The Foreign Service Journal, May 2016

72 MAY 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Partners in Global Education Strengthening Overseas Security On Feb. 19, AFSA representatives participated in the Global Education Symposium hosted by the International Research and Exchanges Board as part of its Teachers for Global Classrooms Program—a partnership with the Department of State. Hundreds of teachers and administrators preparing to embark on international exchange programs were in attendance. The event offered an opportunity for GCP participants to meet with organizations, businesses and leaders in the growing field of global education. Pictured (l-r): AFSA Awards Coordinator Perri Green and Communications and Outreach Specialist Allan Saunders speak with High School Social Studies Specialist Craig Perrier (right) of Fairfax County Public Schools about how AFSA resources, such as Inside a U.S. Embassy , Speakers Bureau visitors and the High School Essay Contest, can supplement his lesson plans. AFSA/BRIARBLOUNT On Feb. 29, AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson (left) and Director of Advocacy Javier Cuebas (not pictured) met with Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) (right) to thank her for helping the Depart- ment of State secure Best Value Contracting authority in the Fiscal Year 2016 omnibus bill. The legislation expands the department’s authority, for one year only, to award guard force contracts using the Cost/Technical Trade-Off or “Best Value” Process. Previously, at all but high-threat posts, local guard force contracts were awarded using the mandated Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Source Selection Process. The group also discussed possible legislative vehicles for making the provision permanent. n AFSA/JAVIERCUEBAS Keene Scholarship Established In February, Mrs. Beth Keene, wife of the late Foreign Ser- vice Officer Douglas Keene, established the Douglas Keene Memorial/Sharon Papp Financial Aid Scholarship. The award will be bestowed on a college undergraduate dependent of an AFSA member begin- ning in the 2016-2017 aca- demic year. During a 35-year Foreign Service career from 1967 to 2002, Mr. Keene had seven overseas assignments and served as deputy chief of mission in Oman (1986- 1989) and Jordan (1991- 1994). The couple spent their retirement years in Ocean Park, Maine, and McLean, Virginia. Mr. Keene passed away in the fall of 2015. Grateful for the effective legal support that AFSA General Counsel Sharon Papp provided to Mr. Keene in the late 1990s, Mrs. Keene wished to recognize Papp with this scholarship. For information on the AFSA Scholarship Program, please visit www.afsa.org/ scholar or contact Scholar - ship Director Lori Dec at (202) 944-5504 or dec@afsa.org. n —Lori Dec, Scholarship Director