Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: International Sports Programming Initiative, 15145-15150 [05-5830]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 56 (Thursday, March 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15145-15150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5830]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5035]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: International Sports Programming Initiative

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/WHAEAP-05-54.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: May 2, 2005.

Executive Summary

    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for International Sports 
Programming Initiative. Public and private non-profit organizations 
meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 
U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to discuss approaches designed to 
enhance and improve the infrastructure of youth sports programs in the 
countries of Africa, South East Asia, Near East and North Africa, and 
South Asia with significant Muslim populations. The focus of all 
programs must be reaching out to youth ages 8-18. Programs designed to 
train elite athletes will not be considered. In Africa, the following 
countries are eligible: Senegal, Mali, Nigeria and Cameroon. In South 
East Asia eligible countries are: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, 
Philippines and Thailand. In the Near East and North Africa eligible 
countries are: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, 
Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen. Eligible 
countries in South Asia are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and 
Pakistan. Only single country projects are eligible.

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

    Overview: The Office of Citizen Exchanges welcomes proposals that 
directly respond to the following thematic areas. Given budgetary 
limitations, projects for other themes and other countries not listed 
below will not be eligible for consideration under the FY-2005 
International Sports Program Initiative. In Africa, eligible countries: 
Senegal, Mali, Nigeria and Cameroon. In South East Asia eligible 
countries are: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. 
In the Near East and North Africa eligible countries are: Algeria, 
Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, 
Tunisia, the West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen. Eligible countries in South 
Asia are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Only single 
country projects are eligible.

Themes

(1) Training Sports Coaches
    The World Summit on Physical Education (Berlin, 1999) stated that a 
``quality physical education helps children to develop the patterns of 
interest in physical activity, which are essential for healthy 
development and which lay the foundation for healthy, adult 
lifestyles.'' Coaches are critical to the accomplishment of this goal. 
A coach not only needs to be qualified to provide the technical 
assistance required by young athletes to improve, but must also 
understand how to aid a young person to discover how success in 
athletics can be translated into achievement in the development of life 
skills and in the classroom. Projects submitted in response to this 
theme would be aimed at aiding youth, secondary school and university 
coaches in the target countries in the development and implementation 
of appropriate training methodologies, through seminars and outreach. 
The goal is to ensure the optimal technical proficiency among the 
coaches participating in the program while also emphasizing the role 
sports can play in the long-term economic well being of youth.
(2) Youth Sports Management Exchange
    Exchanges funded under this theme would help American and foreign 
youth sport coaches, adult sponsors, and sports associations officials 
share their experience in managing and organizing youth sports 
activities, particularly in financially challenging circumstances, and 
would contribute to a better understanding of the role of sports as a 
significant factor in educational success. Americans are in a good 
position to convey to foreign counterparts the importance of linking 
success in sports to educational achievement and how these two factors 
can contribute to short-term and long-term economic prospects.
(3) Youth With Disability
    Exchanges supported by this theme are designed to promote and 
sponsor sports, recreation, fitness and leisure events for children and 
adults with physical disabilities. Project goals include improving the 
quality of life for people with disabilities by providing affordable 
inclusive sports and recreational experiences that build self-esteem 
and confidence, enhancing active participation in community life and 
making a significant contribution to the physical and psychological 
health of people with disabilities. Physically and developmentally 
challenged individuals will be fully included in the sports and 
recreation opportunities in their communities.
(4) Sports and Health
    Projects funded under this category will focus on effective and 
practical ways to use sport personalities and sports health 
professionals to increase awareness among young people of the 
importance of following a healthy life style to reduce illness, prevent 
injuries and speed rehabilitation and recovery. Emphasis will be on the 
responsibility of the broader community to support healthy behavior. 
The project goals are to promote and integrate scientific research, 
education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise 
science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, 
and quality of life. (Actual medical training and dispensing of 
medications are outside the purview of this theme.)

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $400,000.

