[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13204-13211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3589]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5340]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Competition for Proposals (1) To Strengthen Secondary 
Education in Indonesia Through a Program for High School English 
Language Teachers and/or (2) To Strengthen Private and Community-based 
Secondary Education in Indonesia through a Program for School 
Administrators & Community Leaders

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/WHA-EAP-06-33.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: May 3, 2006.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for 
grants to support two distinct exchanges projects with Indonesia. U.S. 
public and non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in 
Internal Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals 
that support the goals of the two exchange programs. The Program for 
High School English Language Teachers is intended to strengthen 
secondary school education in Indonesia, support tolerance in a 
diverse, democratic society, and allow Indonesians and Americans to 
share their views on international education and teaching high school 
students language and critical thinking skills necessary to their 
success in the workforce. The Program for School Administrators & 
Community Leaders will bring senior instructors and leaders (``kiai'') 
of Islamic day and boarding schools and counterparts from other 
Indonesian private schools to U.S. for informational sessions on 
teacher/administrator training techniques and classroom observation as 
well as

[[Page 13205]]

provide them with an orientation to U.S. society, history, culture and 
values.
    Applicants must submit separate proposals for each project 
outlined.

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. Funding is being 
provided from FY-2005/FY-2006 Economic Support Funds (ESF) transferred 
to the Bureau in FY-2006 for obligation.

Purpose

    The Bureau seeks proposals for the following projects: To 
strengthen secondary education in Indonesia through a program for High 
School English Language Teachers and/or (2) to strengthen private and 
community-based secondary education in Indonesia through a program for 
School Administrators & Community Leaders.
    Competitive proposals will include the following:
     A brief description of the problem as it relates to 
Indonesia. (Proposals that request resources for an initial needs 
assessment will be deemed less competitive under the review criterion 
Program Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives, per item V.1 
below.);
     A clear statement of program objectives and projected 
outcomes that respond to Bureau goals for each theme in this 
competition. Desired outcomes should be described in qualitative and 
quantitative terms. (See the Program Monitoring and Evaluation section 
per item V.1 below, for more information on project objectives and 
outcomes.);
     A proposed timeline, listing the optimal schedule for each 
program activity;
     A description of participant recruitment and selection 
processes;
     Letters of support from foreign and U.S. partners. 
(Letters from prospective partner institutions should demonstrate an 
ability to arrange and conduct U.S. and overseas activities.);
     An outline of the applicant organization's relevant 
expertise in the project theme and country;
     An outline of relevant experience managing previous 
exchange programs;
     Resumes of experienced staff who have demonstrated a 
commitment to monitor projects and ensure implementation;
     A comprehensive plan to evaluate whether program outcomes 
achieved met the specific objectives described in the narrative. (See 
the Program Monitoring and Evaluation section [IV.3d.d below] for 
further guidance on evaluation.);
     A post-grant plan that demonstrates how the grantee plans 
to maintain contacts initiated through the program. Applicants should 
discuss ways that U.S. and foreign participants or host institutions 
could collaborate and communicate after the ECA-funded grant has 
concluded. (See Review Criterion 5, per item V.1 below for 
more information on post-grant activities.)
     Successful projects will demonstrate the importance 
Americans place on community service as an element of a strong civil 
society and may include ideas and projects to strengthen civil society 
through community service either during participants' stay in the U.S. 
or upon their return to their countries.
     In addition to addressing the projects described below, 
proposals should develop partner organizations' capacity in such areas 
as strategic planning, performance management, fund raising, financial 
management, human resources management, and decision-making.
    It is important that the proposal narrative clearly state the 
applicant's commitment to consult closely with the Public Affairs 
Section of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia to develop plans for 
project implementation and to select project participants. Proposals 
should also acknowledge U.S. Embassy involvement in the final selection 
of all participants. Applicants should state their willingness to 
invite representatives of the U.S. and/or consulate(s) to participate 
in program sessions or site visits. Applicants are also strongly 
encouraged to consult with Public Affairs Officers at U.S. Embassy in 
Jakarta, Indonesia as they develop proposals responding to this RFGP. 
Narratives should state that all material developed for the project 
will prominently acknowledge Department of State ECA Bureau funding for 
the program. In addition, before submitting a proposal, applicants are 
strongly encouraged to be in touch with the Washington, DC-based State 
Department contact for project description below.

