[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25748-25755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10770]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 7438]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals; International Visitor Leadership Program Assistance 
Award

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/V-12-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.402.
    Key Dates: October 1, 2011--September 30, 2012.
    Application Deadline: June 17, 2011.
    Executive Summary: The Office of International Visitors, Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/PE/V), United States Department 
of State (DoS), announces an open competition for up to four assistance 
awards to administer the International Visitor Leadership Program 
(IVLP). The IVLP is the U.S. Department of State's premier professional 
exchange program. Launched in 1940, the IVLP is a professional exchange 
program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and 
other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. 
for current and emerging foreign leaders. These visits reflect the 
International Visitors' professional interests and support the foreign 
policy goals of the United States.
    The amount of funding available is approximately $4,700,000, 
pending the availability of FY 2012 funds. ECA anticipates awarding up 
to four cooperative agreements for the total funding available. The 
assistance awards, all together, will support programming for 
approximately 2,000 International Visitors (IVs). 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. 
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.

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 International Visitor Leadership Program seeks to 
increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and foreign publics 
through carefully designed professional programs. IVLP projects support 
U.S. foreign policy objectives. Participants are current or potential 
foreign leaders in government, politics, media, education, science, 
non-government organizations (NGOs), the arts, and other key fields. 
They are selected by officers of U.S. embassies overseas and are 
approved by the DoS staff in Washington, DC. Since the program's 
inception in 1940, there have been nearly 200,000 distinguished 
participants in the program. More than 320 program alumni subsequently 
became heads of state or government in their home countries. All IVLP 
projects maintain a non-partisan character.
    The Bureau seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations for 
development and implementation of professional programs for Bureau-
sponsored International Visitors to the U.S. Once the awards are made, 
separate proposals will be required for each group project [Single 
Country (SCP), Sub-Regional (SRP), Regional (RP), and Multi-Regional 
(MRP)] as well as less formal proposals for Individual and Individuals 
Traveling Together (ITT) and Voluntary Visitors (Volvis) programs. Each 
program will be focused on a substantive theme. Some typical IVLP 
projects themes are: (1) U.S. foreign policy; (2) U.S. government and 
political system; (3) economic development; (4) education; (5) media; 
(6) interfaith dialogue; (7) freedom of information; (8) NGO 
management; (9) women's issues; (10) tolerance and diversity; (11) 
counterterrorism; (12) democracy and human rights; (13) rule of law; 
(14) international crime; and (15) environmental issues. IVLP projects 
must conform to all Bureau requirements and guidelines. Please refer to 
the Program Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document for a 
more detailed description of each type of IVLP program.
    Guidelines: Goals and objectives for each specific IVLP projects 
will be

[[Page 25749]]

shared with the award recipients at an appropriate time following the 
announcement of the assistance awards. DoS will provide close 
coordination and guidance throughout the duration of the awards. Award 
recipients will consult closely with the responsible ECA/PE/V Program 
Officer throughout the development, implementation, and evaluation of 
each IVLP projects. Prospective program agencies should demonstrate the 
potential to develop the following types of programs.
    1. Programs must contain substantive meetings that focus on foreign 
policy goals and program objectives and are presented by experts. 
Meetings, site visits, and other program activities should promote 
dialogue between participants and their U.S. professional counterparts. 
Programs must be balanced to show different sides of an issue.
    2. Most programs will be three weeks long and will begin in 
Washington, DC, with an orientation and overview of the issues and a 
central examination of Federal policies regarding these issues. Well-
paced program itineraries usually include visits to four or five 
communities. Program itineraries ideally include urban and rural small 
communities in diverse geographical and cultural regions of the U.S., 
as appropriate to the program theme.
    3. Programs should provide opportunities for participants to 
experience the diversity of American society and culture. Participants 
in RPs or MRPs are divided into smaller sub-groups for simultaneous 
visits to different communities, with subsequent opportunities to share 
their experiences with the full group once it is reunited.
    4. Programs should provide opportunities for the participants to 
share a meal or similar experience (home hospitality) in the homes of 
Americans of diverse occupational, age, gender, and ethnic groups. Some 
individual and group programs might include an opportunity for an 
overnight stay (home stay) in an American home.
    5. Programs should provide opportunities for participants to 
address student, civic and professional groups in relaxed and informal 
settings.
    6. Participants should have appropriate opportunities for site 
visits and hands-on experiences that are relevant to program themes. 
The award recipients may propose professional ``shadowing'' experiences 
with U.S. professional colleagues for some programs (a typical 
shadowing experience means spending a half- or full-workday with a 
professional counterpart.)
    7. Programs should also allow time for participants to reflect on 
their experiences and, in group programs, to share observations with 
program colleagues. Participants should have opportunities to visit 
cultural and tourist sites.
    8. The award recipients must make arrangements for community visits 
through affiliates of the National Council for International Visitors 
(NCIV). In cities where there is no such council, the award recipients 
will arrange for coordination of local programs.

