[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23897-23901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8990]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5060]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Africa Workforce Development

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/NEAAF-05-49.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: June 6, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, 
announces an open competition for grants to support exchanges and 
training programs promoting ``Africa Workforce Development.'' U.S. 
public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions 
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may 
submit proposals to develop and implement exchanges and training 
programs involving participants from Sub-Saharan Africa, including 
training conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa. These U.S. organizations 
should provide evidence of a current expertise in Sub-Saharan Africa, 
or experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa, and work in conjunction 
with Sub-Saharan African NGO partners. Three grants, not exceeding 
$133,333 each, are anticipated, although more awards could be 
accommodated if they are at smaller amounts.

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 the Conference Report accompanying the FY-2005 Consolidated 
Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 108-447) which earmarks $400,000 to support 
Africa Workforce Development.
    Purpose: The Bureau seeks proposals for an exchange program on 
African Workforce Development. U.S.-African partnership is emphasized 
as a mutually beneficial, direct and efficient method of promoting this 
goal. Partnerships promote the interests and long-term commitment of 
African and American participants going beyond U.S. government 
financing. The Bureau encourages applicants to consider carefully the 
choice of target countries. Applicants should research the work of 
development agencies (such as USAID, UN agencies) on the target themes, 
and select countries for which there has been limited investment on the 
issue. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Public Affairs Sections 
(PAS) in U.S. Embassies in Africa, and the Office of Citizen Exchanges, 
to discuss proposed activities and their relevance to mission 
priorities.
    Proposals should focus on one or two countries rather than a large 
group so as to maximize impact. The Bureau offers the following 
programming ideas and suggestions.
    Africa Workforce Development: The purpose of this program is to 
enhance Workforce Development efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa through 
Citizen Exchanges. ECA has set the following broad goals for the 
program this year:
     To foster a more productive and fully employed workforce 
in Africa through collaboration between U.S. and African workforce 
development specialists;
     To develop professional and personal linkages between 
African and U.S. host institutions and communities that will lead to 
sustained interaction;
     To promote mutual understanding between cultures and 
societies in the U.S. and Africa.
    The Office realizes that there are many different approaches to 
workforce development, and is open to a wide variety of program plans. 
However, in order to be eligible for consideration, each proposal must 
explain its methodology for assessing workforce development needs and 
explain how its choice of needs to be addressed in the proposed program 
is relevant to the focus country(ies). In addition, the Office 
recommends that each applicant

[[Page 23898]]

consider addressing the following objectives in its plan:
     Assist citizens in making the transition from academic 
studies to participation in the workforce;
     Assist citizens in learning skills and attitudes which 
make them more employable;
     Guide citizens in seeking jobs and in carrying them out 
satisfactorily;
     Provide training in information technology;
     Assist Africans in identifying workforce needs and 
developing plans to ameliorate those needs;
     Develop programs which are adaptable to local and 
individual needs; and
     Develop programs that will attract and maintain the 
attention of citizens, encouraging their initiative and commitment.
    The commitment of African partners will be important to long-term 
program success, and applicants should consider the possibility of 
selecting African partners through a competitive process to assess 
their commitment and capability.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in this 
program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $400,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 3.
    Approximate Average Award: $133,333.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, September 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

    Proposals that clearly demonstrate significant cost sharing--with 
25% of the amount requested from ECA as the preferred target--will be 
judged more competitive under review criterion 10.
    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

    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000. If one or more grants are approved at or below that 
limit, it will affect the number and amounts of other grants; however, 
the total amount available to be awarded across all grants in this 
competition is $400,000.

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

    To obtain an application package for this competition, please see 
IV.2 below.

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 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 Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not 
received a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three 
years, or if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS 
within the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation 
to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to 
do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa. The 
Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs is the official program sponsor of the exchange program covered 
by this RFGP, and an employee of the Bureau will be the ``Responsible 
Officer'' for the program under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, which 
covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa 
program). Under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, organizations receiving 
grants under this RFGP will be third parties ``cooperating with or 
assisting the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor's program.'' The 
actions of grantee program organizations shall be ``imputed to the 
sponsor in evaluating the sponsor's compliance with'' 22 CFR part 62. 
Therefore, the Bureau expects that any organization receiving a grant 
under this competition will render all assistance necessary to enable 
the Bureau to fully comply with 22 CFR part 62 et seq.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places great 
emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J 
visa) Programs and adherence by grantee program organizations and 
program participants to all regulations governing the J visa program 
status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in writing that 
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

[[Page 23899]]

