U.S. Department of State/Western Hemisphere Affairs/
Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (WHA/PDA)
Program Office: Western Hemisphere Affairs/Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (WHA/PDA), U.S. Department of State
Funding Opportunity Title: Information Technology Training and Materials Development for Cuban Users
Announcement Type: Grant
Funding Opportunity Number: S-LMAQM-10-RFA-WHA- PDA-011
Deadline for Applications: August 16, 2010
CFDA 19.000
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to U.S. educational institutions with a strong international information technology (IT) training program and capacity to obtain and develop IT materials in digital format in Spanish. Direct funding for non-U.S. entities is not available under this announcement.
The Department encourages organizations that have not previously received international program funding from the U.S. Government to apply under this announcement. Applicants must have a demonstrated expertise in information technology training and digital IT materials preparation in Spanish. Direct, successful experience working in challenging, Spanish-speaking environments is preferred.
Cost Sharing or Matching
This program does not require cost sharing, but in-kind financial and/or equipment contribution will be favorably considered.
Other Special Eligibility Criteria
Not Applicable.
Contact Information
A) For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726.
B) For assistance with the technical requirements of this solicitation, contact Ms. Veronica Thompson, Grant Specialist, and U.S. Department of State.
Email: (Preferred method of communication)
C) On program requirements of this solicitation, contact Ms. Gloria Berbena, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba, at:
Email: (preferred method of communication)
CONTENTS
Executive Summary………………………………………………………………... 3
Background………………………………………………………………………… 3
Eligibility Requirements…………………………………………………………….5
Application and Submission Information………………………………………….. 5
Award Selection Criteria…………………………………………………………… 8
Award Administration………………………………………………………………9
Disclaimer………………………………………………………………………….. 10
I. Executive Summary
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (WHA/PDA) is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide distance information technology (IT) training, course materials, and digital IT information materials, software, and manuals reflecting current IT trends, developments, and information. The Office invites U.S. educational institutions to submit proposals for a 24-month grant to develop a three-pronged IT program for Cuban users. The IT program should include: 1) development and implementation of a Spanish-language distance IT training certificate series for beginning, mid-level, and advanced Cuban students; 2) development and provision of Spanish-language self-study digital materials mirroring the training series for students unable to attend the IT classes; 3) identification, development, and regular provision of Spanish-language digital IT information materials, software, and manuals reflecting current IT trends, developments, and information. WHA/PDA will award up to $ $445,000 for the 24-month project.
II. BACKGROUND
The Government of Cuba legalized the sale of personal computers in 2008. Many Cubans need to use computers in their workplaces and would welcome greater access at home. The Cuban National Statistics Office reports 1.6 million Internet users in Cuba, or 14.2 per 100 residents. In most cases this represents access to a government intranet via the workplace, cultural or youth centers, or post offices. Cuba has the lowest Internet penetration in the Western Hemisphere. Opportunities to learn to use computers are few due to limited network capacity, sparse ownership, and extremely high operating and access costs. Cuban students receive little to no computer training and computer resources and access in schools are severely limited.
Although some hotels provide Internet access, one hour of access costs approximately half the average Cuban monthly salary. Because Cuba lacks fiber optic Internet connections, loading emails, websites, photos, and videos can be an agonizingly slow process. This affects government and business operations as well as personal access.
Access to satellite television is severely restricted and is illegal without special government permission. Although cell phones are increasingly common, cell phone use remains prohibitively expensive for average Cubans, who use their phones primarily to page friends, send text messages, or play music. Some phones and Blackberries from outside Cuba do work in Cuba, e.g. Canadian, Mexican, and British cell phones and Blackberries, but roaming costs in Cuba are extremely expensive.
Due to the island’s limited technological capacity, Cubans lag behind regional neighbors in basic understanding of information technology. Those with a more sophisticated understanding, e.g., computer scientists, still lack many technological resources. Telecommunications between the United States and Cuba are permitted, and services and software related to the exchange of communication over the Internet are also permitted. This includes instant messaging; chat and email, social networking, sharing of photos and movies, web browsing, and blogging. Limitations to technology, infrastructure and access, however, prevent most Cubans from fully developing their IT potential.
The United States has been an information technology leader for decades. IT has become an integral part of American government and business, and is central to the life of many Americans. Cubans recognize and appreciate American IT expertise, and many Cubans would welcome the opportunity to increase their IT knowledge and to learn from the American IT model. The goal of this program is to share the U.S. IT model and working with interested Cubans to develop their information technology knowledge and skills so they are better able to understand and participate in an evolving IT world. The U.S. Interests Section in Havana currently offers its Internet and distance learning facilities to the Cuban public so they may take advantage of available expertise and IT resources. Cuban users would welcome additional IT courses and materials geared to Cuban needs and interests. This program will offer three-tiered, multi-module courses, in Spanish, aimed at beginner, mid-level, and advanced technology users (within the Cuban context). Training for the beginning and mid-levels will involve a mix of digital video conference (DVC) group training followed by hands-on computer training via distance learning using facilities of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba. The advanced training course students will participate through the Section's Distance Learning Center.
The beginning course will include, but not be limited to, an overview of basic technology systems and terminology including mouse/keyboard use, copy/paste options, Windows and Office software, Internet email and search capabilities, use of flash drives and CDs, anti-virus and back-up measures, new media concepts, IT applications within the Cuban system, and hands-on computer exposure. The mid-level course will include, but not be limited to, building on the basic course, providing modules addressing blogging, social networking (including Face book and Twitter), as well as other more advanced applications. The advanced course will include, but not be limited to, building skills and knowledge through modules on the creation of online newsletters, webpage design, network building and maintenance, and video editing. Mid-level and advanced courses will include information transfer techniques that optimize communication within Cuban technological limitations.
