[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 56 (Thursday, March 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15150-15156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5829]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5034]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: International Visitor Leadership Program Assistance 
Awards

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/V-06-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.402.
    Key Dates: October 1, 2005-September 30, 2006.
    Application Deadline: June 16, 2005.
    Executive Summary:
    The Office of International Visitors, Division of Professional and 
Cultural Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/PE/
V), United States Department of State (DoS) announces an open 
competition for three assistance awards to develop and implement 
International Visitor Leadership Programs (IVLP). The IVLP seeks to 
increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and foreign publics 
through carefully designedprofessional programs for approximately 4,700 
foreign visitors per year from all regions of the world. The three 
awards will fund programming for a minimum of 200 and a maximum of 850 
International Visitors (IVs). Award A will fund up to approximately 200 
visitors ($370,000); Award B up to approximately 300 visitors 
($586,000); and Award C up to 850 visitors ($1,586,000). Funding will 
be for FY-2006 (October 1, 2005-September 30, 2006). Applicant 
organizations may bid on one or all awards. Pending availability of 
funds, one assistance award will be made for each of the three 
categories described above. If an organization is interested in bidding 
on more than one award, a separate proposal and budget is required for 
each award. [See Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) 
for definitions of program-related terminology.]
    The intent of this announcement is to provide the opportunity for 
organizations to develop and implement a variety of programs for 
International Visitors from multiple regions of the world. (Please 
refer to the POGI for breakdown of regions.) The award recipients will 
function as national program agencies (NPAs) and will work closely with 
Department of State Bureau (DoS) staff, who will guide them through 
programmatic, procedural, and budgetary issues for the full range of 
IVLP programs. (Hereafter, the terms ``award recipient'' and ``national 
program agency'' will be used interchangeably to refer to the grantee 
organization(s).)

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: Program Information

    Overview: The International Visitor Leadership Program seeks to 
increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and foreign publics 
through carefully designed professional programs. IVL programs support 
U.S. foreign policy objectives. Participants are current or potential 
foreign leaders in government, politics, media, education, science, 
labor relations, NGOs, the arts, and other key fields. They are 
selected by officers of U.S. embassies overseas and approved by the DoS 
staff in Washington, DC. Since the program's inception in 1940, there 
have been more than 140,000 distinguished participants in the program. 
Over 225 program alumni subsequently became heads of state or 
government in their home countries. All IVL programs must maintain a 
non-partisan character.
    The Bureau seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations for 
development and implementation of professional programs for Bureau-
sponsored International Visitors to the U.S. Once the awards are made, 
separate proposals will be required for each group project [Single 
Country (SCP), Sub-Regional (SRP), Regional (RP), and Multi-Regional 
(MRP)] as well as less formal proposals for Individual and Individuals 
Traveling Together (ITT) programs. At this time proposals are not 
required for Voluntary Visitor (VolVis) programs. Each program will be 
focused on a substantive theme. Some typical IVL program themes are: 
(1) U.S. foreign policy; (2) U.S. government and political system; (3) 
economic development; (4) education; (5) media; (6) information 
technology; (7) freedom of information; (8) NGO management; (9) women's 
issues; (10) tolerance and diversity; (11) counterterrorism; (12) 
democracy and human rights; (13) rule of law; (14) international crime; 
and (15) environmental issues. IVL programs must conform to all Bureau 
requirements and guidelines. Please refer to the Program Objectives, 
Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document for a more detailed 
description of each type of IVL program.
    Guidelines: Goals and objectives for each specific IVL program will 
be shared with the award recipients at an appropriate time following 
the announcement of the assistance awards. DoS will provide close 
coordination and guidance throughout the duration of the awards. Award 
recipients will consult closely with the responsible ECA/PE/V program 
officer throughout the development, implementation, and

