[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 245 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76097-76103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7718]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5253]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Request for Grant 
Proposals: Summer Institute for English as a Foreign Language 
Administrator from Francophone and Lusophone Sub-Saharan Africa

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/AF-06-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: June 1, 2006-December 15, 2006.
    Application Deadline: February 13, 2006.
SUMMARY: The African Programs Branch (ECA/A/E/AF), Office of Academic 
Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces an open competition for the 2006 Summer Institute for English 
as a Foreign Language (EFL) Administrators from Francophone and 
Lusophone Sub-Saharan Africa.
    Accredited, post-secondary U.S. educational institutions may submit 
proposals to administer a U.S.-based six-week program in educational 
management, teacher-training, materials development and organizational 
skills for 16 secondary school EFL supervisors/inspectors and school 
administrators with strong EFL backgrounds selected from French and 
Portuguese-speaking countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. The Bureau 
anticipates providing one assistance award to support this program.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: Overall grant making authority for this program is 
contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 
Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. 
The purpose of the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United 
States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the 
United States and the people of other countries * * *; to strengthen 
the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the 
educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of 
the people of the United States and other nations * * * and thus to 
assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful 
relations between the United States and the other countries of the 
world.'' The funding authority for the program above is provided 
through legislation.
    Purpose: The general objective of the Institute is to support and 
encourage the upgrading of English language programs in secondary 
schools in French and Portuguese-speaking African countries by 
enhancing participants' educational management, teacher-training, EFL 
materials development and organizational skills as well as broadening 
their understanding of U.S. institutions and culture. American 
institutions of higher education having experience in the field of 
English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language 
(EFL), ESL/EFL materials development and teacher training/assessment 
may apply to develop, administer, and provide follow-up to the six-week 
summer program.
    Guidelines: The proposal should be designed to support the 
following specific activities:
    (a) A five-week academic program with emphasis on developing the 
capacities of 16 Sub-Saharan African secondary school supervisors/
inspectors/administrators to strengthen EFL programs through the design 
and delivery of more effective teacher-training, use of technology to 
access and develop teaching materials, and conducting teacher 
assessment.
    (b) Structured cultural activities planned within the five-week 
academic program to facilitate interaction among the African 
participants, American students, faculty, administrators, and the local 
community to promote mutual understanding between the people of the 
United States and the people of African countries.
    (c) One-week of escorted, cultural and educational meetings and 
site visits in Washington, DC, complementing and reinforcing the 
academic program. The site visits will include a meeting at the Bureau 
of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
    (d) The creation of a website and a listserv to facilitate follow-
on mentoring/participant networking concerning final project 
implementation and to continue a dialog on ideas developed during the 
Institute.

[[Page 76098]]

