[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19227-19232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3591]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5379]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: English as a Foreign Language Institutes for Egypt and 
Morocco; Jordan and Syria

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/X-06-06.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline, May 22, 2006.
    Executive Summary: The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch in the 
Office of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for an assistance 
award program to support the development of two teaching enhancement 
institutes for educators from Egypt and Morocco; Jordan and Syria, 
during the summer of 2007. Accredited, post-secondary U.S. educational 
institutions meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code 
section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to develop and 
administer two English as a Foreign Language (EFL) institutes, one for 
educators from Egypt and Morocco and the other for educators from 
Jordan and Syria. Approximately 24 qualified English teachers (10-12 
from each of the institute's two participating countries) will be 
selected to attend each intensive six-week academic institute, which 
will include a 3-day visit to Washington, DC. Following the institutes, 
participants will return home to conduct in-country workshops for 40-50 
local educators in each participating country. In addition, two 
outstanding teachers from Egypt who excelled in the summer institutes 
and have shown initiative in implementing in-country follow-on 
activities will be chosen to attend the Morocco workshop and two 
outstanding teachers from Morocco will attend the Egypt workshop. 
Similarly, two teachers from Jordan will be selected to attend the 
Syria workshop and two from Syria will attend the Jordan workshop. 
Participation in an additional in-country workshop will provide an 
opportunity for international professional development, help develop a 
network amongst participants and underscore the regional emphasis of 
the 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

I.1 Overview

    The Bureau requests detailed proposals from U.S. institutions of 
higher education, which have expertise in the field of EFL. Proposals 
should demonstrate the applicant's understanding of the local 
educational systems in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Syria as well as 
issues confronting English language education in these countries. 
Special expertise in handling cross-cultural programs is highly 
desired. Proposals should outline a design for follow-on programming in 
each country that will build on the achievements of the institutes 
while promoting the continued exchanges of

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ideas between the participants and their schools, the U.S. grantee 
organization and the U.S. professional contacts.

I.2 Project Objectives

    Proposals should reflect four overall goals: First, to produce two 
highly focused institutes that update participants in best practices in 
EFL and U.S. teaching methodology at the primary through secondary 
levels; second, to provide participants with skills that will enable 
them to conduct workshops on institute topics in their home countries 
in the future; third, to provide opportunities for participants to make 
presentations on their countries' best practices in EFL for one another 
and their U.S. counterparts; and fourth, to provide participants with 
opportunities to interact with American students and professionals, 
thereby allowing them to increase their understanding of U.S. culture 
and society, both during their time in the U.S. and after their return 
home.

I.3 Guidelines

I.3a Project Planning and Implementation

    In early 2007, the grantee organization will be responsible for 
conducting an initial planning visit to the four countries to consult 
with representatives from the Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. 
Embassies (PAS), the Department of State's Regional English Language 
Officers (RELOs) based in Egypt, Morocco and Jordan, the Fulbright 
Commission in Morocco, and local educators. RELOs are credentialed, 
experienced EFL officers attached to U.S. embassies to work with host-
country Ministries of Education, universities and teacher-training 
officials on targeted English language programs. With the concurrence 
of the countries' Ministries of Education, participants will be 
recruited and selected by the PAS, RELOs, and/or the Fulbright 
Commission in Morocco. For information on contacting the appropriate 
parties, please refer to the Project Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation (POGI).
    After the participants have been selected but prior to their 
departure for the U.S., the PAS, RELOs, or Fulbright Commission in 
Morocco will conduct a one-day pre-departure orientation session for 
participants in their respective countries based on information 
provided by the organization that is awarded the grant. These 
orientations will provide information about the institute, its goals, 
and expectations for participants. The sessions will offer a framework 
for integrating the institutes and their objectives into the 
participants' previous educational training, and for promoting team-
building strategies. The grantee organization will develop orientation 
packets for each participant that will cover the aforementioned 
material and be sent to the countries in advance of pre-departure 
orientations.