Projects

1. High School English Language Teachers
    A successful program will provide participants:
     Understanding of important elements of a civil society. 
This includes concepts such as volunteerism, the idea that American 
citizens can and do act at the grassroots level to deal with social and 
educational problems, and an awareness of the respect for the rule of 
law in the U.S.
     Knowledge of the importance of education to creating the 
conditions for a free market economy. This includes awareness of 
private enterprise and an appreciation of the role of the entrepreneur 
in economic growth.
     Appreciation for American culture, an understanding of the 
diversity of American society and increased tolerance and respect for 
others with differing views and beliefs.
     Interaction with Americans that may generate enduring 
ties.
     Enhanced leadership capacity that will enable them to 
initiate and support activities in their home countries that focus on 
development and community service.
    Successful applicants must fully demonstrate a capacity to achieve 
the following three key activities:
    (1) Recruit and select approximately 30 individual English teachers 
from high schools throughout Indonesia, including private religious 
schools. Program should be designed for two groups of 15 teachers to 
travel to the U.S. For this phase of the program, partnering with 
organizations based in Indonesia is encouraged.
    (2) In addition to identifying schools and screening, selecting, 
and preparing participants prior to departure for the United States, 
the recipient of this grant will be responsible for building and 
executing a three to four week informative travel and residency program 
in the United States.
    (3) The final part of the program will be conducting enhancement 
activities and leadership development opportunities that reinforce 
program goals after the participants' return to Indonesia. An essential 
follow-on component will be a longitudinal assessment of the 
achievements of the program.
    Program design should focus on offering participants maximum

[[Page 13206]]

opportunities to develop leadership skills and raise their awareness of 
how to develop critical thinking, nurture democratic values, and 
encourage tolerance for diversity through the classroom and through 
networks of teachers.
2. School Administrators & Community Leaders
    School Administrators and Community Leaders should be provided with 
the following:
     Acquire an understanding of important elements of a civil 
society. This includes concepts such as volunteerism, the idea that 
American citizens can and do act at the grassroots level to deal with 
social and educational problems, and an awareness of the respect for 
the rule of law in the U.S.
     Acquire an understanding of the importance of education to 
creating the conditions for a free market economy. This includes 
awareness of private enterprise and an appreciation of the role of the 
entrepreneur in economic growth.
     Develop an appreciation for American culture, an 
understanding of the diversity of American society and increased 
tolerance and respect for others with differing views and beliefs.
     Interact with Americans and generate enduring ties.
     Gain leadership capacity that will enable them to initiate 
and support activities in their home countries that focus on 
development and community service.
    A successful program design must accomplish these three key 
objectives:
    (1) Recruit and select approximately 30 individual leaders from 
Indonesian private secondary schools that are administered under the 
auspices of the Government of Indonesia's Department of Religious 
Affairs. Program should be designed for two groups of 15 school 
administrators and community leaders to travel to the U.S. For this 
phase of the program, partnering with organizations based in Indonesia 
is encouraged.
    (2) In addition to identifying schools and screening, selecting, 
and preparing participants prior to departure for the United States, 
the recipient of this grant will be responsible for building and 
executing a three to four week informative travel and residency program 
in the United States.
    (3) The final part of the program will be conducting enhancement 
activities and leadership development opportunities that reinforce 
program goals after the participants' return to Indonesia. An essential 
follow-on component will be a longitudinal assessment of the 
achievements of the program.
    Program design should focus on offering participants maximum 
opportunities to develop leadership skills and raise their awareness of 
how to develop critical thinking, nurture democratic values, and 
encourage tolerance for through the classroom and through school-
supported community activities and networks.