    (e) Assistance to participants to select, purchase and ship 
professional materials to use in follow-on activities and training 
projects in their home countries.
    (f) One post-Institute visit to the region by the Institute 
director or an Institute faculty member to visit one to three 
participant home workplace(s). The purpose of the visit will be to 
observe final project follow-on and implementation, and to identify 
appropriate adjustments to future Institute curricula to better meet 
participant needs.
    The five-week academic program should include a variety of formats 
such as discussion sessions, lectures, group work, workshops that may 
include practice with peers, field trips, and professional shadowing. 
Lectures and presentations on educational management/organization 
theory should be kept to a minimum. The emphasis should be on 
developing practical skills and approaches/solutions to real problems/
conditions identified by the participants. A successful program design 
would create an atmosphere where both participants and facilitators are 
recognized for their expertise and work together toward the overarching 
goal of improving English language programs in participants' countries. 
Five specific areas to address in the academic program follow:
    1. Training EFL teaching staff: Supporting, motivating teachers and 
assessing teachers; designing and conducting in-service training 
programs; building staff cohesiveness.
    2. Classroom culture: Creating a school culture conducive to 
learning, setting behavioral/learning standards, nurturing active 
student participation, evaluating student progress, fostering parental 
involvement.
    3. Identifying, creating and managing resources: Conducting 
resource inventories, allocating/tracking resources, budgeting, 
optimizing limited resources, accessing outside resources.
    4. Education Technology: Introduction and/or enrichment of 
computer-based word processing and appropriate software for 
participants who lack these skills, introduction to computer networks 
for EFL professionals, introduction to/ enrichment of knowledge of e-
mail and the Internet as pedagogic and research tools.
    5. Cultural Activity: The cultural activity program should take 
advantage of the diversity of the people, places, and events in the 
local community and/or in nearby cities to enhance participants' 
experience of American life and culture.
    The Washington, DC, educational site visit should be planned, 
arranged, and conducted by the grantee organization Summer Institute 
Program Director. The visit is an integral part of the program, 
complementing and reinforcing the academic portion. Programming in 
Washington should begin with a briefing session at the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs. ECA/A/E/AF suggests visits with ESL 
administrators and/or ESL teachers in the greater Washington, DC, 
vicinity and the national TESOL headquarters located in Alexandria, 
Virginia. The Washington visit offers an opportunity to explore local 
museums and attend at least one evening cultural event.
    Pending availability of FY 2006 funds, the Institute activities 
should begin on or about June 12, 2006 with follow-up activities to end 
before December 15, 2006. Programs must comply with J-1 visa 
regulations. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for further 
information.
    Program Administration: All Summer Institute programming and 
administrative logistics, management of the academic program and the 
educational tour, and on-site arrangements will be the responsibility 
of the grantee organization. The ECA program officer will serve as a 
resource for Washington, DC, lodging, activities, and transportation 
options. The grantee organization is responsible for arrangements for 
lodging, food, maintenance and local travel for participants while in 
the U.S. The grantee organization should balance cost-effectiveness in 
accommodations and meal plans with flexibility for differing diets and 
personal habits among the participants. Single rooms or housing in 
residential suites, which offer privacy, are preferable.
    The project will provide each participant with a supplemental book 
allowance of $150 per person. The grantee organization should assist 
participants in selection, acquisition and shipment of materials to 
their home countries. The grantee organization should also arrange for 
institutional or publishers' discounts for participants, as possible.
    Proposals should describe the available health care system and the 
plan to provide health care access to Institute participants. The 
Department of State will provide limited health insurance coverage to 
all participants.
    Participant Selection: Participants will be selected by the Bureau 
based on nominations from U.S. Embassies. Minimum qualifications for 
all participants will be: (1) Adequate proficiency in English to allow 
full participation in and benefit from the program; (2) the equivalent 
of BA/BS degrees from their national education systems; (3) three years 
EFL teaching experience; and (4) job responsibilities related to 
teacher training and school/program administration. Participants will 
enter the United States on J-visas, using DS-2019 forms issued by ECA.
    Orientation: The grantee organization will provide general pre-
departure orientation materials for all participants prior to their 
travel to the United States. This material should include a tentative 
program outline with suggested goals and objectives for participants, 
relevant background information about the grantee organization and 
individuals involved in the project, and information concerning arrival 
in the host city, local housing, climate, and available services at the 
host institution.
    Needs Assessment: The U.S. institution should conduct an initial 
needs assessment of participants upon arrival and be prepared to adjust 
program emphasis as necessary to respond to participants' concerns in 
the area of EFL education.
    Cooperative Agreement: In a cooperative agreement, ECA/A/E/AF is 
substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine 
grant monitoring. ECA/A/E/AF activities and responsibilities for this 
program are as follows:
     Participants will be selected by the Bureau based on 
nominations from U.S. Embassies.
     Participants will enter the United States on J-visas, 
using DS-2019 forms issued by ECA.
     ECA/A/E/AF will arrange participants' international 
travel. Air travel to Washington, DC from the host city can be included 
in the international ticket of each participant if air travel for this 
leg of the program is appropriate.
     ECA/A/E/AF will facilitate sending pre-arrival orientation 
materials electronically to participants via U.S. embassy staff.
    ECA/A/E/AF will provide the host institution with participants' 
curricula vitae and travel itineraries and will be available to offer 
guidance throughout the Institute. Staff of the Bureau of Educational 
and Cultural Affairs will brief the participants during their visit to 
Washington, DC.
    Proposal Contents: Applicants should submit a complete and thorough 
proposal describing the program in a convincing and comprehensive 
manner. Since there is no opportunity for applicants to meet with 
reviewing officials, the proposal should respond to the criteria set 
forth in the solicitation

