Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Architecture Biennales

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, seeks to advance international understanding of American values through the presentation of innovative architectural designs at the International Architecture Biennale in Venice, Italy, under solicitation DFOP0017180. This annual program statement provides funding up to $475,000 per biennale cycle to support the development, production, installation, and removal of a U.S. Pavilion exhibition, with $125,000 designated for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for venue operations and $350,000 allocated for exhibition creation, including travel for curators and key participants. Applicants must submit proposals through Grants.gov or MYGRANTS during defined windows aligned with the 20th (2027), 21st (2029), and 22nd (2031) Biennales, adhering to strict formatting requirements including 14-point Calibri font, single-spacing, and 1-inch margins, with all documentation in English and costs in U.S. dollars. The application requires mandatory forms—including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and SF-LLL if applicable—along with a detailed budget using the provided template, a one-page timeline, and letters of support where relevant. All recipients must comply with federal regulations including OMB 2 CFR 200, specifically governing travel under the Fly America Act, domestic preference for U.S.-produced goods, and mandatory disclosures of fraud or criminal violations. Awards are subject to termination if they no longer align with U.S. foreign policy or national interests, and recipients must meet stringent reporting requirements including performance and financial status reports, with a final report due 120 days afteraward expiration. The selection process includes a rigorous risk review assessing financial stability, management systems, performance history, and audit findings, verified via SAM.gov, including checks for exclusions and debts to the U.S. government. Proposals are evaluated on architectural merit, exhibition design quality, alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals, and organizational capacity, with equal weighting assigned to the first three criteria. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier and, if based in the U.S. or paying U.S. employees, must also hold an EIN and CAGE code. Subrecipients must obtain a UEI but are exempt from full SAM registration. Branding mandates require clear