[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 4227-4230] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-1411] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY Rule of Law ACTION: Notice--request for proposals. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) announces a competitive grants program for nonprofit organizations in support of projects on the theme of RULE OF LAW for audiences in the following geographical areas: American Republics; East Asia (Peoples Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Regional GATT); Eastern Europe and the NIS (excluding Russia); Middle East (Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco); and Western Europe (Greece). USIA particularly is seeking projects which link American institutions and specialists with partners overseas. New and creative approaches to the issue of rule of law will be especially welcome. Proposals which request USIA funding of less than $135,000 and which include significant cost sharing will be deemed more competitive. Interested applicants are urged to read the complete Federal Register announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office or submitting their proposals. After the deadline for submitting proposals, USIA officers may not discuss this competition in any way with applicants until final decisions are made. ANNOUNCEMENT NAME AND NUMBER: All communications concerning this announcement should refer to the Rule of Law Grant Program, announcement number E/P-95-42. Please refer to title and number in all correspondence or telephone calls to USIA. DATES: Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on March 3, 1995. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked on March 3, 1995, but received at a later date. It is the responsibility of each grant applicant to ensure that proposals are received by the above deadline. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested organizations/institutions must contact the Office of Citizen Exchanges, E/PL, Room 216, United States Information Agency, 301 Fourth Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20547, telephone (202) 619- 5326, fax (202) 260-0437, to request detailed application packets, which include award criteria, all application forms, and guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of the proposal budget. Please direct inquiries on programmatic matters to the USIA Officer identified under each geographic heading. ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the Proposal Submission Instructions and send only complete applications to: U.S. Information Agency, REF: E/P-95-42 Rule of Law Grant Competition, Grants Management Division (E/XE), 301 Fourth Street SW., Room 336, Washington, D.C. 20547. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the legislation authorizing the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, 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 race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle. Overview The Office of Citizen Exchanges works with U.S. private sector non- profit organizations on cooperative international group projects that introduce American and foreign participants to each others' social, economic, and political structures; and international interests. Guidelines Applicants should carefully note the following restrictions and recommendations for proposals in specific geographical areas: American Republics Enhancing Good Governance Through Rule of Law USIA seeks to promote the strengthening of the rule of law in the American Republics region through engaging American legal institutions, particularly law schools and bar associations, in working with their hemispheric counterparts to strengthen the legal structures essential to an enduring democratic society. The continuance of the region's peaceful transition to democratic rule depends upon the continued growth of strong legal systems and legal institutions firmly committed to the rule of law. Preference will be given to projects in countries or logical groups of countries that have recently made significant changes in their legal systems, or that are contemplating doing so. Inquiries should be directed to Program Specialist Laverne Johnson, (202) 619-5326, Internet [email protected] East Asia Chinese Private Attorneys Project Proposals are invited to conduct a project that would bring attorneys from Chinese state and private law firms to the U.S. for short-term professional programs to enhance understanding of the private practice of law in an open society and to familiarize them with the [[Page 4228]] role of arbitration and the court system in resolving disputes. Hong Kong Journalists Proposals are invited to conduct a project for journalists in Hong Kong that would focus on press freedom, the press-government relationship, and the role of a free press in society. Projects may consist of but are not limited to workshops, site tours, seminars and internships. Judicial Programs for Indonesia Proposals are invited to conduct a project for Indonesia that would focus on either the development of a responsible judiciary or the development of free and independent labor organizations. Impact of GATT Proposals are invited to conduct a regional or subregional project on the importance of implementing GATT rules, such as rules protecting intellectual property rights, to the continuing stability of the multilateral trading system. Inquiries should be directed to Program Specialist Elroy Carlson, (202) 619-5326, Internet [email protected] Eastern Europe and the NIS (Excluding Russia) Rule of Law in the Emerging Central and Eastern European Democracies USIA will accept proposals related to the rule of law in Central and Eastern Europe and the NIS excluding Russia. The focus of the proposals should be on the development of an independent judiciary. Activities may include workshops in-country or in the U.S.; in-country