Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Mexico City Educational Advising for U.S. Study and Administration of the Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (MCAC) Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) Program, 25150-25156 [05-9491]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 91 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25150-25156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9491]


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

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5075]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Mexico City Educational Advising for U.S. Study and 
Administration of the Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (MCAC) 
Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) Program

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/A-06-02.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: Friday, July 8, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Global Educational Programs (ECA/
A/S) of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces 
an open competition for educational advising for U.S. study in Mexico 
City and for Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) services 
for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (MCAC). Public and 
private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions

[[Page 25151]]

described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may 
submit proposals. The Mexico City educational advising center would be 
part of the worldwide network of over 450 Department of State-
affiliated EducationUSA centers that provide comprehensive and unbiased 
information to interested students, scholars, and other members of the 
public and conduct outreach about accredited study opportunities in the 
U.S.
    The REAC-hosting organization facilitates the Regional 
Coordinator's provision of expertise and information in consultation 
with U.S. embassies and ECA. The REAC supports the network of 51 active 
U.S. Department of State-affiliated EducationUSA centers in Mexico, 
Central America, and the Caribbean (MCAC) by sharing information, 
developing outreach modules and supporting educational advisers in 
promoting U.S. higher education among broad audiences, including 
indigenous and underserved populations, communicating trends in U.S. 
education and international/regional exchanges, disseminating the 
latest developments in educational technology, and providing direct 
guidance through site visits, internships, training, and workshops in 
the region.

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: U.S. Department of State-affiliated EducationUSA advising 
centers guide students in their pursuit of educational opportunities in 
the United States and prepare them for direct exposure to American 
values, ideas, models, and traditions. They provide up-to-date, 
unbiased information on the range of accredited U.S. educational 
institutions and work to build mutual understanding between the United 
States and other countries through educational exchange.
    Department of State-affiliated overseas EducationUSA advising 
services operate in nearly five hundred locations around the world. The 
size of the university population in Mexico and its proximity to the 
U.S. make it a critical location for educational advising for U.S. 
study. An EducationUSA center provides general information about 
academic opportunities in the U.S., offers group informational sessions 
and individual advising, and conducts outreach to local institutions. 
EducationUSA advising centers also provide accurate information and 
advising assistance on the following topics: the U.S. education system; 
U.S. colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions; 
the application process to a U.S. university; majors and fields of 
study; testing requirements; life in the U.S.; visa application 
procedures; scholarship programs and financial aid; and pre-departure 
orientation.
    The Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) hosting 
organization will be responsible for providing on-site technical 
assistance and training to EducationUSA centers in the Mexico, Central 
America, and the Caribbean Region (MCAC) and for coordinating the 
establishment of any new EducationUSA centers, as directed by 
individual embassies in consultation with ECA/A/S/A. The REAC supports 
U.S. Department of State-affiliated EducationUSA centers located in the 
following countries and locations: Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, 
Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, 
Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, 
Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, 
Nevis, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The MCAC REAC 
organization should work impartially with all non-governmental 
organizations, binational centers (such as the Instituto Guatemalteco-
Americano or Centro Cultural Costarricense-Norteamericano), Public 
Affairs Sections located in U.S. embassies, consulates at U.S. 
embassies, universities, community colleges, libraries, and other 
organizations involved in educational advising to enable advisers to 
provide accurate and timely information on U.S. higher educational 
opportunities. The REAC must work closely with ECA/A/S/A and with 
Public Affairs Sections throughout the region to help establish 
priorities for educational advising.
    Advising Center Physical Description: The proposal should describe 
in detail the Mexico City EducationUSA center location, facilities 
(including size and capacity of public spaces), hours of operation, 
staffing pattern, (including percentage of time each employee will 
devote to advising activities, a description of each employee's 
function and responsibilities), a detailed budget, and a list of 
services provided by the center. Each month, the Mexico City center 
should be able to respond to over 4,000 information inquiries, 
including individual visits, telephone calls/faxes, and electronic 
communications. The proposal should also include a description of what 
methods the EducationUSA center and the grantee organization will 
pursue to supplement ECA funding of operating costs.
    Advising Center Outreach: EducationUSA advising centers are 
encouraged to reach diverse audiences by organizing lectures and events 
outside the center. These outreach activities provide general 
information about study opportunities in the United States and about 
additional services and resources offered at the center. Proposals 
should include a detailed description and schedule of outreach 
activities for the grant year. Activities should focus primarily on 
reaching audiences in economically challenged areas of Mexico. The 
EducationUSA center in Mexico City will coordinate outreach to broad 
audiences, including indigenous and underserved areas in Mexico, 
Central America, and the Caribbean with other EducationUSA centers in 
the region should funds become available for this purpose in 2006.
    The proposal should include information on the development and use 
of websites to support educational advising and the diffusion of 
information on U.S. study.
    Advising Center Statistics: EducationUSA centers located in Mexico, 
Central America, and the Caribbean submit monthly statistics to the 
Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean (MCAC) Regional Educational 
Advising Coordinator (REAC) on the number of office visitors. The 
statistics track visitors to the center, phone calls, faxes, letters, 
e-mail, and Web site hits. Centers also respond to requests for 
statistical analysis and anecdotal information from the MCAC REAC and 
ECA's Educational Information and Resources Branch. The proposal should 
discuss how the EducationUSA center will meet this requirement. The 
proposal should also explain how the