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evaluation of each IVL program. They should demonstrate the potential 
to develop the following types of programs.
    1. Programs must contain substantive meetings that focus on foreign 
policy goals and program objectives and are presented by experts. 
Meetings, site visits, and other program activities should promote 
dialogue between participants and their U.S. professional counterparts. 
Programs must be balanced to show different sides of an issue.
    2. Most programs will be three weeks long and will begin in 
Washington, DC, with an orientation and overview of the issues and a 
central examination of federal policies regarding these issues. Well-
paced program itineraries usually include visits to four or five 
communities. Program itineraries ideally include urban and rural small 
communities in diverse geographical and cultural regions of the U.S., 
as appropriate to the program theme.
    3. Programs should provide opportunities for participants to 
experience the diversity of American society and culture. Participants 
in RPs or MRPs are divided into smaller sub-groups for simultaneous 
visits to different communities, with subsequent opportunities to share 
their experiences with the full group once it is reunited.
    4. Programs should provide opportunities for the participants to 
share a meal or similar experience (home hospitality) in the homes of 
Americans of diverse occupational, age, gender, and ethnic groups. Some 
individual and group programs might include an opportunity for an 
overnight stay (home stay) in an American home.
    5. Programs should provide opportunities for participants to 
address student, civic and professional groups in relaxed and informal 
settings.
    6. Participants should have appropriate opportunities for site 
visits and hands-on experiences that are relevant to program themes. 
The award recipients may propose professional ``shadowing'' experiences 
with U.S. professional colleagues for some programs; (A typical 
shadowing experience means spending a half- or full-workday with a 
professional counterpart.)
    7. Programs should also allow time for participants to reflect on 
their experiences and, in group programs, to share observations with 
program colleagues. Participants should have opportunities to visit 
cultural and tourist sites; and
    8. The award recipients must make arrangements for community visits 
through affiliates of the National Council for International Visitors 
(NCIV). In cities where there is no such council, the award recipients 
will arrange for coordination of local programs.
    Qualifications:
    1. Applicants' proposals must demonstrate at a minimum four years 
of successful experience in coordinating international exchanges.
    2. Applicants' proposals must demonstrate the ability to develop 
and administer IVL programs.
    3. Proposals should demonstrate an applicant's broad knowledge of 
international relations and U.S. foreign policy issues.
    4. Proposals should demonstrate an applicant's broad knowledge of 
the United States and U.S. domestic issues.
    5. The award recipients must have a Washington, DC presence. 
Applicants who do not currently have a Washington, DC presence must 
include a detailed plan in their proposal for establishing such a 
presence by October 1, 2005. The costs related to establishing such a 
presence must be borne by the award recipient. No such costs may be 
included in the budget submission in this proposal. The award recipient 
must have e-mail capability, access to Internet resources, and the 
ability to exchange data electronically with all partners involved in 
the International Visitor Leadership program.
    6. Proposals should demonstrate that an applicant has an 
established resource base of programming contacts and the ability to 
keep the base continuously updated. This resource base should include 
speakers, thematic specialists, or practitioners in a wide range of 
professional fields in both the private and public sectors.
    7. All proposals must demonstrate sound financial management.
    8. All proposals must contain a sound management plan to carry out 
the volume of work outlined in the Solicitation. This plan should 
include an appropriate staffing pattern and a work plan/time frame.
    9. Applicants must include in their proposal narrative a discussion 
of ``lessons learned'' from past exchanges coordination experience, and 
how these will be applied in implementing the International Visitor 
Leadership Program.
    10. The award recipients must have the capability to utilize the 
world wide web for the electronic retrieval of program data from the 
Department of State's IVL program Web site. The award recipient's 
office technology must be capable of exchanging information with all 
partners involved in the International Visitor Leadership program. The 
award recipient must have the capability to electronically communicate 
through eNPA (Electronic National Program Agency), the software 
application that allows award recipients to share information and data 
electronically through the Department of State's Exchange Visitor 
Database (EVDB) and with the Councils for International Visitors 
(CIVs), as well as to produce a national program book and other 
supporting documents (e.g., evaluations, appointment requests and 
confirmations, participant welcome letters and mailing labels) 
generated directly into Microsoft Word.
    11. Applicants must include as a separate attachment under TAB G of 
their proposals the following:
    a. Samples of at least two schedules for international exchange or 
training programs that they have coordinated within the past four years 
that they are particularly proud of and that they feel demonstrate 
their organization's competence and abilities to conduct the activities 
outlined in the RFGP;
    b. Samples of orientation and evaluation materials used in past 
international exchange or training programs.