[[Page 15146]]

    Approximate Number of Awards: Three.
    Approximate Average Award: $130,000.
    Floor of Award Range: $60,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $135,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, September 
15, 2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 30, 2007.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
    III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved grant 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 
that 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 proportionately to the contribution.
    III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: (a) Grants awarded to 
eligible organizations with less than four years of experience in 
conducting international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.
    (b) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following: directly address theme and focus on eligible countries. 
Failure will result in your proposal being declared technically 
ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

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 the Office of Citizens Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, room 220, U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
telephone number: 202-453-8163, fax number: 202-453-8169, 
HarveyRH@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number located at the top of this announcement 
when making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document that consists of required application forms, 
and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    Please specify Raymond H. Harvey and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number 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/education/rfgps/menu.htm. 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 twelve 
copies of the application should be sent per the instructions under 
IV.3e. ``Submission Dates and Times 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 for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. 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 grants under this RFGP will be third parties ``cooperating 
with or assisting the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor's 
program.'' The actions of grantee program 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 a grant 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 great 
emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J 
visa) Programs and adherence by grantee program 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 15147]]

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 or from: United States Department of State, Office 
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 401-9810, 
FAX: (202) 401-9809.
    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 project'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 project objectives. The Bureau expects that the grantee 
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 project's objectives, your 
anticipated project 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 project 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 project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals 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.)
    Grantees 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.3e. Please review the following information when preparing your 
budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. Awards will not exceed $135,000. 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:
    Travel costs: International and domestic airfares; visas; transit 
costs; ground transportation costs. Please note that all air travel 
must be in compliance with the Fly America Act. There is no charge for 
J-1 visas for participants in Bureau sponsored programs. Please note 
that Tibetan participants may not travel to the U.S. primarily for 
English language instruction.
    Per Diem: For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of 
using a flat $160/day for program participants or the published U.S. 
Federal per diem rates for individual American cities. For activities 
outside the U.S., the published Federal per diem rates must be used. 
NOTE: U.S. escorting staff must use the published Federal per diem 
rates, not the flat rate. Per diem rates may be accessed at https://
www.policyworks.gov/.
    Interpreters: If needed, interpreters for the U.S. program are 
available through the U.S. Department of State Language Services 
Division. Typically, a pair of simultaneous interpreters is provided 
for every four visitors who need

[[Page 15148]]

interpretation. Bureau grants do not pay for foreign interpreters to 
accompany delegations from their home country. Grant proposal budgets 
should contain a flat $160/day per diem for each Department of State 
interpreter, as well as home-program-home air transportation of $400 
per interpreter plus any U.S. travel expenses during the program. 
Salary expenses are covered centrally and should not be part of an 
applicant's proposed budget. Locally arranged interpreters with 
adequate skills and experience may be used by the grantee in lieu of 
State Department interpreters, with the same 1:4 interpreter to 
participant ratio. Costs associated with using their services may not 
exceed rates for U.S. Department of State interpreters.
    Book and cultural allowance: Foreign participants are entitled to 
and escorts are reimbursed a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per 
person, plus a participant book allowance of $50. U.S. program staff 
members are not eligible to receive these benefits.
    Consultants: Consultants may be used to provide specialized 
expertise, design or manage development projects or to make 
presentations. Honoraria generally do not exceed $250 per day. 
Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in which case the 
written agreement between the prospective grantee and subcontractor 
should be included in the proposal. Subcontracts should be itemized in 
the budget.
    Room rental: Room rental may not exceed $250 per day.
    Materials development: Proposals may contain costs to purchase, 
develop, and translate materials for participants.
    Equipment: Proposals may contain limited costs to purchase 
equipment crucial to the success of the program, such as computers, fax 
machines and copy machines. However, equipment costs must be kept to a 
minimum, and costs for furniture are not allowed.
    Working Meal: The grant budget may provide for only one working 
meal during the program. Per capita costs may not exceed $5-8 for a 
lunch and $14-20 for a dinner, excluding room rental. The number of 
invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a factor of 
two-to-one. Interpreters must be included as participants.
    Return travel allowance: A return travel allowance of $70 for each 
foreign participant may be included in the budget. This may be used for 
incidental expenses incurred during international travel.
    Health Insurance: Foreign participants will be covered under the 
terms of a U.S. Department of State-sponsored health insurance policy. 
The premium is paid by the U.S. Department of State directly to the 
insurance company. Applicants are permitted to include costs for travel 
insurance for U.S. participants in the budget.
    Administrative Costs: Costs necessary for the effective 
administration of the program may include salaries for grant 
organization employees, benefits, and other direct or indirect costs 
per detailed instructions in the proposal submission instructions.
    Please refer to the proposal submission instructions for complete 
budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times: Application Deadline Date: May 
2, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: In light of recent events and heightened 
security measures, proposal submissions must be sent via a nationally 
recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, 
Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.) 
and be shipped no later than the above deadline. The 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. 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. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of application. 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. 
Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package.
    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 twelve copies of the application should be sent 
to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/WHAEAP-05-54, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, 
Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    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.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal in text (.txt) format 
on a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will provide these files 
electronically to the appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. 
embassy(ies) for its(their) review.

