[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 111 (Friday, June 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14166]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 10, 1994]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Educational Advising Program for International Students From Hong
Kong
ACTION: Notice--Request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United
States Information Agency (USIA) seeks applications from non-profit
applicants willing to establish and maintain an educational advising
center in Hong Kong. The advising center will facilitate international
educational exchange through overseas educational advising,
orientation, and information services for international students and
scholars seeking information on opportunities in U.S. higher education.
USIA anticipates awarding up to $90,000 for the implementation and
coordination of the advising center. Grants will only be awarded to
eligible applicants with at least four years of experience in
conducting international exchange programs.
Announcement Name and Number
All communications with USIA concerning this announcement should
refer to the above title and reference number E/ASA-94-04.
DATES: Deadline for proposals: All proposals must be received at the
U.S. Information Agency by close of business (5 p.m., Eastern Standard
Time) Friday, July 14, 1994. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor
will documents postmarked on July 14, 1994, but received at a later
date.
Duration
The duration of the grant should be from October 1, 1994 through
September 30, 1995. Programs may begin no earlier than October 1, 1994.
No funds may be expended until the grant agreement is signed.
ADDRESSES: A total of fifteen copies of the application should be
submitted to the office below. Three copies (one a signed original)
should include the completed application, including tabs A-U; the other
12 copies should include tabs A-D.
U.S. Information Agency, Reference number: E/ASA-94-04, Grants
Management Division, E/XE, 301 4th Street SW., room 336, Washington,
DC. 20547.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested U.S. applicants should
contact Alexandra Hattemer at the United States Information Agency,
301 4th Street SW., Advising and Student Services Branch (E/ASA),
Room 349, Washington, DC. 20547, 202-619-5434 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 non-political character and
should be balanced and representative of the diversity of American
political, social, and cultural life.
Overall authority for this program is contained in the Mutual
Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Pub. L. 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 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
An ideal program would provide a state-of-the-art advising center
dedicated to providing information, orientation, and advice to
international students in Hong Kong interested in studying in the U.S.
Guidelines
The proposal should be presented in three parts.
I. Applicant's Background and Overview
The first part should contain an overview of the applicant's
history and purpose. Evidence of previous experience with advising or
educational exchange of international students and scholars should be
included. The overview should indicate the total amount of funding
requested with a justification as well as a budget presentation
outlining the total project costs.
A listing of names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of the
executive officer(s) and of the person(s) ultimately responsible for
project, must be included in the proposal. Resumes or vitae of key
personnel must be provided. USIA also recommends the inclusion of
brochures and general information concerning the applicant, e.g.
organizational charts, job descriptions, the names of board members (or
similar group), the number of employees, etc.
II. Advising Center Operational and Services
The second part of the proposal should contain details on the
advising center's proposed location and hours of operation, proposed
staffing pattern (including the percentage of time each employee will
devote to advising activities and a description of their functions and
responsibilities), budget, and advising services to be provided. A
resume or brief narrative explaining the qualifications of the person
or persons who will have primary responsibility for conducting advising
and/or providing oversight of the advising center staff should be
included. The proposal should demonstrate the center's ability to
provide the following educational advising services to international
students and scholars:
1. Information and guidance on U.S. educational institutions,
systems, tuition and related costs, fields of study, specialized
training, etc;
2. Information and advice on U.S. standardized tests, e.g. TOEFL,
GRE, GMAT, FMGEMS, etc., to include the provision of registration
application forms, maintenance of bulletins and testing schedules;
3. Information and research on short-term institutional training in
technical and professional fields;
4. Information on English language training programs in the U.S.;
5. Group and individual advising sessions, pre-departure
orientation and reentry programs, as appropriate.
The center will also be required to monitor the status of the
educational system in Hong Kong and to share that information with USIA
and United States Information Service (USIS) office at the American
Consulate. The applicant should be willing to assist and support
educational outreach activities of the USIS post abroad by developing a
network of contacts with the local Ministry of Education, universities,
and other appropriate institutions.
The center should also be willing to serve as an information
resource for overseas educational advising centers in the People's
Republic of China. The proposal should address the applicant's ability
to do so.
III. Provision of Resource Materials, Equipment and Training
The third part of the proposal should address the extent to which
the U.S. headquarters office will support its advising center abroad
through the provision of educational advising resource materials and
professional development activities and training.
Student access to a comprehensive university catalog collection, in
print and/or microfiche or computer software programs, and an extensive
collection of current references on U.S. educational institutions and
programs, through print or computer networks, is an integral component
of an educational advising center and the applicant's ability to
provide such should be made clear in this section.
Office equipment that facilitates the processing of inquiries, such
as electronic mail, facsimile machines, and telexes, would be regarded
as an asset to the advising function and mention of such equipment
should be made in the proposal. The Agency expects the advising center
to be equipped with audio visual aids for students' use. Videos on U.S.
study and life should complement the presentation and materials offered
at group and individual advising sessions.
Proposed Budget
Applicants must submit a comprehensive line-item budget for which
specific details are available in the application packet. The budget
should not exceed $90,000.
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 cost 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 A110, 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 a 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.
Applicants should refer to the application package for a list of
allowable costs.
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 appropriate geographic area office, and the USIA 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 students from Hong Kong and
exhibit originality, substance, and rigor.
b. Program planning: Proposals must include a detailed agenda and
relevant workplan of program activities. The agenda should adhere to
the program overview and guidelines described above.
c. Ability to achieve program objectives/institutional capacity:
Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and
appropriate to achieve the program goals and adhere to the guidelines
described above. The applicant should demonstrate an ability to recruit
and maintain a professional staff to successfully accomplish the goals
of the program.
d. Multiplier effect/impact: Program activities should be designed
to foster long-term mutual understanding between citizens of the United
States and Hong Kong.
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
Agency grants. 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, including 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.
h. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
other private sector support as well as institutional direct-funding
contributions. Evidence of such cost sharing should be detailed in the
proposal.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in the 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, and allocated and committed
through internal USIA procedures.
Notification
All applicants will be notified of the results of the review
process on or about September 15, 1994. Funded proposals will be
subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Dated: June 6, 1994.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-14166 Filed 6-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-04-M