[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4978-4986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1786]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice:7308]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-
Y)

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-11-03.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline: March 24, 2011.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition 
for one cooperative agreement for the National Security Language 
Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), which provides overseas foreign language 
instruction for American high school students and those recently 
graduated. Public and private non-profit organizations, meeting the 
provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 
501(c)(3), may submit proposals to cooperate with ECA in the overall 
administration of NSLI-Y organizational responsibilities and the 
implementation of overseas language programs of two different durations 
for approximately 610 total individual participant scholarships 
according to the duration and language distribution detailed in the 
Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI). NSLI-Y programs 
funded by this award will take place between June 2012 and June 2013. 
NSLI-Y is an important component of a multi-agency USG initiative to 
increase American citizens' ability to engage with people throughout 
the world who speak Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Indic (Hindi), Korean, 
Persian (Tajiki or Farsi), Russian and Turkish. Please note: ECA 
reserves the right to add or subtract languages and countries based on 
the needs of the Department, security considerations at the time of 
implementation and the overall objectives of the program. The Bureau 
anticipates that the single award recipient will manage the 
comprehensive organizational and administrative responsibilities of 
this program as well as the identification of qualified sub-award 
recipients known as ``implementing organizations'' to implement the 
overseas language programs. Under this award, the award recipient may 
also serve as an implementing organization.

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: ECA is supporting the participation of American high 
school students and those who have recently graduated (who are U.S. 
citizens and between the ages of 15 and 18 at the start of the 
program), in intensive, substantive overseas foreign language study to 
dramatically increase the number of Americans learning, speaking and 
using critical need foreign languages throughout their academic and 
professional lives. For additional information about NSLI-Y, please 
visit http://exchanges.state.gov/youth/programs/nsli.html.
    It is anticipated that the total amount of funding available to 
support the overall administration and overseas language program 
implementation in the seven current NSLI-Y languages is $9,000,000, 
pending the availability of funds. This amount is intended to support 
approximately 610 scholarships, including comprehensive administrative 
and program costs.
    Overseas language programs, in countries where the seven NSLI-Y 
languages are widely spoken, will provide a minimum of two articulated 
and integrated language learning environments: (1) Structured classroom 
target language instruction and (2) less formal, interactive and/or 
applied learning opportunities. These opportunities are offered through 
a comprehensive exchange experience that primarily emphasizes language 
acquisition.
    Applicants may submit only one proposal under this competition. If 
multiple proposals are received from the same applicant, all 
submissions will be declared ineligible and receive no further 
consideration in the review process.
    ECA is seeking one organization that will (1) administer and 
organize the diverse and comprehensive NSLI-Y overseas intensive 
language programs and (2) engage additional sub-award implementing 
organizations with relevant expertise in one or more of the target 
languages to implement the overseas language programs for high school 
students across the current seven NSLI-Y languages. Organizations 
applying for this award must demonstrate their capacity for

[[Page 4979]]