Since student numbers must be limited, this grant also includes the development and provision of digital course materials in Spanish. These materials should be available on a CD and reflect the courses’ content, but be adapted for self-study and sharing with Cubans who live in the provinces or are otherwise unable to participate in the courses.
The third element of the grant involves the regular researching and provision of materials in Spanish and in digital formats that reflect current IT trends and developments and that incorporate publicly available software and manuals. The material will help to bridge the IT information gap in Cuba and will also be compiled with an eye to helping Cubans connect with each other and with the outside world, within their current and evolving constraints. Most Cuban end users will have only the most basic software at home, e.g., Windows, so all materials and software the grantee provides must be in the public domain or include the necessary usage/distribution rights. Internet-based software (such as Word press) will need to be provided in an offline version, since most end users will have to learn how to operate within the software even when they do not have access to Internet.
As IT technology and concepts evolve, the coursework and materials must be adapted to reflect these changes. Obtaining visas to travel from the United States to Cuba can be unpredictable; consequently, coursework under this grant should be conducted via distance learning channels, including digital video conferences and Internet-connected computers available at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba. Many Cubans do not speak English, so all coursework and training must be conducted in Spanish and all materials must be in Spanish. Connectivity at the U.S. Interests Section is satellite-based and unpredictable, as is the ability of Cuban students to attend courses, so maximum flexibility will be essential in coordinating and conducting courses.
Objectives
Understanding and using modern information technology can be critical to ensuring the free flow of information that is essential to a vibrant civil society. This project will provide basic and advanced IT skills and information to build capacity within Cuba to support the free flow of information and a connected society. The project will enable Cubans to work within their environment to connect with each other and the outside world. This project will provide funding for 24 months to enable a U.S. educational institution to develop, coordinate, and teach (via DVC and distance learning) a continuing series of IT training courses; provide self-study digital materials based on the IT course content; and provide digital materials in Spanish for distribution on a regular basis, e.g., every two months, to users of varied levels to inform them of IT developments and trends. It will also provide public domain software and IT manuals. Pending the availability of funds, the project will award approximately $445,500 (for 24 months) to cover the costs of program and curriculum development; educational materials development; information materials development; instructor salaries; and technical connection costs.
Below is a list of objectives for the program:
· Development and implementation of a distance IT training series, with continuing courses for beginning, mid-level, and advanced students (within the Cuban context).
· Conducting courses and providing all materials in correct Spanish.
· Development of courses and materials that expand general IT knowledge and include practical ideas, adaptations, and applications to the current Cuban environment.
· Adaptation of courses and materials as IT technology and concepts evolve, and as the Cuban information environment changes.
· The beginning course will include, but not be limited to, ensuring an understanding of basic technology systems and terminology including mouse/keyboard use, copy/paste options, Windows and Office software, Internet email, and search capabilities; use of flash drives and CDs; anti-virus and back-up measures; new media concepts; and IT applications within the Cuban system.
· The mid-level course will include, but not be limited to, building on the beginning course foundations and offering training on more advanced, specific applications including blogging, social media usage, and other information transfer techniques within the Cuban context.
· The advanced course will include, but not be limited to, building skills and knowledge to support individual and institutional IT efforts, including the creation and maintenance of online newsletters and websites, building and maintaining networks, editing videos, and information transfer techniques within the Cuban context.
· Developing digital course materials, based on the three-level course content, for self-study and sharing by program graduates and others who wish to start training programs in the provinces.
· The training faculty should comprise a mix of experienced Spanish-speaking IT experts with knowledge of Cuba’s specific technological environment, to ensure practical, real world solutions to the students’ challenging environment.
· Providing certificates of completion for the IT training courses.
· Improving practical skills and experiential learning opportunities for students in the classroom and in the field.
· Teaching and instilling respect for IT intellectual property rights protections.
· Providing materials on a regular basis, e.g., every two months, in Spanish and digital format that reflect current IT trends and developments and that incorporate publicly available or appropriately licensed software and manuals.
· Ensuring that all materials and coursework exist in the public domain and/or that usage/distribution rights are in place as necessary.
· Developing promotional materials in Spanish for coursework to be distributed and posted on U.S. government websites.
Expected Results
The program should enhance participants’ IT skills, understanding, and knowledge at multiple levels; instill an appreciation of international IT norms and usage; provide current, regular, relevant IT information and material to Cuban users seeking information in this field; and equip advanced graduates with the skills necessary to create IT infrastructure and to use IT tools to advance individual and institutional communication and connections.
Funding Priorities
WHA/PDA seeks to fund a creative and sustainable distance learning project coordinated by a U.S. educational institution’s international IT training program with facilitation from the United States Interests Section in Havana. U.S. educational institutions with strong distance learning platforms and experience in delivering similar IT training via distance learning to Spanish-speaking students in challenging Spanish-speaking environments will be favorably considered.
III. ELIGIBILITY Requirements
Eligibility is limited to U.S. educational institutions with strong distance learning platforms and experience in delivering IT training via distance learning to Spanish-speaking students in developing countries. Direct funding for non-U.S. institutions is not available under this announcement.
Although applicants are not required to include funding from other donors, applications that include additional in-kind and/or cash contributions from non-U.S. Government sources will be more competitive, as cost-sharing demonstrates a strong commitment to the planned activities and will be considered to show greater cost effectiveness.
IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Award Period: 24 months
Award Amount: $ 445,000 is available for this grant program.
Anticipated number of Awards: 1
Application Submission Process: Applicants must submit proposals electronically using Grants.gov. Thorough instructions on the Grants.gov application process are available at http://www.grants.gov. For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726. For questions about this solicitation, please email your questions and/or inquiries to Ms. Veronica Thompson, Grant Management Specialist, and U.S. Department of State at .