A.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Affairs Section of the U.

S.

Embassy in Singapore announces an open competition for local partners to host the EducationUSA Singapore Advising Center and collaborate on various U.

S.

higher education outreach initiatives.

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Embassy Singapore will provide some funds to support an advisor salary and basic operational costs, access to EducationUSA resources including advisor training, and marketing and promotion support.

Partnerships will leverage a shared interest to promote U.

S.

higher education and to provide educational advising and access to a special collection of reference materials about higher education in the United States to the local community in Singapore to build a next generation with globally minded perspectives, diverse networks, and innovative thinking.

U.

S.

Embassy Singapore is now seeking a partner to help the program be more accessible to potential students.

1.

Priority Region:
Singapore 2.

Program Objectives:
To build and support a mutually beneficial partnership between EducationUSA and a local partner organization in order to:
Provide reliable, non-biased access to information about U.

S.

higher education opportunities to students, families, and school representatives in Singapore at no cost; Provide training and information to secondary and post-secondary teachers, counselors, and administrators to empower them to support their students in taking advantage of U.

S.

higher education opportunities; Collaborate with the public and private sector in Singapore and the United States to align EducationUSA Singapore programming with industry needs when appropriate.

3.

Participants and Audiences:
Students seeking information and advising in preparation for undergraduate, graduate, technical/vocational, and study abroad programs in the United States.

Day-to-day advising focuses on reaching students, families, and education professionals.

Regular outreach events will seek to engage a wide range of stakeholders:
students, parents, teachers, counselors, local and national governmental organizations, and U.

S.

higher education admissions representatives.

4.

Elements of the Program Proposal:
Proposals should outline how the partner organization will (A) provide full or part-time advising to students seeking information about U.

S.

higher education opportunities; (B) actively conduct outreach and host in-person, hybrid, or virtual events that share information with relevant audiences; (C) provide the necessary basic infrastructure to host the Advising Center.

Proposals should outline how U.

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government funding will be utilized to achieve these goals, in addition to any cost-share to be provided by the partner organization.

Cost sharing is expected.

Proposals should outline how the recipient will utilize U.

S.

government funds and cost-sharing to provide for the following:
Office space, to include a minimum of one private room/office for the exclusive use of the EducationUSA Advisor as an office, meeting space, and storage for reference materials.

The space should include sufficient room for and be equipped with at least one bookshelf for the reference collection, one table with multiple chairs for visitors to read and research, one office work-station with Internet-accessible computer for the EducationUSA Advisor, and one additional computer for public use.

This space should also display the EducationUSA logo, mission statement, and principles of ethical advising.

Hours of operation for visitors to use the services of the EducationUSA Advising Center (which has been defined by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as at least twenty hours per week).

Ideally, venue space and logistical support for EducationUSA events, such as lectures, presentations, workshops, etc.

Overhead costs, including but not limited to electricity, telephone service, and Internet connection.

Maintenance for all materials and equipment purchased with U.

S.

government funds within the EducationUSA Advising Center.

Recruitment and management of partner organizations in Singapore that can collaborate on various aspects of the campaign, possibly including relevant government entities; educational institutions; or other organizations, associations, or groups.

Advertising, publicity, and outreach to attract attendees to in-person and virtual events and to amplify the program’s impact to wider audiences through traditional media and digital platforms.

In addition, proposals should include how the partner intends to:
Provide visibility for EducationUSA services.

For example, the partner may post public hours, services, and contact information on their website, or display EducationUSA logo/affiliation at the EducationUSA Advising Center.

Design and execute a monitoring and evaluation plan, which must measure program outcomes and impacts.

Coordinate with the U.

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Embassy on possible future engagement programs that will leverage combined resources (for example, enhanced outreach for virtual or in-person college fairs; workshops to train teachers, counselors, students, and/or parents; access to industry experts or U.

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university alumni events to provide speakers for events, etc.).

B.

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period:
12 months Number of awards anticipated:
One Award amounts:
Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $75,000 USD Total available funding:
Up to $75,000 USD of FY21 ECA and U.

S.

Embassy Singapore public diplomacy program funds are available.

