[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23980-23985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6183]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5381]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA); Request for 
Grant Proposals: Exchange Program for School Principals From Bolivia, 
Ecuador and Venezuela

    Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/X-06-10.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: June 1, 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 an exchange program for school principals from 
Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Applications may be submitted by U.S. 
organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code 
section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3). The program will provide an intensive 
three-week U.S. professional development program for 6-7 qualified 
secondary school principals from each of the respective countries. The 
participants will not have visited the U.S. previously and will not 
speak English; therefore translation should be provided throughout the 
program.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

I.1. 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.

I.2. Purpose

    The purpose of the program is to support professional development 
and regional interaction among principals from Bolivia, Ecuador, and 
Venezuela so as to strengthen the education systems in their respective 
countries. Through close collaboration with U.S. educators on topics of 
leadership, school administration and civic engagement, the principals 
will gain a deeper understanding of the United States so that they can 
share their experiences of a diverse democratic society with teachers 
and students in their home communities. By providing an opportunity for 
partnerships with U.S. principals, this program will form a basis for 
productive and lasting relationships and mutual understanding between 
South American and U.S. educators.

I.3. Program Goals

    The proposals should reflect five overall goals: (1) To produce a 
highly focused regional program that exposes secondary school 
principals from Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela to best practices in 
leadership and school administration in the United States; (2) to 
provide a variety of learning formats for them to share, discuss and 
compare issues of diversity, professional development for teachers, 
effective use of educational resources, community involvement and civic 
education in the three South American countries and U.S. secondary 
schools; (3) to provide opportunities for secondary school principals 
to gain computer skills; (4) to support collaboration between South 
American and U.S. principals by arranging ten-day visits to U.S. 
secondary schools to reinforce academic learning under the previous 
goals; and (5) to provide participants with opportunities to interact 
with Americans to gain an awareness and understanding of U.S. culture 
and society. The overall program content should focus on leadership and 
administrative strategies that are culturally appropriate and can be 
implemented in schools with limited resources in South America.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs seeks proposals that 
demonstrate a deep understanding of the local educational systems in 
Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela and of the issues surrounding secondary 
school management and administration. Proposals should outline 
practical and feasible follow-on activities that build on the 
achievements of the program while promoting the continued exchanges of 
ideas between the participants, their U.S. partners and the U.S. 
cooperating institution.

I.4. Planning

    The cooperating institution should coordinate closely with The 
Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch (ECA/A/S/X), the Public Affairs 
Sections of Embassies Caracas, La Paz and Quito as well as the 
Fulbright Commission in Quito regarding activities and responsibilities 
for this program. During the planning phase, the cooperating 
institution should make one trip to the three countries to conduct a 
needs assessment in consultation with representatives from the Public 
Affairs Sections of the U.S. Embassies in La Paz, Quito and Caracas and 
the Fulbright Commission in Ecuador as well as Ministries of Education 
and educators in La Paz and Quito. Based on the assessment, the 
cooperating institution should submit a detailed schedule and program 
plan for the U.S. based program to the Fulbright Teacher Exchange 
Branch for approval. For further detailed information, see the Program 
Objectives, Goals and

[[Page 23981]]

Implementation (POGI), which is part of this solicitation document.

I.5. In-Country Recruitment and Orientation

    The Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of the U.S. Embassies in La Paz 
and Quito and the Fulbright Commission in Ecuador will recruit and 
select participants in collaboration with the Ministries of Education. 
In Venezuela, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy may 
request assistance with the recruitment, selection, and orientation of 
Venezuelan participants from an on-the-ground non-governmental 
organization (NGO). The cooperating institution should budget 
approximately $5,000 for costs associated with sub-contracting with an 
NGO in Venezuela--to be coordinated with ECA/A/S/X and PAS Caracas. The 
cooperating institution should develop an application form and 
publicity materials for use in all three countries.
    The Public Affairs Sections and Commission representatives in La 
Paz and Quito and the designated non-governmental organization in 
Caracas will conduct a one-day pre-departure orientation for the 
participants. The cooperating institution should provide background 
information to these partners in the field about cultural and other 
practical issues concerning the principals' stay in the U.S., the goals 
of the school administrator exchange program, the program schedule, 
packets of materials for the in-country pre-departure orientation 
workshops and information on comparative school administration and 
educational models.
    The cooperating institution should make certain that participants 
create an ``action plan'' for the exchange before they depart from 
their home countries, outlining individual goals and objectives. 
``Action planning'' should be integrated into both the pre-departure 
orientation and the U.S. professional development and school visits so 
that participants may assess their progress toward meeting their goals 
and objectives when they return home.

I.6. U.S.-Based Professional Development

    The three-week program should have three components, all of which 
should include simultaneous or consecutive Spanish language 
interpretation: (1) A one-week intensive overview of U.S. public school 
administration, leadership development seminars and an introduction to 
the use of the internet to support research and outreach; (2) a ten-day 
work shadowing portion in which the participants will partner with U.S. 
secondary school principals. School placements should be made with U.S. 
administrators who speak fluent Spanish or consecutive translation 
should be made available; and (3) a two to three day educational and 
cultural program in Washington, DC.
    The program should meet the needs of the Bolivian, Ecuadorian and 
Venezuelan participants through activities designed by U.S. education 
specialists with appropriate expertise in public school administration. 
Time should be allotted for professional activities including ``action 
planning,'' school visits, presentations to students, consultations 
with educational and community organizations, and school board and 
parent teacher association meetings. The three-week program should also 
include cultural activities and home hospitality to facilitate 
interaction among participants and the local community to promote 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the 
people of Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
    The final site visit to Washington, DC should complement and 
reinforce the academic and work shadow programs. This visit will 
include a de-briefing at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
and the Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs at the Department of 
State, meetings at professional and educational organizations, and 
visits to educational and cultural sites. Simultaneous or consecutive 
translation must be provided.
    Administration and management of all phases of the program will be 
the responsibility of the U.S. cooperating institution. The U.S. 
institution is responsible for domestic and international travel 
arrangements and simultaneous or consecutive translation in Spanish 
during the program. The U.S. cooperating institution is also 
responsible for funding lodging, food, and allowances for participants 
while in the U.S.

