Partnership Program for Polytechnic Universities in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

SUMMARYThe U.S. Embassy in Baghdad invites eligible organizations to submit proposals to develop and implement a partnership program between a U.S. institution of higher learning (college or community college) with the three Polytechnic universities in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The proposed Polytechnics include Erbil Polytechnic University, Sulaimaniyah Polytechnic University, and Dohuk Polytechnic University (to include their branch institutes and satellite campuses). The goal of this program is to link Iraqi universities focused on technical/vocational skills and work force development with U.S. institutions to improve university administration, curriculum, and teaching methodologies. Proposals must include training sessions/seminars in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and may include a U.S.-based training component. The proposal should demonstrate how these activities improve higher education and workforce readiness in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and improve ties with the United States. This program advances the goals of the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement between the United States and the Republic of Iraq. Subject to the availability of funds, the Embassy expects to award one grant for up to $400,000. Authority: Overall grant-making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 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 other countries of the world.”Eligibility: Applicants must• Be a U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3); an internationally based non-profit organization; low-profit limited liability company (L3Cs); an academic institution; or other institution for which profit is not a primary motive;• Have demonstrated experience administering programs focused on higher education especially linkage/partnership programs; and • Have the capacity to operate in Iraq, or have or develop active partnerships with organization(s) operating in Iraq. All Federal assistance recipients must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS) and a CCR (CAGE) number prior to funds disbursement. A DUNS number may be acquired at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or requesting on-line at www.dnb.com.PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONThe goal of this program is to assist Iraqis in improving vocational- and technical-focused higher education, including developing advisory mechanisms between industry and academia regarding market demands, introducing the latest pedagogical, including English-language teaching techniques, and improving administration. The program may include exchanges for select faculty/administrators to the U.S.Program activities could include, but not be limited to:• Conducting a site visit to the selected universities and other relevant stakeholder institutions immediately after the award of the grant to consult with Iraqi counterparts and with U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General Erbil, assess opportunities for linkages and develop a plan of action.• Negotiating MOUs between U.S. and Iraqi universities to develop substantive and relevant linkages to benefit both institutions. Given the short period of time, one U.S. institution of higher learning may partner with all three Iraqi universities.• Managing these partnerships over the next few months to develop capacity building within these universities. Capacity building projects may include in-country training and seminars as well as visits to the U.S. Topics will be determined during the initial assessment/site visit in cooperation with the local universities, but should emphasize preparing students for the workforce.• Conducting regular evaluations of progress of the project and submitting them to the U.S. Embassy Baghdad and Consulate General Erbil on a schedule determined in the grant.The anticipated timeline:September 2014: Grant is awardedOctober 2014: Grantee makes assessment trip to Iraq to meet with the three Polytechnic Universities (Erbil, Dohuk, Sulaimaniyah)November 2014: Program orientation is heldDecember – August 2015 U.S. institution of higher learning officials/trainers visit Iraq and work with the local universities focusing on the needs of each school culminating with a possible training trip to the U.S. for key implementers from the Iraqi universities. This will depend on available costs/funds.Organizational Capacity: Applicant organizations must demonstrate the capacity to implement higher education programs and to work in Iraq, either directly or through a partner organization. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to work in both of Iraq’s national languages, Arabic and Kurdish. Guidelines: The award period will begin on or about September 15, 2014. The award duration will be approximately 12 months and will cover all aspects of program planning, assessment, training seminars, participant recruitment, and U.S.-based exchange activities. In consultation with Embassy and Consulate staff, the awardee will:• Visit each of the three polytechnic universities (Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaimaniyah) and conduct an assessment of the needs of those schools that can be addressed during the time period of the grant and the amount of the grant. Suggested areas from conversations with relevant stakeholders include focusing on curriculum review and development for workplace preparation, career preparatory services, administration, or English language departments.• Identify a U.S. institution of higher learning to partner with the three local polytechnics. It can be one U.S. institution of higher learning that works with all three schools or three U.S. institutions, one per local polytechnic university.• Serve as the primary point of contact and source of information for the local universities, U.S. institutions, Embassy Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate General Erbil.• Manage all logistical elements of the program, including facilitating Americans’ travel to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for assessment, training, seminars; and Iraqi travel to the U.S. should the proposal include such activities.• Design and conduct a program orientation for participants from the local universities.• Plan and organize a closing session to summarize and evaluate the program and prepare participants for follow-on activities they can continue on their own. Should there be a U.S. component, this may take place in the U.S.The Embassy and Consulate General will be substantially involved in carrying out this project, including by, but not limited to: • Approving all selected fields/themes/topics for partnership, and local university officials selected to participate in the program• Approving the U.S. partner institution(s) under the grant• Reviewing the assessment and MOUs for the program• Monitoring and evaluating the program through regular communication with the award recipient and site visits as necessary.APPLICATION INFORMATIONApplications must be prepared and submitted using the Public Diplomacy Grants Program Application form, available on www.grants.gov or by request from [email protected]. Please submit questions and completed applications to [email protected]. Cost-sharing is strongly recommended. Cost sharing can take the form of both allowable direct and indirect costs. For accountability, the recipient must maintain records to support all costs claimed as part of the cost-share agreement. Such records are subject to audit. Please refer to OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23 – Cost Sharing and Matching.All sections of the applications must be completed. In addition to information about project personnel as requested on the application form, please provide complete resumes for key personnel, such as Project Director. The deadline for receipt of applications is September 1, 2014. The Embassy reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal project configurations, budgets, and/or participant numbers in accordance with the needs of the program, the availability of funds, and concurrence of the applicant. SELECTION CRITERIAThe Embassy Public Diplomacy Grants Committee will use the following criteria to evaluate proposals received in response this RFP:Implementation Plan: Proposals should address the goals of the program as outlined in this solicitation. Proposals will be evaluated for originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the program goals. They will be evaluated for the potential for long-term impact and sustainability in developing higher education in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Organizational Capacity: The Grants Committee will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. Institutions with a proven track record in implementing higher education programs in Iraq will be given special consideration. The appropriateness of the selected personnel and of any U.S.-based partner organizations will be considered as part of organizational capacity. Budget: Costs should be reasonable and realistic in relation to the project activities. Applicants are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible so that the committee may determine the extent to which the request represents an efficient use of USG resources. The budget should be consistent with the program narrative description of the project and should reflect the applicant’s understanding of the allowable cost principles established by OMB Circular A-122. NOTIFICATIONApplicants can expect to be notified of the status of their application within thirty (30) days of the submission deadline. Issuance of this RFP does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the United States Government. It does not commit the USG to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. The USG reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. If a proposal is selected for funding, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad 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 Embassy.CONTACT INFORMATIONFor more information, please contact the U.S. Embassy Baghdad at [email protected].