[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 197 (Friday, October 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58741-58744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25784]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 4510]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant
Proposals: Pre-Academic English Language Training and Academic
Readiness Phase of the Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies
PLUS Program
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the
Pre-Academic English Language Training and Academic Readiness phase of
the ECA Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies (PLUS) Program.
Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may
submit proposals to provide administrative and program support services
for placing between 75 and 100 undergraduate students from the Middle
East and North Africa in groups of no more than 14 students in
appropriate United States Intensive English Programs (IEPs). These IEPs
should be associated with U.S. colleges and universities offering a
pre-academic program of intensive English language instruction,
academic readiness, and acculturation to life and study in the United
States. It is anticipated that most of the students will begin their
pre-academic programs in January 2004 or the spring semester of the
institution's academic calendar.
Program Information
Overview: The Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies (PLUS)
Program of the ECA Partnership for Learning Initiative seeks to reach a
broad sector of college-age youth (17-22) from diverse backgrounds,
provide them with a greater understanding of U.S. institutions, society
and culture, and build leadership for the region through education.
The goal of the PLUS scholarship program is to identify and support
undergraduate level study at accredited higher education institutions
in the United States for a select cadre of academically talented
undergraduate students from the Middle East and North Africa who
exhibit leadership potential in contributing to the economic,
political, and social development of the region.
PLUS scholarships are offered for the final two years of
undergraduate level study leading to a bachelor's degree in the social
sciences and humanities. When necessary, the program will also
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provide up to eight months of pre-academic training to develop English
language proficiency and participant academic readiness. The two-year
Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies (PLUS) Program has been
announced under a separate Request for Grant Proposals.
Program participants will be recruited, screened and nominated by
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST) in
conjunction with Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Embassies and/or
Fulbright Commissions in the region. An independent review panel in
Washington, DC, will determine final selection of scholarship grantees.
Participants will be placed in pre-academic programs as determined
necessary in the selection process.
The Bureau's Office of English Language Programs administers this
first phase of the PLUS Scholarship Program, and is responsible for
allocation of funding, policy guidance and administrative oversight.
The cooperating agency will have responsibility for program
administration, which involves performance of services in the following
broad categories: Program Planning and Management; Placement;
Supervision and Support Services; Fiscal Management; and Reporting and
Evaluation Services.
Guidelines: It is anticipated that program administration
activities will cover the time period December 15, 2003, through August
30, 2004. The expected cooperating agency caseload is projected to be
between 75 and 100 candidates for spring 2004 and summer 2004 pre-
academic programs. The cooperating agency will be responsible for the
following:
(1) Identify up to 10 U.S. institutions of higher education which
have Intensive English Programs that also provide activities for
acculturation to life and study in the U.S. These institutions should
be geographically widespread and represent the diversity of higher
education in the U.S. The cooperating agency should work with the
Bureau in the final selection process of these institutions.
(2) Negotiate placement into the program for the candidates and
arrange scholarships or reductions of tuition or other fees when
possible to leverage U.S. government funds and increase the number of
participants. Negotiate on-campus housing to include, whenever
possible, English-speaking roommate(s), meal plans, types and costs.
Assess the availability and nature of acculturation programs including
possible home hospitality or weekend and holiday visits with American
families.
(3) In conjunction with the U.S. Embassy, arrange travel for the
candidates from their home countries to the location of the U.S.
institution in accordance with the ``Fly-America Act.'' ECA intends to
issue the necessary DS-2019 forms and work with the U.S. embassies to
secure visas for the candidates.
(4) Transfer grant funds to the respective host institutions for
the students' tuition, accommodations, food, and incidentals.
(5) Enroll candidates in the Bureau's Health and Accident Insurance
Program (ASPE).
(6) Monitor program and participants.
(7) Track, audit, and disburse PLUS Scholarship Program Funds.