Requirements for Past Performance References

    Instead of Letters of Endorsement, DoS will use past performance as 
an indicator of an applicant's ability to successfully perform the 
work. TAB E of the proposal must contain between three and five 
references who may be called upon to discuss recently completed or 
ongoing work performed for professional exchange programs (may include 
the IVL program). The reference must contain the information outlined 
below. Please note that the requirements for submission of past 
performance information also apply to all proposed sub recipients when 
the total estimated cost of the sub award is over $100,000.
    At a minimum, the applicant must provide the following information 
for each reference:
     Name of the reference organization.
     Project name.
     Project description.
     Performance period of the contract/grant.
     Amount of the contract/grant.
     Technical contact person and telephone number for 
referenced organization.
     Administrative contact person and telephone number for 
referenced organization.
    DoS may contact representatives from the organizations cited in the 
examples to obtain information on the applicant's

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past performance. DoS also may obtain past performance information from 
sources other than those identified by the applicant.
    Personnel: Applicants must include complete and current resumes of 
the key personnel who will be involved in the program management, 
design and implementation of IVL programs. Each resume is limited to 
two pages per person.
    Budget Guidelines: Applicants are required to submit a 
comprehensive line-item administrative budget in accordance with the 
instructions in the Solicitation Package (Proposal Submission 
Instructions). The submission must include a summary budget and a 
detailed budget showing all administrative costs. Proposed staffing and 
costs associated with staffing must be appropriate to the requirements 
outlined in the RFGP and in the Solicitation Package. Cost sharing is 
encouraged and should be shown in the budget presentation.
    The Department of State is seeking proposals from public and 
private nonprofit organizations that are not already in communication 
with DoS regarding an FY-2006 assistance award from ECA/PE/V. All 
applicants must have at a minimum four years experience conducting 
international exchanges; an ability to closely consult with DoS staff 
throughout program administration; and proven fiscal management 
integrity. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, as sponsor and 
manager of the International Visitor Leadership Program, plays a 
significant role in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all 
types of International Visitor Leadership Programs and is responsible 
for all communication with overseas missions. The Bureau will provide 
close coordination and guidance throughout the duration of the awards. 
Award recipients will consult closely with the responsible ECA/PE/V 
program officer throughout the development, implementation, and 
evaluation of each IVL program.
    All liaison shall be with the designated elements of the DoS 
relative to the following responsibilities incurred by the Recipient 
under this agreement:
    A. Program--Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of 
International Visitors, Community Resources Division, ECA/PE/V/C.
    B. Financial--Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Grants 
Division, ECA-IIP/EX/G.

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-2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: ($2,542,000--Administrative funding 
only, program funds provided as needed).
    Approximate Number of Awards: Three.
    Approximate Average Award: $500,000.
    Floor of Award Range: $370,000 (200 visitors).
    Ceiling of Award Range: $1,586,000 (850 visitors).
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, October 1, 
2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 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 these cooperative agreements for five additional 
fiscal years, before openly competing them again.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public 
and private nonprofit 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 cooperative 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 cooperative 
agreement 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 three cooperative 
agreements: Award A ($370,000); Award B ($586,000) and Award C 
($1,586,000); in an amount up to $2,542,000 to support 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. 
Program costs will be transferred directly to the award recipient based 
upon visitor workload, and should not be included in your proposal. The 
Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing 
and funding in support of its programs.
    (b) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
technical eligibility requirements specified in the Proposal Submission 
Instructions (PSI) and the Project Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation (POGI). Failure to do so will result in proposals being 
declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in 
the review process.

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 Office of International Visitors, Multi-Regional Programs 
Division (ECA/PE/V/M), Room 266-A, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 
4th St., SW., Washington, DC 20547, ([email protected]) to request a 
Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number 
ECA/PE/V-06-01 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

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information, award criteria and budget instructions tailored to this 
competition.
    Please specify Janet B. Beard, and refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number (ECA/PE/V/M-06-01) 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 10 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 
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 the 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/PE/V 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.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for further information.
    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 toward 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

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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.3d.4. Describe your plans for: i.e. sustainability, overall 
program management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any 
other requirements, etc.
    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. Funding levels are listed under Sec. II of this 
announcement. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting only the administrative budget. Program funds will be 
provided by the IVLP office on a quarterly basis according to each 
award recipient's visitor workload. Applicants may provide separate 
sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or activity to 
provide clarification.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Staff Salaries and Benefits;
    (2) Office and Program Supplies;
    (3) Telephone and Communications;
    (4) Staff Travel and Per Diem;
    (5) ADP Equipment Maintenance and IT Costs;
    (6) Indirect Costs
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times: Application Deadline Date: 
Thursday, June 16, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Due to 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 10 copies of the application should be sent to:
    U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/V-06-01, 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.