Qualifications

    1. Proposals must demonstrate a minimum of four years of successful 
experience in coordinating international exchanges.
    2. Proposals must demonstrate the ability to develop and administer 
IVLP programs.
    3. Proposals must demonstrate an applicant's broad knowledge of 
international relations and U.S. foreign policy issues.
    4. Proposals must demonstrate an applicant's broad knowledge of the 
United States and U.S. domestic issues.
    5. Award recipients must have a Washington, DC presence. Applicants 
who do not currently have a Washington, DC presence must include a 
detailed plan in their proposal for establishing such a presence by 
October 1, 2011. The costs related to establishing such a presence must 
be borne by the award recipient. No such costs may be included in the 
budget submission in this proposal. The award recipient must have e-
mail capability, access to Internet resources, and the ability to 
exchange data electronically with all partners involved in the 
International Visitor Leadership Program.
    6. Proposals must demonstrate that an applicant has an established 
resource base of programming contacts and the ability to keep this 
resource base continuously updated. This resource base should include 
speakers, thematic specialists, or practitioners in a wide range of 
professional fields in both the private and public sectors.
    7. All proposals must demonstrate sound financial management.
    8. All proposals must contain a sound management plan to carry out 
the volume of work outlined in the Project Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation guidelines (POGI). This plan should include an 
appropriate staffing pattern and a work plan/timeframe.
    9. Applicant organizations must include a proposed budget and 
identify the number of visitors the proposed funding levels will 
support.
    10. Proposals must describe capacity to employ additional staff 
during particularly busy months of the IVLP cycle and to assume 
additional projects, if requested. The proposed budget should also 
include a separate budget spreadsheet for any supplemental program 
team(s) proposed.
    11. Include a separate plan for how your organization can feasibly 
implement a direct billing payment system with hotels in Washington, DC 
and across the U.S. for all IVLP projects by FY 2014. This proposal 
should include a detailed timeline, staffing requirements, and total 
costs involved over time. The plan should identify any proposed savings 
to the United States Government anticipated from implementing a direct 
billing payment system.
    12. Applicants must include in their proposal narrative a 
discussion of ``lessons learned'' from past exchange coordination 
experiences, and how these will be applied in implementing the 
International Visitor Leadership Program.
    13. Award recipients must have the capability to utilize the World 
Wide Web for the electronic retrieval of program data from the 
Department of State's IVLP Web site. The award recipient's office 
technology must be capable of exchanging information with all partners 
involved in the International Visitor Leadership Program. The award 
recipient must have the capability to electronically communicate 
through eNPA (Electronic National Program Agency), the software 
application that allows award recipients to share information and data 
electronically through the Department of State's Exchange Visitor 
Database (EVDB-e) and with the Councils for International Visitors 
(CIVs), as well as to produce a national program book and other 
supporting documents (e.g., appointment requests and confirmations, 
participant welcome letters, and mailing labels) generated directly 
into Microsoft Word.
    14. Applicants must include as a separate attachment under TAB G of 
their proposals the following:
    a. Samples of at least two schedules for international exchange or 
training programs that they have coordinated within the past four years 
that they are particularly proud of and that they feel demonstrate 
their organization's competence and abilities to conduct the activities 
outlined in the RFGP;
    b. Samples of orientation and NPA self-evaluation materials used in 
past international exchange or training programs.

