Questions and Answers June 3.docx

Questions and Answers – May 29, 2020

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

BUREAU OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFIARS

Telecommunications Training

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY #: SFOP0006869

1. Question: We recognize from the NOFO that we should develop a recruitment and selection strategy. Could you help us understand how we should go about initially soliciting interest from potential participants in different countries?

Response: The Department of State is looking to target developing-country government officials. These individuals are in positions that enable, regulate, and oversee the telecommunications sector and digital economy in their countries, including for example, telecommunication regulators, trade ministers, and policymakers responsible for communications infrastructure and other relevant policy and regulatory functions.

The Department of State, through its Embassies, does reach out to host government counterparts to help identify key participants trainings. However, we are also looking for the Applicant to have its own recruitment and selection strategy, helping to ensure the right individuals are targeted and invited.

The Applicant therefore must demonstrate an ability to manage the participant application and selection process. The Applicant should describe how prospective students will be recruited, how they will apply for training, outline the selection criteria and who will review each application process. The Applicant must demonstrate the ability to recruit diverse candidates, screen and select high-caliber candidates from all regions of the globe, and do so in close coordination with EB.

2. Question: How many trainings would the Department of State like to see the Applicant do (for Objectives 1 and 2)? Where we would conduct the trainings? Are there particular countries that the Department of State would like us to host the trainings in?

Response: The Applicant is expected to train 250 participants. Of those 250, at least 50 participants “should be trained in senior-level, invitation only, U.S.-based, two-week long training programs, targeting participants from the WHA region participants”. Otherwise, the number of courses per year, number of participants per course, and total number of participants by year can be decided by the Applicant.

We assume most trainings in Objective 1, 2, and 4 will be conducted in the United States; Objective 3 will take place in the WHA region, though a specific country has not yet to be identified. DCCP priority countries in WHA are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru, though other foreign assistance eligible countries may participate and/or host.

3. Question: If, for example, we host a training in Malaysia, would it be possible for participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, and other surrounding countries to participate in that training? How do we recruit these people into the workshops?

Response: Yes, in-region training is often attended by participants from other countries. The specific recruitment strategy is up to the Applicant but should be clearly outlined in the proposal.

4. Question: Would the Department of State prefer in-country trainers/facilitators or U.S.-based trainers/facilitators? If we use U.S.-based trainers would you like us to have a certified language translator and provide simultaneous translation on the spot and budget for that as well? (Objectives 1 and 2). Do you want us to make webinars available in other languages (with subtitles)?

Response: For Objective 1, 2, and 4, we prefer U.S.-based trainers to help ensure courses reflect our policy positions and priorities. U.S. based training would provide a diverse array of experts from the private sector, academia, and U.S. government. We certainly want to know about any online capabilities you have, as well as translation and simultaneous translation capabilities available for Objective 3.

5. Question: For Objective 4, should the travel days for participants to come to the U.S. be considered as part of the two weeks or in addition to? For those coming to the U.S. what category of visa do they need?

Response: Travel days for participants to come to the U.S. should not be considered as part of the two weeks. Generally, a B1/B2 visa is required for short-term training. The purpose of travel should be clearly stated on the visa application.

6. Question: For Objective 4, how will the 50 participants be selected? Should we build in a solicitation, recruitment, and selection process into our proposal for this Objective as well? Does the Department of State prefer that we recruit these 50 participants from all of the WHA countries or should we focus on particular countries? Would it be desirable to incorporate cultural, social activities, and field trips into the two weeks?

Response: The solicitation, recruitment, and selection process should address all activities covered in this announcement. The DCCP priority countries in WHA are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru, though others may participate in the training. The two-week courses should be substantive and may include outside activities or travel, but that is not required. The Applicant must demonstrate the ability to recruit diverse candidates, screen and select high-caliber candidates from all regions of the globe, and do so in close coordination with EB.

7. Question: For Objectives 1, 2, and 3, what is the expected size of each training? Should we target approximately 50 participants for each objective, objectives 1-3?

Response: The Applicant is to train a total of 250 participants. Of that total, at least 50 participants “should be trained in senior-level, invitation only, U.S.-based, two-week long training programs, targeting participants from the WHA region participants”. Otherwise, the number of courses per year, number of participants per course, and total participants by year are entirely up to the Applicant. The Government will assess that the Recipient has planned for at least 250 participants and that at least 50 of those participants were taught in “senior-level, initiation only, U.S.-based, two-week long training programs, targeting participants from the WHA region participants.”

8. Question: How do you define “Western Hemisphere (WHA) Region”?

Response: The Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) is the regional bureau responsible for engagement with the countries in the Latin America and Caribbean. Countries within the WHA region are: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

9. Question: Would you like us to include letters of support from our partners on the proposal?

Response: Letters of support may be included from your partners, though they are not required.

10. Question: As part of Travel and Logistics, should we plan to put in our budget the costs of participants from other countries coming to trainings for Objectives 1 and 2 (i.e., visas, airfare, accommodations, meals, etc.). For objectives 1 and 2, do we budget for participants’ ground transportation in their own countries? What do you consider to be incidentals? If people from neighboring countries are allowed to come to a training in another country (for Objectives 1 and 2), should we budget for their visas, airfare, hotels, etc.?

Response: Yes, the budget should include all travel costs associated with attending the training, to include travel to and from the airport, lodging, meals and incidental expenses. Incidental expenses (M&IE) include transportation between places of lodging and places where meals are taken, and transportation for any field trips associated with training

11. Question: With respect to participants’ progress reports, are participants expected to conduct a follow-up activity after the training? Are these progress reports for participants attending the in-country workshops (Objectives 1 and 2)? Or those attending the workshop in the United States? Both? We want to make sure we understand the intention of the progress reports.

Response: No. Participants are not expected to conduct a follow-up activity after the training. Progress reports are meant to capture how the individual’s knowledge improves from the start of the course to the end of the course.

12. Question: As for the priority developing countries listed for ICT training, is there a minimum number that need to be considered or all of them need to be considered for the training?

Response: The award winner should train 250 participants. These participants will come from developing countries around the world. The Applicant will need to demonstrate the capacity to conduct training on a global scale, with a priority placed on in-person training, and the ability to conduct online training or alternative training methods.