Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Africa Workforce Development, 16400-16405 [E6-4744]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 62 (Friday, March 31, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16400-16405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4744]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5358]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Africa Workforce Development

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/NEAAF-06-60.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.

    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: May 18, 2006.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, 
announces an open competition for grants to support programs promoting 
``Africa Workforce Development'' through professional exchanges and 
collaboration. In carrying out a proposed program, roughly equal 
numbers of participants should travel between the U.S. and the focus 
African country. U.S. 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 develop and implement programs 
of exchange, collaboration and training that involve participants from 
Sub-Saharan Africa, including consultations, planning, and training 
conducted both in Sub-Saharan Africa and in the United States. These 
U.S. organizations should provide evidence of relevant expertise in 
Sub-Saharan Africa. Up to two grants not exceeding $200,000 each may be 
awarded.

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 the Conference Report accompanying the FY-2006 Science, State, 
Justice, Commerce Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 109-108) which earmarks 
$400,000 to support Africa Workforce Development.
    Purpose: The Bureau seeks proposals for exchange programs on 
African Workforce Development. In pursuit of that goal, proposals 
should also build a relevant professional partnership between the 
applicant organization and its African colleagues. Also, in carrying 
out the proposed program, roughly equal numbers of African and U.S. 
participants should travel between the U.S. and the focus African 
country and for roughly equal time periods. U.S.-African partnership is 
emphasized as a mutually beneficial, direct and efficient method of 
promoting this goal. Partnerships promote the interests and long-term 
commitment of African and American participants going beyond U.S. 
government financing. The Bureau encourages applicants to consider 
carefully the choice of target countries. Applicants should research 
the work of development agencies (such as USAID, UN agencies) on the 
target themes, and select countries for which there has been limited 
investment on the issue. Applicants are encouraged to contact the 
Public Affairs Sections (PAS) in U.S. Embassies in Africa, and the 
Office of Citizen Exchanges, to discuss proposed activities and their 
relevance to mission priorities.
    It is the Bureau's intention to allocate one grant for work with 
South Africa and one grant for work in one of the following countries: 
Angola, Ethiopia, Liberia, or Sierra Leone. Therefore, proposals should 
focus on either South Africa or one of these four other countries, and 
each proposal should clearly identify the single country with which it 
would work. The Bureau offers the following programming ideas and 
suggestions.
    Africa Workforce Development: The purpose of this program is to 
enhance Workforce Development efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa through 
Citizen Exchanges. ECA has set the following broad goals for the 
program this year:
     To help foster a more productive and fully employed 
workforce in Africa through collaboration between U.S. and African 
workforce development specialists;
     To develop professional and personal linkages between 
African and U.S. host institutions and communities that will lead to 
sustained collaboration in workforce development;
     To promote mutual understanding between cultures and 
societies in the U.S. and Africa.
    The Office realizes that there are many different approaches to 
workforce development, and it is open to a wide variety of program 
plans. However, in order to be eligible for consideration, each 
proposal must explain its methodology for assessing workforce 
development needs and explain how its choice of needs to be addressed 
in the proposed program is relevant to the focus country. In addition, 
the Office recommends that each applicant consider addressing the 
following objectives in its plan when they are relevant to the chosen 
country:
     Assist citizens in making the transition from academia to 
the workforce;
     Assist citizens in learning skills and attitudes which 
make them more employable;
     Guide citizens in seeking jobs and in carrying them out 
satisfactorily;
     Assist Africans in identifying workforce needs and 
developing plans to ameliorate those needs;
     Develop programs which are adaptable to local and 
individual needs; and
     Develop programs that will attract and maintain the 
attention of citizens, encouraging their initiative and commitment.
    South Africa poses a different challenge in workforce development 
from other African countries. For example, a substantial effort is 
already underway in entrepreneurial skills training. By contrast, an 
area that is weaker is that of market analysis to identify new areas in 
which to build businesses, especially in manufacturing and trade, and 
how to guide the unemployed workforce into new businesses. Given the 
favorable trade status that South Africa currently enjoys with the 
U.S., it would be valuable to develop skills in identifying 
opportunities for new businesses and in starting such new businesses 
that would lead to new jobs.

[[Page 16401]]

    Thus, proposals for South Africa should emphasize developing a 
class of ``middle-men'' in relatively disadvantaged communities who can 
identify export market potential, particularly building on the AGOA 
market-opening opportunities, and guide the development of new 
businesses for those opportunities. Of particular value would be plans 
to promote the talents of those who can bridge government-supported 
programs in skills development and small-scale entrepreneurship, 
linking them into new sales opportunities overseas, in order to create 
new jobs.
    The commitment of African partners will be essential to long-term 
program success, and applicants should consider the possibility of 
selecting African partners through a competitive process to assess 
their commitment and capability.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in this 
program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: $400,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 2.
    Approximate Average Award: $200,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, September 
22, 2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 2008.