conducting projects of this nature, focusing on four areas of 
competency:
    (1) Administrative and Organizational Experience: Administrative 
and organizational experience and expertise that includes applicant 
recruitment and selection, planning and execution, management, 
monitoring of participants' safety and welfare, evaluation of language 
acquisition and program effectiveness, and follow-on/alumni activities;
    (2) Language Instruction and Related Activities: Provision of 
foreign language instruction programs and related language-focused 
educational/cultural activities as outlined in this document;
    (3) Assessment: Language level and age appropriate programming for 
the target audience; and
    (4) Overseas Program Experience: Experience in conducting programs 
in the proposed partner country/countries or locations.
    The goals of the NSLI-Y program are:
    (1) Language Learning: Improve the ability of Americans to engage 
with the people of Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Indic (Hindi), Korean, 
Persian (Tajiki or Farsi), Russian and Turkish-speaking countries in 
the language of the country by promoting language learning to advanced 
levels;
    (2) Cultural Understanding: Assist in developing a cadre of 
Americans whose foreign language skills enhance related cultural 
understanding and who use these language and cultural skills to advance 
international dialogue and compete effectively in the global economy;
    (3) Scholarship: Provide a tangible incentive for the learning and 
use of foreign languages by creating and optimizing overseas language 
study opportunities for American high school students; and
    (4) Commitment: Spark a lifetime interest in foreign languages and 
cultures among American youth.
    NSLI-Y project learning objectives include:
    (1) Acquisition: Participants will demonstrate a substantive, 
measurable increase in language proficiency (oral comprehension, 
speaking, reading and writing), as verified through pre- and post-
program assessment with a standardized language assessment tool;
    (2) Cultural Understanding: Participants will demonstrate a deeper 
understanding of the host country's society, institutions and culture; 
and
    (3) Multiplier Effect: Participants will share experiences as young 
Americans with their overseas peers through the use of common language.
    While the NSLI-Y overseas language programs are active in multiple 
countries/locations, it is important that a single worldwide program 
identity be established and maintained. Accordingly, ECA anticipates 
making one single award to an organization/institution with the 
capacity and experience to manage the administrative and organizational 
responsibilities, and which would be responsible for engaging 
additional sub-award implementing organizations, where necessary, to 
meet the goals and objectives of the NSLI-Y program. Language study 
must be the primary focus of the program.
    Overseas language programs may be implemented by the award 
recipient, where the experience and overseas institutional capacity 
exists or can be satisfactorily developed, and by sub-award 
implementing organizations identified and proposed by the award 
recipient. Through sub-award agreements with the award recipient and 
under the administration of, and in coordination with, the award 
recipient, ECA anticipates that overseas language programs will be 
implemented and administered for participants in countries/locations 
where Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Indic (Hindi), Korean, Persian 
(Tajiki or Farsi), Russian and Turkish are widely spoken. Like the 
award recipient, should it choose to implement overseas programs, sub-
award implementing organizations must have the necessary capacity in 
the partner country/countries or location to implement the program 
through either their own offices or partner institutions. In their 
capacity as an implementing organization, the award recipient and the 
sub-award implementing organizations may demonstrate their direct 
expertise or they may partner with other organizations/institutions to 
best respond to the requirements outlined in this RFGP. In the 
proposal, the applicant must clearly demonstrate how it will accomplish 
overseas language program implementation. ECA reserves the right of 
final approval for all proposed sub-award implementing organizations.
    Overseas language programs will be of two durations: six- to eight-
week ``short'' duration, and eight- to nine-month ``long'' duration. 
The applicant is advised to consider both the traditional U.S. academic 
schedule and that of the proposed overseas language institution when 
envisioning and detailing NSLI-Y overseas programs. ``Short'' duration 
programs must provide a minimum of 120 contact/classroom hours. 
``Long'' duration programs must be structured in a way that meets a 
minimum standard of ten classroom contact hours established by the 
award recipient in consultation with ECA and includes daily language 
instruction (with the exception of weekends), unless an alternative 
language delivery model receives prior concurrence from ECA. NSLI-Y 
participants must be in language institutions/academic environments 
where the target language is the language of instruction, unless an 
alternative language environment receives prior concurrence from ECA. 
The award recipient and its sub-award implementing organizations may 
propose either short or long duration programs or both, according to 
the guidelines provided in the POGI, and may propose overseas programs 
in one or as many languages as they have the capacity and institutional 
relationships to support. The applicant must ensure that plans are 
submitted to implement programs in all seven languages across all 
program durations, as outlined in the POGI. The Bureau anticipates that 
there will be no more than one long duration implementing organization 
per language per country/location and that the minimum number of 
participants is five; there may be multiple short duration implementing 
organizations per language per country/location. The period of time 
within which short and long duration programs must be implemented and 
concluded is June 2012 through June 2013.

Role of ECA

    In a cooperative agreement, ECA is substantially involved in 
program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. ECA activities 
and responsibilities for this program include but are not limited to:
    (1) Program Components: Guidance in the execution of all program 
components, providing concurrence as necessary.
    (2) Program Documents: Materials review of all print and online 
documents prior to publication and dissemination, including application 
forms, the Web site and brochure. This includes individual implementing 
organizations' instructional materials for the classroom portion of the 
language learning and the ideas/plans for the out-of-classroom, applied 
language-learning opportunities, including volunteer projects, guided 
internships, excursions, etc. These materials must be provided to ECA 
at least two months in advance of the start of the overseas program. 
The award recipient must seek and obtain written ECA concurrence on 
substantive and logistical changes in the program, if changes occur 
after this material has been provided.
    (3) Promotion: Collaboration to publicize the program.