[[Page 76099]]

and other guidelines as clearly as possible.
    The proposal should address succinctly, but completely, the 
elements described below and must follow all format requirements. The 
proposal should include the following items:
TAB A--SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''
TAB B--Executive Summary
    In one double-spaced page, provide the following information about 
the project:
    1. Name of organization/participating institutions.
    2. Beginning and ending dates of the program.
    3. Proposed theme.
    4. Nature of activity.
    5. Funding level requested from the Bureau, total program cost, 
total cost-sharing from the applicant and other sources.
    6. Scope and goals: Include (a) the number and description of 
participants; (b) describe the wider audience benefiting from the 
program (overall impact); (c) Geographic diversity of program, both in 
the U.S. and overseas; (d) fields covered; (e) anticipated results 
(short and long term).
TAB C--Narrative and Calendar of Activities
    Provide a detailed description of the project addressing the areas 
listed below.
    1. Vision (statement of need, objectives, goals, benefits).
    2. Participating Organizations.
    3. Program Activities (orientation, academic component, cultural 
program, participant monitoring).
    4. Program Evaluation.
    5. Follow-on activities and visit to home work site(s) of selected 
participants.
    6. Project Management.
    7. Work Plan/Time Frame.
    Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document 
for technical format and instructions.
TAB D--Budget Submission
    The cost to the Bureau for the Summer Institute for English as a 
Foreign Language Administrators from Francophone and Lusophone Sub-
Saharan Africa should not exceed $145,000. The budget should be 
developed for 16 participants.
    Please see Section IV.3e and the Guidelines for Assistance Award 
Proposals and Budget Guidelines in Proposal Submission Instructions 
(PSI) in regard to a Summary Budget and a detailed Line-Item Budget. 
Use notes where further explanation of line items is required to 
clarify how the figures were derived.
TAB E--Letters of Endorsement and Resum[eacute]s
    Resum[eacute]s of all program staff should be included in the 
submission. No resum[eacute] should exceed two pages.
TAB F--SF-424B ``Assurances-Nonconstruction Programs''
    First time applicant organizations and organizations which have not 
received an assistance award (grant or cooperative agreement) from the 
Bureau during the past three (3) years, must submit as an attachment to 
this form the following: (a) One copy of their Charter or Articles of 
Incorporation; (b) A list of the current Board of Directors; and (c) 
current financial statements.
Include other attachments, if applicable.

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: 2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: $145,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $145,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: June 1, 2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 15, 2006.
    Additional Information:
    Pending successful implementation of this program and the 
availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA's intent to 
renew this grant for two additional fiscal years, before openly 
competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit 
organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code 
section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this 
competition. However, the Bureau encourages applicants to provide 
maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost 
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
that 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

    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 $145,000 to support program and administrative costs 
required to implement this exchange program. Therefore, organizations 
with less than four years experience in conducting international 
exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: Please read the complete 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 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, ECA/
A/E/AF, Room 232, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, telephone (202) 453-8118 and fax number (202) 
453-8121, or email [email protected] to request a Solicitation 
Package. Please specify Dawn Kepets and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/AF-06-01 located at the top of this 
announcement when making your request or on all other inquiries or 
correspondence.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document that consists of required application forms, 
and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.

