[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 80 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22207-22213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8958]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6197]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: American Documentaries Showcase

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C-CU-08-70.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: May 27, 2008.

Executive Summary

    The Cultural Programs Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges 
in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an 
open competition for a cooperative agreement to administer the American 
Documentaries Showcase program. Through this program, ECA seeks to 
showcase and promote American documentaries and their filmmakers at 
international venues, including U.S. Embassy-organized events and/or 
U.S. Embassy-supported international documentary film festivals. ECA 
therefore seeks an organization to identify and select a thematic 
collection of twenty (20) to thirty (30) American documentaries that 
offer a broad overview of the best in American documentary filmmaking. 
The documentaries should demonstrate high artistic quality, illustrate 
diverse viewpoints, address a variety of social issues, and reflect the 
creativity inherent in an open, democratic society. The collection 
should include documentaries addressing universal themes and issues 
such as--but not limited to--nature and the environment, human rights, 
HIV/AIDS, and other subjects that reflect contemporary American society 
and culture. The documentary collection will be available to U.S. 
Embassies to program in its entirety or in part. U.S. Embassies also 
may choose to submit appropriate documentaries from the collection to 
local documentary festivals. This program will also provide for travel 
by the documentary filmmakers in conjunction with the presentation of 
their documentaries overseas at U.S. Embassy programs or local 
festivals. Travel by film experts will include public presentations, 
workshops, master classes, interviews, and outreach activities designed 
to address underserved and younger audiences overseas. Applicants 
should submit proposals that show how they will identify and select the 
collection of American documentaries outlined here and how they will 
assist ECA in programming the documentaries and their filmmakers in 
eighteen (18) to thirty (30) U.S. Embassies overseas.
    U.S. public and non-profit organizations meeting the provisions 
described in Internal Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may 
submit proposals that support the goals of American Documentaries 
Showcase: To promote mutual understanding and cross-cultural awareness. 
The program accomplishes this by providing an opportunity for 
international audiences to view American documentaries; become exposed 
to American viewpoints on socially relevant issues; gain an 
understanding of the role of filmmaking as a catalyst for dialogue and 
for exploring solutions to contemporary problems; and allow American 
documentary filmmakers to learn about life and culture in the foreign 
host countries.
    The Bureau is particularly interested in proposals that will 
facilitate the organization of programs in countries with significant 
Muslim or underserved populations, and youth. No guarantee is made or 
implied that programming will be made in any particular region.
    For this competition, all organizations must demonstrate sufficient 
experience successfully exhibiting, distributing, or otherwise 
promoting American documentaries. They also should demonstrate 
extensive knowledge of the documentary field in general both in the 
U.S. and overseas. Proposals from organizations with significant 
international experience will be more competitive. Organizations with 
less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges 
are ineligible to apply.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority

    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of 
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the 
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us 
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural 
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United 
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of 
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States 
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the 
program above is provided through legislation.

Purpose

    The Bureau seeks proposals that will showcase and promote American 
documentaries and their filmmakers at international venues such as U.S. 
Embassy-organized events and U.S. Embassy-supported documentary film 
festivals. These events will help engage audiences overseas that do not 
normally have regular access to American documentaries. The applicant 
will be responsible for identifying and assembling a collection of 
approximately 20 to 30 American documentaries on diverse social themes 
and whose filmmakers will be available for overseas travel and 
programming by U.S. Embassies in connection with the presentation of 
their documentaries at Embassy events or local documentary festivals. 
In addition to presentations, American Documentary Showcase filmmakers 
will be expected to conduct or participate in master classes, lectures, 
workshops, radio and TV appearances, and other activities with local 
cultural institutions, other filmmakers, media, and students.

Guidelines

    The successful applicant must fully demonstrate a capacity to 
achieve the following:
    (1) Identify the film professionals, subject matter specialists, 
and other experts who will be members of the panel selecting the 
documentaries. Provide credentials to illustrate the film and 
international expertise of the review panelists.
    (2) Identify the specific selection criteria the review panel will 
use to select the documentaries and

[[Page 22208]]