consultation by judicial experts; and the development of materials in local languages useful in training of legal scholars. Projects must focus on a single country. Inquiries should be directed to Program Specialist Steve Sutton, (202) 619-5326, Internet [email protected] Middle East The Legal Environment for Market Economies in the Middle East Proposals are invited for a professional exchange program to address issues faced by Middle Eastern countries attempting to move from centralized, command economies to more open systems driven by private sector initiative and market mechanisms. Crucial to the success of these efforts will be the development of a legal environment which is conducive to reform and respectful of due process. Issues to be addressed might include: the nature and extent of government regulation appropriate to a market economy, the constructive role of labor movements and business associations, the regulation and monitoring of stock trading and financial reporting, the development and standardization of rules and procedures for the adjudication of private enterprise-public sector conflicts, the development of equitable and enforceable taxation codes, codification of property rights, and methods of detecting corruption and implementing reform. Proposals focussing on Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco are particularly encouraged. The proposed program should include at least two phases, one of which would bring Middle East specialists to the United States for two or more weeks and one of which would send U.S. specialists to the Middle East. Participants should include representatives of business and of government (executive and legislative). Inquiries should be directed to Program Specialist Thomas Johnston, (202) 619-5319, Internet [email protected] Western Europe Greek Legal Development USIA proposes a legal exchange program which would provide for American jurists to visit Athens and demonstrate the basic procedures in American commercial law (early neutral evaluation, case management, mediation, judicial settlement, arbitration) to their Greek counterparts. In return, a delegation of Greek judges would visit the United States to attend the annual conference of U.S. judges and visit the Americans who had participated in the Athens program, in their courts and law offices. Inquiries should be directed to Program Specialist Christina Miner, (202) 619-5319, Internet [email protected] Program Parameters The Office of Citizen Exchanges strongly encourages the coordination of activities with respected universities, professional associations, and major cultural institutions in the U.S. and abroad, but particularly in the U.S. Projects should be intellectual and cultural, not technical. Vocational training (an occupation other than one requiring a baccalaureate or higher academic degree; i.e., clerical work, auto maintenance, etc. and other occupations requiring less than two years of higher education) and technical training (special and practical knowledge of a mechanical or a scientific subject which enhances mechanical, narrowly scientific, or semi-skilled capabilities) are ineligible for support. In addition, scholarship programs are ineligible for support. The Office does not support proposals limited to conferences or seminars (i.e., one to fourteen-day programs with plenary sessions, main speakers, panels, and a passive audience). It will support conferences only insofar as they are part of a larger project in duration and scope which is receiving USIA funding from this competition. USIA-supported projects may include internships; study tours; short-term, non-technical training; and extended, intensive workshops taking place in the United States or overseas. The themes addressed in exchange programs must be of long-term importance rather than focused exclusively on current events or short-term issues. In every case, a substantial rationale must be presented as part of the proposal, one that clearly indicates the distinctive and important contribution of the overall project, including where applicable the expected yield of any associated conference. No funding is available exclusively to send U.S. citizens to conferences or conference-type seminars overseas; neither is funding available for bringing foreign nationals to conferences or to routine professional association meeting in the United States. Projects that duplicate what is routinely carried out by private sector and/or public sector operations will not be considered. The Office of Citizen Exchanges strongly recommends that applicants consult with host country USIS posts, prior to submitting proposals. Selection of Participants All grant proposals should clearly describe the types of persons who will participate in the program as well as the process by which participants will be selected. It is recommended that programs in support of U.S. internships include letters tentatively committing host institutions to support the internships. In the selection of foreign participants, USIA and USIS posts retain the right to nominate all participants and to accept or deny participants recommended by grantee institutions. However, grantee institutions are often asked by USIA to suggest names of potential participants. The grantee institution will also provide the names of American participants and brief (two pages) biographical data on each American participant to the Office of Citizen Exchanges for information purposes. Priority will be given to foreign participants who have not previously travelled to the United States. [[Page 4229]] Additional Guidance The Office of Citizen Exchanges offers the following additional guidance to prospective applicants: 1. Except where noted in the text, the Office of Citizen Exchanges encourages project proposals involving more than one country. Pertinent rationale which links countries in multi-country projects should be included in the submission. Single-country projects that are clearly defined and possess the potential for creating and strengthening continuing linkages between foreign and U.S. institutions are also welcome. 