[[Page 25750]]

Requirements for Past Performance References

    In addition to Letters of Endorsement, DoS will also use past 
performance as an indicator of an applicant's ability to successfully 
perform the work. TAB E of the proposal must contain any letters of 
endorsement and between three and five references who may be called 
upon to discuss recently completed or ongoing work performed for 
professional exchange programs (which may include the IVLP). The 
reference must contain the information outlined below. Please note that 
the requirements for submission of past performance information also 
apply to all proposed sub-recipients when the total estimated cost of 
the sub-award is over $100,000.
    At a minimum, the applicant must provide the following information 
for each reference:
     Name of the reference organization.
     Project name.
     Project description.
     Performance period of the contract/grant.
     Amount of the contract/grant.
     Technical contact person and telephone number for 
referenced organization.
     Administrative contact person and telephone number for 
referenced organization.
    DoS may contact representatives from the organizations cited in the 
examples to obtain information on the applicant's past performance. DoS 
also may obtain past performance information from sources other than 
those identified by the applicant.
    Personnel: Applicants must include complete and current resumes of 
the key personnel who will be involved in the program management, 
design, and implementation of IVLP programs. Each resume is limited to 
no more than two pages per person.

Budget Guidelines

    Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive line-item 
administrative budget in accordance with the instructions in the 
Solicitation Package (Proposal Submission Instructions). The submission 
must include a summary budget and a detailed budget showing all 
administrative costs. Proposed staffing and costs associated with 
staffing must be appropriate to the requirements outlined in the RFGP 
and in the Solicitation Package. Cost sharing is encouraged and should 
be shown in the budget presentation.
    The Department of State is seeking proposals from public and 
private nonprofit organizations that are not already in communication 
with DoS regarding an FY-2012 assistance award from ECA/PE/V. In a 
cooperative agreement, ECA is substantially involved in program 
activities above and beyond routine monitoring. All applicants must 
have a minimum of four years' experience conducting international 
exchanges, an ability to closely consult with DoS staff throughout 
program administration, and proven fiscal management integrity. Please 
refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and 
formatting instructions.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, as sponsor and 
manager of the International Visitor Leadership Program, plays a 
significant role in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all 
types of International Visitor Leadership Programs and is responsible 
for all communication with overseas missions. The Bureau will provide 
close coordination and guidance throughout the duration of the awards. 
Award recipients will consult closely with the responsible ECA/PE/V 
Program Officer throughout the development, implementation, and 
evaluation of each IVLP projects.
    All liaisons shall be with the designated elements of the DoS 
relative to the following responsibilities incurred by the recipient 
under this agreement:
    A. Program Administration--Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Office of International Visitors, Community Resources 
Division, ECA/PE/V/C.
    B. Financial--Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Grants 
Division, ECA-IIP/EX/G.

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 2012.
    Approximate Total Funding: $4,700,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: Up to four.
    Approximate Average Award: $986,464.
    Floor of Award Range: $630,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $2,700,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, October 1, 
2011.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2012.

Additional Information

    Pending successful implementation of this program and the 
availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA's intent to 
renew this grant or cooperative agreement for five 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

    (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 awarding up to 
four cooperative agreements, of which the minimum award will be 
$630,000. 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 
technical eligibility requirements specified in the Proposal Submission 
Instructions (PSI) and the Project Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation (POGI) documents. Failure to do so will result in 
proposals being declared technically ineligible and given no further 
consideration in the review process.

[[Page 25751]]

    Eligible applicants may not submit more than one proposal in this 
competition.

--If more than one proposal is received from the same applicant, all 
submissions will be declared technically ineligible and will receive no 
further consideration in the review process. 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. 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 Office of International Visitors, ECA/PE/V, SA-
5, 3rd Floor, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20037, (202)632-3288, or e-mail [email protected] to request a 
Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number 
ECA/PE/V-12-01 located at the top of this announcement when making your 
request.
    Alternatively, an electronic application package may be obtained 
from grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f for further information.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria 
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify Patricia Johnson and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/PE/V-12-01 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 application should be 
submitted per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and 
Methods of Submission'' section below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. 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. 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. Therefore, 
proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all 
requirements governing the administration of the Exchange Visitor 
Programs as set forth in 22 CFR part 62, including the oversight of 
Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and 
selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information 
and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper 
maintenance and security of forms, recordkeeping, reporting and other 
requirements. The Office of International Visitors (ECA/PE/V) 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: 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.

