[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 76 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20790-20794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8034]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5056]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Islamic Life in the United States

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/NEA-AF-05-61.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Application Deadline: May 23, 2005.

I. Executive Summary

    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, announces an open 
competition for one grant to support an international exchange project 
under the rubric ``Islam: Scholarship and Practice in the United 
States.'' Public and private non-profit organizations or consortia of 
such organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue 
Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to develop and 
implement a multi-phased exchange involving the travel of scholars and 
clerics from Egypt, Jordan, and one or more additional countries of the 
Middle East to the United States and of reciprocal visits to the Middle 
East by American scholars of religion, scholars of Islamic studies, and 
clerics.
    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.
    Overview: The Office of Citizen Exchanges consults with and 
supports American public and private nonprofit organizations in 
developing and implementing multi-phased, often multi-year, exchanges 
of professionals, community leaders, scholars and academics, public 
policy advocates, non-governmental organization activists, etc. These 
exchanges address issues of crucial importance to the United States and 
to other countries; they promote focused, substantive, and cooperative 
interaction among counterparts; and they entail both theoretical and 
experiential learning for all participants. A primary goal is the 
development of sustained, international, institutional and individual 
linkages. In addition to providing a context for professional 
development and collaborative problem-solving, these projects are 
intended to introduce foreign participants and their American 
counterparts to one another's political, social, and economic 
structures, facilitating improved communication and enhancing mutual 
understanding. Desirable components of an exchange may be local citizen 
involvement and activities that orient foreign participants to American 
society and culture.
    The initiative ``Islam: Scholarship and Practice in the United 
States'' will support an international exchange of scholars and 
clerics--influential and recognized for their ability to communicate, 
either in scholarly writing or through sermons--from Egypt, Jordan, and 
one or more additional countries of the Middle East selected at the 
discretion of the applicant and included with strong and persuasive 
programmatic justification. Libya and Iran are not eligible for 
participation in this exchange. The objectives of the exchange are (1) 
to enhance the non-American participants' understanding of the place of 
religion, particularly Islam, in American life; (2) to broaden 
participants' awareness of and appreciation for the serious religious 
study conducted in the United States, particularly the study of Islam; 
(3) to provide a forum for examination and discussion of the 
compatibility of religious practice and democratic social and political 
structures; the social benefits produced by mutually respectful 
coexistence among diverse religious communities; ways in which Islamic 
practice in the United States, in particular, functions in a multi-
cultural, multi-religious context; and (4) to broaden the understanding 
of American scholars, clerics, and laypersons of the place of Islam in 
the societies of the Middle East.
    The project, to be conducted over a period of 18 to 24 months, will 
involve several exchange visits. Initially, one or two American 
scholars/project organizers will travel to the Middle East region to 
become familiar with institutions and communities in those countries 
and with individuals who might serve as advisers or be selected as 
participants in the project and to gain their interest in the exchange. 
Subsequently, approximately 12 Middle Eastern scholars and clerics will 
travel to the United States for a period of three to four weeks. The 
Middle Eastern participants will visit Islamic centers, consult with 
American Muslim scholars and clerics, visit and become familiar with 
libraries and archives of Islamic documents, participate in discussions 
at religious and secular institutions that represent America's 
guarantee of human dignity and freedom of worship, and participate in 
workshops and seminars, both public and at institutions dedicated to 
scholarship and research. Finally, a group of American scholars and 
clerics will travel to the region, meet with counterparts, visit 
institutions, and, ideally, cooperate with participants in the original 
U.S. visit in presenting a seminar, a series of workshops, etc. in 
order to expand the network of individuals directly affected by the 
exchange. This series of visits would then be repeated in the following 
year.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges encourages applicants to be 
creative in planning project implementation. Activities may include 
both theoretical orientation and experiential, community-based 
initiatives designed to achieve objectives. Applicants should, in their 
proposals, identify any partner organizations and/or individuals in the 
Middle East or in the U.S. with which/whom they are proposing to 
collaborate and justify the collaboration on the basis of experience, 
accomplishments, etc.

Selection of Participants

    Applications should include a description of a merit-based, focused 
participant selection process. Applicants should anticipate consulting 
with the Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Embassies in selecting 
participants, with the Embassy retaining the right to

[[Page 20791]]

nominate participants and to advise the grantee regarding participants 
recommended by other entities.

Public Affairs Section Involvement

    The Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of the U.S. Embassies often play 
an important role in project implementation. The PAS will initially 
evaluate project proposals, and, once a grant is awarded, the PAS may, 
in consultation with the grantee organization, coordinate planning with 
the grantee organization and in-country partners, facilitate in-country 
activities, nominate participants and vet grantee nominations, observe 
in-country activities, and debrief participants. PAS will also evaluate 
project impact. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is 
responsible for producing and signing DS-2019 Forms. These forms will 
be provided the foreign participants by the U.S. Mission as part of the 
process of obtaining the necessary J-1 visas for entry to the United 
States on a government-funded project.
    Though project administration and implementation are the 
responsibility of the grantee, the grantee is expected to inform the 
PAS in participating countries of its operations and procedures and to 
coordinate with PAS officers in the development of project activities. 
The PAS should be consulted regarding country priorities, political and 
cultural sensitivities, security issues, and logistic and programmatic 
issues.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $300,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, July 1, 
2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 1, 2007.

