Training Programs in Central and Eastern Europe; Notice: Request for Proposals

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68331-68335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32640]



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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Training Programs in Central and Eastern Europe; Notice: Request 
for Proposals

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchange of the United States 
Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces an open competition for an assistance award. U.S. public and 
private non-profit organizations meeting the provision described in IRS 
regulation 26 CFR 1.501(C) may submit proposals to develop training 
programs. Grants are submit to the availability of funds.

Program Information

Overview

    USIA is interested in proposals that encourage the growth of 
democratic institutions in Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech 
Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, 
Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Exchanges and training 
programs supported by Office of Citizen Exchanges 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 responsibility. 
Strong proposals usually have the following characteristics: an 
existing partner relationship between an American organization and an 
in-country institution in one of the countries targeted in this 
announcement; 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 and continuing activity will be implemented 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 American and 
Central/Eastern European grantee institutions, as well as funding from 
third party sources.
    Unless otherwise specified below, project activities may include: 
internships; study tours; short-term training; consultations; and 
extended, intensive workshops taking place as a two-way exchange in the 
United States and in Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech 
Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, 
Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Proposals should reflect the 
applicants' understanding of the political, economic, and social 
environment in which the program activity will take place. Program 
designs based on a one-way exchange will be considered under 
circumstances where the proposal outlines an exceptional program.
    USIA is interested in proposals whose designs take into account the 
need for ongoing sharing of information, training and concrete plans 
for self-sustainability. Examples include: support for training centers 
in the target countries; plans to create professional networks or 
professional associations to share information; establishing ongoing 
Internet communication; and/or ``train the trainers'' models.
    USIA recommends that programs with a U.S. component include letters 
of commitment from host institutions, even if tentative. Letters of 
commitment from any in-country partners should also be provided. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with USIS offices 
regarding program content and partner institutions before submitting 
proposals. Award-receiving applicants will be expected to maintain 
contact with the USIS post(s) throughout the grant period.
    USIA will consider proposals that respond to the following country-
specific topics for the countries listed below. Themes have been 
developed in consultation with the Central and Eastern European USIS 
offices and USIA's Office of Eastern European and NIS Affairs.
    For the following project, priority will be given to single country 
proposals; however, proposals for projects in both Bosnia and Serbia 
will also be considered. A total of $500,000 has been set aside for 
both countries. $200,000 is for Bosnia. $300,000 is for Serbia, out of 
which $100,000 is designated for activities in Kosovo.
1. For Bosnia and Serbia
    INTERNET training for journalists.
    The goal of this project is to create Internet access in newsrooms 
of major media outlets (both print and broadcast) and to provide 
training from a U.S. expert or experts on how to include Internet-based 
information in local reporting. The program should include training on 
how to set up Web sites for newspapers and broadcast outlets. The U.S. 
team could also work with interested broadcasters to develop public-
service programs on the Internet. The project budget may include costs 
to cover equipment purchases and Internet access, if necessary.
    For the following project, priority will be given to proposals in 
the range of $160,000 to $210,000.
1. For Bosnia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Serbia Media Internships. 
Applicants must submit proposals that include all of the countries 
listed above.
    The development of a free and open media has been described as 
fundamental in the development of democratic societies in Central and 
Eastern Europe. USIA is looking for proposals that will provide media 
training for journalists and media managers. The program should include 
a week-long orientation, an internship program of approximately six 
weeks in small to medium-sized media organizations, and a three-day 
debriefing. Participants should be from print, radio and television. 
USIS posts reserve the right to nominate participants for the media 
internships. Please note the following requirements for individual 
posts:

BOSNIA: 6 participants
BULGARIA: 1 participant
MACEDONIA: 10 10 12 participants
SERBIA: 2 participants

    For the following six projects, priority will be given to proposals 
in the range of $80,000 to $120,000.
1. For Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia
    Reform of Court Administration. Applicants must submit proposals 
that include all of the countries listed above.
    Judicial reform has become increasingly important throughout 
Central Europe as governments, legal professionals, and concerned 
citizens recognize the need for a modern, efficient court system to 
keep pace with the social, economic, and political changes in their 
countries. Legal experts note that courts throughout the region are 
overburdened, inefficient, and unresponsive to citizens. This exchange 
should focus on promoting an independent judiciary in Central Europe by 
exposing judicial and legal practitioners from the five Central 
European countries listed above to U.S. court structures, to functions, 
practices and characteristics of the American judiciary, and to U.S. 
court management and administration practices. Two participants from 
each country--one lawyer and one judge, both fluent English speakers--
should spend approximately two weeks in the U.S. The first week should 
consist of training and the second week should be in a U.S. city other 
than Washington, where participants would visit courts at all levels, 
bar associations and prisons. In