[[Page 4980]]

    (4) Recruitment: Review and approval of the participant recruitment 
strategy.
    (5) Selection: Concurrence on participant finalists and alternates.
    (6) Notification: Review and approval of participant award 
documentation, including the NSLI-Y Terms and Conditions.
    (7) Assessment: Support of the award recipient's standardized pre- 
and post-program testing of participants' language proficiency and 
progress.
    (8) Program Coordination: Assist in liaison with appropriate 
Department of State offices, including the regional bureaus and 
overseas posts. Implementing organizations are required to directly 
liaise early and often with overseas posts (the relevant embassy and/or 
consulate Public Affairs Section or PAS) in order to obtain concurrence 
on general program location, concurrence on host family or 
accommodation location, participation in a post-arrival briefing for 
the NSLI-Y participants and assistance in the event of a grave 
emergency. The award recipient is responsible for ensuring that these 
contacts are established in a timely fashion and maintained throughout 
the implementation of the program.
    (9) Host Government Liaison: Cooperation with the award recipient 
and post, as necessary, in the event that coordination with host 
government officials is needed.
    (10) Security Considerations: Modifications to program locations 
and/or logistics based on security considerations and overall 
objectives of the program.
    (11) Inter-Agency NSLI Programs: Assistance with promoting 
continuity among inter-agency NSLI programs, i.e., Startalk, The 
Language Flagship, the Critical Language Scholarships (CLS), Teachers 
of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) and Intensive Summer Language 
Institutes for Teachers (ISLI).
    (12) Pre-Departure Orientations: Collaboration on participant pre-
departure orientations (PDOs) and participating in them, when possible.
    (13) Changes to Implementing Organizations: Concurrence on any 
possible additional implementing organizations that the award recipient 
might suggest to more effectively meet scholarship demand in a 
particular language or languages for a particular duration or 
durations.
    (14) Planning Meetings: Collaboration on and participation in 
organizational/planning meeting(s).
    (15) Bureau Evaluation Surveys: Access to Bureau-approved 
evaluation surveys (E-Goals) links for participant completion and 
results for program management.
    (16) Alumni Activities: Input on alumni activities and follow-up 
events.
    (17) Travel Registration and Health Benefits: Facilitation of the 
award recipients' access to the Department of State's international 
travel registration system (Smart Travel Enrollment Program or STEP), 
ASPE health benefits program and to relevant consular forms.

Role of Public Affairs Section/Embassy/Consulate

    ECA seeks to minimize the burden on posts (embassies and 
consulates) in whose consular districts the NSLI-Y programs are 
implemented. Therefore, the proposal must demonstrate the applicant's 
ability to perform the requirements independent of post but also its 
commitment to working with posts as described in the RFGP and POGI. 
Applicants are advised to provide examples of past successful programs 
and the ways in which collaboration with posts strengthened the 
management and monitoring of the program and its participants. In order 
to promote this important overseas relationship, ECA anticipates that 
the award recipient and its implementing organizations have the 
experience, knowledge and staffing to carry out the daily operations, 
including on-program support, in the host locations. ECA expects that 
the overseas implementing organizations and relevant Public Affairs 
Sections (PAS) will establish the level of cooperation about the 
program that suits both parties. Implementing organizations are 
required to request and obtain post's concurrence on general program 
location, host family or other accommodation location and involvement 
in a post-arrival orientation in order to apprise NSLI-Y participants 
of security and other relevant issues. ECA expects that implementing 
organizations, under the guidance of the award recipient, will handle 
urgent medical crises, natural disasters or other unforeseen problems, 
but that they will communicate with and turn to post, as necessary and 
appropriate, given that NSLI-Y participants are American high school 
students whose welfare and safety are paramount. Post must always be 
informed in the event that a NSLI-Y participant is involved in civil or 
criminal police matters.

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: 2011 (pending availability of funds).
    Approximate Total Funding: $9,000,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $9,000,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, July 2011.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 31, 2013.