There is potential for more funds to be made available if the budget is commensurate with the project goals, pending approvals and availability of funds Anticipated program start date (of program planning):
March 1, 202 1.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

1.

Funding Instrument Type:
Cooperative agreement.

Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the project implementation.

Working closely with the U.

S.

Embassy in Singapore, the Recipient shall develop a robust reporting system, a schedule of program events, and division of roles and responsibilities with EducationUSA and U.

S.

Embassy Singapore.

Regular, transparent communications via email, phone and video conference calls, and face-to-face meetings (as appropriate) throughout the period of performance are critical to the success of this cooperative agreement.

All major elements of the program and its content require advance approval by the U.

S.

Embassy in Singapore, including, but not limited to:
Office and venue space; Choices of specific programs, dates, and venues; Design and content of all collaterals, marketing, publicity, and media products; and Selection of any sub-awardees or other partner organizations or collaborators.The U.

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Embassy in Singapore may require revisions to any aspect of the program not previously approved.

The Embassy also reserves the right to require changes to previously agreed-upon elements of the program due to circumstances beyond our control.

2.

Program Performance Period:
One year, to begin approximately March 1, 2021 and conclude February 28, 2022, with the possibility for future awards pending successful performance and availability of future funding.

C.

ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION:
U.

S.

and local organizations with significant experience in education, international relations, and/or events and programming are invited to submit a proposal.

1.

Eligible Applicants-The U.

S.

Embassy in Singapore welcomes applications from U.S.-based, Singapore-based, and foreign non-profit organizations/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and U.S., Singapore, and foreign private, public, or state institutions of higher education.For-profit entities are not eligible to apply.

Successful U.S.-based applicants will demonstrate strong linkages with a Singapore-based partner organization.

2.

Cost Sharing or Matching:
Cost sharing is expected.

Cost-sharing components, including partnerships with other organizations, must be pre-approved by the U.

S.

Embassy in Singapore.

3.

Other Eligibility Requirements:
Awards can only be issued to organizations that are registered in SAM.gov.

Detailed instructions and tips on the registration process can be found here.

D.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Proposal Content:
Proposals must include the following:
Proposal Summary:
a short narrative outlining the key elements of the program, including objectives and anticipated impact.

Introduction to the Organization Applying:
a description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program; if applicable, list previous projects with U.

S.

Embassy Singapore or other U.

S.

government entities; Problem Statement:
a clear and concise statement of how the organization that is applying is prepared to address the objectives; Program Objectives:
a brief explanation of how the program will achieve the objectives; Program Activities, Methods, and Design:
a description of the deliverables, how the deliverables will be managed, and how the services will achieve the goal.

Proposed Program Schedule:
the proposed timeline for undertaking and completing the specific activities.

Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:
an explanation of how the activities will be monitored throughout the timeframe of the grant to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how the program will be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant.

Program Sustainability:
a summary of plans designed to help the value of the program live beyond the period of performance.

Proposed Budget:
A list of relevant project expenses in U.

S.

dollars, consistent with the proposal narrative, broken down into the following categories and cost per item and quantities.

Link to additional information Mandatory Forms - In addition to the narrative and financial proposal, applicants must submit the following mandatory application forms including:
SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs) SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) ** Note:
form templates can be downloaded here.

All proposals must be submitted to SingaporePASCultural@state.gov with “PAS Grant Application” and the applicant organization’s name in the subject line.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that an application has been received in its entirety.

U.

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Embassy Singapore bears no responsibility for applications not received before the due date or for data errors resulting from transmission.

Faxed, couriered, or hardcopy documents will not be accepted.

Reasonable accommodations may, in appropriate circumstances, be provided to applicants with disabilities or for security reasons.

Email SingaporePASCultural@state.gov if you want to inquire about accommodations.

E.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION Criteria – Evaluators will judge each application individually against the following criteria, listed below, and not against competing applications.

Link to additional information.

Process – A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.

F.

FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION - Can be found in link to additional information.

Terms and Conditions - Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications, which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:
2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at:
https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/.

G.

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS-If you have any questions about the application process, please contact:
SingaporePASCultural@state.gov