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, or 
from the

[[Page 76100]]

Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov.
    Please read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The application should be sent per the instructions under 
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission 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 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 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) 203-5029, 
FAX: (202) 453-8640.
    Please refer to 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 physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to 
adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program 
administration and in program content. Please refer to the review 
criteria under the ``Support for Diversity'' section for specific 
suggestions on incorporating diversity into your proposal. Public Law 
104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of educational and 
cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom 
and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide 
opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and 
democracy leaders of such countries.'' Public Law 106-113 requires that 
the governments of the countries described above do not have 
inappropriate influence in the selection process. Proposals should 
reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the 
full extent deemed feasible.
IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation
    Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's 
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. 
The Bureau recommends that your proposal include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects 
that the grantee will track participants or partners and be able to 
respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the 
program, learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a 
result of the program, and effects of the program on institutions 
(institutions in which participants work or partner institutions). The 
evaluation plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual 
understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between

[[Page 76101]]

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 Overall Program Management, Staffing 
and Coordination with ECA/A/E/AF
    ECA/A/E/AF considers program management, staffing and coordination 
with the Department of State essential elements of your program. Please 
give sufficient attention to these elements in your proposal. Please 
refer to the Technical Eligibility Requirements in the Solicitation 
package for specific quidelines.
    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. Awards may not exceed $145,000. There must be a summary 
budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program 
budgets. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program 
component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification. 
Proposals should maximize cost-sharing in all facets of the program and 
to stimulate U.S. private sector, including foundation and corporate, 
support. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
program. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase 
proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and 
availability of U.S. government funding.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    1. Instructional costs (for example: instructors' salaries, 
honoraria for outside speakers, educational course materials);
    2. Lodging, meals, and incidentals for participants;
    3. Expenses associated with cultural activities planned for the 
group of participants (for example: tickets, transportation);
    4. Administrative costs as necessary;
    5. U.S. ground transportation costs to U.S. appointments, meetings 
and to/from airports.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3e.3. Divide the line-item budget into Program and 
Administration sections. The line-item budget should include and 
elaborate on the categories listed below.
    Program Costs: The Institution may choose to itemize academic 
program costs or set a fee per participant.
    The following may be included as itemized instruction costs:
    a. Instructors' salaries as appropriate. Salaries, benefits, and 
services for instructors' salaries for the Institute classes. Identify 
each position and provide position title, role in the Institute, and, 
as appropriate, annual salary and percent of effort used for the 
Institute. Benefits costs should be stated separately from salary 
costs. Identify how benefits and services were computed.
    b. Honoraria and per diem for outside speakers, if any. List names 
and amounts.
    c. Film and video rentals, educational materials, curricular needs 
(i.e., texts, course packs for classes) as needed.
    If the institution chooses to budget instruction costs as a fee per 
participant, please state what services are provided within that fee, 
and only actual costs incurred are chargeable to the award.
    Clearly indicate the unit cost for each item listed below:
    1. Lodging. Housing may be in graduate dormitories, faculty 
residence, or other, as appropriate. Single rooms are preferred.
    2. Meals. Meals may be provided through cash subsistence payments 
to participants, cafeteria meal plans, or a combination of both. If 
using a meal plan exclusively, show clearly how the cost of meals will 
be covered if participants travel away from campus or campus cafeterias 
are closed.
    3. Incidentals allowance. Include an incidentals allowance of $15 
per person per day for the full number of days of the summer Institute 
at the host institution.
    4. Supplemental book allowance of $150 per person.
    5. Return shipping allowance $150 per person.
    6. Lodging, meals and incidentals allowances for participants who 
must arrive before the Institute formally begins and/or depart after 
the Institute formally ends, due to airline schedules in their home 
countries. To estimate costs, multiply daily cost per grantee (include 
housing, meals and incidentals allowance) by 4 days each by 4 
participants.


    Note: Per diem rate for lodging and meals may not exceed 
published U.S. government allowance rates for the site of the 
Institute. Applicants may use per diem rates that are lower than 
official government rates.