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phase two of the program American experts would visit the five 
countries to address in more detail topics identified by the 
participants. Rather than expecting all members of the U.S. group to 
visit all five countries, we recommend that the American participants 
split up according to their expertise and the requests of the Central 
European hosts.
2. For Poland
    Strategic planning for universities.
    The concept of strategic planning for universities is just now 
developing in Poland. USIA welcomes proposals on how to use more 
effectively the universities' resources (financial, human, and 
physical) to implement their mission and reach their long-term goals. 
Project activities could include a country-wide workshop for Polish 
university rectors, vice rectors and deans on how to implement 
strategic planning. A second phase could consist of a U.S. program for 
a selected number of participants. The program should be geared to non-
English speakers. Priority will be given to proposals from U.S. 
institutions with existing links with Poland.
3. For Slovenia and Bosnia
    Intellectual Property Rights. Single and multi-country projects are 
eligible.
    Although some Central and Eastern European countries have made 
strides in upholding intellectual property rights, there remain 
significant problems regarding software piracy, illegal cable 
retransmission of satellite broadcasts, illegal photocopying of 
protected works, illegal reproduction of protected works for direct 
commercial gain, and intellectual property and the Internet. Proposals 
should focus on intellectual property rights (IPR), with a special 
concentration on copyright protection for films/videos, music 
recordings, computer software, and similar products subject to piracy. 
USIA is interested in proposals that help local organizations develop 
advocacy skills for intellectual property rights issues through 
training and consultations by American experts. Proposals might also 
provide expertise and training in how to set up indigenous NGOs in the 
field of Intellectual Property Rights that would have as their goal 
that of promoting the awareness and respect of Intellectual Property 
Rights. Participants should include: (1) government officials 
responsible both for drafting and enforcing laws and regulations; (2) 
lawyers, judges and distributors or licensing organizations involved 
with presenting and deciding infringement cases; and (3) press and 
media, to engage them in raising public consciousness about IPR 
protection.
4. For Bosnia, Poland and Lithuania
    Media Training for Government Spokespersons. Single and multi-
country projects are eligible.
    As governments in Central and Eastern Europe begin to communicate 
more openly with their citizens, the role of the government 
spokesperson takes on greater importance. USIA is interested in 
proposals that focus on public affairs and public information as they 
are handled by government institutions. Program activities should cover 
such topics as spokesperson skills and the government's responsibility 
to provide accurate, timely information to the public, especially to 
journalists. For the Polish participants, the emphasis should be on 
spokespersons for local government institutions.
5. For Slovakia
    Fundraising for universities.
    Universities in Slovakia are entirely funded by the national 
budget. Because any fees the universities may receive are taken by the 
central government, there is little to no incentive for universities to 
make money selling services. At the same time the government is under 
great pressure to provide a college education to more young people 
without increased budget resources for education. USIA is interested, 
therefore, in proposals that will assist Slovakian universities in 
developing a healthier funding base. Proposals should examine various 
strategies for universities to gain financial autonomy. Public-private 
financing of higher education and its legislative underpinning might 
also be discussed. Proposals should engage Slovak institutions with an 
interest in higher education. Participants might include university 
administrators; members of the national association of rectors, the 
Slovak Academic Information Agency, or other education-focused 
organizations; the Ministry of Education; and/or relevant members of 
parliament.
6. For Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, 
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, 
Slovakia, and Slovenia
    Fundraising for NGOs. Single and multi-country projects are 
eligible.
    Non-governmental organizations in Central and Eastern Europe have 
lessened their dependency on foreign donors and are beginning to raise 
money from in-country sources. USIA is interested in proposals that 
encourage local businesses to support community development. Proposals 
should demonstrate the benefits of corporate giving not only to worthy 
causes but to the businesses themselves. Proposals should offer 
fundraising training such as grant writing to non-governmental 
organizations. The reform of tax codes to encourage charitable 
donations by businesses and individuals could also be addressed.
    For the following project, priority will be given to proposals in 
the range of $60,000 to $100,000.
1. For Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, 
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, 
Slovakia, Slovenia
    Women's Leadership Training Programs. Proposals for single and 
multi-country projects are eligible.
    Proposals should offer leadership training skills to 
representatives of women's organizations who are active in their own 
communities. The focus of the training programs should be on how to 
identify priorities, organize and form coalitions and conduct advocacy 
training regarding specific issues important to local communities and 
regions. Media and public relations training could also be included. 
Proposals are not limited to a one-country focus but may address how to 
build networks among women's organizations in several countries. 
Prospective grantee institutions should identify the Central and 
Eastern European 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 in Central 
and Eastern Europe or in the United States. Applicants should consider 
developing action plans during the project so that activities may be 
continued after the expiration of the grant. USIA welcomes projects for 
non-English speakers and for participants outside of the capital 
cities.

Selection of Participants

    Successful applications should include a description of how 
participants will be recruited and selected. In the selection of 
foreign participants, USIA and USIS posts abroad retain the right to 
nominate participants and to approve or reject participants recommended 
by the grantee institution. Priority will be given to foreign 
participants who have not traveled to the United States.

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Visa Regulations

    Foreign participants on programs sponsored by the Office of Citizen 
Exchanges are granted J-1 Exchange Visitor visas by the U.S. Embassy in 
the spending country. All programs must comply with J-1 visa 
regulations. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for further 
information.

