Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: English Language Materials Training and Development Program, 80879-80885 [2010-32272]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 246 (Thursday, December 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80879-80885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32272]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 7273]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: English Language Materials Training and Development 
Program

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/L-11-02.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.421.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: March 15, 2011.
    Executive Summary: The Office of English Language Programs of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open 
competition for the English Language Materials Training and Development 
Program, including a U.S. exchange component in summer, 2012. U.S. 
public and private universities with a graduate TEFL program 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 needs assessment for English language 
instructional materials abroad; 2. an rigorous, online academic program 
in materials development for 26 international participants; 3. a three-
week, U.S. exchange program for the same 26 participants including 
materials development training; 4. the revision of at least three 
products/publications presently in the ECA/A/L materials catalogue and 
the development of at least three new products/publications. More 
detailed information about each of these four components of this 
cooperative agreement are detailed in the Program Objectives, Goals, 
and Implementation (POGI). Funding is pending the availability of FY-
2011 funds.
    For the needs assessment for English language instructional 
materials, the proposal should include a detailed plan for the 
recipient organization to perform a needs assessment among English 
language learners and instructors outside the U.S., including present 
and past participants in ECA/A/L programs as well as the Regional 
English Language Officers (RELOs), the corps of State Department 
Specialist Foreign Service Officers based around the world. The 
objective of the materials needs assessment will be to identify 
instructional materials preferences and needs of learners and 
instructors of English. This information will serve to inform the 
development and implementation of the other components of this program.
    For the online program in materials development, proposals must 
outline and demonstrate an ability to produce an online program that 
blends various social media and web-based technologies to provide 
professional development opportunities on materials assessment, review, 
adaptation and development to approximately twenty-six foreign 
participants. The participants will be selected by ECA/A/L in 
consultation with the RELOs. Participants will be: citizens of the 
country in which they reside; university degree holders, preferably at 
the graduate level in the fields of TEFL or Applied Linguistics; 
employed in a position which includes substantive responsibilities in 
the area of materials assessment, adaptation, development, or closely 
related area; in positions of authority with regard to the adaptation, 
development and use of instructional materials at the institutional, 
regional, and/or national levels; and professionally proficient in 
English. The online program must commence at least ten weeks before the 
U.S. exchange and include at least five sessions after completion of 
the U.S. exchange. The program must also incorporate existing ECA/A/L 
materials, drafts of revised materials, and new products/publications 
as illustrations throughout the online program.
    For the U.S. university-based Exchange component, the recipient 
will develop and implement a workshop in the U.S. for the twenty-six 
English language teaching professionals who have been participating in 
online program. The four-week U.S. Exchange should be implemented in 
July of 2012 and include an orientation to the U.S.; an intensive 
program on materials assessment, adaptation, review and development; 
cultural and community service activities; and a three day briefing in 
Washington, DC at the conclusion of the exchange component. The 
Washington, DC briefing should familiarize participants with ECA and 
other relevant bureaus within the State Department, allow participants 
to meet with English language materials developers from Washington, DC, 
and provide an opportunity for participants to share their materials 
development program development plans. Participants will be encouraged 
to develop a materials development program to implement in their home 
countries following the exchange program. The proposal should include a 
detailed plan for the content, administration, and implementation of 
the U.S. exchange.

[[Page 80880]]

    For the materials revision and production component, the recipient 
will revise at least three current ECA/A/L products/publications and 
develop at least three new products/publications based on the findings 
of the materials needs analysis. The recipient will prepare revised 
drafts of existing ECA/A/L materials and new materials based on 
feedback from program participants garnered during the second and third 
components of this program and present at least three publishable 
revised ECA/A/L products/publications and at least three publishable 
new products/publications to ECA/A/L for review and future publication.
    Applicant organizations should demonstrate a substantial track 
record of conducting substantive academic programs for EFL educators 
with a particular emphasis on materials assessment and development, 
conducting needs assessments internationally, developing and 
implementing training programs through virtual media, developing 
English language materials for teachers and learners in EFL settings, 
and managing logistical and administrative aspects of similar programs.