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. The program 
office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where 
appropriate will review all proposals. 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 grants 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. Program Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives: Program 
objectives should be stated clearly and should reflect the applicant's 
expertise in the subject area and region. Objectives should respond to 
the priority topics in this announcement and should relate to the 
current conditions in the target country/countries. A detailed agenda 
and relevant work plan should explain how objectives will be achieved 
and should include a timetable for completion of major tasks. The 
substance of workshops, internships, seminars and/or consulting should 
be described in detail. Sample training schedules should be outlined.

[[Page 15149]]

Responsibilities of proposed in-country partners should be clearly 
described.
    2. Institutional Capacity: Proposals should include (1) the 
institution's mission and date of establishment; (2) detailed 
information about proposed in-country partner(s) and the history of the 
partnership; (3) an outline of prior awards-U.S. government and/or 
private support received for the target theme/country/region; and (4) 
descriptions of experienced staff members who will implement the 
program. The proposal should reflect the institution's expertise in the 
subject area and knowledge of the conditions in the target country/
countries. 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. Proposed personnel and institutional resources 
should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program's goals. The 
Bureau strongly encourages applicants to submit letters of support from 
proposed in-country partners.
    3. Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing: Overhead and administrative 
costs in the proposal budget, including salaries, honoraria and 
subcontracts for services, should be kept to a minimum. Priority will 
be given to proposals whose administrative costs are less than thirty 
(30) per cent of the total funds requested from the Bureau. Applicants 
are strongly encouraged to cost share a portion of overhead and 
administrative expenses. Cost sharing, including contributions from the 
applicant, proposed in-country partner(s), and other sources should be 
included in the budget request. Proposal budgets that do not reflect 
cost sharing will be deemed not competitive in this category.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities). Applicants should refer to the Bureau's 
Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines in the Proposal Submission 
Instructions (PSI) and the Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines 
section above for additional guidance.
    5. Post-Grant Activities: Applicants should provide a plan to 
conduct activities after the Bureau-funded project has concluded in 
order to ensure that Bureau-supported programs are not isolated events. 
Funds for all post-grant activities must be in the form of 
contributions from the applicant or sources outside of the Bureau. 
Costs for these activities should not appear in the proposal budget, 
but should be outlined in the narrative.
    6. Evaluation: Proposals should include a detailed plan to evaluate 
the program. Applicants must identify objectives that respond to our 
goals listed in the RFGP. Objectives should state what the concrete 
results of the program would be. Clearly stated objectives are needed 
to enable an evaluation plan to determine whether the program has done 
what it has set out to do. Applicant's staff must plan to evaluate the 
project's success, after each program phase and at the completion of 
the program activity. As part of the evaluation process, your 
evaluation plan should clearly distinguish between program outputs and 
outcomes. Outputs are the units of service (number of participants, 
number of events conducted, number of documents translated or 
distributed). Outcomes are the impacts on individual participants in 
the exchanges, the larger beneficiary audience, and institutional 
structures. Findings on outputs and outcomes should both be reported, 
but the focus should be on outcomes. The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the stronger will be the 
evaluation. The Bureau also requires that grantee institutions submit a 
final narrative and financial report.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. 
Successful applicants will receive an Assistance Award Document (AAD) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the original grant 
proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the 
only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. 
Government. The AAD 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 websites 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 two copies of 
the following reports:
    1. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    2. A program report should be submitted after a program phase.
    3. A financial report will be submitted quarterly.
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. 
(Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3.d.3) 
above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.
    All data collected, including survey responses and contact 
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request.
    All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Raymond H. Harvey, 
Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, Room 216, ECA/PE/C/WHAEAP-05-54, 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW.,

[[Page 15150]]

Washington, DC 20547, telephone number 202-453-8163, fax number 202-
453-8168, or HarveyRH@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/WHAEAP-05-54.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may 
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment 
on the part of the Government. 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: March 14, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-5830 Filed 3-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P