Budget Guidelines

    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000.
    Applicants are invited to provide both an all-inclusive budget as 
well as separate sub-budgets for each program components, 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.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    1. International and domestic air fares; foreign visa fees for 
outbound Americans; transit costs; ground transportation costs.
    2. Per diem. For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of 
using a flat $160/day for program participants or the published U.S. 
Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. For activities 
outside of 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 
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 $160/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 a part of the 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 
receive these benefits.
    5. Consultants. 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.
    6. Room rental. Room rental 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 may be provided to each 
participant to be used for incidental expenditures during international 
travel.
    10. All USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of 
the 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 as described in 
the 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) percent of the 
total requested from USIA. Proposals should show cost-sharing, 
including both contributions from the applicant and from other sources.
    Please refer to the Application Package for complete budget 
guidelines.
    Announcement Title and Number: All correspondence with USIA 
concerning this RFP should reference the above title and number E/P-99-
20.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, E/
PE, Room 220, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington, 
DC 20547, attn: Christina Miner, tel.: (202) 401-7342, fax: (202) 619-
4350, or Internet address: cminer@usia.gov, to request a Solicitation 
Package. The Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria, 
required application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard 
guidelines for proposal preparation. Please specify USIA Program 
Officer Christina Miner on all other inquiries and correspondence.
    Please 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 with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.
    To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at 
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 requested from the Bureau's ``Grants 
Information Fax on Demand System,'' which is accessed by calling 202/
401-7616. The ``Table of Contents'' listing available documents and 
order numbers should be the first order when entering the system.
    Deadline for Proposals: All proposal copies must be received at the 
U.S. Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Tuesday, 
February 23, 1999. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. 
Documents postmarked the due date but received on a later date will not 
be accepted. Each applicant must ensure that the proposals are received 
by the above deadline.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and twelve copies of the application should be 
sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/P-99-20, Office of Grants 
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. Pub. L. 
104-319 provide 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

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opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and 
democracy leaders of such countries.'' Proposals should reflect 
advancement of this goal in their program contents, to the full extent 
deemed feasible.

Year 2000 Compliance Requirement (Y2K Requirement)

    The Year 1000 (Y2K) issue is a broad operational and accounting 
problem that could potentially prohibit organizations from processing 
information in accordance with Federal management and program specific 
requirements including data exchange with USIA. The inability to 
process information in accordance with Federal requirements could 
result in grantees' being required to return funds that have not been 
accounted for properly.
    USIA therefore requires all organizations use Y2K compliant systems 
including hardware, software, and firmware. Systems must accurately 
process data and dates (calculating, comparing and sequencing) both 
before and after the beginning of the year 2000 and correctly adjust 
for leap years.
    Additional information addressing the Y2K issue may be found at the 
General Services Administration's Office of Information Technology 
website at www.itpolicy.gsa.gov.

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. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
program office, as well as the USIA Office of NIS and Eastern European 
Affairs and the USIA posts overseas, where appropriate. Eligible 
proposals will be forwarded to panels of USIA officers for advisory 
review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the General 
Counsel or by other Agency elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of USIA's 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. 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 the 
included countries. Objectives 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 and 
activities and an outline of the selection process. The substance of 
the seminars, presentations, workshops, consulting, internships and 
itineraries should be spelled out in detail. Responsibilities of in-
country partners should be clearly described. A plan for the 
recruitment and selection of participants should also be included.
2. Multiplier Effect/Impact
    Proposed programs should strengthen long-term mutual understanding, 
including maximum sharing of information and establishment of long-term 
institutional and individual linkages.
3. Support of Diversity
    Proposals should demonstrate substantive support of the Bureau's 
policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant features should be cited 
in both program administration (selections of participants, program 
venue and program evaluation) and program content (orientation and 
wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up 
activities).
4. Institutional Capacity
    Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate 
and appropriate to achieve the program or project's goals. The 
narrative should demonstrate proven ability to handle logistics. 
Proposals should reflect the institution's expertise in the subject 
area and knowledge of the conditions in the targeted country of 
counties.
5. Follow-on Activities
    Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity 
(without USIA support) ensuring that USIA supported programs are not 
isolated events.
6. Project Evaluation
    Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the program's success, 
both as activities unfold and at the end of the program. USIA 
recommends that the proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or 
other technique plus description and/or plan for use of another 
measurement technique (such as a focus group) to link outcomes to 
original project objectives.
7. Cost-Effectiveness and Cost Sharing
    Overhead and administrative costs in the proposal, including 
salaries, subcontracts for services and honoraria, should be kept low. 
Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector 
support as well as institutional direct funding contributions.

Authority

    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Pub. L. 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 above is provided through the Fulbright-Hays Act and Support 
for Eastern European Democracy Act (SEED).

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may 
not be modified by an 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.


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    Dated: November 28, 1998.
William B. Bader,
Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-32640 Filed 12-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M