[[Page 25752]]

    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.

IV.3d.2 Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines

    Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must 
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and 
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and 
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest 
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to 
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic 
status, and disabilities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere 
to the advancement of this principle both in program administration and 
in program content. Please refer to the review criteria under the 
'Support for Diversity' section for specific suggestions on 
incorporating diversity into your proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides 
that ``in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in 
countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the 
Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for 
participation 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

    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. In support of the 
Bureau's evaluation goals, the Office of International Visitors will 
administer a post-program evaluation for International Visitors upon 
conclusion of Regional and Multi-Regional programs.
    In addition, applicants must monitor and evaluate the program's 
success, both as activities unfold and at the end of each program. (See 
Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document.) Proposal 
submissions should include a monitoring and evaluation plan that 
demonstrates: An understanding of overall IVLP goals, as well as the 
objectives of assigned projects; the anticipated results and outcomes, 
including specific changes in International Visitors' behavior, 
knowledge, skills, and status resulting from the program activities; 
and the link between the outcomes and the original project objectives.
    Proposals should further demonstrate how applicants will obtain an 
understanding of the goals and objectives of each assigned IVLP 
program, and how applicants will review and analyze the outcomes and 
results upon conclusion of each IVLP program. For regional and multi-
regional programs, participation at a final oral evaluation session is 
expected and a final program report is required. (See Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document.) Proposal 
submissions should demonstrate how award recipients will apply the 
feedback provided by International Visitors to strengthen the overall 
goals and objectives of the International Visitor Leadership Program.

IV.3d.4. Alumni Outreach Follow On Programming

    No alumni outreach follow-on programming is expected or will be 
funded. However, the Bureau expects that all recipient organization(s) 
will encourage and assist participants in registering and using the 
State Alumni Web site (alumni.state.gov) and the Exchanges Connect Web 
site (connect.state.gov) at multiple points during their exchange 
experience, at a minimum during program orientations and pre-departure 
briefings as well as at the end of programs to encourage participants 
to create groups and/or forums on exchanges connect. Proposals should 
detail how the Web sites will be promoted to exchange participants and 
how the recipient organization (s) will facilitate participant 
registration. The Bureau expects that all recipient organization (s) 
will place a link to both State Alumni and Exchanges Connect on their 
own Web sites. IV.3e.1 Please take the following information into 
consideration when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs'' along with a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Staff Salaries and Benefits;
    (2) Office and Program Supplies;
    (3) Telephone and Communications;
    (4) Staff Travel and Per Diem;
    (5) ADP Equipment Maintenance and IT Costs;
    (6) Indirect Costs.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.

IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission

    Application Deadline Date: June 17, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/PE/V-12-01.
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-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.

IV.3f.1 Submitting Printed Applications

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

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

    The original and 10 copies of the application should be sent to: 
Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/V-12-01, SA-5, 
Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.

[[Page 25753]]