Budget Guidelines
The Bureau anticipates awarding one grant, in an amount up to
$1,150,000 to support program and administrative costs required to
implement phase one of the PLUS Program. Bureau grant guidelines
require that organizations with fewer than four years experience in
conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau
funding. As it is expected that the budget for this program will exceed
$60,000, organizations that cannot demonstrate at least four years
experience will not be eligible to apply under this competition. The
Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost-sharing
and funding in management of programs.
Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire
program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase,
location, or activity to provide clarification.
Allowable costs for the program include the following:
(1) Per participant: Expenses for a spring semester and full summer
sessions as deemed necessary by the selection process including:
i. tuition and fees,
ii. books and educational materials,
iii. on-campus housing with English-speaking roommate(s),
iv. access to a comprehensive meal plan,
v. maintenance allowance,
vi. extra curricular acculturation programs. It is anticipated that
total expenses will range from $12,500 to $16,000 per participant,
depending on the institution and the amount of cost sharing negotiated.
(2) Round Trip Air Travel from home country to site of U.S.
institution.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
Announcement Title and Number: All correspondence with the Bureau
concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number ECA/A/
L-04-02.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of English Language
Programs, ECA/A/L, Room 304, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547; Phone: (202) 619-5886; Fax: (202)
401-1250; E-mail: [email protected]; or Internet address: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/RFGPs to request a Solicitation Package.
The Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria, required
application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard
guidelines for proposal preparation. Please specify Bureau Program
Officer Kenneth M. Jenson for all other inquiries and correspondence.
Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants
until the proposal review process has been completed.
To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's
Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/RFGPs. Please read all
information before downloading.
New OMB Requirement
An OMB policy directive published in the Federal Register on
Friday, June 27, 2003, requires that all organizations applying for
Federal grants or cooperating agreements must provide a Dun and
Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when
applying for all Federal grants or cooperating agreements on or after
October 1, 2003. The complete OMB policy directive can be referenced at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/062703_grant_identifier.pdf.
Please also visit the ECA Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm for additional information on how to comply
with this new directive.
Deadline for Proposals
All proposal copies must be received at the Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Monday, November
10, 2003. Faxed documents will not be
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accepted at any time. Documents postmarked the due date but received on
a later date will not be accepted. Each applicant must ensure that the
proposals are received by the above deadline.
Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation
Package. The original and seven copies of the application should be
sent to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/L-04-02, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM,
Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547.
Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic
status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to
adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program
administration and in program content. Please refer to the review
criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section for specific
suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total proposal. Public
Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of educational and
cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom
and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide
opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and
democracy leaders of such countries.'' Public Law 106-113 requires that
the governments of the countries described above do not have
inappropriate influence in the selection process. Proposals should
reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the
full extent deemed feasible.
Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa
Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to
Solicitation Package for further information. The Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs is placing renewed emphasis on the secure and
proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and
adherence by grantees and sponsors to all regulations governing the J
visa. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity
to meet all requirements governing the administration of Exchange
Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR part 62, including the
oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers,
screening and selection of program participants, provision of pre-
arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of
participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping,
reporting and other requirements. ECA will be responsible for issuing
DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734,
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 401-9810,
FAX: (202) 401-9809.
Review Process
The Bureau will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will
review them for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed
ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein
and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be
reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section
overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to
compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and
forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may
also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other
Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of
the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Educational and
Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for cooperating agreements
resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. Program Development and Management: Proposals should exhibit
precision and relevance to the Bureau's mission.
2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should
demonstrate the cooperating agency's logistical capacity. Agenda and
plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described
above.
3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and
plan.
4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials
and follow-up activities).
5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
6. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grant
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
7. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original
project objectives is recommended. Successful applicants will be
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
8. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.
9. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.
Authority
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Pub. L. 87-256,
as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the
Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United
States and other
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nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of friendly,
sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the
other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the program
above is provided through ECA's Exchanges Appropriation.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment
on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce,
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Notification
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.
Dated: October 6, 2003.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 03-25784 Filed 10-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P