[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 14 (Monday, January 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3420-3424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1228]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4959]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Partnerships for Learning (P4L) Afghanistan Global 
Connections and Exchange Program

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-05-27.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: March 17, 2005.
     Executive Summary: The Youth Programs Division, Office of Citizen 
Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces 
an open competition for the P4L Afghanistan Global Connections and 
Exchange program. The Bureau will award one grant. Public and private 
non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal 
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) and public institutions may 
submit proposals to select Afghanistan schools and provide them with 
access to the Internet and related training to develop collaborative 
school partnerships with U.S. schools. Thematic online projects will 
enhance learning, research and cross-border communication among 
participating schools. Organizations with less than four years of 
experience in conducting international exchange programs are not 
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 P4L Afghanistan Global Connections and Exchange 
program is designed to introduce youth and communities to a broad range 
of ideas and resources while enhancing the use of information 
technology in schools. Through this program, Afghanistan secondary 
schools and communities will expand computer literacy skills, improve 
general education, and gain a deeper understanding of U.S. society, 
culture and values. They will also increase their capacity to generate 
change through programs that foster tolerance and mutual respect, and 
enhance grassroots community participation. American students will in 
turn gain a greater understanding of Afghanistan culture and society. 
The goals of the program are:
     Enhance general education by providing access to 
information via the Internet;
     Increase and improve education tools, resources and 
learning through the application of information technology, 
complementary teacher training, online resource development, school 
partnerships, and student collaboration;
     Increase the number of students who qualify for exchange 
and academic study opportunities in the U.S. by providing them with the 
necessary skills;
     Enhance community capacity and youth activism via Internet 
access and related training;
     Generate personal and institutional ties across borders 
among students, educators, and their schools;
     Ensure the sustainability of information technology and 
Internet access in schools partnered under this grant.
    Guidelines: Applicants should identify specific objectives and 
measurable outcomes based on program goals and project specifications 
provided in the solicitation.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $300,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One grant will be awarded.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, April 2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: April 2007.
    Additional Information: 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. 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 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

[[Page 3421]]

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 $300,000. Therefore, organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges are 
ineligible to apply under this competition. The Bureau encourages 
applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in 
support of its programs.
    (b) Technical Eligibility: Proposals should demonstrate knowledge 
of Afghanistan's educational environment and the capacity to recruit 
U.S. schools. Proposals should present significant experience in 
developing school-based Internet programs.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: Please read the complete Federal Register announcement 
before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. The Division staff 
will be available to consult with prospective applicants about 
proposal preparation and program design and content up until the 
proposal submission deadline. 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 Linda Beach at the Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/
PE/C/PY, Room 568, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20547, 202-203-7513 (t), 202-203-7529 (f), 
[email protected] to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/PE/C/PY-05-27) located at the top 
of this announcement when making your request. The Solicitation Package 
contains the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document, which 
consists of required application forms, and standard guidelines for 
proposal preparation. It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals 
and Implementation (POGI) document, which provides specific 
information, award criteria and budget instructions tailored to this 
competition.
    Please contact program officer Anna Mussman, 202-203-7516, 
[email protected] 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 eight (8) copies of the application should be 
sent per the instructions under IV.3e. ``Submission Dates and Times 
section'' below.
    IV.3a. You 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 and the Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) 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. The 
Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs is the official sponsor of the 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 62, which covers the 
administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J Visa program). Under 
the terms of 22 CFR 62, the organization receiving a grant under this 
RFGP will be third party ``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 program organizations and program 
participants to all regulations governing the J Visa program status. 
Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in writing that 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 Sponsor, the applicant should discuss their record of 
compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et. seq., including the oversight of 
their 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

[[Page 3422]]

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 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 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 
a plan to 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.)
    The grantee 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.3d.4. The essential components for all school-based, Internet 
projects undertaken with Bureau grant funding include collaboration 
with American embassies overseas in planning and implementing the 
program; the applicant should discuss with the embassy's Public Affairs 
Office or Cultural Affairs Office the role and interests of the embassy 
in the implementation of the project and in ongoing activities.
    The Bureau considers program management, staffing and coordination 
with the Department of State essential elements of the program. 
Applicants should give sufficient attention to these elements in their 
proposals. Please refer to the Technical Eligibility Requirements and 
the POGI in the Solicitation package for specific guidelines. Wherever 
possible, program planning should take into consideration and include 
other U.S. Government funded programs.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing the budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. The award may not exceed $300,000. There must be a 
summary budget that includes all program components as well as 
breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets. 
Applicants should provide separate sub-budgets for each program 
component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification. 
Administrative costs, including indirect rates, should be kept to a 
minimum. Proposals should try to maximize cost-sharing in all facets of 
the program and to stimulate U.S. private sector, including foundation 
and corporate, support. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of