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 cooperative agreement for two additional fiscal years, 
before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
    III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved 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

    III.3a. Guidelines: Bureau cooperative agreement/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 making one award, in an amount up to 
$9,000,000, to support administrative and program costs required to 
implement this exchange program. Therefore, organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges are 
ineligible to

[[Page 4981]]

apply to ECA under this competition. Applicants should demonstrate 
extensive experience in administering exchange programs for secondary 
school students in compliance with Federal regulations. The Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.
    III.3a.1. Sub-Awards: In proposing sub-award implementing 
organizations, the applicant must demonstrate the capacity, experience 
and expertise of the proposed sub-award implementing organizations in 
the particular language and country/location where the language program 
is proposed. ECA anticipates that applicants will propose multiple 
organizations as sub-award implementing organizations to implement 
overseas language programs because of the scope, language acquisition 
focus and geographic breadth of the programs to be implemented under 
this cooperative agreement. This is encouraged to strengthen the award 
recipient's capacity for each of the seven languages across the various 
countries/locations in which NSLI-Y programs are to be implemented. 
Each U.S.-based implementing organization must exhibit an established 
effective relationship with the overseas implementing organization to 
guide, direct, influence, manage and monitor each overseas language 
program (and the overseas institutional partner implementing it, where 
relevant) so that it meets the NSLI-Y goals. It is the award recipient, 
however, that must be fully responsible for the oversight, monitoring 
and management of sub-award implementing organizations. Further 
information on sub-agreements is provided in the OMB Circulars 
referenced in Section VI.2.
    III.3b. Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following or they will result in the proposal being declared 
technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review 
process:
    III.3b.1. Commitment: Proposal narratives must demonstrate a 
commitment to short and long duration overseas language programs which 
must begin no earlier than June 2012 and end no later than June 2013.
    III.3b.2. Monitoring Plan: Proposals must detail methods for 
monitoring NSLI-Y participant safety and welfare while on program, as 
well as plans to provide on-program support to NSLI-Y participants.
    III.3b.3. Per Capita Costs: Proposals must cap per participant 
costs for short duration programs at $11,000 and for long duration 
programs at $21,500. This approximate cap may change over the life of 
the cooperative agreement, contingent upon ECA concurrence.
    III.3b.4. Assessment: Proposals must identify the use of a 
standardized and recognized language assessment tool, subject to ECA 
approval, to assist with participant placement into the appropriate 
level of language classes in overseas programs and to evaluate the 
language gain by individual scholarship recipients.
    III.3b.5. Letters of Commitment: Proposals must identify and 
include letters of commitment for all implementing organizations for 
all seven languages with proposed overseas language institutions 
identified and the proposed language levels to be taught at each. A 
letter of commitment from the proposed overseas language institution(s) 
should be included. The sole exception exists in the event that the 
award recipient determines that it unexpectedly cannot meet overseas 
program capacity outlined in this RFGP with the sub-award implementing 
organizations identified in its proposal. The award recipient may 
propose the addition of implementing organization(s), subject to ECA's 
approval.
    III.3b.6. Letter of Acknowledgment: Proposals should include a 
letter of acknowledgment from the relevant overseas post Public Affairs 
Section (U.S. embassy/consulate, also known as ``post,'' in whose 
district the proposed program will take place.) When requesting a 
letter of acknowledgment from post, the award recipient must:
    (1) Language Program Location: Identify the location (city) in 
which the language program is proposed to take place;
    (2) Language Provider(s)/Institution(s): Identify the proposed 
language provider(s)/institution(s);
    (3) Participant Numbers: Specify the proposed number of 
participants to be programmed in a particular location;
    (4) Program Duration: Specify the proposed duration; and
    (5) Accommodations: Describe the proposed accommodations.
    III.3b.7. Proposal Submissions: Eligible applicants may not submit 
more than one proposal in this competition.

    Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal 
name, DUNS and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and 
additional supporting documentation outlined in the Proposal 
Submission Instructions (PSI) document.

    III.3b.8. Sub-Award Proposal Submissions: Eligible sub-award 
implementing organizations may not be included in more than one 
proposal in this competition. Please note: Applicant organizations are 
defined by their legal name, DUNS number and EIN number as stated on 
their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined 
in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document.

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 NSLI-Y Program Specialist, Linda Beach, at ECA/
PE/C/PY, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 3-H11, 2200 C St., NW., 
Washington, DC 20037, telephone: 202-632-6414 or [email protected] to 
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number ECA/PE/C/PY-11-03 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 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 Linda Beach, NSLI-Y Program Specialist, and refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY-11-03 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/grants/open2.html, 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 ten copies 
of the application should be submitted per the instructions under 
IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and Methods of Submission'' section 
below.

