,'' including a detailed budget 
using the Standard Form 424a (4-92), ``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs.'' The proposal must include total and annual 
budgets corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement 
of work.
    Additional text to justify expenses should be included (i.e., 
salaries and benefits by each proposed staff person; direct costs such 
as travel (airfare, per diem, miscellaneous travel costs); equipment, 
supplies, contractual, and indirect costs). Indicate if indirect rates 
are DCAA or other Federal agency approved or proposed rates and provide 
a copy of the current rate agreement. In addition, furnish the same 
level of information regarding sub-grantee costs, if applicable, and 
submit a copy of your most recent A-110 audit report.
    (6) Vitae: Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each 
proposal. Vitae for each project staff person should not exceed three 
pages in length.
(c) Other Requirements
    Primary Applicant Certification--All primary applicants must submit 
a completed Form CD-511, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying.'' Applicants are also hereby notified of the 
following:
    1. Non procurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, section 105) are subject to 
15 CFR Part 26, ``Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension,'' and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    2. Drug Free Workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Government 
wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related 
section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants of more than $100,000; and
    4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures--Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit SFLLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B.

Lower Tier Certifications

    (1) Recipients must require applicants/bidders for sub-grants or 
lower tier covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, 
if applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower 
Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure Form SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to Department of State 
(DOS). SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or sub-recipient should 
be submitted to DOS in accordance with the instructions contained in 
the award document.
    (2) Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all applicable 
Federal laws and Federal and Department of State policies, regulations, 
and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
    (3) Pre-award Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that 
may have been received, there is no obligation to the applicant on the 
part of Department of State to cover pre-award-costs.
    (4) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular No. 
A-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other 
Non-Profit Organizations,'' OMB Circular No. A-133, ``Audits of 
Institutions of Higher Education and Other Non-Profit Institutions,'' 
and 15 CFR Part 24, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' as 
applicable. Applications under this program are not subject to 
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    (5) All non-profit applicants are subject to a name check review 
process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key individuals 
associate with the applicant have been convicted of, or are presently 
facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or other matters 
which significantly reflect on the applicant's management, honesty, or 
financial integrity.
    (6) A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    (7) No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has 
an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
    (i) The delinquent account is paid in full,
    (ii) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least 
one payment is received, or
    (iii) Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of State 
are made.
    (8) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are 
reminded that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased with 
funding provided under this program must be American-made to the 
maximum extent feasible.
    (9) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total 
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less.
    (d) If an application is selected for funding, the Department of 
State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in 
connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or 
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the 
Department of State.
    (e) In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person 
on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability 
shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of or be 
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving 
assistance from the INL IDR program.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB control number. The standard forms have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act under OMB approval number 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 
and 0348-0046.
    Classification: This notice has been determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: April 12, 2000.
Thomas M. Browne, Jr.,
Deputy Director, Office of Europe, NIS, and Training, Bureau of 
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 00-9731 Filed 4-18-00; 8:45 am]
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