applicant should discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 
et seq., including the oversight of their Responsible Officers and 
Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program 
participants, provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to 
participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and 
security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for 
issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office 
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547. Telephone: (202) 401-9810. 
FAX: (202) 401-9809.
    IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy 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 contain 
an evaluation plan that describes how the applicant organization 
intends to gather data on the project's effectiveness in achieving its 
outcomes. Competitive evaluation plans will include the following four 
components:
    a. A restatement of anticipated outcomes;
    b. A list of data the applicant would collect in order to assess 
progress toward each outcome;
    c. A description of how the applicant would collect the information 
(for example, through surveys) and a draft timeline for collecting 
data;
    d. Draft questionnaires, surveys, focus group questions, or other 
instruments with which the applicant would gather quantitative and 
qualitative data. Proposals should indicate how each instrument would 
provide information on progress toward each project outcome.
    Statement of Anticipated Outcomes: Proposals should indicate the 
category of each outcome such as participant satisfaction, participant 
learning, participant behavior, or institutional change.
    Data To Be Collected: Proposals should list the data that 
applicants would collect. Applicants may use quantitative data or 
qualitative data to measure progress toward outcomes. Below are 
examples of data that applicants might collect for each type of outcome 
as well as sample survey questions that applicants might use to gather 
this data:
    Example 1:
    Outcome: Participants are satisfied with the exchange experience.
    Outcome type: Participant Satisfaction.
    Data to be collected: Percent of participants who express 
satisfaction with the exchange experience based on an average of 
several factors.
    Sample question: On a scale of one to five (1 = very dissatisfied, 
5 = very satisfied), please rate your satisfaction with (a) project 
administration, (b) content, (c) variety of experiences, (d) relevance 
to professional or educational development.
    Example 2:
    Outcome: Participants increase their abilities to organize 
volunteer activities in their home communities.
    Outcome type: Participant Learning.
    Data to be collected: Percent of participants who improved their 
abilities in areas necessary to organize volunteer activities.
    Sample question: On a scale of one to four (1 = no or very limited 
ability, 4 = substantial ability), please rate your ability in the 
following areas: (a) Volunteer recruitment, (b) volunteer management, 
(c) community outreach, (d) resource management.
    Example 3:
    Outcome: Participants increase their participation and/or 
responsibility in community or civil society.
    Outcome type: Participant Behavior.
    Data to be collected: Percent of participants who increase their 
participation or level of responsibility.
    Sample question: As a direct result of your participation in the 
exchange, have you done or received any of the following in your 
community (answer yes or no to each item): (a) Assumed a leadership 
role or position in your community, (b) organized or initiated new 
activities or projects in your community, (c) established a new 
organization in your community.
    Example 4:
    Outcome: Increased collaboration and linkages.
    Outcome type: Institutional changes.
    Data to be collected: Percent of participants who establish or 
continue professional collaboration.
    Sample question: Have you established or continued any professional 
collaboration that grew out of your exchange experience? (Answer yes or 
no)
    Methods and Timeline: Applicant organizations should plan to gather 
data a minimum of three times during the project: (1) Before exchange 
activities, (2) following exchange activities, and (3) as a follow-up 
(approximately six months to a year after exchange activities). The 
exact timing depends on the nature of the project itself. Proposals 
should suggest grant periods of sufficient length to collect follow-up 
information.
    Applicants should consider the timing of data collection for each 
level of outcome. For example, grantees may measure participant 
learning at the end of an activity since this is a shorter-term 
outcome. Behavioral and institutional outcomes are longer-term and it 
might not be possible to adequately assess them until a follow-up 
survey. Pre-program surveys should collect baseline data as 
appropriate.
    Draft data collection instruments: Proposals should include sample 
surveys, lists of questions, or other instruments that the applicant 
organization proposes to use. Applicants should include samples of 
instruments they would use during each evaluation activity (pre-
program, post-program, and follow-up).
    Evaluation plans should describe how the applicant will tabulate 
data, where the data will be kept, and who will have access to such 
data. Interim and final reports should provide summary data in tabular 
and graphic form as well as tabulated raw data. ECA may ask for 
immediate notice of information that indicates significant progress or 
delay in achieving outcomes. All data collected, including survey 
responses and contact

[[Page 23900]]

information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following: (1) 
Direct Program Expenses (including general program expenses, such as 
orientation and program-related supplies, educational materials, 
traveling campaigns, consultants, interpreters, and room rental; and 
participant program expenses, such as domestic and international travel 
and per diem).
    (2) Administrative Expenses, including indirect costs (i.e. 
salaries, telephone/fax, and other direct administrative costs).
    (3) Travel costs for visa processing purposes: All foreign 
participants funded by any grant agreement resulting from this 
competition must travel on J-1 visas. Failure to secure a J-1 visa for 
the foreign participant will preclude charging the participant's cost 
to the grant agreement. Participants will apply for J-1 visas only 
after the Office of Citizen Exchanges and the mission Public Affairs 
Section or consulate have approved their participation in this program. 
The Office of Citizen Exchanges will issue DS-2019 forms and deliver to 
foreign program visitors through the mission Public Affairs Section. 
All J visas for African program visitors must be issued by the Posts in 
the target country, so proposals should include costs for potential 
participants to travel to those Posts to pick up DS-2019 forms and for 
visa interviews and processing.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times: Application Deadline Date: June 
6, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadline and Shipping Method: 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 nine 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/NEAAF-05-49, 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.
    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 
assistance awards grants 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 conceptualization: Proposals should 
exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the 
Bureau's mission.
    2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above.
    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented and 
placed in a reasonable time frame). Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals. In order to qualify for a grant of more than $60,000, 
the proposal must demonstrate an institutional record of conducting 
more than four years of successful international exchanges. If the 
applicant has received previous support from the ECA Bureau, the 
proposal should show responsible fiscal

[[Page 23901]]

management and full compliance with ECA Bureau reporting requirements.
    7. Post-grant Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    8. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. The plan should follow the guidance given in Section 
IV.3d.3 above.
    9. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components 
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as 
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.
    10. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions. Note Section III.2 above which states that proposals 
that clearly demonstrate significant cost sharing--with 25% of the 
amount requested from ECA as the preferred target--will be judged more 
competitive under this criterion.
    11. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects 
should receive positive assessments by the U.S. Department of State's 
geographic area desk and overseas officers of program need, potential 
impact, and significance in the partner country(ies).

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. 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 refer to 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

    Grantees must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus two copies 
of the following reports:
    1. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    2. Quarterly program and financial reports.
    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.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: James E. Ogul, 
Office of Citizens Exchange, ECA/PE/C/NEA-AF, Room 216, U.S. Department 
of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: 
202-453-8161, Fax: 202-453-8168, Internet address: [email protected]. 
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/NEAAF-05-49.
    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 28, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-8990 Filed 5-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P