participating filmmakers. The panel will include an ECA representative 
as an observer.
    As documentaries will be presented abroad as part of ECA's public 
diplomacy outreach, they should be balanced, represent the diversity of 
American political, social and cultural life, and take political and 
cultural sensitivities into consideration. ECA will review and approve 
nominated documentaries in consultation with other Department 
officials.
    (3) Identify, select, and obtain approximately twenty (20) to 
thirty (30) American documentaries appropriate for overseas 
presentation. The collection should include documentaries reflecting 
universal themes and issues such as nature and the environment, human 
rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, and women's issues as well as categories 
such as history and social documentaries, ethnographic films, 
biographies, animation, and the arts. The collection should include 
films appropriate for entry into international documentary festivals if 
requested by U.S. embassies. It should also include a mix of feature 
length and short documentaries to allow for flexible programming at 
various venues.
    (4) Identify the film professionals, subject matter specialists or 
other experts who will travel overseas to present the documentaries. 
Filmmakers must be U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old; 
demonstrate the highest artistic ability; be conversant with broader 
aspects of contemporary American society and culture; be conversant 
with the other documentaries in the collection, as well as his/her own, 
and be adaptable to unescorted, rigorous touring through regions where 
travel and performance situations may be difficult.
    (5) Ensure documentaries are available in appropriate formats for 
various kinds of screening venues and that sufficient copies of the 
entire collection are available for multiple bookings in various 
geographic areas.
    (6) Ensure documentaries meet all festival criteria, in the event 
they are to be submitted for presentation at a U.S. Embassy-supported 
festival.
    (7) Ensure rights to the documentaries are cleared to permit 
flexibility in programming.
    (8) Work with ECA and PAS to develop program models for Embassy 
sponsored or Embassy organized film events. This includes identifying 
documentaries from the collection menu that could be used to 
demonstrate different approaches to the same social issue or challenge.
    (9) Develop discussion guides and public relations and educational 
materials to support the documentaries. The educational materials 
should be developed to be used either with individual documentaries or 
to support proposed thematic groupings.
    (10) Working in coordination with ECA, engage Public Affairs 
Officers at U.S. Embassies in the project to ensure they concur with 
suitability of documentaries for their programming.
    Proposals should reflect a practical understanding of global 
issues, and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, political, economic, 
and social differences in regions where the documentaries will be shown 
and the film experts programmed. Special attention should be given to 
describing the applicant organization's experience with documentary 
film and with planning and implementing logistical scenarios overseas. 
Applicants should outline their project team's capacity for doing 
projects of this nature and provide a detailed sample program to 
illustrate planning capacity and ability to achieve program objectives. 
Applicants must identify all U.S. and foreign partner organizations 
and/or venues with whom they are proposing to collaborate, and describe 
previous cooperative projects in the section on ``Institutional 
Capacity.'' For this competition, applicants must include in their 
proposal supporting materials or documentation that demonstrate a 
minimum of four years experience in conducting international exchange 
programs. Proposals must include references with name and contact 
information for other assistance awards the applicant has received, in 
the event the Bureau chooses to be in touch directly.
    ECA intends to give one assistance award to a qualified institution 
or organization to administer the American Documentary Showcase program 
globally. Activities funded through this cooperative agreement support 
the organization and implementation of between 20 to 30 overseas 
programs. Activities must include, but are not limited to:

--Selection of documentaries with associated filmmakers.
--Production of documentary packages in appropriate formats for 
multiple exhibition overseas.
--Development of promotional and corollary support material, including 
educational and media packets.
--Shipping overseas.
--Travel overseas by documentary filmmakers or other experts.
--Advance program planning.
--Programming educational, media, and other outreach activities in 
consultation with U.S. embassies.
--Assisting filmmakers with passport, visa, immunizations, and other 
pre-travel preparations.
--Arranging and providing orientation sessions and pre-travel 
briefings, producing press materials, and providing support for 
publicity while the filmmakers are overseas.
--Evaluating program activities.
--Reporting on program activities to ECA.
--Providing suggestions for follow-on program development, including 
the option of bringing foreign filmmakers to the United States.

    Applicants must have experience in documentary filmmaking aspects 
and in planning and implementation of programs, with particular 
emphasis on overseas programs and should address these elements in the 
proposal. The grantee must be highly responsive and able to work in 
close consultation with ECA and the Public Affairs Sections of the 
participating U.S. embassies.
    Successful applicants will include with their proposal specific 
criteria for the selection of American documentaries and documentary 
filmmakers.
    The Cultural Programs Division's activities and responsibilities 
for this program are as follows:

--Participation in the final selection of documentaries and filmmakers.
--Determination of the countries to which the documentary collection 
and filmmakers will travel. Priority countries will be those in all 
world regions of greatest importance to the Department of State's 
public diplomacy mission to build mutual understanding.
--Final approval of all program arrangements.

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: FY 2008.
    Approximate Total Funding: $400,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $400,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $400,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2008.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 29, 2009.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in

[[Page 22209]]

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. In-kind cost-sharing is acceptable 
for certain aspects of the budget. For example, a grantee's existing 
inherent professional expertise is considered in-kind cost sharing. 
This can be reflected as a contribution of honoraria fees that might 
otherwise have to be spent to hire experts.
    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

    (a) 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 giving one award, 
in an amount not to exceed $400,000 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.
    (b) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following: (1) Full adherence to the guidelines stated herein and in 
the Solicitation Package; (2) proposal submission deadline date; (3) 
non-profit organization status, and; (4) for purposes of this 
competition, a demonstrated track record in documentary programming and 
at least four years experience in international exchanges, or your 
proposal will be declared technically ineligible and given no further 
consideration in the review process. Eligible applicants may submit 
only ONE proposal (TOTAL) in response to this RFGP. If multiple 
proposals are received, all submissions will be declared technically 
ineligible and will be given no further consideration in the review 
process.