[[Page 25152]]

center would work with Public Affairs and Consular Affairs at the U.S. 
Embassy in Mexico City.
    Advising Center Fund-raising/Cost Defrayment: The proposal should 
explain the measures taken by the EducationUSA center to generate 
income and reduce operating costs. U.S. Department of State-affiliated 
EducationUSA centers must provide a general introduction to U.S. 
studies and access to basic resources to all interested persons free of 
charge. To help cover operation costs, the center may charge a fee for 
specialized services (e.g., in-depth individual advising, workshops to 
prepare students for U.S. higher education study, or test preparation 
materials). Fees must be set at reasonable local standards to keep 
services affordable to the majority of the population. Further examples 
of cost-defrayment strategies include charging visitors for 
certification of education documents and charging for printing or 
photocopying. The proposal should clearly indicate the use planned for 
savings or income generated through these activities.
    Advising Center Coordination/Communications: The Mexico City 
EducationUSA center should help coordinate major events, such as 
adviser training workshops and accredited U.S. college/university 
fairs. Coordination with other centers in the MCAC region, with Public 
Affairs offices in the region, and with COMEXUS (Fulbright Commission 
in Mexico) prevents duplication of efforts and assures U.S. college/
university representatives of the opportunity to participate in 
multiple advising fairs on one trip to the area. All advising events 
supported by the advising center should be carried out under the banner 
of EducationUSA with the knowledge of the MCAC REAC.
    The center participates in appropriate listservs and maintains 
contact with other centers in MCAC and in other regions. The center 
shares incidental educational research that may be of use to other 
centers.
    Advising Center Professional Standards, Guidelines, and 
Development: Educational advisers follow the Standards of Ethical 
Conduct adopted by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Every 
year, the Mexico City EducationUSA center will receive a collection of 
educational advising reference materials and announcements of training 
possibilities through ECA's Educational Information and Resources 
Branch.
    MCAC REAC Responsibilities: The MCAC REAC works closely with the 
Mexico City EducationUSA center and
    1. Plans and implements site visits to MCAC centers to provide 
training, to assess quality of center services and make recommendations 
for improvements, and to bestow candidate status for certification as a 
U.S. Department of State-affiliated EducationUSA center or to fully 
certify a center, depending on the center's self-assessment and 
compliance with U.S. Department of State-approved standards;
    2. Coordinates the regional effort to reach wide audiences, 
including underserved and indigenous communities with information on 
U.S. study opportunities;
    3. Offers research and guidance in response to specific questions 
related to educational advising, as requested by advising centers;
    4. Produces and maintains regional newsletter, website, electronic 
bulletin board and/or other methods of sharing information among 
centers, and oversees the REAC-MCAC regional listserv;
    5. Organizes and administers internship training programs for 
beginning and intermediate advisers to be held in one of the larger, 
well-staffed EducationUSA centers, as necessary;
    6. Conducts in-country and sub-regional workshops as needed, as 
determined in consultation with ECA/A/S/A and Public Affairs Sections;
    7. Consults with Public Affairs officers at U.S. embassies and ECA/ 
A/S/A on the direction of and priorities for educational advising in 
the region;
    8. Promotes the EducationUSA brand in conjunction with Public 
Affairs, Consular Affairs, Foreign Commercial Service, Fulbright 
Commissions and offices, and other international education entities in 
the region.
    REAC Qualifications:
    1. Fluent English and Spanish;
    2. Knowledge of educational advising programs and centers;
    3. Experience living and traveling in the region, and a 
demonstrated willingness and ability to undertake an ambitious travel 
schedule;
    4. Knowledge of the system of higher education in the U.S., 
including such issues as accreditation, distance learning, the 
admissions process, standardized testing, and financial aid;
    5. Organizational skills needed to administer both the internship 
programs and conferences;
    6. Excellent time management skills, communication skills, and 
computer/Internet/listserv skills;
    7. Experience in public speaking and in professional training 
activities;
    8. U.S. Citizenship.
    REAC Travel Plan: The coordinator plans an annual travel schedule 
in consultation with ECA/A/S/A (Educational Information and Resources 
Branch) and with EducationUSA centers and embassies to be visited, in 
order to conduct site visits consistent with ECA and Public Affairs 
Section priorities. The proposal should contain a tentative travel plan 
and should clearly delineate the ability of the organization to make 
reliable travel arrangements under adverse conditions as well as the 
willingness and ability of the REAC to undertake an active travel 
schedule.
    REAC Host Support: The proposal should describe all members of the 
REAC organization's proposed program staff, clearly demonstrating 
appropriate expertise. The organization should explain in detail the 
provisions it will take to maintain communication among the REAC, the 
advising centers, and ECA/A/S/A.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: Pending availability, up to $215,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: up to $215,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, October 1, 
2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2006.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years, 
before openly competing it again.
    The organization should prepare and submit two separate budgets, 
one for $135,000 and the second for $215,000 with budgeting for 
enhanced educational advising outreach to indigenous and underserved 
areas with REAC development of the outreach module and facilitation of 
small-scale adviser training in the region to conduct outreach.

