[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-6466] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: March 17, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY Enrichment Programs for International Students in the New York City Metropolitan Area AGENCY: United States Information Agency. ACTION: Notice--request for proposals. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Information Agency seeks applications from non-profit organizations in the New York metropolitan area to coordinate and implement programs which enhance the experience of self-sponsored international students attending colleges and universities in the New York City area. The organization will develop programs that serve to familiarize international students with New York City's complex cultural, political, and ethnic structures, and provide a bridge between the campus environment and American communities. USIA anticipates awarding up to $35,000 for the implementation and coordination of these programs. This amount may augment functions currently provided to international students by educational and other institutions. DATES: Deadline for proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on April 15, 1994. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked on April 15, 1994 but received at a later date. It is the responsibility of each grant applicant to ensure that proposals are received by the above deadlines. The duration of the grant will be July 1, 1994 through June 30, 1995. No funds may be expended until the grant agreement is signed. ADDRESSES: The original and 15 copies of the completed application, including required forms, should be submitted by the deadline to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/ASA-92-02, Office of Grants Management, E/ XE, 301 4th Street SW., room 336, Washington, DC 20547. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested organizations should contact Shirley Graham at the U.S. Information Agency, Advising and Student Services Branch (E/ASA), Room 349, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547; telephone: (202) 619- 5435 to request detailed application packets, which include award criteria additional to this announcement, all necessary forms, and guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific budget preparation information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a nonpolitical character and should be balanced and representative of the diversity of American political, social and cultural life. Overall authority for these programs is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Public Law 87-256 (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 all Agency requirements and guidelines and are subject to final review by the USIA contracting officer. Overview Through a grant to a non-profit organization in the New York city metropolitan area, USIA seeks programs that would enable self-sponsored international students to experience the United States: Its history, culture, values, policies and lifestyles. Self-sponsored international students should be provided an opportunity to utilize the city's resources productively; and to take an active role in city life. To understand more fully American life and culture, students must be provided the opportunity to become personally involved with and understand ``typical'' American activities such as volunteerism, observance of national and religious holidays, and cultural and sports events. In addition, self-sponsored international students should be encouraged to share their culture and knowledge with American students at all levels. Also important are programs which introduce foreign students to the U.S. government structure, the electoral process, the U.S. economy, business culture and trade issues, environmental protection, the arts and American cultural heritage. A variety of approaches such as workshops, home hospitability, and community outreach programs may be utilized. Enrichment programs should be designed not only to enhance international students' understanding of America's cultural and ethnic diversity, but they should also enable the students to teach Americans their own cultural, ethnic, political, and social diversity, thereby promoting mutual understanding and long-term friendships. This multicultural component can be met by emphasizing interaction-- interpersonal, intercultural communication--between students and American citizens. Another focus of this program could be to identify international students having leadership potential whose experience in this program could make a substantial contribution to mutual understanding and communication between the U.S. and their home countries in the future. In this regard, workshops to develop such leadership skills as public speaking and conflict resolution for future international leaders should be included in the program. Organizations must provide a program outline demonstrating their ability to enlist the participation of informed lecturers, keynote speakers, and/or recognized experts whose credentials and experience are evidence of in-depth knowledge of workshop topics. Guidelines Proposals should include a listing of names and titles, of the executive officer(s) of the organization and of the person(s) directly responsible for the project. Resumes or curriculum vitae of key personnel should be provided. Organizations should demonstrate the ability to recruit and maintain the necessary cadre of volunteers required to participate in program events. Proposed Budget Organizations must submit a comprehensive line-item budget for which specific details are available in the application packet. Budget will not exceed $35,000. Cost sharing is encouraged. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. The recipient must maintain written records to support all allowable costs which are claimed as being its contribution to cost participation, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110, Attachment E. Cost sharing and matching should be described in the proposal. In the event the recipient does not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the recipient's budget, the Agency's contribution will be reduced in proportion to the recipient's contribution. The recipient's proposal shall include the cost of an audit that: (1) Complies with the requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and other Nonprofit Institutions; (2) complies with the requirements of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) No. 92-9; and (3) includes review by the recipient's independent auditor of a recipient-prepared supplemental schedule of indirect cost rate computation, if such rate is being proposed. The audit costs shall be identified separately for: (1) Preparation of basic financial statements and other accounting services; and (2) preparation of the supplemental reports and schedules required by OMB Circular No. A-133 AICPA SOP 92-9, and the review of the supplemental schedule of indirect cost rate computation. 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 established herein and in the application packet. 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. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Agency's Office of General Counsel. Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grant awards resides with USIA's contracting officer. Review Criteria Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to the following criteria: a. Quality of program plan: Proposals should exhibit a thorough knowledge and understanding of the needs of self-sponsored students living in the New York metropolitan area, as well as the Agency's mission to promote mutual social, cultural, and political understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. b. Program planning: Proposal must include a detailed agenda of program activities and demonstrate their potential effectiveness in promoting mutual understanding. Agenda should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above. Program activities should emphasize cross-cultural sensitivity, i.e. demonstrate knowledge of specific cultures and customs, and include workshops/seminars on interpersonal/intercultural communication. c. Institutional capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program goals and adhere to the guidelines described above. d. Multiplier effect/impact: Program activities should be designed to foster long-term mutual understanding between citizens of the United States and other countries, as well as the establishment of long-term individual and consequentially institutional linkages--for example, by identifying international students having leadership potential as described in the program overview above. e. Institution's track record/ability: Proposals should demonstrate a track record of successful programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Agency grants, if any, as determined by USIA's Office of Contracts (M/ KG). The Agency will consider the past performance of prior grantees and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. f. Evaluation plan: Proposals should provide a plan for evaluation by the grantee institution, and periodic progress reports. g. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components of grants, as well as salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate. Details on budget preparation are included with application package. h. Cost-sharing: The Agency encourages cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional direct-funding contributions. Evidence of such cost sharing should be detailed in proposal. 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. Final awards cannot be made until funds have been fully 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 May 15, 1994. Funded proposals will be subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements. Dated: March 10, 1994. Barry Fulton, Associate Director, Acting Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. [FR Doc. 94-6038 Filed 3-16-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8230-01-M Sunshine Act Meetings FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, March 22, 1994 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE: 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC. STATUS: This meeting will be closed to the public. ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED: Compliance matters pursuant to 2 U.S.C. Sec. 437g. Audits conducted pursuant to 2 U.S.C. Sec. 437g, Sec. 438(b), and Title 26, U.S.C. Matters concerning participation in civil actions or proceedings or arbrtration Internal personnel rules and procedures or matters affecting a particular employee DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, March 23, 1994 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE: 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC. STATUS: This meeting will be closed to the public. ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED: Internal Personnel Rules and Procedures or matters affecting a particular employee Audits conducted pursuant to Title 26, U.S.C. DATE AND TIME: Thursday, March 24, 1994 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE: 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC (Ninth Floor). STATUS: This meeting will be open to the public. ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED: Correction and Approval of Minutes Petition for Rulemaking Filed by the Center for Responsive Politics Legislative Recommendations, 1994 (continued from meeting of March 10, 1994) Administrative Matters PERSON TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION: Press Officer, Telephone: (202) 219- 4155. Delores Hardy, Administrative Assistant. [FR Doc. 94-6466 Filed 3-15-94; 3:08 am] BILLING CODE 6715-01-M