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 Cultural Programs Division (ECA/PE/C/CU) in the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges, Room 568, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 202/203-7488; fax 202/203-7525; e-
mail [email protected] to request a Solicitation Package.
    Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C-CU-08-70 
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.
    For questions about this announcement, please contact: Susan Cohen, 
Cultural Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/CU, 202/203-7509; fax 202/203-
7525; [email protected]. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number 
ECA/PE/C-CU-08-70 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 14 copies 
(15 proposals total) 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 for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application.

    Please note: Effective March 14, 2008, all applicants for ECA 
federal assistance awards must include with their application, a 
copy of page 5, Part V-A, ``Current Officers, Directors, Trustees, 
and Key Employees'' of their most recent Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS) Form 990, ``Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.'' 
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 62, 
which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa

[[Page 22210]]

program). Under the terms of 22 CFR 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 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 critically 
important emphases 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://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 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 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.)
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All 
data collected,

[[Page 22211]]

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 may not exceed $400,000. 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. For budgeting purposes, applicants should estimate costs 
based on selection of approximately 20 to 30 documentaries, packaging 
of multiple copies of the collection as well as administration of 
travel abroad and programming of documentary filmmakers to 18 to 30 
U.S. Embassies overseas. Final determination of participating regions 
and countries will be made by ECA in collaboration with U.S. embassies 
and the successful applicant after the assistance award has been given.
    IV.3e.3. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Program Expenses, including but not limited to: Costs involved 
in the identification and selection of an American documentary 
collection, including organization of selection panel; costs of 
producing multiple copies of the documentary collection; domestic and 
international travel for the selected filmmakers (per The Fly America 
Act) to approximately 20 or more venues overseas for an average of one 
week of programming; visas and immunizations; airport taxes and country 
entrance fees; honoraria for the filmmakers; educational materials and 
presentation items; excess and overweight baggage fees for educational 
material; trip itinerary booklets; press kits and promotional 
materials; follow-on activities; monitoring and evaluation; and 
international travel for program implementation and/or evaluation 
purposes. The following guidelines may be helpful in developing a 
proposed budget:
    A. Travel Costs. International and domestic airfares (per The Fly 
America Act), transit costs, ground transportation, and visas for 
American Documentary Showcase Abroad participants to travel to the 
program destinations.
    B. Per Diem: For any U.S. portion of the travel, organizations 
should use the published Federal per diem rates. The Public Affairs 
Sections of the participating U.S. embassies and consulates are 
responsible for per diem abroad. Domestic per diem rates may be 
accessed at: http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentId=17943&contentType=GSA_BASIC%20.
    C. Sub-grantees and Consultants. Sub-grantee organizations may be 
used, in which case the written agreement between the prospective 
grantee and sub-grantee should be included in the proposal. Sub-grants 
must be itemized in the budget under General Program Expenses. 
Consultants may be used to provide specialized expertise. Daily 
honoraria cannot exceed $250 per day, and applicants are strongly 
encouraged to use organizational resources, and to cost share heavily 
in this area.
    D. Health Insurance. Each American Documentary Showcase Abroad 
participant will be covered under the terms of the ECA-sponsored COINS 
health insurance policy. The cost for international travel insurance 
for staff travel may be included in the proposal budget.
    E. Honoraria for American Documentary Showcase Abroad filmmakers. 
Daily honorarium is $200 per day for each filmmaker or film expert, 
including rest and travel days.
    F. Educational and Promotional Items. ECA funds for educational and 
promotional items should not exceed $200 per filmmaker or film expert 
per program.
    G. Excess Baggage. For brochures, educational and other support 
material related to overseas programming.
    H. Immunizations/Visas. For purposes of a proposed budget, line 
items for immunizations should be estimated at $400 per filmmaker, and 
visas/visa photos should be estimated at $600 per filmmaker or film 
expert.
    I. Press Kits. Each relevant U.S. embassy should receive 
appropriate contents for press kits. Items may be sent electronically 
with the understanding that in some cases, embassies may not be able to 
access large files or attachments. This line item may include funds for 
shooting and duplicating publicity photos and duplicating documentary 
clips.
    J. Staff Travel. Allowable costs include domestic staff travel for 
one staff member to attend recruitment/selection events in 
approximately two U.S. cities. International staff travel will be 
allowable, especially if associated with monitoring and evaluation. 
Cost-sharing for staff travel is strongly encouraged.
    2. Administrative Costs. Costs necessary for the effective 
administration of the program may include salaries for grantee 
organization employees, benefits, and other direct and indirect costs 
per detailed instructions in the Solicitation Package. While there is 
no rigid ratio of administrative to program costs, proposals in which 
the administrative costs do not exceed 25% of the total requested from 
ECA grant funds will be more competitive on cost effectiveness. Please 
refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and 
formatting instructions.

