[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15244-15249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4383]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5352]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Youth Programs Academic Year Disability Component

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-06-37.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: July 2006-June 2007.
    Application Deadline: May 8, 2006.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs 
Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces 
an open competition for the management of the Disability Component for 
its Academic Year programs. This includes conducting a five-day summer 
Preparatory Workshop and a three-day spring Leadership and Reentry 
Workshop for Students with Disabilities from Eurasia participating in 
the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program and from countries with 
significant Muslim populations participating in the Youth Exchange and 
Study (YES) Program, as well as the provision of support services to 
these students throughout the year by assisting grantee placement 
organizations and maintaining regular communication with each student, 
as needed. Approximately 20-27 high school-aged students will 
participate in the Disability Component 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: It is Bureau policy that recruitment of people with 
disabilities at every level should be a priority in all sponsored 
programming. It is ECA's goal to provide each student with disabilities 
participating in the FLEX or YES Programs with an integrated three-
phase program designed to enhance their experience in the U.S. This 
will include providing a Preparatory Workshop upon the students' 
arrival in the U.S. and developing an action plan with each student for 
the coming year. The grantee organization will then continue to support 
each of these students and work with their placement organizations to 
assist the students in taking advantage of local opportunities for 
people with disabilities. Finally, the process will include 
implementing the Leadership and Reentry Workshop to assist the students 
in discussing their year's experience and in preparing for their return 
home as individuals with disabilities.
    Background: The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Youth Exchange 
and Study (YES) programs bring secondary school students from Eurasia 
and countries with significant Muslim populations to the U.S. for an 
academic year. During their time in the U.S., these students live with 
American host families and attend U.S. high schools. (Note: For more 
information on these programs, refer to the Youth Programs Division Web 
site: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students.)Since 
1995, the FLEX program has included a component for students with 
disabilities. This has been challenging since individuals with 
disabilities are treated very differently in Eurasia than they are in 
the U.S. In Eurasia, most disabled young people attend special schools, 
largely institutions, and being disabled carries a major stigma. Most 
young, disabled individuals either are ignored by parents who are 
ashamed of them or are overprotected by parents who are concerned that 
they cannot function independently. A similar situation exists in the 
countries from which the YES students come; and therefore, the 
disabilities component is being expanded this year to include YES 
students. The program should be designed to support the following 
specific activities/components:
    Preparatory Workshop for Students with Disabilities: Generally, 
FLEX and YES participants with disabilities adjust well to American 
life and culture and

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realize the same positive effects as non-disabled participants. The 
grantee organization will assess the students' abilities and special 
needs and provide information to placement organizations (POs) on 
accommodations that each student may require as well as assist each PO 
in identifying resources to support the student in the host community. 
The Preparatory Workshop will also introduce and guide students' 
expectations and skills for the U.S. academic year as individuals with 
disabilities. The grantee organization will also focus on identifying 
local activities and resources to prepare each student to incorporate 
disability related themes into their FLEX or YES program objectives of 
participation in community service and enhancement activities designed 
to involve them in civic education, democracy building and mutual 
understanding. Please note: Due to differences in scheduling between 
the FLEX and YES programs, two separate Preparatory Workshops will be 
necessary for FLEX and YES program participants respectively.
    Ongoing Support and Academic Year Programming: Placement 
organizations have minimal experience working with students with 
disabilities and often lack resources and counseling expertise. 
Providing such support services during the year will undoubtedly offer 
students with disabilities access to opportunities that they may not be 
aware of as well as enhance their experiences in their American host 
communities. However, in addition to providing for the physical and 
emotional support of students with disabilities, POs also need guidance 
in identifying appropriate disability related local community service 
and enhancement opportunities to provide for the programmatic aspects 
of the students' FLEX or YES experience. Your organization's expertise 
and knowledge of resources around the country will provide valuable 
assistance to POs in planning meaningful activities that can expand the 
students' knowledge and self-awareness of disability issues. This will 
enhance their stay as well as their ability to become agents of change 
in their home countries on matters concerning people with disabilities.
    Leadership and Reentry Workshop for Students with Disabilities: 
After having enjoyed the accessibility and other disability supports 
that exist in the U.S., FLEX and YES students with disabilities are 
often not well prepared to return to the less disability-friendly 
environments of their home countries. It is important to adequately 
prepare program participants with disabilities for the reverse culture 
shock that is sure to occur when they return home. Therefore, this 
workshop should focus solely on the readjustment of each student as a 
person with a disability, as the students will also be attending other 
reentry workshops conducted for all FLEX and YES students by their 
respective placement organizations at the end of the program year. 
These other workshops will provide more general training for 
readjustment to the students' home cultures. Additional goals of the 
Leadership and Reentry workshop are conducting activities to further 
develop leadership skills and foster empowerment and provision of tools 
that would enable these individuals to do outreach and work in support 
of disability rights in their countries.
    Proposed funding would support the following activities:
    Preparatory Workshops: Two five-day workshops in summer 2006 to 
prepare FLEX and YES students with disabilities for their exchange 
experience.
     Assessment of students' skills and preparation of reports 
to provide placement organizations information about their students' 
specific needs and abilities.
     Lodging, meals, student supervision and emergency medical 
care. [Note: Health insurance is provided by each student's placement 
organization. Any issues or questions regarding insurance should be 
addressed to the placement organizations.]
     Coordination of arrival and departure travel information 
with administrative component grantee. [Students' international and 
domestic travel is provided through the FLEX administrative components 
and YES recruitment grants.]
     Coordination of make-up activities and information for any 
late arriving students.
     Comprehensive follow-up programming with any selected 
individuals who were unable to attend the workshop.
     Fiscal management.
     Workshop evaluation.
    Support and Programming Services: 
     Provision of disability- and locality-specific information 
and resources to placement organizations and students to enhance their 
FLEX and YES program activities.
     Provision of ongoing support and program assistance and 
communication to FLEX and YES students with disabilities through their 
POs.
     Fiscal management.
     Evaluation.
    Leadership and Reentry Workshop: A three-day workshop in spring 
2007 to prepare students with disabilities to return to their home 
countries.
     Lodging, meals, student supervision and medical care.
     Travel from host communities to workshop site, and return.
     Follow-up programming--with any selected individuals who 
were unable to attend the workshop.
     Fiscal management.
     Evaluation.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: Approximately $146,346.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Anticipated Award Date: June 2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 2007.
    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 
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years