I.7. Follow-On Projects

    The final stage of this program will consist of follow-on projects 
between participants and their U.S. partner school administrators that 
will build upon the school management practices they learned in the 
U.S. The U.S. cooperating institution will be responsible for 
developing follow-on projects in close collaboration with the Fulbright 
Teacher Exchange Branch of the Department of State and Public Affairs 
Sections of U.S. Embassies in La Paz, Caracas, and Quito and the 
Fulbright Commission in Ecuador. The cooperating institution will 
assist program participants and U.S. principals to plan and organize 
projects to ensure long-term partner school collaboration.

I.8. Budget Guidelines

    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
submit separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification. The cost to the Bureau 
for the program, including the work shadow portion and the in-country 
follow-on activities, may not exceed $250,000. One grant will be 
awarded to conduct the school administrator development activities, 
work shadow portion and follow on for the three countries.
    In a cooperative agreement, ECA/A/S/X will be substantially 
involved in the program activities mentioned above and beyond routine 
grant monitoring. ECA/A/S/X activities and responsibilities for this 
program are as follows:
     Formulation of program policy;
     Clearing texts and program guidelines for publication;
     Oversight of the content for the pre-departure orientation 
and U.S.-based program including the review and approval of school 
program schedules and Washington, DC de-briefing.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: $250,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $250,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 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.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

[[Page 23982]]

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 for allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
that are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal Government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

III.2. 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 of $250,000, 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. The Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: Please read the complete announcement before sending 
inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with 
applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

IV.1. Contact Information To Request an Application Package

    Please contact the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch, ECA/A/S/X, 
Room 349, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, (Tel.) 202-453-8877, (Fax) 202-453-8890, and e-
mail, [email protected] to request a Solicitation Package. Please 
refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/X-06-10 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.
    Please specify Mary Ellen Sariti and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/X-06-10 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 are part of the formal application package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not 
received a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three 
years, or if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS 
within the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation 
to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to 
do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa. The 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is placing renewed emphasis 
on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) 
Programs and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all regulations 
governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the 
applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing the 
administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 
part 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate 
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, 
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, 
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, 
recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements.
    The U.S. cooperating institution will be responsible for issuing 
DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office 
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547. Telephone: (202) 401-9810. 
Fax: (202) 401-9809.
    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 disabilities. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please 
refer to the review criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section 
for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into your proposal. 
Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of 
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not 
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take 
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation

[[Page 23983]]

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.)
    The U.S. cooperating institution 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.
    Describe your plans for: i.e., sustainability, overall program 
management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any other 
requirements etc.
    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 grant awarded will not exceed $250,000. There must 
be a summary budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both 
administrative and program budgets.
    Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program 
component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) International and domestic travel.
    (2) U.S. ground transportation.
    (3) Participant maintenance (3 weeks).
    (4) Professional development seminars (instruction, materials, 
logistics).
    (5) Stipends for U.S. host principals.
    (6) Cultural activities.
    (7) Book allowance/shipping.
    (8) Cooperating institution administrative costs.
    (9) Follow-on programming.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: June 1, 2006.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/S-06-10.
    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.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

[[Page 23984]]

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-06-10, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Applicants submitting hard-copy applications 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 
Sections at the U.S. embassies for their review.
    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 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 a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon 
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 sections 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 
professional development for secondary school administrators. Proposals 
should also illustrate effective use of community and regional 
resources to enhance the educational and cultural experiences of 
participants. Proposals should focus on leadership and administrative 
strategies appropriate for implementation in schools in Bolivia, 
Ecuador and Venezuela. Proposals should provide a detailed calendar and 
relevant work plan and demonstrate how the institution will meet the 
program's objectives during the U.S. based training.
    2. Ability To Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the cooperating institution will meet the program's 
objectives and plan.
    3. Multiplier Effect/Impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term linkages between U.S. and 
South American schools.
    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).
    5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    6. Institution's Record/Ability: 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.
    7. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity ensuring that Bureau supported programs 
are not isolated events.
    8. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives are recommended.
    9. 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.

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.''

[[Page 23985]]

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 two copies of 
the final program and financial report no more than 90 days after the 
expiration of the award.
    U.S. cooperating institutions will be required to provide reports 
analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular 
program reports. [Please refer to IV. Application and Submission 
Instructions (IV.3.d.3)] above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation 
information.
    All data collected, including survey responses and contact 
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request.
    All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.

VI.4. Optional 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. The ECA Program Officer and partners abroad must receive final 
schedules for in country and U.S. activities at least seven workdays 
prior to the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Mary Ellen Sariti, 
Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch, Office of Global Educational 
Programs, ECA/A/S/X, Room 349, ECA/A/S/X-06-10, U.S. Department of 
State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, (Tel.) 202-
453-8877 (Fax.) 202-453-8890, [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/X-06-10.
    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.

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 19, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E6-6183 Filed 4-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P