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 
assistance awards or 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. Evidence of Effectiveness/Program Planning: The proposal should 
convey that the applicant has a good understanding of the overall goals 
and objectives of the IVL program. It should exhibit originality, 
substance, precision, and be responsive to requirements stated in the 
RFGP and the Solicitation Package. The proposal should contain a 
detailed and relevant work plan that demonstrates substantive intent 
and logistical capacity. The agenda and plan should adhere to the 
program overview and guidelines described in the RFGP and the POGI.
    2. Support of Diversity: The proposal should demonstrate 
substantive support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and 
relevant features should be cited in both program administration 
(program venue and program evaluation) and program content (orientation 
and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials, and follow-
up activities).
    3. Institutional Capacity: The award recipient must have a 
Washington, DC presence. Applicants who do not currently have a 
Washington, DC presence must include a detailed plan in their proposal 
for establishing such a presence by October 1, 2005. The costs related 
to establishing such a presence must be borne by the award recipient.

[[Page 15155]]

No such costs may be included in the budget submission in this 
proposal. The proposal should clearly demonstrate the applicant's 
capability for performing the type of work required by the IVL program 
and how the institution will execute its program activities to meet the 
goals of the IVL program. It should reflect the applicant's ability to 
design and implement, in a timely and creative manner, professional 
exchange programs which encompass a variety of project themes. Proposed 
personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and 
appropriate to achieve the program goals. The proposal must demonstrate 
that the applicant has or can recruit adequate and well-trained staff. 
All recipients must submit their IVL Program and national itinerary 
data electronically to the DoS by utilizing either the eNPA tool 
provided by the Department or the mandated standard data format 
submission that has been established as an interface to existing legacy 
systems.
    4. Institution's Record/Ability: The proposal should demonstrate an 
institutional record of a minimum of four years of successful 
experience in conducting IVL or other professional exchange programs, 
which are similar in nature and magnitude to the scope of work outlined 
in this solicitation. The applicant must demonstrate the potential for 
programming IVL participants from multiple regions of the world. 
Applicants should demonstrate that their organizations would consult 
with DoS program officers on a regular basis to ensure that the 
assigned visitor projects would consistently meet program objectives. 
Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful 
exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full 
compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau cooperative 
agreements as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will 
consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated 
potential of new applicants.
    5. Project Evaluation: The proposal 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.
    6. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components 
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as 
low as possible. This includes acquiring and retaining capable staff. 
All other costs, such as building maintenance, should be necessary and 
appropriate.
    7. Cost sharing: Proposals should maximize cost sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions. Describe any cost sharing, including contributions from 
your organization as well as other institutions. Cost sharing figures 
should comply with OMB Circulars included in the Guidelines. If you 
believe that the OMB Circular does not capture in-kind or other cost 
sharing by your organization, feel free to include a narrative 
description of that cost sharing.

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 
Nonprofit Organizations.
    Please reference the following websites for additional information: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants; and http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.
    VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You must provide ECA with a hard copy 
original plus one copy of the following reports:
    Mandatory:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award. This report must disclose cost sharing and 
be certified by the award recipient's chief financial officer or an 
officer of comparable rank.
    (2) Quarterly financial reports within thirty (30) days following 
the end of the calendar year quarter. These reports should itemize 
separately international visitor costs, voluntary visitor costs, 
English language officer/Interpreter costs for international visitors, 
English language officer/Interpreter costs for voluntary visitors, 
special project costs by projects, and administrative costs for the 
previous quarter on a cash basis. These reports should also list 
separately the number of English language officers/Interpreters 
accompanying international visitors, and the number of English language 
officers/Interpreters accompanying voluntary visitors for whom funds 
are expended. Quarterly financial reports must be certified by the 
award recipient's chief financial officer or an officer of comparable 
rank. For further information, please refer to the 2006 Program 
Objectives, Goals, and Implementation.
    (3) Such operating, statistical, and financial information relating 
to the program as may be requested by the DoS to meet its reporting 
requirements and answer inquiries concerning the operation of the 
program, as stipulated in the FY 2006 Program Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation.
    (4) Award recipients 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 and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Janet B. Beard, 
Chief, Multi-Regional Programs Division (ECA/PE/V/M), Room 266-A, ECA/
PE/V-06-01, U.S. Department of State, SA-

[[Page 15156]]

44, 301 4th St., SW., Washington, DC 20547, [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/V-06-01.
    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: March 17, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-5829 Filed 3-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P