(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 English Language Materials Training and 
Development Program is to develop high quality, diverse, and engaging 
materials for English teachers and learners globally and provide 
opportunities for professional development for educators involved in 
English language materials assessment, review, adaptation and/or 
development.
    Overview: The online course in materials development and the U.S. 
based summer institute should provide participants with the skills and 
experience to review, assess and adapt/revise existing English language 
instructional materials and the ability to develop context appropriate 
new materials of their own. These programs should expose participants 
to drafts of revised ECA/A/L materials and new materials being 
developed for ECA/A/L, insights into the role of instructional 
materials in the teaching/learning process and approaches to developing 
learner-centered instructional materials. These programs should also 
include a substantive cultural/educational exchange experience in the 
United States.
    Program Design: Participants will be selected by the Office of 
English Language Programs in consultation with Regional English 
Language Officers (RELOs) and Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) at U.S. 
embassies.
    The program will focus on publications relevant and appropriate to 
ECA/A/L's ongoing English language programming efforts around the 
world. Activities should focus on updating existing materials and 
creating new materials (print, audio, and online) for ECA/A/L's current 
titles. Selection of titles to expand and revise will be made by the 
Office of English Language Programs in consultation with the recipient 
based on the results of the needs assessment carried out by the 
recipient.
    The Department of State will retain full foreign ownership of the 
texts that are prepared including the right to print, publish, 
repurpose, and distribute these texts in all media including electronic 
media, and in all languages and editions.
    The program should be designed as an intensive, academically 
rigorous online course and summer institute for an experienced group of 
graduate level educators from abroad. Both the online course and summer 
institute should be organized through an integrated series of lectures 
(virtual and in-person), readings, seminar discussions, and site 
(virtual and in-person) visits. Both the online course and summer 
institute should reflect the participants' previous education and 
experience and promote strategies for participants to share their 
knowledge with counterparts and with students in their home countries.
    Syllabus: Proposals must include syllabi for both the online course 
and the summer institute that identify the subject matter for each 
thematic unit and specify dates, proposed speakers and/or trainers, 
proposed site visits (virtual or in-person), and proposed readings in 
ELT materials design and development. The syllabi must clearly show how 
assignments, readings, and speakers will advance the goals of the 
program. Overall, proposals will be reviewed on the basis of their 
responsiveness to RFGP criteria, coherence, clarity, and attention to 
detail. 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 May 1, 2011, and the recipient should complete 
all exchange activities by March 31, 2013. 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 the English Language Materials 
Training and Development Program. 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 the in-
country aspects of the program. The roles and responsibilities of the 
Bureau include:
     Inviting RELOs to nominate program participants;
     Analyzing the prospective impact of program on the quality 
of instructional materials;
     Reviewing nominees and selecting participants for the 
program;
     Approval of ECA/A/L materials to adapt and of new 
materials to develop; and
     Providing feedback on the drafts of adapted and new 
materials and final approval of all draft materials.
    Posts are responsible for:
     Identifying and nominating program participants from their 
countries/regions;
     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.

[[Page 80881]]

    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2011.
    Approximate Total Funding: $750,000 (pending the availability of 
funds).
    Approximate Number of Awards: One (1)
    Approximate Average Award: One award of $750,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, May 1, 2011.
    Anticipated Program Completion Date: March 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 TEFL 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 $750,000 to support program and administrative costs 
required to implement the English Language Materials Training and 
Development Program. Therefore, organizations with less than four years 
experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to 
apply under this competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to 
provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its 
programs.

(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.

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: Dickercl@state.gov to request a Solicitation 
Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-11-02 
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-11-02 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 
https://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html or from the Grants.gov Web 
site at https://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 https://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

[[Page 80882]]

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 is placing renewed emphasis 
on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) 
Programs and adherence by grantees 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, 
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
    The recipient 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 https://exchanges.state.gov.
    Please refer to the 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
    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

[[Page 80883]]

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 at least 
one member of the staff should 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 should not exceed $750,000 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 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: March 15, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/L-11-02.
    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 https://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 seven (7) copies of the application should be sent 
to: U.S. Department of State, Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/
PM, Ref.: ECA/A/L-11-02 SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20522-0504.
    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 (https://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 (https://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could 
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate 
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP 
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
    Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an 
application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the 
size of the application and the speed of your internet connection. 
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the submission process through 
Grants.gov.
    Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and 
submission to: Grants.gov Customer Support, Contact Center Phone: 800 
518-4726, Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time, E-
mail: grants.gov">support@grants.gov.
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of 
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been 
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above 
deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the 
application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the 
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible.
    Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon 
the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify you 
upon receipt of electronic applications.
    It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via 
the Grants.gov Web portal to ensure that proposals have been received 
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for 
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

(V.) Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process
    The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the 
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible 
proposals will be reviewed by the program office. Eligible proposals 
will be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and 
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review.

[[Page 80884]]

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. Quality of Program Plan and Ability to Achieve Program 
Objectives: Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision, 
and relevance to the Bureau's mission as well as the objectives of the 
English Language Materials Training and Development Program. 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 and intensive programs, and an 
understanding of international differences of culture, religion, and 
system of education.
    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 
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 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: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants. https://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 Web site--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.
    The recipient 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, DickerCL@state.gov.

[[Page 80885]]

    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/L-11-02.
    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: December 16, 2010.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2010-32272 Filed 12-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P