conferencecalladdendum-qa 3.31.11.docx

Journalism RFPs – Conference Call Addendum: Responses to submitted questions not covered during the call March 28, 2011

Please note – Correction for Balkh University The correct email for Professor Zia Ferozpur at Balkh University is: ziaferozpur@googlemail.com. The RFP listed his email incorrectly. We apologize for any confusion resulting from this error.

1. Are there certificate program(s) that must be completed prior to the end date of the grant that are NOT degree related?

No. This is up to the design of the proposal.

2. Will Balkh University have by 2012 a "Media Center" much like the one that will be found at Herat University? Or will the new Media Center at Balkh University be scaled down or up based on a different set of requirements?

Yes, they should. Same design, same materials as the Kabul and Heart centers. Equipment and training lists available on grants.gov. Construction will likely start before the end of 2011 and will take roughly 8 months to complete.

3. With the draw-down of US and NATO troops beginning in approximately 4 to 5 months, will overall security become an issue for completing this project? Said a different way, will this grant be "pulled" once US troops are completely withdrawn or will it be continued?

We do not expect to pull this grant. We expect grant activities to continue independently of the military strategy. We understand that successful execution of grant activities will be subject to developing security conditions. We seek applicants who are well aware of the past, current and future security risks and are ready and willing to execute projects here with full awareness of those conditions, and demonstrate this awareness in their proposals through appropriate budgeting and program activity design.

4. Will proposals be allowed to creep over the RFP amount for specific reasons?

While budgets slightly larger than 1 million would not invalidate a proposal, applicants should strive to keep within budget guidelines.

5. Will the eventual approved university have to have staff in-country for specific numbers of annual visits and/or total number of days to completely exercise the RFP requirements?

We do not have specific numbers in mind. Proposals will be evaluated based on alignment of project activities to grant goals and objectives and whether the committee determines the projected activities will allow for successful fulfillment of the grant objectives.

6. With the withdrawal of troops during the tenure of this RFP timeline - will proposals be allowed to "increase" their security line-item based on troop withdrawals in the region to cover the use of private security, etc.?

Applicants should build in any expected security costs in their proposal budget. If the security situation changes significantly, PAS would consider amending grants to ensure greater security during execution of activities.

7. Sayra Institute helped start an independent radio station and newspaper in 2004 in the Herat area... were similar efforts started [by anyone....] in Balkh or in Khost, Afghanistan?

See Balkh and SZU overviews for mention of radio stations. Also, see Media Directory for a broader view of the media sector in Afghanistan.

8. Will there be any sort of US-sponsored contractor activity in the areas of Khost or Balkh like that found in Herat --> AED Consulting Group’s contracted “Higher Education Enhancement” project?

There will be other USG-sponsored projects ongoing at all six universities, including the Higher Education Project which is currently run by UMass.

9. Is the department planning on adding any faculty over the next few years? If so, is there latitude about the skill set/expertise of these new hires?

There is a good chance universities will hire additional or replacement faculty members during the next three years, though universities are dependent on Ministry of Higher Education approval and payment of salaries. Universities do not fully control their own budget and are not legally allowed to raise money independently or accept donations from foundations or individuals. We would hope a grantee would be in a position relationship-wise to advise any university on skill sets or expertise of new hires.

10. Is it acceptable/desirable to include in the proposal hiring an on-the-ground project manager?

Yes. Unless US staff will spend extensive amounts of time on the ground here, a local project manager will likely be necessary to ensure smooth operation of the project.

11. How is the curriculum structured in terms of general education and journalism specialization required and elective courses?

See course listings on grants.gov (under Balkh and Shaikh Zayed) for specific balance between general education and journalism classes. Electives are an unfamiliar concept and not currently included in any department’s offerings. San Jose State University is attempting to build in electives, but we do not yet know if the course selection has been approved by the Ministry of Higher Education. Also, Kabul University is perceived as the main university of which the others are branch campuses. The tendency for new departments is to copy the curriculum and course offerings of Kabul.

12. Can applicants include PRT resources in the grant activities?

Public Affairs will not approve proposals that include reliance on military or civilian PRT resources for logistics or security. There are a couple of key reasons behind this decision. First, this grant is a civilian grant funded by Public Affairs with exclusively civilian involvement. Military involvement is not appropriate for the purposes of this grant. Second, the civilian side of PRTs does not have resources to support our grantees in the short- or long-term. Third, grantees have greater flexibility when they arrange their logistics independently of PRTs.

13. What are considered the university's strongest academic programs? Does it have a political science program? Something like a public health program?

Please ask the local contacts for additional information on programming.

13. Are most students full or part time?

Students often work while they are in school, but sometimes are taking a full course load. Many universities offer evening classes for those who work full time. It should also be noted that professors often work other jobs as well. University lecturer salaries are very low.

14. Does Balkh University have a good computer lab?

Through SILK-Afghanistan’s NATO-funded grant, there will be at least one good computer lab. We are working to get more details on other facilities to which professors or students have access.

15. Why did the relationship with the radio station end and could it/should it be resuscitated?

We do not currently have the details on why that relationship ended.

16. How many established newspapers, radio, and television news stations are there in the area, if any? Does the Balkh University department have any partnerships or connections with local, national, or international media organizations? Does the Balkh University department have any past or current students working at those organizations?

Please see the new Media Directory posted with the RFP for a listing of media outlets in Afghanistan. The country has a robust media sector, including in Balkh. Please see the university-specific overviews for details available on current staff employment in the media sector or existing official partnerships.

17. What percentage of students might be expected to be proficient in English?

Any information available on English language fluency is included in the RFP or the university-specific overviews.

18. Could you please describe the size of each institution in terms of journalism faculty and students?

Please see the university-specific overviews.

19. What are the educational qualifications of journalism faculty members?

Please see the university-specific overviews.

20. Please describe the current facilities, including newspaper, radio, and television outlets.

Please see the university-specific overviews and Media Directory.

21. What are the individual needs, goals, and objectives of each institution?

Please see the university-specific overviews.

22. The Funding Opportunity describes the inclusion of “limited indirect costs” within the budget: please elaborate on specific percentages or calculations, if possible.

Federally approved NICRA rates are acceptable for submission in the proposal budget.