2. Proposals for bilateral programs are subject to review and comment by the USIS post in the relevant country, and pre-selected participants will also be subject to USIS post review. 3. Bilateral programs should clearly identify the counterpart organization and provide evidence of the organization's participation. 4. The Office of Citizen Exchanges will consider proposals for activities which take place exclusively in other countries when USIS posts are consulted in the design of the proposed program and in the choice of the most suitable venues for such programs. 5. The Office of Citizen Exchanges grants are not given to support projects whose focus is limited to technical or vocational subjects, or for research projects, for publications funding, for student and/or teacher/faculty exchanges, for sports and/or sports related programs. Nor does this office provide scholarships or support for long-term (a semester or more) academic studies. Funding Proposals which request USIA funding of less than $135,000 and which include significant cost sharing will be deemed more competitive. 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 an all-inclusive budget must be provided with each proposal, separate component budgets are optional. Since USIA grant assistance constitutes only a portion of total project funding, proposals should list and provide evidence of other anticipated sources of financial and in-kind support. 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 and should be described in the proposal. Eligible Costs 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. 3. Interpreters: If needed, interpreters for the U.S. program are provided by the U.S. State Department Language Service 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. 6. Room rental, which generally 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 capital 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. In most cases, USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of a USIA-sponsored health insurance policy with the premium is paid by USIA directly to the insurance company. For additional information on insurance coverage, contact the E/P program officer. 11. 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. Note: the 20 percent limitation of ``administrative costs'' included in previous announcements does not apply to this RFP. Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions for complete budget guidelines. 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 Proposal Submission Instructions. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be reviewed by the budget and contract offices, as well the USIA geographic regional office and the USIS post overseas, where appropriate. Proposals may also be reviewed by the USIA's Office of 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 grant awards resides with USIA's contracting officer. Review Criteria USIA will consider proposals based on their conformance with the objectives and considerations already stated in this RFP, as well as the following criteria: 1. Quality of Program Idea: Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Agency mission. 2. Program Planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substance undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above. [[Page 4230]] 3. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposal should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program objectives and plan. 4. Multiplier Effect: Proposed programs should strengthen long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages. 5. Value to U.S.--Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects should receive positive assessments by USIA's geographic area desk and overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance in the partner. 6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or project's goal. 7. Institution Reputation/Ability: Proposal should demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office of Contracts. The Agency will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. 8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity (without USIA support) which ensures that USIA supported programs are not isolated events. 9. Evaluation Plan: Proposals should provide a plan for a thorough and objective evaluation of the program/project by the grantee institution. 10. Cost-Effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate. 11. Cost-Sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding contributions. 12. Support of Diversity: Proposal should demonstrate the recipients' commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of diversity throughout the program. This can be accomplished through documentation (such as a written statement or account) summarizing past and/or on-going activities and efforts that further the principle of diversity within both their organization and their activities. Notice The Office of Citizen Exchanges reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase the grant award. The terms and conditions published in the Request for Proposal (RFP) are binding and may not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory information provided by USIA 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 the Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures Notification All applicants will be notified of the results of the review process on or about April 28, 1995. Awarded grants will be subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements. Dated: January 12, 1995. Dell Pendergrast, Deputy Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. [FR Doc. 95-1411 Filed 1-19-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8230-01-M