SOLICITATION NOTICE
U -- Department of State Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs Middle East Partnership Initiative Partnership Schools Program
- Notice Date
- 6/18/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 611110
— Elementary and Secondary Schools
- Contracting Office
- Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Middle East Partnership Initiative, 2201 C Street, NW, Room 6242, Washington, DC, 20520
- ZIP Code
- 20520
- Solicitation Number
- PSP-08004
- Response Due
- 8/17/2004
- Archive Date
- 9/1/2004
- Point of Contact
- AnnaMary Portz, Senior Grants Officer, Phone 202-776-8522, Fax 202-776-8445,
- E-Mail Address
-
PortzAM@state.gov
- Description
- The Office of Partnership Initiative, Bureau of Near East Affairs (NEA), Department of State, announces an open competition for proposals for the development, implementation, management, and oversight, of innovative, cost-effective approaches to enhance the quality and relevance of education in the Middle East, with an emphasis on primary and secondary education. The Partnership Schools Program (PSP) is part of the President?s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and is managed by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Partnership Initiative (NEA/PI). More information about MEPI can be found at www.mepi.state.gov. For the full request for applications, click on Current Opportunities, then click on Partnership Schools Program. NEA seeks a partner(s) to design, plan, and execute the PSP, and other appropriate education reform initiatives, in cooperation with regional governments, and other interested parties. The purpose of the program is to work with governments in the Middle East to respond to the critical need to modernize and upgrade elements of their national education systems, including: standards and assessment, curriculum development; professional development; administration (management and training); parental involvement; community participation and private sector support; and, technology utilization. Sector expertise and program implementation/management will be combined with government-to-government dialogue, led by NEA/PI, resulting in a robust program to enhance primary and secondary education in the Middle East. BACKGROUND MEPI?s objective is to support the transformation of regional educational institutions, with an emphasis on the primary and secondary levels, through the introduction and implementation of new and innovative techniques and technologies to enable schools and teachers to address the needs of students in the 21st Century. In addition to government support, MEPI anticipates including the active participation and partnership of both public and private sectors, and the active engagement of civil society and parental groups, in the PSP. MEPI anticipates developing and implementing creative, innovative alternatives for improving the quality of and access to education for children in the Middle East, within existing school systems/frameworks and built on priorities identified by the regional host government(s), in coordination with the Department of State/MEPI. The goal of the PSP is to demonstrate to governments, businesses, and communities that truly ?transformed? schools can produce educated youth with the skills necessary to positively contribute to their society and economy. MEPI has already laid the groundwork for this program, conducting general assessments of basic and secondary education systems in a number of countries in the region. In addition, MEPI has begun dialogue and engagement with governments in Yemen, Oman, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia. Applicants should expect to build on the work and relationships already developed with those countries. NEA anticipates that 3 ? 5 countries will be involved in the first year of the program. Other countries in the region will also be engaged; under consideration are: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen, and possibly others. The number of schools selected to participate in any country will depend on the priorities of the host government, the scale of implementation, and the availability of resources. All program elements in the United States may be conducted in English. Arabic or French translation and interpretation will be needed for the activities in the region. The program will include appropriate public diplomacy and outreach activities, as necessary, to engage the public in the region. NEA/PI will have substantive involvement in this cooperative agreement award. NEA/PI oversight of partner performance will include, but not be limited to, the review and approval of: (1) the Sector Expert(s); (2) Strategic Plans and Recommendations, including proposed site visits and technical assistance activities and schedules; (3) all materials developed and proposed for dissemination, including priorities and strategies agreed to with host-country officials and representatives; (4) any private sector/NGO providers identified to implement the program, and (5) an evolving and responsive public diplomacy and outreach element. NEA/PI is responsible for ensuring that funds are obligated only for countries eligible for assistance and will maintain vigilance to this end. For more program information on the Partnership Schools Program, please contact: Catherine Bourgeois, Education Pillar Manager, NEA/PI, 2201 C Street N.W., Washington, D.C., 20520, telephone: 202-776-8546, email: bourgeoisca2@state.gov.
- Record
- SN00606092-W 20040620/040618211827 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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