[[Page 4982]]

    IV.3a. DUNS Number: 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. Proposal Contents: All proposals must contain an executive 
summary, proposal narrative and budget.
    Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
PSI document and the POGI document for additional formatting and 
technical requirements.
    IV.3c. CCR Registration, DUNS Number, Non-Profit Status and Other 
Documentation: All Federal award recipients and sub-recipients must 
maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration 
(CCR) database and have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number. Recipients and sub-recipients must maintain 
accurate and up-to-date information in the CCR until all program and 
financial activity and reporting have been completed. All entities must 
review and update the information at least annually after the initial 
registration and more frequently if required information changes or 
another award is granted.
    You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for 
ECA Federal assistance awards must include in their application the 
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers, 
trustees, and key employees, regardless of amount of compensation). In 
fulfilling this requirement, applicants must submit information in one 
of the following ways:
    (1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return of 
Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of relevant 
portions of this form.
    (2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information 
above in the format of their choice.
    In addition to final program reporting requirements, award 
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived 
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant 
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior 
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as 
the one- page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by 
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by 
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and 
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and 
Budget on its USASpending.gov Web site as part of ECA's FFATA reporting 
requirements.
    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. Proposal Narrative: 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 places critically 
important emphases on the security and proper administration of the 
Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by award recipients 
and sponsors to all regulations governing the J visa. While outbound 
American program participants do not receive J visas and are, 
therefore, not governed by J visa regulations, ECA monitors the award 
recipient's compliance with established standards that parallel J visa 
regulations for inbound academic year participants. These regulations 
are found in 22 CFR 62.25. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate and 
explicitly state in writing the applicant's capacity and willingness to 
meet all relevant requirements that parallel the administration of the 
Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR part 62, including the 
screening and selection of program participants; provision of pre-
arrival information and orientation to participants; regular monthly 
monitoring of participants; identification of, reference checking for, 
orientation of and regular contact with host families; proper 
maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, reporting; and other 
requirements.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: Office of Designation, Private Sector 
Programs Division, U.S. Department of State, ECA/EC/D/PS, SA-5, 5th 
Floor, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.
    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. Proposals that address and encourage the 
participation of traditionally underserved audiences in all 
institutional and individual award programs and other program 
activities will be favorably reviewed. These audiences include, but are 
not limited to, women, racial and ethnic minorities, people living in 
underserved geographic locations, religious minorities, people of lower 
socio-economic status and people with 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 
fullest extent deemed feasible.
    Special Note on Diversity: It is a goal of the Department to ensure 
that all funded programs reflect the diversity of American Society. 
Proposals must describe plans to promote this goal across all program 
components and describe the way in which the applicant will encourage 
diversity in participant selection. Proposals should ensure that 
special efforts are made to recruit participants from underserved 
populations and locales. Selection should reflect a preference for 
qualified candidates who have not already studied overseas and who 
might not

[[Page 4983]]

otherwise be able to study abroad were it not for the scholarship 
opportunity.
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 the proposal include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other instrument plus a description of a methodology 
used to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau 
expects that the recipient organization will monitor participants and 
be able to respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction 
with the program, language acquisition and cultural 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 language acquisition and 
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. The evaluation 
plan should include a description of the project's objectives, 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when these outcomes 
(performance indicators) will be measured. 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. Please also show how the project objectives link to the 
goals and objectives of the program, as described in this RFGP.
    The 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 and objectives 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 
language acquisition, 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 the monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it:
    (1) Outcomes: Specifies intended outcomes;
    (2) How Outcomes are Measured: Gives clear descriptions of how each 
outcome will be measured;
    (3) When Outcomes are Measured: Identifies when particular outcomes 
will be measured; and
    (4) Strategy: 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.)
    Recipient organizations will be required to provide reports 
analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular, 
quarterly 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.
    The NSLI-Y program uses the Bureau's E-Goals system for evaluation 
and additional guidance on its use is located in the POGI.
    Program monitoring includes participant monitoring, which focuses 
specifically on ensuring participants' health, safety and welfare 
throughout the duration of the overseas program. Proposals must include 
a plan to monitor the participants' safety and welfare that parallels 
the standards for J1 visa regulations for inbound academic year 
participants found in 22 CFR 62.25. They must also include a plan to 
monitor and report on the NSLI-Y participants' successes, including 
language acquisition, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. The Bureau recommends that the proposal include a draft 
survey questionnaire or other technique and a description of the 
methodology that will be used to monitor participants' health, safety 
and welfare. The Bureau expects that the award recipient will monitor 
NSLI-Y participants and be able to respond to key participant 
monitoring questions throughout the period of the cooperative 
agreement.
    IV.3e. Proposal Budget: Please take the following information into 
consideration when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Comprehensive Budget: Applicants must submit SF-424A-- 
``Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs'' along with a 
comprehensive budget for the entire program. The budget request may not 
exceed $9,000,000 and must clearly indicate the proposed number of 
participants for each of the seven languages and proposed countries/
locations, in accordance with the guidelines in the POGI, for the first 
year of this potentially three year cooperative agreement. There must 
be a summary budget that reflects a breakdown of both administrative 
and program budgets. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for 
each program component, phase, location, or activity to provide 
clarification. Detailed budgets of proposed sub-award recipients should 
also be included.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package (POGI and/or PSI) for 
complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
    Application Deadline Date: March 24, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-11-03.
    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., 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-