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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 Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, 
Room Number 568, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, phone: (202) 203-7517, fax (202) 203-7529, or e-
mail [email protected] to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer 
to the Funding Opportunity Number located at the top of this 
announcement when making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation. It also 
contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) 
document, which provides specific information, award criteria and 
budget instructions tailored to this competition. Please specify Bureau 
Program Officer Michele Peters and refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number (ECA/PE/C/PY-06-37) 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. ``Submission Dates and Times'' section below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget. Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It 
contains the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document 
and the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document 
for additional formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not 
received a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three 
years, or if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS 
within the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation 
to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to 
do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa: The 
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 their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et seq., 
including the oversight of their Responsible Officers and Alternate 
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, 
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, 
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, 
recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements. The Office of Citizen 
Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to 
participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://www.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 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

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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 timeframe), 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. The award will be approximately $146,346. 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) Round-trip transportation for participants from their host 
communities to/from the Leadership and Reentry workshop site.
    (2) Daily travel at workshop site location as necessary.
    (3) Accommodations and meals for participants during the time of 
the workshop.
    (4) Rental of facilities and equipment.
    (5) Fees for relevant excursions and cultural activities.
    (6) Honoraria for speakers/trainers, as appropriate.
    (7) Necessary reasonable accommodations.
    (8) Materials development.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines 
and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: Monday, May 8, 2006.
    Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-06-37.
    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 Program 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.
    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.

[[Page 15248]]

    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, Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-06-37, 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. Applicants must also submit the 
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the 
proposal in text (.txt) format on a PC-formatted disk.

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 grants 
assistance awards 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: Proposals 
should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and resourcefulness. 
Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. A detailed 
agenda and relevant work plan should include proposed support 
activities and should demonstrate substantive undertakings and 
logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to the program 
overview and guidelines described above and should clearly demonstrate 
how the project will meet objectives.
    2. 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 (program venue 
and program evaluation) and program content.
    3. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals. You should demonstrate experience working with youth 
with disabilities, as well as familiarity with the culture and current 
challenges that exist for people with disabilities living in Eurasia 
and represented by the FLEX program and people with disabilities in the 
countries represented in the YES program. Your proposal should 
demonstrate an institutional record of successful programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grant 
Staff.
    4. Multiplier Effect/Impact: The proposed program should describe 
how workshop participants will be motivated and enabled to reach out to 
other individuals with disabilities in their communities in the U.S. 
and in their home countries.
    5. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should describe how the program 
will encourage participants to teach and encourage advocacy to others 
in their home countries.
    6. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives are recommended.
    7. Cost effectiveness/Cost sharing: 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. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other 
private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

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

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with two hard copy originals of the following 
reports:
    Quarterly program and financial reports; and a final program and

[[Page 15249]]

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.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Michele Peters, 
Program Officer, Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C/PY, Room 568, 
Reference Number ECA/PE/C/PY-06-37, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, phone: (202) 203-7517 and 
fax (202) 203-7529, E-mail: [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/PY-06-37.
    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 22, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E6-4383 Filed 3-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P