Internet and Exchange Component for High School Entrepreneurs

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe Public Affairs Section (PAS) at U.S. Embassy Ankara is pleased to announce an open competition for an assistance award through this Request for Proposals (RFP). PAS Ankara invites U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations to submit proposals to administer a virtual and actual exchange program between Turkish and American high school students as part of the Embassy�s Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship (YIEP) program.II. BACKGROUNDSince 2008, PAS Ankara has administered a program in Turkish high schools that teaches innovation and entrepreneurship skills to students. As part of the program students create products and then compete against each other at a nationally held product and innovation fair. For 2011-12 it is anticipated that over 400 students will participate in the program. Two winning teams are chosen to go to the United States on a 7-10 exchange program. PAS Ankara is seeking a U.S. based organization to create a virtual component for students and teachers to participate in during the program as well as implement the U.S exchange program. It is anticipated that the grantee organization will work in partnership with the Turkish Education Association (TED) to execute and implement the entire Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program. Objectives� To link American and Turkish youth.� To create an online innovation and entrepreneurship curriculum to be used by teachers in their classrooms.� To share ideas about innovation and entrepreneurship virtually.Ideal Program Model will:� Establish Regular on-line linkages between Turkish and American high school students to share ideas in developing their �innovative products.� � Provide opportunities for the participants to engage in relevant on-line courses that equip them for carrying out the tasks involved in creating products and business plans.� Provide selected participants with opportunities to physically visit each other�s countries, to share ideas and experiences relevant to innovation and entrepreneurship� Organize a two way physical exchanges for the most promising American and Turkish student and teacher participants in which selected students and teachers visit each other�s schools and communities, exchange ideas, further their collaborative plans and learn about each other�s cultures, life-styles, etc. (12 from Turkey, 6 from U.S.). This exchange should also include the opportunity for participants to engage with local civic and business leaders.� Host ongoing dialogues between the students not only about entrepreneurship but also areas of mutual interest concerning the United States and Turkey.Funding PrioritiesIII. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTSEligibility is limited to not-for-profit organizations subject to 501 (c) (3) of the tax code. Direct funding for non-U.S. institutions is not available under this announcement. Applications that include additional in-kind and/or cash contributions from non-U.S. Government sources will be more competitive, since cost-sharing demonstrates a strong commitment to the planned activities.All potential applicants should be knowledgeable of existing programs in the proposed countries/regions, including those funded by USG, in order to avoid duplication of effort.IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATIONAward Period: 18 monthsAward Amount: $125,000 Application Submission Process: Applicants must submit proposals electronically using Grants.gov. Thorough instructions on the Grants.gov application process are available at http://www.grants.gov. For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726. Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted on or before July 25, 2011, 11:59 p.m. eastern time. Applications submitted after 11:59 p.m. will be ineligible for consideration. Begin the application process early, as this will allow time to address any technical difficulties that may arise in advance of the deadline. There will be no exceptions to this application deadline.All applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however, it could take as long as two weeks to have the registration validated and confirmed. Please begin the registration process immediately to ensure that the process is completed well in advance of the deadline for applications. Until that process is complete, you will not be issued a user password for Grants.gov, which is required for application submission. There are four steps that you must complete before you are able to register: (1) Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet (if your organization does not have one already) by calling 1-866-705-5711; (2) Register with Central Contractor Registry (CCR); (3) Register yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and (4) Be authorized as an AOR by your organization. For more information, go to www.grants.gov. Please note that your CCR registration must be annually renewed. Failure to renew your CCR registration may prohibit submission of a grant application through Grants.gov.Application Content: Applicants must follow the RFP instructions and conditions contained herein and supply all information required. Failure to furnish all information or comply with stated requirements will result in disqualification from the competition. Applicants must set forth full, accurate, and complete information as required by this RFP. The penalty for making false statements in proposals to the USG is prescribed on 18 U.S.C.1001.The proposals may not exceed 8 double-spaced pages in 12-point, Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. This requirement excludes the allowable appendices, which are identified in Section 6 below. Section 1 - Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424):This form can be found on-line at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/forms.html. Section 2 - Abstract: The abstract is limited to 500 words in length. It must provide a summary of the identified need, proposed activities, and expected results.Section 3 � Project Goals/Implementation Plan: The applicant must specify the goals and objectives of the project, relative to the problem statement. The proposed activities should be described in sufficient detail to show