Event Organizer for Visit by DanceMotion USA to DRC

U.S. Department of State - U.S. Embassy Kinshasa Public Affairs Section

Funding Opportunity Title:  Event Organizer for Visit by DanceMotion USA to DRC
Funding Opportunity Number: 
CFDA Number:  19-040
Date Opened:  February 14, 2012
Date Closed: March 9, 2012
Contact:  Austin Richardson, Public Diplomacy Officer, Public Affairs Section
Email: USEmbassyKinshasa@State.gov

I. Funding Opportunity Description

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo announces an open competition to organize events around the visit of the Jazz Tap Ensemble, a dance group visiting the DRC as part of the U.S. Department of State’s DanceMotion USA program.  All events will be organized in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Kinshasa.  The visit will take place during April 10-16, 2012.  Embassy Kinshasa seeks proposals outlining a plan for publicity efforts, organization of dance workshops and one to two large performances.  Please follow all instructions below carefully.

Purpose of Grant: 

Funding is available for organizations to assist PAS Kinshasa by organizing and coordinating events surrounding the visit of DanceMotion USA.  Applications should aim to demonstrate that the organization is capable of managing and tracking both U.S. Embassy and donated funds, and of organizing and running large events with high-profile guests and a significant media presence.

Background Information:  The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Kinshasa is soliciting proposals for cooperative agreements to run a high profile event alongside Embassy staff. More information about the Public Affairs Section can be found at:  http://Kinshasa.USEmbassy.gov/.

Working in collaboration with Embassy staff and possible partner organizations, the grantee will need to organize several days’ of workshops, several performances and larger publicity efforts.  The performances will be high-profile events.  Invitations will be issued and distributed by the U.S. Embassy.  Working closely with the Embassy Public Affairs staff, the grantee will also prepare press coverage of the events, including possible live coverage.  The grantee will also create and print programs for the event, and help run the ceremony behind-the-scenes.

About the Jazz Tap Ensemble: The Jazz Tap Ensemble is dedicated to those two great American traditions - tap dancing and jazz music.  Hailed as leaders in the renaissance of tap, the Ensemble brings together the virtuosic talents of its several dancers and musicians in a spirited display of creativity and spontaneity.  Under the artistic direction of dancer/choreographer, Lynn Dally, this unique company is celebrating its 27th year of bringing original tap dance to the concert stage.  Based in Los Angeles, JTE has appeared in major concert halls in the U.S. and internationally including the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian, London's Riverside Theatre, Paris' Theatre de la Ville, and Lyon's Maison de la Danse, as well as Jacob's Pillow, Spoleto USA and major tap festivals in New York, Boulder/Denver, Portland, Houston, Boston, and San Francisco as well as USIA tours of Southeast Asia and Latin America.

About DanceMotion USA: DanceMotion USASM is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.  The goal of DanceMotion USASM is to share work by some of America's finest contemporary dance makers and serve as a gateway for cultural exchange.  US embassies and the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs partner with dance companies, leading cultural and community-based organizations, and educational institutions to host unique residencies that create opportunities for engagement and exchange. Public performances are complemented by master classes, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, media outreach, and exchanges with in-country artists.  In an effort to connect broadly and deeply, special outreach is extended to disadvantaged and underserved youth.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type:  Cooperative Agreement
Fiscal Year Funds:  FY 2012
Approximate Total Funding: $30,000
Approximate Number of Awards: 1
Approximate Average Award: $30,000
Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, March 16, 2012.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 16, 2012

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 the other countries of the world."  The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation.

Project and Budget Periods:  The Jazz Tap Ensemble will visit the DRC from April 10-16. Publicity must take place before, during and after that time.  However, all workshops and performances must be during this period.  All activity related to this award, including submission of final reports, must end within 60 days of that date.

III. Eligibility Information: 

The U.S. Embassy Kinshasa Public Affairs Section encourages applications from non-governmental organizations or private businesses with presences in Kinshasa.  These organizations must demonstrate a track record of accomplishments, and of well-run events in Kinshasa.  All applicants must represent organizations with a DUNS number, or must be in the process of applying for one.

The U.S. Embassy Kinshasa Public Affairs Section encourages applicants to provide cost-sharing from additional sources in support of this project.  The Public Affairs Section also encourages projects that use highly skilled volunteers as an element of cost-sharing.  Applications should explain clearly other likely sources of funding and how the volunteers will be used.  Such cost-sharing aspects will weigh in favor of applicants for these grants.

IV. Application Submission and Deadline

Proposals should be submitted online to the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa at the following email address: USEmbassyKinshasa@State.gov.  Applications are accepted in English and French, but final grant agreements will be concluded in English.

When submitting a proposal, applicants are required to include the Federal Assistance Application (Standard Form 424), which is available, along with guidance for completing this form, at:  http://www.grants.gov/ or http://www.grants.gov/agencies/forms_instruction_information.jsp.
Applicants are recommended to complete and submit the suggested local grants application format attached to this announcement.  Applicants must complete and submit a detailed budget.

V. Review and Selection Process

Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the criteria enumerated below.  The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.  The criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application.  Applications will be reviewed on the basis of their fullness, coherence, clarity, and attention to detail.  Points are awarded only to applications that are responsive within the context of this program announcement.

Applicants must submit a full project description in accordance with the following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria.  The instructions give a broad overview of what the project description should include while the evaluation criteria provide details of more program-specific information that is needed.

Cover Sheet:  Provide a summary of the project description (no more than two pages) with reference to the amount and duration of the funding request.

Narrative:  Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished.  Account for all functions or activities identified in the application.

Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities accomplished.  When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.  List those organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the project, along with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution.

Application Evaluation Criteria:

1. Goals and Objectives – The applicant demonstrates a clear knowledge of the goals of the DanceMotion USA visit, and a clear idea of how best to promote it in the DRC context. (20 points)

2. Strengths and Innovation – Applicant clearly describes how its proposal will address the requested program within the proposed time frame and articulates an innovative strategy or plan. (10 points)

3. Organizational Capacity – The organization has expertise in organizing large scale events with significant media coverage, and has a history of working with foreign embassies or international organizations.  The applicant demonstrates the ability to perform the proposed activities fully and with a high degree of independence.  Where partners are described, the applicant details each partner’s respective role and provides curriculum vitas (CVs) for persons responsible for the project and financial administration.  Each key person responsible for the proposed project and its financial administration is listed and a CV for these persons is provided.  (40 points)

4. Budget and Budget Justification – The budget and narrative justification are complete, thorough and reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results and the plan for services is realistic.  (30 points)

VI. Award Administration

Award Notices:  The grant award or cooperative agreement shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer.  The Grants Officer is the U.S. 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.  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 concepts within 15 days after the submission deadline.

Reporting Requirements:  All awards issued under this announcement will require both program and financial reports on a frequency specified in the award agreement.  The disbursement of funds may be tied to submission of these reports in a timely manner.  All other details related to award administration will be specified in award agreement as well.