    Cultural activities and other program costs may include the 
following:
    1. Cultural activities: Entrance fees, overnight lodging, and meals 
not previously listed.
    2. Costs for Washington cultural and educational tour: Include 
participant lodging (double rooms are acceptable); meals for 
participants; incidentals allowance for participants ($15 per person 
per day incidentals allowance for full number of days in Washington). 
Include $130 for incidental expenses for Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs meeting in Washington, DC.
    3. Transportation: Ground transportation for group cultural and 
educational activities; ground transportation for airport arrivals and 
departures.

    Note: The Bureau will provide round-trip international air 
tickets (from home country to Institute site, to Washington, DC., if 
appropriate, and return to home country) for participants. The cost 
of airline travel for participants is not needed in the budget.

    4. Per diem (or lodging and subsistence) and travel for grantee 
escort staff for overnight cultural activities and Washington, DC, 
visit.

    Note: Per diem rate for lodging and meals may not exceed 
published U.S. government allowance rates for the site of the 
Institute. Institutions may use per diem rates that are lower than 
official government rates.

    5. Costs associated with post-institute implementation/evaluation 
site visit to Africa.
    Administration Costs should include the following:
    A. Staff requirements.

[[Page 76102]]

    B. Benefits.
    C. Other directly administrative expenses.
    D. Indirect expenses.
    Please review carefully the Guidelines for Assistance Award 
Proposals and Budget Guidelines in Proposal Submission Instructions 
(PSI) for descriptions and limitations for each type of administrative 
cost.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: February 13, 2006.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/E/AF-06-01.
    Methods of Submission:
    Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:
    (1.) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2.) Electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
    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.3f.1 Submitting Printed Applications
    Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline. 
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. ECA will not 
notify you upon receipt of application. 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. 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.
    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''.


    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and eight copies of the application should be 
sent to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/E/AF-06-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/
PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
IV.3f.2--Submitting Electronic Applications
    Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically 
through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation 
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the 
system. Please follow the instructions available in the `Get Started' 
portion of the site (http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.) of the closing date to 
ensure that their entire applications have been uploaded to the 
grants.gov site. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of 
the application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the 
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible.
    Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon 
the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify you 
upon receipt of electronic applications.
    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, 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 cooperative agreements resides with the Bureau's 
Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Quality of the program conceptualization and planning: Proposals 
should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the 
Bureau's mission of mutual understanding as well as adherence to all 
guidelines, goals and objectives described in the RFGP. The proposal 
should demonstrate effective use of community and regional resources to 
enhance the educational and cultural experiences of the participants. A 
relevant work plan and detailed calendar should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity.
    2. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve a substantive 
academic program and effective cross-cultural communication with 
Francophone and Lusophone African participants. Proposals should 
demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs, 
including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all 
reporting requirements for past Bureau grants. The proposal should show 
evidence of the applicant's strong on-site administrative capabilities 
with specific discussion of how logistical arrangements will be 
undertaken.
    3. 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.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Program administrators 
should strive for diversity among Institute staff, university students, 
the host community who interact with participants, and the cultural 
component of the program.
    5. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    6. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the 
conclusion of the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to

[[Page 76103]]

original project objectives are recommended.
    7. 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.
    8. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1a. Award Notices

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. 
Successful applicants will receive an Assistance Award Document (AAD) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the original grant 
proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the 
only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. 
Government. The AAD will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and 
mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified in the 
application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this 
competition.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements 
include the following:
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles 
for Nonprofit Organizations.''
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles 
for Educational Institutions.''
    OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian 
Governments.''
    OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
    OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
    OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and 
Non-profit Organizations.
    Please reference the following websites for additional information:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

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

VI.4. Program Data Requirements

    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 or 
who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.
    (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: Dawn Kepets, 
African Programs Branch, ECA/A/E/AF, Room 232, ECA/A/E/AF-06-01, U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
telephone: 202-453-8118 or fax: 202-453-8121 or email: 
[email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/AF-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: December 15, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E5-7718 Filed 12-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P