I.3b U.S. Based Training

    Following each pre-departure orientation, participants will spend 
approximately six weeks between May and September in the U.S. at one of 
the two EFL institutes to be organized by the grantee organization. The 
institutes should meet the needs of the participants through activities 
designed by U.S. education specialists with appropriate expertise in 
EFL instruction, curriculum development and training. The institutes 
should have two components: A five and a half-week intensive academic 
program and a three-day educational and cultural program in Washington, 
DC.
    The academic program should address innovative EFL teaching 
methodologies and approaches and their implementation in the respective 
countries. Significant time should also be allotted for related 
professional activities outside the classroom such as visits to 
schools, consultations with U.S. teachers, in-school mentoring, and 
attendance at professional meetings. Where possible, proposals should 
offer a one-week experiential component, so that participants can 
observe best practices in EFL (or English as a Second Language) 
instruction and training in a U.S. school and team-teach. Among the 
topics to be addressed during the institutes are: Computer literacy 
skills for EFL instruction, U.S. methodology for teaching, critical 
thinking, communication, conflict resolution, analytical and evaluation 
skills, and student development and motivation in U.S. schools.
    Few participants will have visited the United States previously. 
Accordingly, an orientation to the host institution, its community, and 
to U.S. society and its system of education should be an integral part 
of the institutes early in the program. The study program should also 
include cultural activities that facilitate interaction of the 
participants with American students, faculty, administrators, and 
members of the local community to promote mutual understanding between 
the people of the United States and the people of Egypt, Jordan, 
Morocco and Syria.
    The three-day visit to Washington, DC should occur either midway or 
toward the end of each institute and should complement and reinforce 
the academic program. This visit should include meetings with 
representatives of the Department of State, other government agencies, 
and private-sector groups as well as visits to local educational and 
cultural sites as requested by the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch.
    Administration and management of the academic program and the visit 
to Washington, DC will be the responsibility of the grantee 
organization. The grantee organization is also responsible for 
arrangements for domestic and international travel, lodging, food, and 
allowances for participants while at the host institution and in 
Washington, DC.

I.3c In-country Workshops

    The grantee organization will organize and conduct a follow-on 
workshop in each country, which will be attended by all institute 
participants from that country as well as 40-50 additional local 
educators. Two outstanding teachers from each country participating in 
the institutes will travel to their institute's partner country to 
attend and participate in the in-country workshops.
    The grantee organization will work with the PAS, RELOS, or the 
Fulbright Commission in Morocco to select the additional local 
educators and plan the in-country workshops. The PAS, RELOs, or the 
Fulbright Commission in Morocco will also provide administrative 
support and work with the Ministry of Education to encourage continued 
communication among all participants.
    At these in-country workshops, institute participants will showcase 
the teaching strategies they developed in the U.S as they practice the 
teacher training skills acquired during the program. Where possible, 
technical assistance will also be provided by RELOs and State 
Department-supported resident English Language Fellows who are 
experienced U.S. teacher trainers with expertise in TEFL/TESL. Fellows 
will be assigned to countries to work on the improvement of English 
teaching capacity in host country educational institutions.

I.4 Relationship between ECA/A/S/X and Grantee Organization

    In a cooperative agreement, the Teacher Exchange Branch (ECA/A/S/X) 
is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond 
routine grant monitoring. ECA/A/S/X activities and responsibilities for 
this program are as follows:
     Formulation of program policy;
     Clearing of texts and program guidelines for publication; 
and

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     Review and approval of orientation schedules, Washington, 
DC program, and follow-on workshop schedules.

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: $700,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $700,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, September 1, 
2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: May 31, 2008.
    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 accredited, U.S. post-secondary 
educational institutions 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

    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 $700,000 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 Patricia Mosley of the Fulbright Teacher Exchange 
Branch, ECA/A/S/X, Room 349, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone (202) 453-8897, fax (202) 
453-8890, e-mail: [email protected] to request a Solicitation Package. 
Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/X-06-06 located 
at the top of this announcement when making your request. 
Alternatively, an electronic application package may be obtained from 
grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f for further information.
    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 Rozina Damanwala and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/X-06-06 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 or from 
the 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 original and eight copies of the application should be 
sent per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and 
Methods of Submission 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 
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. The grantee will be