how objectives and goals will be met. This section should also describe how success will be measured via performance indicators. Finally, this section must include a time-task plan that clearly identifies the objectives and major activities.Section 4 - Organizational Capability: Applications must include a clear description of the applicant�s management structure, previous experience in administering Internet based/virtual projects and organizational experience and background in the country/region as these relate to the proposed activities. Besides information about the organization as a whole, this section must also identify the proposed management structure and staffing plan for the proposed project. Section 5- Evaluation:Applications must have a clear program evaluation plan.Section 6 - Appendices: The concept paper submission must include two appendices, with a third, optional appendix to be submitted at the discretion of the applicant. Only the appendices listed below may be included as part of the application: (a) Budget (Required) � the budget must identify the total amount of funding requested, with a breakdown of amounts to be spent in the following budget categories: personnel; fringe benefits; travel; equipment; supplies; consultants/contracts; other direct costs; and indirect costs. The budget may not exceed 1 page in length, and may include an estimated cost for continuation activities, which will be considered for successful applicants to this RFP in future fiscal years based on performance and the availability of funds. (b) Resume (Required) � a resume, not to exceed 1 page in length, must be included for the proposed key staff person, such as the Project Director. If an individual for this type of position has not been identified, the applicant may submit a 1-page position description, identifying the qualifications and skills required for that position, in lieu of a resume.(c) Letters of Intent (strongly encouraged) � applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Turkish Education Association (TED) and receive a letter of support signaling their intent to partner with them on the project.V. AWARD SELECTION CRITERIAEvaluation Criteria: Applicants should note that the following criteria (1) serve as a standard against which all proposals will be evaluated, and (2) serve to identify the significant matters that should be addressed in all proposals. Subject to the availability of funds, the USG will award a grant to the applicant whose offer represents the best value to the USG on the basis of technical merit and cost. Each application will be evaluated by a peer review committee at U.S. Embassy Ankara and other experts, as deemed appropriate. The evaluation criteria have been tailored to the requirements of this RFP. � Problem Statement (25 points): This section should identify the importance and relevance of the applicant�s proposal to the overall objective of providing students with entrepreneurial skills. � Project Goals/Implementation Plan (40 points): Applicants should describe what they propose to do and how they will do it. The proposed activities must directly relate to meeting the goals and objectives, and applicants should include information on how they will measure activities� effectiveness. The review panel will be viewing the implementation plan in terms of how well it addresses the problem statement, relevance of the goals and objectives, feasibility of the proposed activities and their timeline for completion, and the extent to which the impact of the project will continue beyond the conclusion of the funding period. � Organizational Capability (20 points): Proposals should demonstrate the ability to develop and implement programs using social media and the Internet. Applicants must demonstrate how their resources, capabilities, and experience will enable them to achieve the stated goals and objectives. In addition, applicants should describe how and with whom they will collaborate to meet project goals. � Appendices (15 points):o Budget: Costs shall be evaluated for realism, control practices, and efficiency. The Department of State must determine that the costs paid for this award are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed project activities. This will consist of a review of the Budget to determine if the overall costs are realistic for the work to be performed, if the costs reflect the applicant�s understanding of the allowable cost principles established by OMB Circular A-122, and if the costs are consistent with the program narrative. o Resume: The review panel will consider the appropriateness of the selected project director, in view of the role and responsibility that person will play in guiding the project through implementation to completion. Position descriptions submitted in lieu of the resume will be reviewed for the appropriateness of the qualifications and skills identified. o Letters of Intent: While submission of Letters of Intent is optional, and applications without will not be penalized, the review panel will favorably view their inclusion. VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATIONAward Notices: The grant award or co-operative agreement shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The Grants Officer is the Government official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement Executive to write, award, and administer grants and cooperative agreements. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the Recipient through either mail or facsimile transmission. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified in writing.Anticipated Time to Award: Applicants should expect to be notified of the recommended proposal within 90 days after the submission deadline. Following this initial notification, selected applicants will be expected to submit a full application within 30 days. � Reporting Requirements: Grantees are required to submit quarterly program progress and financial reports throughout the project period. Progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. Final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days after the close of the project period. Progress reports at a minimum should be submitted via electronic mail to an address to be provided in the award. VII. DISCLAIMERIf a proposal 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.