    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 CD-ROM. As 
appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to 
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 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, 7AM-9PM Eastern Time, E-mail: 
grants.gov">support@grants.gov.
    Applicants have until midnight (12:00 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.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 
assistance awards 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. Evidence of Understanding/Program Planning: The proposal should 
convey that the applicant has a good understanding of the overall goals 
and objectives of the IVLP. It should exhibit originality, substance, 
and precision, and be responsive to the requirements stated in the RFGP 
and the Solicitation Package. The proposal should contain a detailed 
and relevant work plan that demonstrates substantive intent and 
logistical capacity. The agenda and plan should adhere to the program 
overview and guidelines described in the RFGP and the POGI.
    2. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
program resources and interlocutors, program venue, etc.) and program 
content (orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource 
materials and follow-up activities).
    3. Institutional Capacity: The award recipient must have a 
Washington, DC presence. Applicants who do not currently have a 
Washington, DC presence must include a detailed plan in their proposal 
for establishing such a presence by October 1, 2011. The costs related 
to establishing such a presence must be borne by the award recipient. 
No such costs may be included in the budget submission in this 
proposal. The proposal should clearly demonstrate the applicant's 
capability for performing the type of work required by the IVLP and how 
the institution will execute its program activities to meet the goals 
of the IVLP. It should reflect the applicant's ability to design and 
implement, in a timely and creative manner, professional exchange 
programs which encompass a variety of project themes. Proposed 
personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and 
appropriate to achieve the program goals. The proposal must demonstrate 
that the applicant has or can recruit adequate and well-trained staff. 
All recipients must submit their IVLP and national itinerary data 
electronically to the DoS by utilizing either the eNPA tool provided by 
the Department or the mandated standard data format submission that has 
been established as an interface to existing legacy systems.
    4. Institution's Record/Ability: The proposal should demonstrate an 
institutional record of a minimum of four years of successful 
experience in conducting IVLP or other professional exchange programs, 
which are similar in

[[Page 25754]]

nature and magnitude to the scope of work outlined in this 
solicitation. The applicant must demonstrate the potential for 
programming IVLP participants from multiple regions of the world. 
Applicants should demonstrate that their organizations would consult 
with DoS Program Officers on a regular basis to ensure that the 
assigned visitor projects would consistently meet program objectives. 
Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful 
exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full 
compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau 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. Project Evaluation: While program agencies do not have sole 
responsibility for program evaluation, proposals should describe how 
the program agency will evaluate the activity's success, both as the 
activities unfold and through required reporting at the conclusion of a 
group program, and address how lessons learned will be incorporated in 
future program planning. A description of the methodology to be used to 
link outcomes to original project objectives is recommended.
    6. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components 
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as 
low as possible. This includes acquiring and retaining capable staff. 
All other costs, such as building maintenance, should be necessary and 
appropriate.
    7. Cost-sharing: 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 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.1b The following additional requirements apply to this project:
    For assistance awards involving Iran:
    A critical component of current U.S. government Iran policy is the 
support for indigenous Iranian voices. 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 Patricia Johnson, Office of 
International Visitors, by e-mail [email protected] for 
additional information.

    Prohibition on the use of Federal Funds to Promote, Support, or 
advocate for the legalization or practice of Prostitution.
    The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related 
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and 
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. None of the 
funds made available under this agreement may be used to promote, 
support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. 
Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude 
assistance designed to ameliorate the suffering of, or health risks to, 
victims while they are being trafficked or after they are out of the 
situation that resulted from such victims being trafficked.
    The recipient shall insert the foregoing provision in all sub-
agreements under this award.
    This provision includes express terms and conditions of the 
agreement and any violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral 
termination of the agreement by the Department of State prior to the 
end of its term.
    For assistance awards involving the Palestinian Authority, West 
Bank, and Gaza:
    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 
Patricia Johnson, Office of International Visitors, by 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 one copy 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.

[[Page 25755]]

    (3) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports.
    (4) Quarterly financial reports within thirty (30) days following 
the end of the calendar year quarter. These reports should itemize 
separately International Visitor costs, Voluntary Visitor costs, 
English Language Officer/Interpreter costs for International Visitors, 
English Language Officer/Interpreter costs for Voluntary Visitors, 
special project costs by projects, and administrative costs for the 
previous quarter on a cash basis. These reports should also list 
separately the number of English Language Officers/Interpreters 
accompanying International Visitors, and the number of English Language 
Officers/Interpreters accompanying Voluntary Visitors for whom funds 
are expended. Quarterly financial reports must be certified by the 
award recipient's chief financial officer or an officer of comparable 
rank. For further information, please refer to the Project Objectives, 
Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document.
    Award recipients 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: Patricia Johnson, 
U.S. Department of State, Office of International Visitors, ECA/PE/V, 
SA-5, 3rd Floor, ECA/PE/V-12-01, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037, telephone (202) 632-3288 and fax (202) 632-9393, or e-mail 
[email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/V-12-01.
    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 26, 2011.
J. Adam Ereli,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-10770 Filed 5-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P