Suggested Program Designs

    Bureau-supported exchanges may include internships; study tours; 
short-term, non-technical experiential learning; extended and intensive 
workshops; and seminars taking place in the United States or overseas 
as long as these seminars promote intensive exchange of ideas among 
participants in the project. Examples of program activities include:
    1. A U.S.-based program that includes an orientation to program 
purposes and to U.S. society; study tour/site visits; professional 
internships/placements; interaction and dialogue; hands-on training; 
professional development; and action plan development.
    2. Capacity-building/training-of-trainer (TOT) workshops to help 
participants to identify priorities, create work plans, strengthen 
professional and volunteer skills, share their experience with 
committed people within each country, and become active in a practical 
and valuable way.
    3. Site visits by U.S. facilitators/experts to monitor projects in 
the region and to encourage further development, as appropriate.

Participant Selection

    Proposals should clearly describe the types of persons that will 
participate in the program as well as the participant recruitment and 
selection processes. For programs that include U.S. internships, 
applicants should submit letters of support from host institutions. In 
the selection of foreign participants, the Bureau and U.S. embassies 
retain the right to review all participant nominations and to accept or 
refuse participants recommended by grantee institutions. When U.S. 
participants are selected, grantee institutions must provide their 
names and brief biographical data to the Office of Citizen Exchanges. 
Priority in two-way exchange proposals will be given to foreign 
participants who have not previously traveled to the United States.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY-2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: $600,000 (from ESF transfer to ECA).
    Approximate Number of Awards: 2.
    Approximate Average Award: $300,000.
    Floor of Award Range: $200,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: Approximately $300,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, August 31, 
2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2007-June 30, 
2008. Projects under this competition may range in length from one to 
three years depending on the number of project components, the country/
region targeted and the extent of the evaluation plan proposed by the 
applicant. The Office of Citizen Exchanges strongly encourages 
applicant organizations to plan enough time after project activities to 
measure project outcomes. Please refer to the Program Monitoring and 
Evaluation section, item IV.3d.3 below, for further guidance on 
evaluation.

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. Cost sharing is an important 
element of the ECA-grantee institution relationship, and it 
demonstrates the implementing organization's commitment to the program. 
Cost sharing is included as one criterion for grant proposal 
evaluation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to cost share a portion 
of overhead and administrative expenses. Cost-sharing, including 
contributions from the applicant, proposed in-country partner(s), and 
other sources should be included in the budget request. Proposal 
budgets that do not reflect cost sharing will be deemed not competitive 
under the Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing criterion (item V.1 
below). 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

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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.) Grants awarded to 
eligible organizations with less than four years of experience in 
conducting international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.

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: Please 
contact the Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, Room 220, U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
tel.: 202-453-8163; fax: 202-453-8168; or e-mail r[email protected] to 
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number (ECA/PE/C/WHA-EAP-06-33) located at the top of this announcement 
when making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document that consists of required application forms, 
and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    Please specify the Bureau Program Officer listed for each region 
and theme above and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/PE/C/
WHA-EAP-06-33) located at the top of this announcement on all other 
inquiries and correspondence.
    IV. 2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's Web site at 
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm. Please read all 
information before downloading.
    IV. 3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all 
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The 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 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 applicant should 
discuss its record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et seq., including 
the oversight of its 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) 203-5029. 
FAX: (202) 453-8640.
    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

[[Page 13208]]

these goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed 
feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation.
    Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's 
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. 
The Bureau recommends that your proposal include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects 
that the grantee will track participants or partners and be able to 
respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the 
program, learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a 
result of the program, and effects of the program on institutions 
(institutions in which participants work or partner institutions). The 
evaluation plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual 
understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational 
improvements.


    Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.


