[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 246 (Thursday, December 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76965-76971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28106]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4941]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: American Music Abroad

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/CU-05-14.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: February 15, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Cultural Programs Division in the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
(ECA) announces an open competition for a grant to administer the 
American Music Abroad Program (formerly known as Jazz Ambassadors). The 
Program will consist of concert tours for a selected number of 
professional American jazz and urban music performers in countries 
where there is limited exposure to American culture. The musicians 
selected for this program must demonstrate high artistic ability and be 
conversant with broader aspects of contemporary American society and 
culture. Tours include workshops and master classes in addition to 
concerts.
    U.S. public and non-profit organizations meeting the provisions 
described in Internal Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may 
submit proposals that support the goals of the American Music Abroad 
program: to promote mutual understanding and cross-cultural awareness. 
The tours accomplish this by providing an opportunity for international 
audiences to experience American musical life, highlighting our 
country's cultural history as well as the contemporary cultural scene, 
and allowing American performers to learn about life and culture in the 
foreign host countries.

[[Page 76966]]

    The Bureau is particularly interested in proposals for 
administration of tours by jazz and urban music performers to countries 
with significant Muslim populations, and that engage educators or 
groups that influence youth. In the Western Hemisphere, we are also 
interested in proposals for projects that reach indigenous populations. 
For the purpose of this competition, eligible regions are Africa, East 
Asia, Eurasia, Central Europe and the Balkans, the Near East/North 
Africa, South Asia and the Western Hemisphere.
    No guarantee is made or implied that a grant will be awarded for 
tours to all of these regions.
    All organizations must demonstrate a minimum of four years 
experience conducting international performing arts exchange programs 
to be eligible for this competition.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: Overall grant making authority for this program is 
contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 
Public Law 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 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 legislation.
    Purpose: The Bureau seeks proposals to engage audiences overseas 
that rarely have opportunities to hear live American music and interact 
with American performers, by administering six tours by jazz quartets 
and two by presenters of urban music styles. American Music Abroad 
participants must be U.S. citizens at least 21 years old; demonstrate 
the highest artistic and musical ability; be conversant with broader 
aspects of contemporary American society and culture; and adaptable to 
unescorted, rigorous touring through regions where travel and 
performance situations may be difficult. In addition to performances, 
American Music Abroad musicians will conduct or participate in master 
classes, lectures, workshops, impromptu musical sessions, radio and TV 
appearances, and other activities with local cultural institutions, 
musicians, and students. An opportunity for a Washington, DC public 
performance by each ensemble in connection with the overseas tour 
should be included in the proposal.
    History: Since 1998, the United States Department of State, through 
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the John F. Kennedy 
Center for the Performing Arts have collaborated in the selection and 
presentation of jazz groups overseas, to present the creativity and 
artistry of America's unique, original form of music to audiences which 
rarely have opportunities to hear live American music and interact with 
American performing artists. In 1998, selected jazz ensembles, 
designated for the first time as ``Jazz Ambassadors,'' toured Africa, 
the Near East and South Asia. In 1999, Jazz Ambassadors performed in 
Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. In recent years, tours have 
included certain countries in Europe and Eurasia, as well as East Asia.
    Program goals are to promote mutual understanding and cross-
cultural awareness. The tours accomplish this by providing an 
opportunity for international audiences to experience American life and 
traditions through music that highlights our country's cultural history 
along with contemporary musical styles, as well as by allowing American 
performing artists to learn about life and culture in the foreign host 
countries.
    Additional area of program emphasis: To broaden the appeal of this 
program to youthful audiences in disadvantaged communities, ECA is 
initiating the presentation in 2005 of two ensembles representing urban 
music styles.
    Guidelines: The grant period will begin approximately May 2005 and 
continue through approximately April 2006. The successful applicant 
will administer the international tour program for approximately eight 
ensembles, which already have been auditioned and selected for travel 
to begin in 2005. The successful applicant will also organize auditions 
for new groups that will travel in 2006.
    Proposals should reflect a practical understanding of global, 
cultural, political, economic and social issues. Special attention 
should be given to describing the applicant organization's experience 
with planning and implementing complex and unpredictable logistical 
scenarios in the regions mentioned above. Applicants should identify 
any U.S. and foreign partner organizations and/or venues with whom they 
are proposing to collaborate, and describe previous cooperative 
projects in the section on ``Institutional Capacity.''
    ECA intends to award one grant to a qualified institution or 
organization to administer the American Music Abroad program globally. 
The grant may be renewed up to two times, subject to the grantee 
organization's successful implementation of the program. Grant 
activities may include, but are not limited to, carrying out up to 
eight (8) international tours through advance tour planning; 
programming educational and outreach activities in consultation with 
U.S. embassies abroad; scheduling Washington, DC public performance 
dates for each ensemble; assisting musicians with passport, visa, 
immunizations, and pre-tour preparations; arranging and providing 
orientation sessions and pre-travel briefings; creating press materials 
and overseas publicity support; evaluating program activities; 
reporting; participating in the selection process; and assisting 
ensembles and embassies with follow-on program development. Applicants 
should have experience in global exchange planning and implementation, 
and should address the above elements in the proposal. The grantee must 
be highly responsive and able to work in close consultation with the 
participating U.S. embassies' Public Affairs Sections overseas.
    A pre-tour briefing session for each ensemble should be held with 
State Department regional experts and ECA program officers in 
attendance. This event should be scheduled in coordination with the 
Washington, DC public performance.
    The successful applicant of the competition would advertise the 
call for applications and auditions to jazz and urban music musicians, 
and manage the selection panels for the 2006 program.
    ECA/PE/C/CU activities and responsibilities for this program are as 
follows:
    Determination of priority countries on tour itineraries.
    Arranging for participation of Department of State officers in pre-
tour briefings and any debriefings that might take place.
    Approval of all tour arrangements.
    Approval of application and audition arrangements for 2006 American 
Music Abroad.
    Participation in selection of 2006 American Music Abroad.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in 
this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY-2005.