IV.3F. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission

    Application Deadline Date: Thursday, May 27, 2008.
    Reference Number: ECA/PE/C-CU-08-70.
    Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two 
ways:
    (1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2) electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
IV.3f.1 Submitting Printed Applications
    Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline. 
Delivery services used by applicants must have in-place, centralized 
shipping identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via 
the Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly 
recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or 
before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days 
after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration under 
this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are 
ineligible for consideration under this competition. ECA will not 
notify you upon receipt of application. It is each applicant's 
responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible 
tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the 
Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local 
courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will 
not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above 
will be considered.

    Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure 
to include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and

[[Page 22212]]

place it in an envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.

    The original and 14 copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C-CU-08-70, 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) or Microsoft Word format on a PC-formatted 
disk. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to the 
appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for 
its(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). Several of the 
steps in the Grants.gov registration process could take several weeks. 
Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate staff within their 
organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP to confirm or 
determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
    Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an 
application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the 
size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. 
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the submission process through 
Grants.gov.
    Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and 
submission to: Grants.gov Customer Support, Contact Center Phone: 800-
518-4726, Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time, E-
mail: grants.gov">support@grants.gov.
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of 
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been 
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above 
deadline. 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.
    It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via 
the Grants.gov Web portal to ensure that proposals have been received 
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for 
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process

    The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the 
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible 
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public 
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will 
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and 
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. 
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by 
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for 
cooperative agreements resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Program Planning and Ability To Achieve Objectives: Detailed 
agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to 
the program overview and guidelines described above. Proposals should 
clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's 
objectives and plan.
    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.
    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: Proposals should include (1) The 
institution's mission and date of establishment; (2) an outline of 
prior awards--U.S. government and/or private support received for tours 
abroad; (3) descriptions of experienced staff members who will be part 
of the team implementing the program, and; (4) all other documentation 
requested herein. Proposed personnel and institutional resources should 
be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or project's goals. 
The proposal should reflect the institution's expertise in documentary 
exhibition, promotion, and programming. (5) Institution's Record/
Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of at 
least four years of international exchanges. (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 is 
recommended.
    5. 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.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 a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA 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 FAA 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.

[[Page 22213]]

    Should any proposals include programming for Iranian audiences or 
include follow-on activities involving Iranian grantees, the following 
additional requirements would apply to this project:
    A critical component of the Administration's Iran policy is the 
support for indigenous Iranian voices. President Bush himself has 
pledged this support and the State Department has made the awarding of 
grants for this purpose a key component of its Iran policy. As a 
condition of licensing these activities, the Office of Foreign Assets 
Control (OFAC) has requested the Department of State to follow certain 
procedures to effectuate the goals of Sections 481(b), 531(a), 571, 
582, and 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended); 18 
U.S.C. 2339A and 2339B; Executive Order 13224; and Homeland Security 
Presidential Directive 6. These licensing conditions mandate that the 
Department conduct a vetting of potential Iran grantees and sub-
grantees for counter-terrorism purposes. To conduct this vetting the 
Department will collect information from grantees and sub-grantees 
regarding the identity and background of their key employees and Boards 
of Directors.

    Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of Iran complies 
with requirements, please contact the Office's Iran Policy 
Coordinator, Lea Perez, at (202) 453-8156 for additional 
information. Or in her absence, please contact Sheila Casey at (202) 
453-8150.

    All awards made under this competition must be executed according 
to all relevant U.S. laws and policies regarding assistance to the 
Palestinian Authority, and to the West Bank and Gaza. Organizations 
must consult with relevant Public Affairs Offices before entering into 
any formal arrangements or agreements with Palestinian organizations or 
institutions.

    Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of the 
Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please contact 
program officer Susan Cohen (202) 203-7509, e-mail: 
[email protected] for additional information.

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://fa.statebuy.state.gov.
    VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You must provide ECA with a hard copy 
original plus two copies of the following reports:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program 
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This 
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to 
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting 
requirements;
    (3) Quarterly program and financial reports showing activities 
carried out and expenses incurred in the calendar quarter.
    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: Susan Cohen, 
Cultural Programs, ECA/PE/C/CU, Room 568, Ref.  ECA/PE/C-CU-
08-70, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, tel: 202/203-7509; fax: 202/203-7525; e-mail: 
[email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C-CU-08-70.
    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 18, 2008.
Goli Ameri,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E8-8958 Filed 4-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P