[[Page 4984]]

424 contained in the mandatory PSI of the solicitation document.
IV.3f.1. Submitting Printed Applications
    Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline. 
Delivery services used by applicants must have in-place, centralized 
shipping identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via 
the Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly 
recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or 
before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days 
after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration under 
this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are 
ineligible for consideration under this competition. ECA will not 
notify you upon receipt of application. It is each applicant's 
responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible 
tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the 
Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local 
courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will 
not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above 
will be considered.

    Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure 
to include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it 
in an envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.

    The original and ten (10) copies of the application should be sent 
to: Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY-11-
03, SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20037.
    Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the 
``Executive Summary,'' ``Proposal Narrative,'' ``Budget,'' and ``Budget 
Narrative'' sections of the proposal in Microsoft Word and Excel format 
on CD-ROM to the program officer Lisa Wishman at [email protected]. 
As appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to 
Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies)/consulate(s) 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 note: ECA bears no responsibility for applicant 
timeliness of submission or data errors resulting from transmission 
or conversion processes for proposals submitted via Grants.gov.

    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. In 
addition, validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can 
take up to two business days.
    Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the submission process through 
Grants.gov.
    The Grants.gov Web site includes extensive information on all 
phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive 
section on frequently asked questions, located under the ``For 
Applicants'' section of the Web site. ECA strongly recommends that all 
potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov Web site, well in 
advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA 
bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or 
conversion processes.
    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.
    Please refer to the Grants.gov Web site, for definitions of various 
``application statuses'' and the difference between a submission 
receipt and a submission validation. Applicants will receive a 
validation e-mail from grants.gov upon the successful submission of an 
application. Again, validation of an electronic submission via 
Grants.gov can take up to two business days. Therefore, we strongly 
recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the 
submission process through Grants.gov. 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.3f.3. Proposal Submission: Applicants may not submit more than 
one proposal in this competition. Sub-award implementing organizations 
may not be included in more than one proposal in this competition. 
Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, 
and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional 
supporting documentation outlined in the Proposal Submission 
Instructions (PSI) document.
    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, regional bureaus and 
Public Affairs/Diplomacy sections 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) Quality of the program idea and planning: Proposals should 
exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the 
Bureau's mission and the purposes outlined in this solicitation. A 
detailed agenda and

[[Page 4985]]