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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 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.)
    Cooperating institutions 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: sustainability, overall program 
management, staffing, and coordination with ECA/A/S/X, Fulbright 
Commissions, and RELOs. ECA/A/S/X considers program management, 
staffing and coordination with the Department of State essential 
elements of the program. Please be sure to give sufficient attention to 
these elements in your proposal by providing a staffing plan that 
outlines the responsibilities of each staff person and explains which 
staff member will be accountable for each program responsibility. 
Wherever possible please streamline administrative processes. Please 
refer to the POGI in the Solicitation Package for specific guidelines.
    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 budget should not exceed $700,000 for program and 
administrative costs. It should indicate the number of participants 
that can be accommodated at this funding level, based on detailed 
calculations of program and administrative costs. Applicants may submit 
separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or 
activity to provide clarification.
    The summary and detailed administrative and program budgets should 
be accompanied by a narrative which provides a brief rationale for each 
line item including a methodology for

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estimating an appropriate average maintenance allowance level and 
tuition costs for the participants. The total administrative costs 
funded by the Bureau must be reasonable and appropriate. Pending the 
availability of funds, the grant should begin on September 1, 2006 and 
should expire on May 31, 2008.
    IV.3e.2 Allowable costs for the program: Allowable costs for the 
program and additional budget guidance are outlined in detail in the 
POGI document. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete 
budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: May 22, 2006.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/S/X-06-06.
    IV.3f.1 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.2 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''.


    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/S/X-06-06, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    In addition, an electronic copy of the narrative and budget should 
be sent to Rozina Damanwala ([email protected]). The Bureau will 
provide these files electronically to the appropriate Public Affairs 
Sections at the U.S. embassies for their review.
    IV.3f.3 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 application has 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 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. The program 
office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where 
appropriate will review all eligible proposals. Eligible proposals will 
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and 
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. 
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by 
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for 
assistance awards (grants) resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Quality of the program idea and program planning: Proposals 
should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the 
Bureau's mission. Proposals should demonstrate substantive expertise in 
EFL education, curriculum development and teacher training. Proposals 
should also illustrate effective use of community and regional 
resources to enhance the educational and cultural experiences of 
participants. Teaching objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and 
flexible. Proposals should provide a detailed plan outlining the 
follow-on workshops that the U.S. grantee organization is responsible 
for organizing and conducting in each country. In-country workshops 
should enable institute participants to provide training to local 
teachers on the skills and teaching strategies acquired in the academic 
program. Proposal should provide a detailed calendar and relevant work 
plan and demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's 
objectives both in the U.S. based institutes and in-country workshops.
    2. 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 between the United States and the four countries. The proposed 
strategy should also maximize the program's potential to encourage 
participants to build on their exchange experience after returning to 
their home countries.
    3. 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).
    4. Institutional Capacity and Record: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve a 
substantive academic program and effective cross-cultural communication 
with the participants. Proposal should show

[[Page 19232]]

evidence of strong on-site administrative capabilities with specific 
discussion of how logistical arrangements will be undertaken. Proposals 
that demonstrate knowledge of the educational systems in the proposed 
countries as well as an institutional record of successful 
implementation of exchange programs will receive preference. Proposals 
should demonstrate an institutional record of responsible fiscal 
management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past 
Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grants Staff.
    5. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should include a plan for other 
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 institutes' successes, 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. The selected grantee organization 
will be expected to submit quarterly or intermediate reports after each 
project component is concluded, whichever is less frequent.
    7. Cost-effectiveness and 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.
    8. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects 
should receive positive assessments by the U.S. Department of State's 
geographic area desks and overseas officers of program need, potential 
impact, and significance in the partner countries.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1a Award Notices

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

VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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

VI.3 Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of the 
following reports: Quarterly financial reports; program reports at the 
end of each program activity; and 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.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Rozina Damanwala, 
Office of Global Educational Programs, ECA/A/S/X, Room 349, U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
telephone: 202-619-6589, fax 202-401-1433, [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/X-06-06.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

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

    Dated: April 6, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 06-3591 Filed 4-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P