[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27149-27156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11421]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7449]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals; Access Teacher Development Online Program

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/L-11-05.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.421.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: June 4, 2011.
    Executive Summary: The Office of English Language Programs of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open

[[Page 27150]]

competition for the Access Teacher Development Online Program (ATDOP), 
including online distance education, a U.S. exchange component in 
summer 2012 and a follow-on program for exchange participants. The 
award level for this cooperative agreement will be up to $900,000. The 
purpose of this program is to increase the oral and aural proficiency 
of English as a foreign language teachers while developing their 
speaking and listening teaching methods.
    U.S. public and private universities with graduate TESOL or Applied 
Linguistics programs meeting the provisions described in Internal 
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to 
implement the program that will include the following:
    1. A teacher needs analysis survey and English language proficiency 
assessment plan to be administered at the beginning and end of the 
online program;
    2. A multi-platform online distance education program developed in 
collaboration with selected English Access Microscholarship Program 
(Access) providers and designed to improve the oral/aural English 
Language proficiency and teaching methodologies of 250-350 Access and 
potential Access teachers working with 14-18 year olds;
    3. A four-week, U.S. exchange program for 26 of the top performing 
participants from the online courses;
    4. A five-week online follow-up course designed to assist the 26 
teachers in developing and implementing professional development 
seminars for English teachers in their respective countries;
    5. The creation of an on-going online community via a Ning site 
where Access teachers and in-country providers can continue to 
communicate and collaborate.
    Access provides a foundation of English language skills to bright, 
economically disadvantaged 14- to 18-year-olds through two-year 
programs of after-school classes and intensive summer learning 
activities. Access students also gain an appreciation for U.S. culture 
and democratic values through cultural enhancement activities. Since 
its inception in 2004, over 70,000 students in more than 85 countries 
have participated in the Access Program. More detailed information 
about each of the five components of this cooperative agreement are 
detailed below and in the Program Objectives, Goals, and Implementation 
(POGI).
    Applicant organizations should demonstrate a significant track 
record of conducting substantive academic programs for EFL educators 
with a particular emphasis on the innovative use of internet media and 
mobile-based technologies in the development and implementation of 
training programs, conducting needs assessments internationally with 
foreign partners, developing English language teaching curriculum for 
English learners with diverse levels of English language proficiency 
and managing the U.S. and foreign logistical and administrative aspects 
of similar programs.
    The participants in the online course will be selected by Access 
providers and Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) and will be 
approved by ECA/A/L. Participants will be: Citizens of one of 6-8 ECA 
selected strategic countries in which they reside; university degree 
holders; employed as English teachers and have been working with 
disadvantaged 14-18 year old students for at least two but not more 
than approximately seven years; have no significant previous US travel 
experience; employed by one of the selected Access host institutions 
teaching Access or other secondary school level classes; and able to 
have regular and easy access to a computer with reliable broadband 
Internet.

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 purpose of the ATDOP is to improve overall English Access 
Microscholarship Program capacity to educate students by significantly 
enhancing the oral/aural proficiency and teaching practices of current 
and future Access teachers and providing opportunities to augment the 
impact of the course by having the program participants create and 
implement replicable teacher development seminars for other high school 
level English teachers in their countries. The project should also 
develop a self-sustaining online community for Access teachers and 
providers where ideas and experiences can be shared for years to come.

Overview

    The online teacher development course and the U.S. based exchange 
component should significantly enhance the oral/aural proficiency and 
teaching skills needed for participants to confidently create and 
present seminars on practical English language teaching methods and 
American culture/values to other Access teachers in their respective 
countries. This program should expose participants to up-to-date 
methodologies for teaching listening and speaking to 14-18 year old 
English learners, insights into the role online technologies can play 
in English language learning, teaching, and professional development, 
and approaches to developing learner-centered activities with 
technology and electronic materials. The program should also include a 
substantive cultural/educational exchange experience in the United 
States.

Program Design

    The program should be designed as an intensive, practically focused 
online course and exchange component for early career high school 
teachers from abroad. Both the online course and exchange component 
should reflect the participants' previous experience, education, and 
the realities of their regional challenges while promoting strategies 
for participants to share their knowledge with course participants and 
colleagues in their home countries.
    Participants for the online teacher development course will be 
selected by local providers in consultation with RELOs at U.S. 
embassies and approved by the Office of English Language Programs in 
Washington, DC. Exchange component participants will be selected by 
recipient in coordination with local providers and approved by ECA/A/L 
and RELOs. Approximately the same number of participants for the online 
program and the U.S. exchange will be selected from each of the 6-8 
participating countries.
    ATDOP will focus on developing teaching skills relevant and 
appropriate to ECA/A/L's ongoing English language programming efforts 
around the world. Activities should focus on enhancing language and 
teaching methodologies and creating new capacities (student

[[Page 27151]]

centered teaching, authentic examples of American culture/values, and 
using internet based activities) for use in Access curricula. Selection 
of ATDOP curricula will be made by the recipient in consultation with 
select Access providers and RELOs and approved by ECA/A/L. Curricula 
will be based on the results of the needs assessment carried out by the 
recipient.
    The Department of State will retain full ownership of the prepared 
curriculum and all online social networking and mobile sites created to 
fulfill program objectives, including the right to print, publish, 
repurpose, and distribute all media including electronic media, and in 
all languages and editions.