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 
$300,000 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 receive an award 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 must comply with the 
requirements included in this Request for Grant Proposals in order to 
be considered technically eligible for 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: The 
Application Package comprises the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) 
document, consisting of required application forms and standard 
guidelines for proposal preparation.
    The Solicitation Package may be downloaded from: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm. Please read all 
information before downloading.
    IV.2 To receive a hard copy of the Application Package via U.S. 
Postal Service, contact Thomas Johnston, Office of Citizen Exchanges, 
ECA/PE/C/NEA-AF, Room 216, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone (202)453-8162; Fax 
(202)453-8168; E-mail [email protected]. Please refer to Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/NEA-AF-05-61 on all inquiries and 
correspondence.
    IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all 
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The original and ten 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 Application Package, 
containing 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. 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

[[Page 20792]]

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 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 
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, 
recordkeeping, 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 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 represent 
specific results a project is intended to achieve and are 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:

[[Page 20793]]

    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire project. 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. Budgets that limit 
administrative costs to approximately 25% of the funding sought from 
ECA will be given priority consideration.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Direct program expenses
    (2) Administrative costs
    (3) Allowable indirect costs
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times: Application Deadline Date: May 
23, 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 ten 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/NEA-AF-05-61, 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(ies) for its(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, as well as the Public 
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will 
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and 
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. 
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by 
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grant 
awards resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. All criteria carry equal weight 
in the proposal evaluation:
    Quality of the program idea: Proposals should be substantive, well 
thought out, focused on issues of demonstrable relevance to all 
proposed participants, and responsive to the exchange suggestions and 
guidelines provided above.
    Implementation Plan and Ability to Achieve Objectives: A detailed 
project implementation plan should establish a clear and logical 
connection between the interest, the expertise, and the logistic 
capacity of the applicant and the objectives to be achieved. The plan 
should discuss in concrete terms how the institution proposes to 
achieve the objectives. Institutional resources--including personnel--
assigned to the project should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
project objectives. The substance of workshops and site visits should 
be included as an attachment, and the responsibilities of U.S. 
participants and in-country partners should be clearly delineated.
    Institutional Capacity: Proposals should include an institutional 
record of successful exchange programs, with reference to responsible 
fiscal management and full compliance with reporting requirements. The 
Bureau will consider the demonstrated potential of new applicants and 
will evaluate the performance record of prior recipients of Bureau 
grants as reported by the Bureau grant staff.
    Post-Grant Activities: Applicants should provide a plan for 
sustained follow-on activity (building on the linkages developed under 
the grant and the activities initially funded by the grant) after grant 
funds have been expended. This will ensure that Bureau-supported 
projects are not isolated events. Funds for all post-grant activities 
must be in the form of contributions from the applicant or sources 
outside the Bureau. Costs for these activities should not appear in the 
proposal budget but should be outlined in the narrative.
    Project Evaluation/Monitoring: Proposals should include a detailed 
plan to monitor and evaluate the project. Competitive evaluation plans 
will describe how the applicant organization will measure results, 
defined in both qualitative and quantitative terms and will include 
draft data collection instruments (surveys, questionnaires, etc.) in 
Tab E. Successful applicants will be expected to submit a report after 
each project component is concluded or semi-annually, whichever is less 
frequent.
    Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing: Administrative costs should be 
kept low. Proposal budgets should provide evidence of any cost sharing 
offered, comprised of cash or in-kind contributions. Cost sharing may 
be derived from diverse sources, including private sector contributions 
and/or direct institutional support.
    Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate support for the 
Bureau's policy on diversity. Features relevant to this policy should 
be cited in program implementation (selection of participants, program 
venue, and program evaluation), program content, and program 
administration.

[[Page 20794]]

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. 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:
    1. Semi-annual program and financial reports, which include a 
description of program activities implemented in the course of the six-
month period and an accounting of expenditures.
    2. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration date of the award.
    3. 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 and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.
    Organizations awarded grants 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) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all 
persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant.
    (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 work days prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Thomas Johnston, 
Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C/NEA-AF, Room 216, ECA/PE/C/NEA-
AF-05-61, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 453-8162; Fax: (202) 453-8168; 
E-mail: [email protected]. Correspondence with the Bureau concerning 
this RFGP should reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/NEA-AF-
05-61.
    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: April 15, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-8034 Filed 4-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P