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: Proposals that clearly 
demonstrate significant cost sharing--with 20% of the amount requested 
from ECA as the preferred minimum--will be judged more competitive.
    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, grantees must maintain written records to support all 
costs that are claimed as cost sharing, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event the grantee does not provide the 
minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, 
the Bureau's contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
    III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: a. Bureau policy stipulates 
that grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000. Since this competition seeks grantees that will 
conduct projects with Bureau support of approximately $200,000, 
applicants with less than four years of international exchange 
experience will not be eligible.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: 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.


    IV.1 Contact Information to Request an Application Package: To 
obtain an application package for this competition, please see IV.2 
below. To get other information, contact one of the officers listed in 
Section VII below near the end of this announcement.
    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 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. Failure to do so may lead to 
the proposal being declared technically ineligible. The application 
should be sent per the instructions under IV.3e. ``Submission Dates and 
Times section'' below.
    IV.3a. Applicants 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. Failure to adhere to all of 
these requirements may lead to the proposal being declared technically 
ineligible.
    IV.3c. Applicants must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the 
time of application. If the applicant is a private nonprofit 
organization which has not received a grant or cooperative agreement 
from ECA in the past three years, or if the applicant received 
nonprofit status from the IRS within the past four years, it must 
submit the necessary documentation to verify nonprofit status as 
directed in the PSI document. Failure to do so will cause the 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 the applicant has experience as a 
designated Exchange

[[Page 16402]]

Visitor Program Sponsor, the proposal 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, recordkeeping, 
reporting and other requirements. Africans funded to any extent for 
travel to the United States on this program must obtain J visas. The 
Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for issuing DS-
2019 forms to apply for J visas.
    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 Fourth 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. 
Also, 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 fullest extent deemed feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation: Proposals must contain 
an evaluation plan that describes how the applicant organization 
intends to gather and analyze data on the project's effectiveness in 
achieving its outcomes. To be competitive, evaluation plans will 
include the following five components:
    a. A restatement of anticipated outcomes;
    b. A list of data the applicant would collect in order to assess 
progress toward each outcome;
    c. A description of how the applicant would collect the information 
(for example, through surveys);
    d. A draft timeline for collecting data;
    e. Draft questionnaires, surveys, focus group questions, or other 
instruments with which the applicant would gather quantitative and 
qualitative data. Proposals should indicate how each instrument would 
provide information on progress toward each project outcome.
    f. A statement of the methodology to be used in analyzing the data 
and drawing conclusions.
    Statement of Anticipated Outcomes: Proposals should indicate the 
category of each outcome such as participant satisfaction, participant 
learning, participant behavior, or institutional change. See examples 
below.
    Data to Be Collected: Each proposal should list the data that the 
applicant would collect. Applicants may use quantitative data or 
qualitative data to measure progress toward outcomes. Below are 
examples of data that applicants might collect for each type of outcome 
as well as sample survey questions that applicants might use to gather 
this data:
    Example 1:
    Outcome: Participants are satisfied with the exchange experience.
    Outcome type: Participant Satisfaction.
    Data to be collected: Percentage of participants who express 
satisfaction with the exchange experience based on an average of 
several factors.
    Sample question: On a scale of one to five (1 = very dissatisfied, 
5 = very satisfied), please rate your satisfaction with (a) project 
administration, (b) content, (c) variety of experiences, (d) relevance 
to professional or educational development.
    Example 2:
    Outcome: Participants increase their abilities to analyze workforce 
development needs in their home communities.
    Outcome type: Participant Learning.
    Data to be collected: Percent of participants who improved their 
understanding of workforce development concepts and their ability to 
design relevant projects.
    Sample question: On a scale of one to four (1 = no or very limited 
ability, 4 = substantial ability), please rate your ability in the 
following areas: (a) Knowledge of workforce development concepts, (b) 
methodology to analyze workforce needs, (c) design and management of 
workforce development classes, (c) community outreach, (d) resource 
management.
    Example 3:
    Outcome: Participants increase their participation and/or 
responsibility in community or civil society.
    Outcome type: Participant Behavior.
    Data to be collected: Percent of participants who increase their 
participation or level of responsibility.
    Sample question: As a direct result of your participation in the 
exchange, have you done or received any of the following in your 
community (answer yes or no to each item): (a) Assumed a leadership 
role or position in your community, (b) organized or initiated new 
activities or projects in your community, (c) established a new 
organization in your community.
    Example 4:
    Outcome: Increased collaboration and linkages.
    Outcome type: Institutional changes.
    Data to be collected: Percent of participants who establish or 
continue professional collaboration.
    Sample question: Have you established or continued any professional 
collaboration that grew out of your exchange experience? (Answer yes or 
no).
    Methods and Timeline: Applicant organizations should plan to gather 
data a minimum of three times during the project in order to assess 
progress: (1) Before exchange activities, (2) mid-term in the program, 
and (3) as a follow-up (approximately three-to-six months after 
exchange activities are completed). The exact timing depends on the 
nature of the project itself. Proposals should plan grant durations of 
sufficient length to collect follow-up information.
    Applicants should consider the timing of data collection for each 
level of outcome. For example, grantees may measure participant 
learning at the end of an activity since this is a shorter-term 
outcome. Behavioral and institutional outcomes are longer-term, and it 
might not be possible to assess them adequately until a follow-up 
survey. Pre-program surveys should collect baseline data as 
appropriate.
    Draft data collection instruments: Proposals should include sample 
surveys, lists of questions, or other instruments that the applicant 
organization proposes to use. Applicants should include samples of 
instruments they would use during each

