[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 222 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71425-71430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29788]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7689]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Study of the United States Institutes for Student 
Leaders on U.S. History and Government

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/USS-12-21.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.009.
    Dates: Key Dates: July-August, 2012 and January-February, 2013.
    Application Deadline: January 13, 2012.
Summary:
    Executive Summary: The Branch for the Study of the United States, 
Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs (ECA), invites proposal submissions for the design and 
implementation of six (6) Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student 
Leaders on U.S. History and Government, pending the availability of 
funds. Participants will be drawn from countries throughout Central and 
South America and the Caribbean. Three institutes will be conducted 
entirely in Spanish, and the remaining three in English. Each academic 
institute will be five weeks in duration, including a one-week 
integrated study tour.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

I. 1. Authority

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

I. 2. Purpose and Overview

    The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders on U.S. 
History and Government are intensive academic programs whose purpose is 
to provide groups of undergraduate students from the Western Hemisphere 
with a deeper understanding of the United States.
    The principal objective of the Institutes is to enhance 
participants' knowledge of U.S. history, government, institutions, 
society, and culture. In this context, the Institutes should 
incorporate a focus on American historical events as well as 
contemporary American life including current political, social, and 
economic debates. The role and influence of principles and values such 
as democracy, the rule of law, individual rights, freedom of 
expression, equality, and diversity and tolerance should be addressed.
    All Institutes should take place at U.S. academic institutions 
whose interpretation of U.S. history, government, institutions, 
society, and culture could be presented through the lens of their 
location, academic mission, and expertise. The Institutes should 
address topics such as: civil rights, minority rights, politics, 
religion, economics, and U.S. relations with Latin America.
    In addition to promoting a better understanding of the United 
States and of U.S. history and government, an important objective of 
the Institutes is to

[[Page 71426]]

develop the participants' leadership skills. In this context, the 
academic programs should include seminars, workshops, and activities 
that focus on topics such as leadership, teambuilding, collective 
problem solving skills, effective communication, and management skills. 
The Institutes should include a community service component, in which 
the students experience civic engagement as a core American value 
firsthand.
    Throughout the course of the Institutes, participants should have 
ample opportunities to interact with Americans. Such interactions could 
take place in the classroom, dormitories, local community, or a home-
stay experience. In addition to exposing the participants to various 
aspects of American life and culture, these activities should aim to 
allow the participants to share their culture and experiences with 
Americans.
    This award will support up to 120 undergraduate participants. Three 
institutes for twenty participants each will take place in summer 2012 
while an additional three institutes will take place in winter 2013. 
Please refer to the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation 
(POGI) document for programmatic details.

    Please note:  This award will be in the form of a Cooperative 
Agreement. In a Cooperative Agreement, ECA is substantially involved 
in the management and oversight of the Institutes.

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: $1,440,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Floor of Award Range: $1,440,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $1,440,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, April 1, 
2012.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: August, 2013.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, ECA 
may choose to renew this Cooperative Agreement for up to two additional 
fiscal years, before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1 Eligible applicants

    ECA is seeking detailed proposals from accredited post-secondary 
U.S. institutions (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public 
and private universities), consortia of organizations, and/or from 
public and private non-profit organizations meeting the eligibility 
requirements outlined below.
    ECA intends to issue one award and is seeking proposals from 
organizations with the ability to administer, support, and oversee the 
six academic Institutes. Recipients may be public or private 
organizations that provide sub-awards to up to six institutions of 
higher education to implement the institutes. Or, higher education 
institutions may apply to administer and implement the institutes 
working with branch campuses, other colleges in a consortium, or 
partnering with any other institution of higher education.
    Institutions of higher education may host no more than one 
institute at a time (for up to 20 students), but may host up to two 
institutes under this award (e.g. a summer and a winter institute).
    The recipient will serve as the lead organization and will be 
responsible for the oversight of all six institutes and must appoint a 
project director who will be the main point of contact and liaison with 
ECA.
    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).
    An applicant organization is defined by the DUNS number of the 
organization and by the signature of the authorized representative 
contained on the ``Application for Federal Assistance Form'' (SF-424) 
submitted under this competition.

III.2 Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this 
competition. However, ECA 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, the 
recipient must maintain written records to support all costs that are 
claimed as a 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 the recipient institution does 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

    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000. ECA anticipates that the award under this 
competition will be up to $1,440,000. Therefore, organizations with 
less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges 
are ineligible to apply under this competition. ECA encourages 
applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in 
support of its programs.
    All applicants are strongly encouraged to read this RFGP 
thoroughly, prior to developing and submitting a proposal, to ensure 
that proposed activities are appropriate and responsive to the goals, 
objectives, and criteria outlined in the solicitation.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note:  Please read the complete announcement before sending 
inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, ECA staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed. If you have 
any questions prior to the deadline stated on the RFGP, please 
address your questions to Jos[eacute] Marrero at [email protected] 
or (202) 632-3337.

IV.1 Contact Information To Request an Application Package

    Please contact the Branch for the Study of the United States, ECA/
A/E/USS; SA-5, Fourth Floor; U.S. Department of State; Washington, DC 
20037, (202) 632-3337 to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer 
to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/USS-12-21 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 Jos[eacute] Marrero and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number

[[Page 71427]]

ECA/A/E/USS-12-21 on all inquiries and correspondence.

IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet

    The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from ECA'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 
section IV.6 Application Deadline and Methods of Submission, indicated 
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 must maintain current 
registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. 
Recipients must maintain accurate and up-to-date information in the CCR 
until all program and financial activity and reporting have been 
completed. Recipients 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. Failure to register in 
the CCR will render applicants ineligible to receive funding.
    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 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, record-keeping, reporting, and other 
requirements.
    ECA prefers that the award recipient issue DS-2019 forms to 
participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office 
Designation, Private Sector Programs Division, ECA/EC/D/PS, SA-5, 5th 
Floor, Department of State, Washington, DC 20037.
    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
IV.3d.2 Diversity, Freedom, and Democracy Guidelines
    Pursuant to ECA'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,'' ECA ``shall take appropriate steps 
to provide opportunities for participation in such programs to human 
rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' Public Law 106-113 
requires that the governments of the countries described above do not 
have inappropriate influence in the selection process. Proposals should 
reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the 
full extent deemed feasible.
IV.3d.3 Program Monitoring and Evaluation
    Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's 
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. 
ECA recommends that proposals include a draft survey questionnaire or 
other technique plus a description of a methodology used to link 
outcomes to original project objectives. ECA expects that the recipient 
organization 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,

[[Page 71428]]

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. An evaluation plan 
should include a description of project's objectives, anticipated 
project outcomes, and how and when outcomes will be measured 
(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. Applicants should also show how project objectives link to 
the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Monitoring and evaluation plans should clearly distinguish between 
program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage applicants 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 a 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.)
    Recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to ECA 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 ECA upon 
request.
IV.3e. 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) Institute staff salary and benefits.
    (2) Participant housing and meals.
    (3) Participant U.S. travel and per diem.
    (4) Textbooks, educational materials, and admissions fees.
    (5) Honoraria for guest speakers.
    (6) Follow-on programming for alumni of Study of the United States 
programs.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
    Application Deadline Date: January 13, 2012.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/E/USS-12-21.
    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 six (6) copies of the application should be sent 
to: Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/A/E/USS-12-
21, 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) or Microsoft Word format on a CD-ROM.
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:  Due to Recovery Act related opportunities, there 
has been a higher than

[[Page 71429]]

usual volume of grant proposals submitted through Grants.gov. 
Potential applicants are advised that the increased volume may 
affect the Grants.gov proposal submission process. As stated in this 
RFGP, ECA bears no responsibility for applicant timeliness of 
submission or data errors resulting from transmission or conversion 
processes for proposals submitted via Grants.gov.

    Please follow the instructions available in the `Get Started' 
portion of the site (http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could 
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate 
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP 
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
    Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an 
application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the 
size of the application and the speed of your internet connection. In 
addition, validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can 
take up to two business days.
    Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the submission process through 
Grants.gov.
    The Grants.gov Web site includes extensive information on all 
phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive 
section on frequently asked questions, located under the ``For 
Applicants'' section of the Web site. ECA strongly recommends that all 
potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov Web site, well in 
advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA 
bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or 
conversion processes.
    Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and 
submission to:
Grants.gov Customer Support
    Contact Center Phone: (800) 518-4726.
    Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time.
    Email: 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 email 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

    ECA 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 ECA regulations and guidelines and 
forwarded to ECA grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also 
be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department 
elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the 
Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural 
Affairs. Final technical authority for Cooperative Agreements resides 
with ECA'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, substance, precision, 
and relevance to ECA's mission. A detailed agenda and relevant work 
plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical 
capacity. Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. 
Proposals should demonstrate clearly how the institution will meet the 
program's objectives and plan.
    2. Support for Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of ECA's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant features 
should be cited in both program administration (program venue and 
program evaluation) and program content (orientation and wrap-up 
sessions, program meetings, presenters, and resource materials).
    3. Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the 
activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the 
program. ECA recommends that the proposal include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives.
    4. Cost-effectiveness/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.
    5. Institutional Track Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate 
an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past ECA grants as determined by ECA Grants Staff. ECA 
will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the 
demonstrated potential of new applicants. Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be fully qualified to achieve the 
project's goals.
    6. 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 should also provide a plan for continued follow-on activity 
(without ECA support) ensuring that ECA supported programs are not 
isolated events.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1 Award Notices

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, and allocated and committed through internal ECA procedures. 
Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from ECA'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.

[[Page 71430]]

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 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) An interim program report no more than 30 days after the 
conclusion of the Institute;
    (2) Quarterly financial reports;
    (3) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (4) 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.;
    (5) 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 ECA 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 ECA 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: Jos[eacute] 
Marrero, Study of the U.S. Branch, ECA/A/E/USS, U.S. Department of 
State, Fourth Floor, SA-5, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20522-
0504, phone: (202) 632-3337, email: [email protected].
    All correspondence with ECA concerning this RFGP should reference 
the above title and number ECA/A/E/USS-12-21.

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 ECA that contradicts published 
language will not be binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not 
constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government. ECA 
reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets 
in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of 
funds. In addition, it reserves the right to accept proposals in 
whole or in part and to make an award or awards in the best interest 
of the program. Awards made will be subject to periodic reporting 
and evaluation requirements per section VI.3 above.


     Dated: November 10, 2011.
Adam Ereli,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-29788 Filed 11-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P