[[Page 3423]]

the program, and availability of U.S. government funding. Please refer 
to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and 
formatting instructions.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
     Equipping computer centers, including Internet access.
     Staff salaries and travel.
     Salaries/stipends for trainers and site monitors.
     Two 3-week exchanges for approximately 10 participants.
     Inter-regional trainings for teachers, administrators and 
students.
     Orientations, seminars, conferences.
     Publications and education materials.
     Follow on activities.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times: Application Deadline Date: March 
17, 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 eight (8) 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/PY-05-12, 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.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.
    IV.3h. Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal in text (.txt) format 
on a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will provide these files 
electronically to the appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. 
Embassy in Kabul for their review.

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. 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 
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. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission. Reviewers will evaluate the organization's understanding of 
the goals of the program, specifically as they relate to the 
Afghanistan context. Exchange activities should ensure sufficient use 
of program resources. Proposals should demonstrate a commitment to 
excellence and creativity in the implementation and management of the 
program.
    2. Program planning/Ability to achieve program objectives: A 
detailed agenda and relevant work plan should explain how objectives 
will be achieved and should include a timetable for completion of major 
tasks. Responsibilities of partnering organizations should be clearly 
described. Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. 
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program design will 
fulfill objectives. The substance of workshops, online projects and 
exchange activities should be described in detail and included as an 
attachment.
    3. 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 
schools and 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).
    4. Institutional Capacity/Record/Ability: Applicants should 
demonstrate knowledge of Afghanistan's educational environment and the 
capacity to recruit U.S. schools. Proposals should exhibit significant 
experience in developing school-based Internet programs and portray an 
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements as determined by the Bureau's Grants Division. Proposed 
personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and 
appropriate to achieve the program goals and objectives.
    5. Multiplier Effect/Impact: The program should strengthen long-
term mutual understanding and facilitate curriculum reform. Proposals 
should detail how schools will share newly-acquired knowledge and 
skills with others. Applicants should indicate how exchange 
participants will reach out to community organizations to expose others 
to cultural aspects of their countries. Proposals should demonstrate 
how Afghanistan communities will be encouraged to access computer 
centers and benefit from their services. Related activities that 
promote youth activism via Internet and non-Internet programs should be 
clearly explained.
    6. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activities' success, both as the activities

[[Page 3424]]

unfold and at the end of the program. The evaluation plan should show a 
clear link between program objectives and expected outcomes, and should 
include a brief description of performance indicators and measurement 
tools. Draft questionnaires or other techniques for use in surveying 
schools/participants to facilitate the demonstration of results should 
be included as an attachment. The grantee will be required to submit 
periodic progress reports in accordance with the program office's 
expectations.
    7. Follow-on and Sustainability: Proposals should provide a long-
term strategy for the continuation of the schools' Internet access and 
online linkages without the Bureau's financial support. Proposals 
should address integrated use of computers and the Internet in 
participating schools. Applicants should describe how programs that 
enhance community capacity and youth activism will be sustained should 
USG funds no longer be made available.
    8. Cost-effectiveness/Cost sharing: The overhead and administrative 
components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be 
kept as low as possible. All items should be necessary and appropriate. 
Additional funds may need to be dedicated to ongoing maintenance of 
computer equipment. Applicants should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.

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 Web sites for additional 
information:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants grants.
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI articleI.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    The grantee must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one 
copy of the following reports:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) Quarterly program and financial reports should follow 
guidelines to be distributed after the awarding of the grant. Reports 
should include planned objectives and goals for the period, actual 
accomplishments, and explanations of differences from planned timeline 
and course of resolutions.
    The grantee will be required to provide reports analyzing 
evaluation findings to the Bureau. (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 and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.

VI.4. Program Data Requirements

    The organization awarded this grant 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. As a minimum, the data must include the following:
    (1) Selected schools;
    (2) U.S. partner schools, including name, address and contact 
information;
    (3) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all 
persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant;
    (4) 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 work days prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Youth Programs 
Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, Room Number 568, the U.S. Department of State, 
SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone number 
(202) 203-7506 and fax number (202) 203-7529, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/PY-05-27.
    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: January 13, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-1228 Filed 1-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P