Background:
PY100 forms the core of public diplomacy training and establishes a foundation on which to build specialization and expertise in public diplomacy tradecraft. The course is designed to provide participants with an understanding of public diplomacy as an instrument of U.S. foreign policy and an introduction to the tools, resources, knowledge and skills required for creating and implementing successful Public Diplomacy strategies overseas. It addresses the development of public diplomacy at the Department of State, provides an overview of selected topics in U.S. society, history and culture that will enable officers to effectively represent U.S. interests abroad, and describes the various public diplomacy tools that can be employed in missions to promote national interests and fulfill mission and Public Diplomacy goals.
In order to give the students an outside unbiased perspective on Public Diplomacy, on day 1 of each PY100 course session, the students are provided a 4-hour introduction to the history and practice of Public Diplomacy by a leading outside academic authority. FSI/SPAS/PD is therefore seeking proposals from a leading outside academic authority (referred to as "contractor" hereon) to design and lead the 4-hour module and present it to the class at FSI.

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and is not a Request for Proposals or Quotes (RFP or RFQ) or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any services. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government reserves the right to determine how it should proceed as a result of this notice. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regard to its submission. The Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Department of State, Foreign Service Institute is seeking information regarding the following materials with required specifications. Please carefully review the requirements and respond according to the directions following stated below.

The Government seeks feedback and comments on the attached Draft Performance Work Statement.

Responses should also include the following information:
1. Vendor's DUNS number, business size, and other relevant classifications
2. Name of vendor
3. Business title
4. Institutional or organizational affiliations, if applicable
5. Email address
6. Telephone number

In addition, submissions may also include:
1. a 1-page Capability Statement that addresses the desired qualifications listed in the Draft Performance Work Statement
2. a notional, firm-fixed price, cost estimate for the delivery of the module as described in the Draft Performance Work Statement.

Do not include the following in the response:
1. Do not submit formal proposals or offers;
2. Do not submit requests to be considered for award or to be notified of a future solicitation;
3. Do not submit requests to be added to a mailing or distribution list;
4. Do not submit questions or comments not related to this RFI;
5. Do not respond via telephone.

How to Submit Responses:
1. Submit the required information in a Microsoft Word document to Eric Modrak, Contract Specialist, at [email protected].
2. Please include "SFSIAQ15I0001 History and Practice of Public Diplomacy" in the email subject line.
3. If you have any questions regarding this RFI, please submit them via email to [email protected].
4. The RFI closing date is April 30, 2015 at 15:00 ET