[[Page 76967]]

    Approximate Total Funding: Pending availability of funding, 
$800,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $800,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $800,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, May 1, 2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: April 30, 2006.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years, 
before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1 Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
    III.2 Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost 
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs, 
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
    III.3 Other Eligibility Requirements:
    (a) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be 
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates awarding one 
grant, in an amount up to $800,000 to support program and 
administrative costs required to implement this exchange program. 
Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this 
competition.
    (b) Technical eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following: (1) Fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
Solicitation Package; (2) proposal submission deadline date; (3) non-
profit organization status.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: 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.


    IV.1 Contact Information to Request an Application Package: Please 
contact the Cultural Programs Division (ECA/PE/C/CU) in the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges, Room 568, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 202/203-7488; fax 202/203-7525; e-
mail [email protected] to request a Solicitation Package. Please 
refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/CU-05-14 located at 
the top of this announcement when making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document that consists of required application forms, 
and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    Please specify the Bureau Program Officer, Sandra H. Rouse, and 
refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/CU-05-14 located at 
the top of this announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence.
    IV.2 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/menu.htm. Please read all 
information before downloading.
    IV.3 Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all 
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The original and 14 copies 
(15 proposals total) of the application should be sent per the 
instructions under IV.3f ``Submission Dates and Times'' section below.
    IV.3a Applicant institutions are required to have a Dun and 
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a 
grant or cooperative agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is 
a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business 
entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To 
obtain a DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-
866-705-5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not 
received a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three 
years, or if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS 
within the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation 
to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to 
do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d Please take into consideration the following information when 
preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1 Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa. It is 
not anticipated that there will be foreign participants coming to the 
U.S. under this award. However, if they do, they will be governed under 
the J VISA regulations. The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau 
of Educational and Cultural Affairs is the official program sponsor of 
the exchange program covered by this RFGP, and an employee of the 
Bureau will be the ``Responsible Officer'' for the program under the 
terms of 22 CFR part 62, which covers the administration of the 
Exchange Visitor Program (J visa program). Under the terms of 22 CFR 
part 62, organizations receiving grants under this RFGP will be third 
parties ``cooperating with or assisting the sponsor in the conduct of 
the sponsor's program.'' The actions of grantee program organizations 
shall be ``imputed to the sponsor in evaluating the sponsor's 
compliance with'' 22 CFR part 62. Therefore, the Bureau expects that 
any organization receiving a grant under this competition will render 
all assistance necessary to enable the Bureau to fully comply with 22 
CFR part 62 et seq.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places great 
emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J 
visa) Programs and adherence by grantee program organizations and 
program participants to all regulations governing the J visa program 
status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in writing that

[[Page 76968]]

the applicant is prepared to assist the Bureau in meeting all 
requirements governing the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs 
as set forth in 22 CFR part 62. If your organization has experience as 
a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should 
discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et seq., 
including the oversight of their 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.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of 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.
    IV.3d.2 Diversity, Freedom and Democracy. 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 disabilities. 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 your 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.
    IV.3d.3 Program Monitoring and Evaluation. Proposals must include 
proposed criteria against which the grantee will monitor and evaluate 
the project's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. The Bureau recommends that your proposal include a draft 
survey questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a 
methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The 
Bureau expects that the grantee will track participants or partners and 
be able to respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction 
with the program, learning as a result of the program, changes in 
behavior as a result of the program, and effects of the program on 
institutions (institutions in which participants work or partner 
institutions). The evaluation plan should include indicators that 
measure gains in mutual understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change.
    Findings on outputs and outcomes should both be reported, but the 
focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational 
improvements.

    Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.


    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) Specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when 
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear 
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., 
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation 
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] 
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All 
data collected, including survey responses and contact information, 
must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the 
Bureau upon request.
    IV.3e Please take the following information into consideration when 
preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1 Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. Award may not exceed $800,000. 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.
    IV.3e.2 For budgeting purposes, applicants should estimate costs 
based on eight quartets traveling for approximately four (4) weeks to 
(8) destinations with significant Muslim populations in the following 
regions: Africa, East Asia, Eurasia, Central Europe and the Balkans, 
the Near East/

[[Page 76969]]

North Africa, South Asia and the Western Hemisphere. Final 
determination of participating regions and countries will be made in 
collaboration with ECA, U.S. embassies and the successful applicant 
after the grant is awarded.
    IV.3e.3 Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Program Expenses, including but not limited to: Domestic and 
international travel for the selected ensembles; visas and 
immunizations; airport taxes and country entrance fees; honoraria; 
educational materials and presentation items; excess and overweight 
baggage fees; trip itinerary booklets; press kits and promotional 
materials; follow-on activities; monitoring and evaluation; and 
international travel for program implementation and/or evaluation 
purposes.
    (2) Administration Expenses. The following guidelines may be 
helpful in developing a proposed budget:
    A. Travel Costs. International and domestic airfares. (per The Fly 
America Act), transit costs, ground transportation, and visas for the 
American Music Abroad participants to travel to the tour destinations. 
No travel costs for applicants for 2006 tours can be charged to this 
award.
    B. Per Diem: For the Washington, DC portion of the tour, 
organizations should use the published Federal per diem rates, and 
estimate per diems based on a two-night stay per ensemble member. The 
Public Affairs Sections of the participating U.S. embassies and 
consulates are responsible for per diem abroad. Domestic per diem rates 
may be accessed at: http://www.policyworks.gov/.
    C. Subgrantees and Consultants. Subgrantee organizations may be 
used, in which case the written agreement between the prospective 
grantee and subgrantee should be included in the proposal. Subgrants 
must be itemized in the budget under General Program Expenses. 
Consultants may be used to provide specialized expertise. Daily 
honoraria cannot exceed $250 per day, and applicants are strongly 
encouraged to use organizational resources and to cost share heavily in 
this area.
    D. Health Insurance. Each American Music Abroad participant will be 
covered under the terms of the ECA-sponsored ASPE health insurance 
policy. The cost for international travel insurance for staff travel 
may be included in the proposal budget.
    E. Honoraria for American Music Abroad participants. Daily 
honorarium is $200 per day for each performer, including rest days.
    F. Educational and Promotional Items. Ensemble members may use 
these funds for individual purchases or they may pool funds for joint 
purposes. ECA funds for educational and promotional items should not 
exceed $500 per ensemble.
    G. Excess Baggage. Excess baggage costs are based on size and 
weight of instrument. Excess baggage estimates may be subject to change 
once actual tour itineraries are scheduled, however for proposal budget 
purposes, costs should be estimated at $3,500 per ensemble.
    H. Immunizations/Visas. For purposes of a proposed budget, line 
items for immunizations should be estimated at $400 per musician, and 
visas/visa photos should be estimated at $600 per musician.
    I. Press Kits. Each overseas post should receive appropriate 
contents for press kits. Items may be created and sent electronically, 
with the understanding that in some cases, posts may not be able to 
access large files or attachments. This line item may also include 
funds for shooting and duplicating B&W publicity photos and duplicating 
CDS.
    J. Staff Travel. Allowable costs include domestic staff travel for 
one staff member to attend selection panels in approximately two U.S. 
cities. International staff travel will be allowable, especially if 
associated with monitoring and evaluation, as long as costs for a full 
four-week tour for each ensemble are completely covered. Cost-sharing 
for staff travel is strongly encouraged.
    K. Administrative Costs. Costs necessary for the effective 
administration of the program may include salaries for grantee 
organization employees, benefits, and other direct and indirect costs 
per detailed instructions in the Application Package. While there is no 
rigid ratio of administrative to program costs, proposals in which the 
administrative costs do not exceed 25% of the total requested from ECA 
grant funds will be more competitive on cost effectiveness. Please 
refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and 
formatting instructions.
    IV.3f Submission Dates and Times:
    Application Deadline Date: February 15, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: In light of recent events and heightened 
security measures, proposal submissions must be sent via a nationally 
recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, 
Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.) 
and be shipped no later than the above deadline. The delivery services 
used by applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping 
identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via the 
Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly 
recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or 
before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days 
after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration under 
this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are 
ineligible for consideration under this competition. It is each 
applicant's responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a 
legible tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the 
Internet. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of application. Delivery 
of proposal packages may not be made via local courier service or in 
person for this competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at 
any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above will be considered. 
Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package.

    Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure 
to include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it 
in an envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.


    The original and 14 copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/CU-05-14, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
    V.3g Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

    V.1 Review Process: The Bureau will review all proposals 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

[[Page 76970]]

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 cooperative 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 Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives: Detailed 
agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to 
the program overview and guidelines described above. Proposals should 
clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's 
objectives and plan.
    2. Institutional Capacity: Proposals should include (1) the 
institution's mission and date of establishment; (2) an outline of 
prior awards--U.S. government and/or private support received for tours 
abroad; and (3) descriptions of experienced staff members who will 
implement the program. The proposal should reflect the institution's 
expertise in the subject area and knowledge of the conditions in the 
regions abroad. 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 Grants Staff. Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the program or project's goals. The Bureau will consider the past 
performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new 
applicants.
    3. Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing: Overhead and administrative 
costs in the proposal budget, including salaries and honoraria, should 
be kept as low as possible. Priority will be given to proposals whose 
administrative costs are less than twenty-five (25) per cent of the 
total funds requested from the Bureau. Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to cost share a portion of overhead and administrative 
expenses. Proposals should maximize cost sharing through other private 
sector support as well as institutional direct funding contributions. 
Proposals that do not reflect cost sharing will be deemed not 
competitive in this category.
    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). Applicants should refer to the Bureau's 
Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines in the Proposal Submission 
Instructions (PSI) and the Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines 
section above for additional guidance.
    5. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    6. Monitoring and Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to 
monitor and evaluate the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to 
original project objectives are recommended. See the ``Evaluation'' 
section (above) for more information on the components of a competitive 
evaluation plan. Successful applicants (grantee institutions) will be 
expected to submit a report after each program component concludes or 
on a quarterly basis, whichever is less frequent. The Bureau also 
requires that grantee institutions submit a final narrative and 
financial report no more than 90 days after the expiration of a grant. 
Please refer to the ``Evaluation'' section above for more guidance.

VI. Award Administration Information

    VI.1a Award Notices: Final awards cannot be made until funds have 
been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal 
Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive an Assistance 
Award Document (AAD) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the 
original grant proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) 
shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient 
and the U.S. Government. The AAD will be signed by an authorized Grants 
Officer, and mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified 
in the application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this 
competition.
    VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements:
    Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements 
include the following:
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles 
for Nonprofit Organizations.''
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles 
for Educational Institutions.''
    OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian 
Governments.''
    OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
    OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
    OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and 
Non-profit Organizations.
    Please reference the following websites for additional information:
    http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
    http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.
    VI.3 Reporting Requirements: You must provide ECA with a hard copy 
original plus two copies of the following reports:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) Any interim report(s) required in the Bureau's Cooperative 
Agreement document.
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. 
(Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3.d.3) 
above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.)
    All data collected, including survey responses and contact 
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request.
    All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer (two copies) and 
ECA Program Officer (one copy) listed in the final assistance award 
document.
    VI.4 Optional Program Data Requirements: The successful applicant 
will be required to maintain specific data on program participants and 
activities in an electronically accessible database format that can be 
shared with the Bureau as required. At a minimum, the data must include 
the following:
    (1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all 
persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or 
who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.

[[Page 76971]]

    (2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing 
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take 
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be 
received by the ECA Program Officer at least three workdays prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Sandra Rouse, 
Cultural Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/CU, Room 568, Reference Number 
ECA/PE/C/CU-05-14, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone: 202-203-7493; fax: 202-203-7525; 
[email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/CU-05-14.
    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.

VIII. Other Information

    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 per section 
VI.3 above.

    Dated: December 17, 2004.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-28106 Filed 12-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P