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.

[[Page 25153]]

    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 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 awarding one grant, in an amount up 
to $215,000 to support program and administrative costs required to 
implement this exchange 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 the Educational Information and Resources Branch, 
Global Educational Programs Office, Room 349, U.S. Department of State, 
SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone 202-619-
4097, Fax 202-401-1433, frisbiejz@state.gov to request a Solicitation 
Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/A-06-02 
located at the top of this announcement when making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document, which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    Please specify Bureau Program Officer Jean Frisbie and refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/A-06-02 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/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 five 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.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

[[Page 25154]]

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 take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit 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. Applicants should 
submit two budgets and budget narratives; one for $135,000 for Mexico 
City educational advising and REAC hosting and a separate budget and 
budget narrative for $215,000 to show use of potential additional 
outreach and training funds described in I. Funding Opportunity 
Description, Advising Center Outreach, I. Funding Opportunity 
Description, MCAC REAC Responsibilities, and II. Award Information, 
Additional Information.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Salary and benefits
    (2) Budget for REAC travel and per diem
    (3) Costs for training materials
    (4) Costs for training events
    (5) Office supplies and expenses
    (6) Indirect costs
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times: Application Deadline Date: July 
8, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Due to 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 five copies of the application should be sent to:
    U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/S/A-06-02, 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.
    IV.3h. 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. All eligible 
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public 
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will 
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and 
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. 
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by 
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grants 
resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.

[[Page 25155]]

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/Ability to achieve program objectives: Detailed 
agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to 
the program overview and guidelines described above. Objectives should 
be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    2. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    3. Institution's 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 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.
    4. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    5. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity'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 
project objectives is recommended.
    6. 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.
    7. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects 
should receive positive assessments by the U.S. Department of State's 
geographic area desk and overseas officers of program need, potential 
impact, and significance in the partner country(ies).

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 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 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 two copies of 
the following reports:
    A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after the 
expiration of the award;
    REAC reports on visits to advising centers and on regional 
educational advising events to the Program Office (ECA/A/S/A) within 
three weeks of the visit or event.
    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: Jean Frisbie, 
Educational Information and Resources Branch, ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, ECA/
A/S/A-06-02, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, telephone 202-619-5434, FAX 202-401-1433, 
frisbiejz@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/A-06-02.
    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.


[[Page 25156]]


    Dated: May 5, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-9491 Filed 5-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P