relevant work plan should demonstrate the ability to ensure that the 
proposed project accomplishes the stated goals and objectives in the 
desired time frame. Proposals should demonstrate how participants will 
be recruited, selected, monitored, tested (before and after their 
overseas program) and presented with continuing language learning 
opportunities. Proposals should address the ways in which the award 
recipient and its implementing organizations will prepare and orient 
overseas language instructors for the unique challenges of teaching 
their native language to American high school students. Proposals 
should identify proposed language learning institutions and locations, 
address both in-class formal and out-of-class applied language learning 
and ensure that all enhancement activities (cultural excursions, guest 
lectures, guided internships, extra-curricular activities and volunteer 
projects) reinforce participant's language skills through authentic 
language practice and use.
    (2) Ability to achieve program goals and project objectives: 
Proposals should clearly demonstrate an understanding of the program 
goals and project objectives and how the institution will achieve them 
through objectives that are reasonable, feasible and flexible (as 
stated in the ``Purpose'' section of this document under the four NSLI-
Y goals and the three project objectives.) A detailed agenda and 
relevant work plan should demonstrate organizational competency and 
logistical capacity. The agenda and plan should adhere to the program 
overview, timetable and guidelines described in this solicitation. The 
substance of the language instruction and the exchange activities 
should be described in detail and included as an attachment. The 
responsibilities, capacity and expertise of implementing organizations 
should be clearly delineated.
    (3) Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity in all program aspects 
including but not limited to participants, host families, resident 
directors/group leaders, overseas peers, language instructors and 
overseas program venues. Achievable and relevant features should be 
cited in both program administration (selection of participants, 
program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientations, program meetings, resource materials and alumni 
activities). Please note that special effort should be made to recruit 
qualified candidates from underserved populations and locales. 
Selection should reflect a preference for qualified candidates who have 
not already studied overseas and who might not otherwise be able to 
study abroad were it not for this scholarship opportunity. Proposals 
that articulate a diversity plan--not just a statement of compliance--
will be more favorably reviewed.
    (4) Institution's Record/Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel 
and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to 
achieve the program or project's goals and objectives in a timely, 
professional and transparent fashion. Reviewers will assess the 
applicant and its implementing organizations to determine whether they 
offer adequate resources, expertise, experience and management of 
overseas relationships to fulfill program goals and objectives. The 
roles of the award recipient and implementing organizations should be 
clearly defined. Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record 
of successful language-focused exchange programs, including responsible 
fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements 
for past Bureau awards (grants or cooperative agreements) as determined 
by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance 
of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    (5) Participant Monitoring: Proposals must include a detailed 
monitoring plan for NSLI-Y participants. Given the importance the 
Bureau places on this criterion, the narrative should include 
sufficient explanation about how it will achieve the Bureau's goals in 
regard to monitoring. Appendices may be used to house additional 
details and supporting documentation.
    (6) Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued contact with alumni to ensure that they are tracked over 
time, utilized and/or organized as alumni, and provided opportunities 
to reinforce the knowledge and skills acquired on the NSLI-Y program. 
Proposals should provide a strategy for maximizing the opportunities 
for alumni to further their study of the target language and culture of 
the host country, presenting plans that are within the context of the 
cooperative agreement (with the Bureau financial support) and after its 
completion (without the Bureau's financial support). Creative, age-
appropriate plans for NSLI-Y alumni who do not have access to their 
target language through their high school to continue their language 
acquisition will be favorably reviewed as will those proposals that 
encourage NSLI-Y alumni to continue language acquisition, 
particularly--although not exclusively--through other U.S.G. supported 
programs.
    (7) Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the program's successes and challenges, both as the activities unfold 
and at the end of the program. The evaluation plan should also address 
the methodology to assess individual participants' language acquisition 
and show clear linkages between program goals/objectives and expected 
outcomes.
    (8) Cost-effectiveness/Cost-sharing: Reviewers will analyze the 
budget for clarity and cost-effectiveness. They will also assess the 
rationale of the proposed budget and whether the allocation of funds is 
appropriate to complete tasks outlined in the project narrative. The 
overhead and administrative components of the proposal, including 
salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. While lower 
``per participant'' figures will be favorably viewed, the Bureau 
expects all figures to be realistic. 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 a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original 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.

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''.

[[Page 4986]]

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) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports. The Program Office requests that the award recipient 
submit Attachment B on program indicators, Attachment E on activities 
based on expenditures and Attachment F on program/project management;
    (4) Quarterly program and financial reports which should include 
information on the program plan and program results to date, an 
analysis of evaluation findings and the quantitative and qualitative 
data you have available. The financial report must be submitted on the 
FFR form; and
    (5) The award recipient must also be prepared to respond to 
additional Bureau requests for information and documents in a timely 
and effective manner.
    Award recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing 
their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program 
reports. (Please refer to Section IV, Application and Submission 
Instruction (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. Program Data Requirements

    Award recipients 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 agreement 
or who benefit from the award funding but do not travel.
    (2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing 
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take 
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be 
received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Lisa Bess Wishman, 
NSLI-Y Program Officer, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, 
Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, ECA/
PE/C/PY-11-03, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 3-F16, 2200 C Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20037, Telephone: 202-632-6082; Fax: 202-632-9355; 
e-mail: [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/PY-11-03.
    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. ECA 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: January 21, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-1786 Filed 1-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P