    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when 
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear 
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., 
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation 
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] 
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
    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:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. For this competition, requests should not exceed 
$300,000 for either of the two projects. 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. Travel. International and domestic airfare; visas; transit 
costs; ground transportation costs. Please note that all air travel 
must be in compliance with the Fly America Act. There is no charge for 
J-1 visas for participants in Bureau sponsored programs.
    2. Per Diem. For U.S.-based programming, organizations should use 
the published Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. 
Domestic per diem rates may be accessed at: http://policyworks.gov/org/main/mt/homepage/mtt/perdiem/perd03d.html. ECA requests applicants to 
budget realistic costs that reflect the local economy and do not exceed 
Federal per diem rates. Foreign per diem rates can be accessed at: 
http://www.state.gov/m/a/als/prdm/html.
    3. Interpreters. For U.S.-based activities, ECA strongly encourages 
applicants to hire their own locally based interpreters. However, 
applicants may ask ECA to assign State Department interpreters. One 
interpreter is typically needed for every four participants who require 
interpretation. When an applicant proposes to use State Department 
interpreters, the following expenses should be included in the budget: 
Published Federal per diem rates (both ``lodging'' and ``M&IE'') and 
``home-program-home'' transportation in the amount of $400 per 
interpreter. Salary expenses for State Department interpreters will be 
covered by the Bureau and should not be part of an applicant's proposed 
budget. Bureau funds cannot support interpreters who accompany 
delegations from their home country or travel internationally.
    4. Book and Cultural Allowances. Foreign participants are entitled 
to a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per person, plus a book 
allowance of $50. Interpreters should be reimbursed up to $150 for 
expenses when they escort participants to cultural events. U.S. program 
staff, trainers or participants are not eligible to receive these 
benefits.
    5. Consultants. Consultants may be used to provide specialized 
expertise or to make presentations. Honoraria rates should not exceed 
$250 per day. Organizations are encouraged to cost-share rates that 
would exceed that figure. Subcontracting organizations may also be 
employed, in which case the written agreement between the prospective 
grantee and sub-grantee should be included in the proposal. Such sub-
grants should detail the division of responsibilities and proposed 
costs, and subcontracts should be itemized in the budget.
    6. Room rental. The rental of meeting space should not exceed $250 
per day. Any rates that exceed this amount should be cost shared.
    7. Materials. Proposals may contain costs to purchase, develop and 
translate

[[Page 13209]]

materials for participants. Costs for high quality translation of 
materials should be anticipated and included in the budget. Grantee 
organizations should expect to submit a copy of all program materials 
to ECA, and ECA support should be acknowledged on all materials 
developed with its funding.
    8. Equipment. Applicants may propose to use grant funds to purchase 
equipment, such as computers and printers; these costs should be 
justified in the budget narrative. Costs for furniture are not allowed.
    9. Working meal. Normally, no more than one working meal may be 
provided during the program. Per capita costs may not exceed $15-$25 
for lunch and $20-$35 for dinner, excluding room rental. The number of 
invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a factor of 
two-to-one. When setting up a budget, interpreters should be considered 
``participants.''
    10. Return travel allowance. A return travel allowance of $70 for 
each foreign participant may be included in the budget. This allowance 
would cover incidental expenses incurred during international travel.
    11. Health Insurance. Foreign participants will be covered during 
their participation in the program by the ECA-sponsored Accident and 
Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE), for which the grantee must 
enroll them. Details of that policy can be provided by the contact 
officers identified in this solicitation. The premium is paid by ECA 
and should not be included in the grant proposal budget. However, 
applicants are permitted to include costs for travel insurance for U.S. 
participants in the budget.
    12. Wire transfer fees. When necessary, applicants may include 
costs to transfer funds to partner organizations overseas. Grantees are 
urged to research applicable taxes that may be imposed on these 
transfers by host governments.
    13. In-country travel costs for visa processing purposes. Given the 
requirements associated with obtaining J-1 visas for ECA-supported 
participants, applicants should include costs for any travel associated 
with visa interviews or DS-2019 pick-up.
    14. Administrative Costs. Costs necessary for the effective 
administration of the program may include salaries for grantee 
organization employees, benefits, and other direct and indirect costs 
per detailed instructions in the Application Package. While there is no 
rigid ratio of administrative to program costs, proposals in which the 
administrative costs do not exceed 25% of the total requested ECA grant 
funds will be more competitive under the cost effectiveness and cost 
sharing criterion, per item V.1 below. Proposals should show strong 
administrative cost sharing contributions from the applicant, the in-
country partner and other sources.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission: Application 
Deadline Date: Thursday, May 3, 2006. Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/WHA-
EAP-06-33.
    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.
    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.
    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/WHA-EAP-06-33, 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.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.
    IV.3h. Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal in text (.txt) format 
on a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will provide these files 
electronically to the appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. 
Embassy in Jakarta for its 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. The program 
office will review all eligible proposals 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