[[Page 16403]]

evaluation activity (pre-program, post-program, and follow-up).
    Evaluation plans should describe how the applicant will tabulate 
data, where the data will be kept, and who will have access to such 
data. Interim and final reports should provide summary data in tabular 
and graphic form as well as tabulated raw data. ECA may ask for 
immediate notice of information that indicates significant progress or 
delay in achieving outcomes. 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. Budget: Please take the following information into 
consideration when preparing the proposal budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. That budget must include a summary budget as well as 
breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets. 
Applicants are encouraged to provide separate sub-budgets for each 
program component, phase, location, or activity to provide 
clarification, as such details demonstrate good planning and often help 
proposal reviewers to understand financial planning.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following: (1) 
Direct Program Expenses (including general program expenses, such as 
orientation and program-related supplies, educational materials, 
traveling campaigns, consultants, interpreters, and room rental; and 
participant program expenses, such as domestic and international travel 
and per diem).
    (2) Administrative Expenses, including indirect costs (i.e. 
salaries, telephone/fax, and other direct administrative costs).
    (3) Travel costs for visa processing purposes: All foreign 
participants coming to the United States with funding by any grant 
agreement resulting from this competition must travel on J-1 visas. 
Failure to secure a J-1 visa for the foreign participant will preclude 
charging the participant's cost to the grant agreement. Participants 
will apply for J-1 visas only after the Office of Citizen Exchanges and 
the mission Public Affairs Section or consulate have approved their 
participation in this program. The Office of Citizen Exchanges will 
issue the necessary DS-2019 forms and deliver them to foreign program 
visitors through the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section (PAS). All J 
visas for African program visitors must be distributed by the PAS in 
the target country, so proposals should include costs for potential 
participants to travel to those Posts to pick up DS-2019 forms and for 
visa interviews and processing.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: Thursday, May 18, 2006.
    Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/NEAAF-06-60.
    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 Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
    IV.3f.1. Submitting Printed Hard-Copy Applications:
    Due to heightened security measures, hard-copy 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. Important note: 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 ten 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/NEAAF-06-60, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, 
Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    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 (http:/
/www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.) of the closing date to 
ensure that their entire applications have been uploaded to the 
grants.gov site. 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 
separately upon receipt of electronic applications.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.
    For hard-copy submissions, 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 and/or consulate 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 Affairs 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 assistance

[[Page 16404]]

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. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission.
    2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Each 
proposal must explain its methodology for assessing workforce 
development needs and explain how its choice of needs to be addressed 
in the proposed program is relevant to the focus country. Also, there 
should be evidence that relevant work of other agencies (e.g., USAID 
and UN agencies) has been considered. Agenda and plan should adhere to 
the program overview and guidelines described above.
    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    5. 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).
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    7. Institution's Record/Ability: The Bureau will consider the past 
performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new 
applicants. To the extent possible, 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.
    8. Post-grant Plan: Proposals should provide a plan for continued 
follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that Bureau-
supported programs are not isolated events.
    9. 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. This plan should follow the guidance given above in 
IV.3d.3.
    10. Cost-effectiveness: 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.
    11. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions. Per III.2 above, proposals that clearly demonstrate 
significant cost sharing--with 20% of the amount requested from ECA as 
the preferred minimum--will be judged more competitive.
    12. 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.

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 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. Quarterly program and financial reports.
    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 one of the 
following: (a) James E. Ogul, Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C/
NEA-AF, Room 216 U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: 202-453-8161, Fax: 202-453-8168, E-
mail address: ogulje@state.gov, or (b) Curtis E. Huff, Office of 
Citizen Exchanges, same address, telephone 202-453-8159, E-mail 
address: HuffCE@state.gov. All correspondence with the Bureau 
concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number ECA/
PE/C/NEAAF-06-60.
    Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff 
may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal 
review process has been completed.

[[Page 16405]]

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 27, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E6-4744 Filed 3-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P