Program Content

    Proposals must include preliminary ideas regarding the structure 
and content of the online program, the exchange component and follow-on 
course that can be revised in light of the results of the participant 
needs analysis and English language proficiency assessment results. 
Possible speakers and trainers, site visits, ways of using social 
media, video and chat conferencing programs and the use of mobile 
technology should be discussed. The accompanying Project Objectives, 
Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document provides program-specific 
guidelines that all proposals must address fully.

Program Dates

    It is anticipated that the cooperative agreement will begin on or 
about September 1, 2011, and the recipient should complete all post-
exchange activities by December 31, 2012. The exchange program will 
take place during June/July, 2012. Please refer to additional program 
specific guidelines in the Program Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation (POGI) document.

Program Guidelines

    Under the auspices of the Cooperative Agreement, the Bureau's 
Office of English Language Programs and U.S. embassies are 
substantially involved in ATDOP. The Bureau provides overall program 
and policy design and direction, with substantial involvement at all 
levels of the program while U.S. embassies are responsible for in-
country aspects of the program. The roles and responsibilities of the 
Bureau include:
     Selection of strategic countries and Access providers from 
which teachers will be selected;
     Inviting RELOs and providers to nominate program 
participants;
     Approving nominees for the online course and exchange 
component;
     Participating in the Washington segment of the exchange 
program.
    Posts are responsible for:
     Identifying and nominating program participants from their 
countries/regions in collaboration with providers;
     Briefing program participants on all aspects of the 
program;
     Monitoring and supporting the online segment of the 
program;
     Monitoring and reporting to ECA/A/L on program impact;
     Facilitating communication between the recipient and 
program participants regarding exchange logistics (e.g. obtaining 
visas); and
     Conducting post-program follow-up opportunities as 
appropriate.

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 2011.
    Approximate Total Funding: $900,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One (1).
    Approximate Average Award: One award of $900,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2011.
    Anticipated Program Completion Date: July 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 U.S. colleges 
and universities with a graduate TESOL or applied linguistics program 
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 cooperative 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 fewer 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be 
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates awarding one 
cooperative agreement, in an amount up to $900,000 to support program 
and administrative costs required to implement ATDOP. Therefore, 
organizations with less than four years experience in conducting 
international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition. 
The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost 
sharing and funding in support of its programs.
    (b) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following: (list requirements) or they will result in your proposal 
being declared technically ineligible and given no further 
consideration in the review process.

--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 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.


[[Page 27152]]



IV.1. Contact Information To Request an Application Package

    Please contact Craig Dicker of the Office of English Language 
Programs, ECA/A/L, Room 4-B15, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 2200 C 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, telephone: (202) 632-9277, fax: 
(202) 632-9464, e-mail: [email protected] to request a Solicitation 
Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-11-05 
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 Program Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria 
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify Craig Dicker, telephone: (202) 632-9277, and refer 
to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-11-05 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 seven copies of 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 Program 
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 
Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs is the official program sponsor of the exchange program covered 
by this RFGP, and an employee of the Bureau will be the ``Responsible 
Officer'' for the program under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, which 
covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa 
program). Under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, organizations receiving 
awards (either a grant or cooperative agreement) under this RFGP will 
be third parties ``cooperating with or assisting the sponsor in the 
conduct of the sponsor's program.'' The actions of recipient 
organizations shall be ``imputed to the sponsor in evaluating the 
sponsor's compliance with'' 22 CFR part 62. Therefore, the Bureau 
expects that any organization receiving an award under this competition 
will render all assistance necessary to enable the Bureau to fully 
comply with 22 CFR part 62 et seq.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically 
important emphases on the secure and proper administration of Exchange 
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by recipient organizations and 
program participants to all regulations governing the J visa program 
status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in writing that 
the applicant is prepared to assist the Bureau in meeting all 
requirements governing the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs 
as set forth in 22 CFR part 62. If your organization has experience as 
a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should 
discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et seq., 
including the oversight of their Responsible Officers and Alternate 
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, 
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, 
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, 
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for 
issuing DS-

[[Page 27153]]

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.
    IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines. Pursuant to 
the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. 
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass 
differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, 
religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please 
refer to the review criteria under the ``Support for Diversity'' 
section for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into your 
proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs 
of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not 
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take 
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such 
programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' 
Public Law 106--113 requires that the governments of the countries 
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection 
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their 
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation Proposals must include a 
plan to monitor and evaluate the Program's success, both as the 
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends 
that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes 
to original Program objectives. The Bureau expects that the recipient 
will track participants or partners and be able to respond to key 
evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning 
as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the 
program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in 
which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan 
should include indicators that measure gains in mutual understanding as 
well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your Program's objectives, your 
anticipated Program outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your Program objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of Program 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 Program is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational 
improvements.

    Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.

    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when 
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear 
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., 
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation 
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] 
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
    The recipient will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All 
data collected, including survey responses and contact information, 
must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the 
Bureau upon request.
    IV.3.d.4. Describe your plans for staffing: Please provide a 
staffing plan which outlines the responsibilities of each staff person 
and explains which staff member will be accountable for each program 
responsibility. The Office of English Programs requests that several 
members of the staff be well versed in current methodology of teaching 
English as a foreign language, preferably holding an advanced degree in 
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), applied linguistics or a 
related field. In depth knowledge of best practices in the English 
language teaching (ELT) field is preferable. Wherever possible please 
streamline administrative processes.
    IV.3e. 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. The budget request from ECA should not exceed $900,000, 
including all administrative costs. There must be a summary budget as 
well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets 
for host campus and foreign teacher involvement in the program. 
Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, 
phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
    The summary and detailed administrative and program budgets should 
be accompanied by a narrative which provides a brief rationale for each 
line item including a methodology for

[[Page 27154]]

estimating appropriate average maintenance allowance levels and tuition 
costs (as applicable) for the participants, and the number that can be 
accommodated at the levels proposed. The total administrative costs 
funded by the Bureau must be reasonable and appropriate.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program and additional budget 
guidance are outlined in detail in the POGI document. Please refer to 
the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and formatting 
instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: June 4, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/L-11-05.
    Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two 
ways:
    (1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2) electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
    Along with the Program 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 nine (9) copies of the application should be sent 
to: U.S. Department of State, Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/
PM, Ref.: ECA/A/L-11-05 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'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the 
proposal in text (.txt) format on a PC-formatted disk.
    IV.3f.2. Submitting Electronic Applications: Applicants have the 
option of submitting proposals electronically through Grants.gov 
(http://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation packages are available 
at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the system. Please follow the 
instructions available in the `Get Started' portion of the site (http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).

    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.

    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.
    Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon 
the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify you 
upon receipt of electronic applications.
    It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via 
the Grants.gov web portal to ensure that proposals have been received 
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for 
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process

    The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the 
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible 
proposals will be reviewed by the program office. 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

[[Page 27155]]

agreement) 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 Program Plan and Ability to Achieve Program 
Objectives: Proposals should exhibit originality, innovation, 
substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's mission as well as 
the objectives of ATDOP. It should include an effective, feasible plan 
and clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's 
objectives. A detailed agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate 
substantive undertakings and logistical capacity.
    2. Multiplier effect/impact: The proposed program should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    3. Support for 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 
speakers, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    4. Institutional Capacity and Record: Proposals should demonstrate 
an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grants 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. The 
successful proposal will demonstrate the organization's experience in 
international educational exchange, intensive asynchronous and 
synchronous online programs, and teaching English as a foreign language 
methodology.
    5. Follow-up and Follow-on Activities: Proposals should discuss 
provisions made for follow-up with returned participants as a means of 
establishing longer-term individual and institutional linkages. 
Proposals also should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity 
(without Bureau support) ensuring that the Bureau supported programs 
are not isolated events. Proposals also should include a plan for 
tracking and maintaining updated lists of all alumni. These lists 
should be made available to ECA/A/L and the Office of Alumni Affairs.
    6. Program Evaluation: Proposals should discuss provisions to 
quantifiably evaluate the program's success, both as the activities 
unfold and at the end of the program. A draft survey questionnaire or 
other technique plus description of a methodology to use to link 
outcomes to original program objectives is recommended.
    7. Cost-effectiveness and Cost Sharing: The overhead and 
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and 
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be 
necessary and appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing 
through other private sector support as well as institutional direct 
funding contributions.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1a. Award Notices

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. 
Successful applicants will receive an Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original cooperative 
agreement 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''.
OMB Circulr No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative Requirements 
for Grants and Agreements with Institutiions of Higher Education, 
Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants-
in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and Non-
profit Organizations.

    Please reference the following Web sites for additional 
information:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of the 
following reports:
    (1) Quarterly program and financial reports;
    (2) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (3) 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 website--as part of ECA's Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting 
requirements;
    (4) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports.
    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 Federal Assistance Award.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Craig Dicker, 
Office of English Language Programs, ECA/A/L, Room 4-B015, ECA/A/L, 
U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037, Tel: 202-632-9277; Fax: 202-632-9464, [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/L-11-05. 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.

[[Page 27156]]

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: May 3, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-11421 Filed 5-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P