[[Page 13210]]

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 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. Program Planning and Ability To Achieve Objectives
    Program objectives should be stated clearly and should reflect the 
applicant's expertise in the subject area and region. Objectives should 
respond to the topics in this announcement and should relate to the 
current conditions in the target country/countries. A detailed agenda 
and relevant work plan should explain how objectives will be achieved 
and should include a timetable for completion of major tasks. The 
substance of workshops, internships, seminars and/or consulting should 
be described in detail. Sample training schedules should be outlined. 
Responsibilities of proposed in-country partners should be clearly 
described. A discussion of how the applicant intends to address 
language issues should be included, if needed.
2. Institutional Capacity
    Proposals should include (1) the institution's mission and date of 
establishment; (2) detailed information about proposed in-country 
partner(s) and the history of the partnership; (3) an outline of prior 
awards-U.S. government and/or private support received for the target 
theme/country/region; and (4) descriptions of experienced staff members 
who will implement the program. The proposal should reflect the 
institution's expertise in the subject area and knowledge of the 
conditions in the target country/countries. 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 as determined by Bureau 
Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. Proposed 
personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and 
appropriate to achieve the program's goals. The Bureau strongly 
encourages applicants to submit letters of support from proposed in-
country partners.
3. Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing
    Overhead and administrative costs in the proposal budget, including 
salaries, honoraria and subcontracts for services, should be kept to a 
minimum. Proposals whose administrative costs are less than twenty-five 
(25) per cent of the total funds requested from the Bureau will be 
deemed more competitive under this criterion. Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to cost share a portion of overhead and administrative 
expenses. Cost-sharing, including contributions from the applicant, 
proposed in-country partner(s), and other sources should be included in 
the budget request. Proposal budgets that do not reflect cost sharing 
will be deemed not competitive in this category.
4. 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). Applicants should refer to the Bureau's Diversity, Freedom 
and Democracy Guidelines in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) 
and the Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines section, Item 
IV.3d.2, above for additional guidance.
5. Post-Grant Activities
    Applicants should provide a plan to conduct activities after the 
Bureau-funded project has concluded in order to ensure that Bureau-
supported programs are not isolated events. Funds for all post-grant 
activities must be in the form of contributions from the applicant or 
sources outside of the Bureau. Costs for these activities must not 
appear in the proposal budget, but should be outlined in the narrative.
6. Program Monitoring and Evaluation
    Proposals should include a detailed plan to monitor and evaluate 
the program. Program objectives should target clearly defined results 
in quantitative terms. Competitive evaluation plans will describe how 
applicant organizations would measure these results, and proposals 
should include draft data collection instruments (surveys, 
questionnaires, etc.) in Tab E. See the ``Program Management/
Evaluation'' section, item IV.3d.3 above for more information on the 
components of a competitive evaluation plan. Successful applicants 
(grantee institutions) will be expected to submit a report after each 
program component concludes or on a quarterly basis, whichever is less 
frequent. The Bureau also requires that grantee institutions submit a 
final narrative and financial report no more than 90 days after the 
expiration of a grant. Please refer to the ``Program Management/
Evaluation'' section, item IV.3d.3 above for more guidance.

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://

[[Page 13211]]

www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants. http://exchanges.state.gov/education/
grantsdiv/terms.htmarticleI.

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;
    (2) Any interim report(s) required in the Bureau grant agreement 
document.
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. 
(Please refer to Application and Submission Instructions [IV.3d.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 workdays prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: The Office of 
Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, Room 220, ECA/PE/C/HWA-EAP-06-33, Bureau 
of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC, 20547; tel.: 202-453-8163; fax: 
202-453-8168; [email protected].
    For correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/WHA-EAP-06-33. Please 
read the complete Federal Register announcement before sending 
inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, 
Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the 
proposal review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may 
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment 
on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section VI.3 
above.

    Dated: March 8, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E6-3589 Filed 3-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P