Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: The Future Leaders Exchange Program: Host Family and School Placement, 55259-55264 [06-7937]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 183 (Thursday, September 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55259-55264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7937]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5551]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: The Future Leaders Exchange Program: Host Family and 
School Placement

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-07-06.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: December 4, 2006.

Executive Summary

SUMMARY: The Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the placement 
component of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program. 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 recruit and select host families and schools for high school 
students between the ages of 15 and 17 from countries of the former 
Soviet Union, thereafter referred to as Eurasia. This solicitation and 
the activities to which it refers, applies only to FLEX students from 
the following Eurasian countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, 
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, 
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
    In addition to identifying schools and screening, selecting, and 
orienting families, organizations will be responsible for: (1) 
Providing English language enhancement activities for a small 
percentage of students who are specially identified; (2) orienting all 
students at the local level; (3) providing support services for 
students; (4) arranging enhancement activities and skill-building 
opportunities; (5) assessing student performance and progress; (6) 
providing mid-year programming and re-entry training; and (7) 
evaluating project success. Preference will be given to those 
organizations that offer participants opportunities to develop 
leadership skills and raise their awareness of tolerance and social 
justice through community activities and networks. The award of grants 
and the number of students who will participate is subject to the 
availability of funding in fiscal year 2007.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: Overall grant making authority for this program is 
contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 
as amended, Public Law 87-256, 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.
    Overview: The Future Leaders Exchange Program seeks to provide 
1,200 high school students with an opportunity to live in the United 
States for the purpose of promoting democratic values and institutions 
throughout Eurasia. Participants will reside with

[[Page 55260]]

American host families and attend high school during the 2007-08 
academic year. In special situations, students may come to the U.S. for 
a short-term, rather than yearlong, program. Further details about such 
modifications are provided in the attached Project Objectives, Goals 
and Implementation (POGI) document.
    During the year, FLEX participants will be engaged in a variety of 
activities, such as community and school-based programs, skill-building 
workshops, and cultural events. Academic year 2007/2008 will be the 
fifteenth year of the FLEX program, with more than 15,000 students who 
have been awarded scholarships.
    Goals: The goals of the program are (1) to promote mutual 
understanding and foster a relationship between the people of Eurasia 
and the U.S.; (2) to assist the successor generation of Eurasian 
countries in developing the qualities it will need to lead in their 
aspirations for transformation in the 21st century; and (3) to promote 
democratic values and civic responsibility.
    Considering the specific focus of the FLEX program, the following 
outcomes will indicate a successful project:
    1. Participants will acquire an understanding of important elements 
of a civil society. This includes concepts such as volunteerism, the 
idea that American citizens can and do act at the grassroots level to 
deal with societal problems, and an awareness of and respect for the 
rule of law.
    2. Participants will acquire an understanding of a free market 
economy and private enterprise, including an awareness of privatization 
and an appreciation of the role of the entrepreneur in economic growth.
    3. Participants will develop an appreciation for American culture, 
an understanding of the diversity of American society and increased 
tolerance and respect for others with differing views and beliefs.
    4. Participants will interact with Americans and generate enduring 
ties.
    5. Participants will teach Americans about the cultures of their 
home countries.
    6. Participants will gain leadership capacity that will enable 
them, as FLEX alumni, to initiate activities in their home countries 
that focus on development and community service.
    Objectives: The immediate objectives of the FLEX program are:
     To place approximately 1,200 pre-selected high school 
students from Eurasian countries in qualified, well-motivated host 
families;
     To place students in schools that have been accredited by 
the respective State departments of education;
     To expose program participants to American culture and 
democracy that will enable them to attain a broad view of U.S. society 
and culture;
     To provide appropriate venues for program participants to 
share their culture, lifestyle and traditions with U.S. citizens;
     To provide participants with leadership training and 
opportunities that foster skills they can take back with them and use 
in their home countries; and
     To provide activities that will increase and enhance 
students' understanding of the importance of tolerance and respect for 
the views and beliefs of others in a civil society.
    Other Components: One organization has been awarded a grant to 
perform the following functions: Recruitment and selection of Eurasian 
students; assistance in documentation and preparation of DS-2019 visa 
forms; preparation of cross-cultural materials; pre-departure 
orientation; international travel from home to host community and 
return; facilitation of ongoing communication between the natural 
parents and placement organization, as needed; maintenance of a student 
database and provision of data to the U.S. Department of State; and 
ongoing follow-up with alumni after their return to Eurasia.
    Another organization is responsible for supporting students with 
disabilities. This involves a post-arrival orientation and reentry 
training as well as ongoing support throughout the year in order to 
help them cope with challenges specific to their circumstances. 
Placement organizations will be in direct communication with this 
organization, especially since some students with disabilities may need 
supplementary independence skills training early on in the program.
    Guidelines: Applicants are requested to submit a narrative 
outlining a comprehensive strategy for the administration and 
implementation of the placement component of the FLEX program including 
the identification of host families and schools; organization of post-
arrival orientation programming; placement of students, as needed, in 
pre-academic intensive English program; enrichment programming; 
monitoring and supporting participants; and evaluation. Specific 
responsibilities are as follows:
    (1) Recruitment, screening, selection, and Eurasia/FLEX-specific 
orientation of host families;
    (2) enrollment in an accredited school;
    (3) post-arrival orientation for participants;
    (4) placement of a small number of students with disabilities;
    (5) pre-program specialized English language tutoring for pre-
selected students who require focused preparation for their academic 
year;
    (6) specialized training of local staff and volunteers to work with 
FLEX students from Eurasia;
    (7) preparation and dissemination of materials to students 
pertaining to the respective placement organization;
    (8) dispersal of program-specific information, such as alumni 
activity reports and Host Family and School Administrator handbooks, to 
respective persons involved with the program (e.g., host families, 
school administrators, local coordinators);
    (9) program-related enhancement and leadership training activities;
    (10) troubleshooting;
    (11) communication with the organizations conducting other program 
components, when appropriate;
    (12) evaluation of the students' performance;
    (13) quarterly evaluation of the organization's success in 
achieving program goals;
    (14) mid-year orientations to assess progress; and
    (15) Eurasia-specific re-entry training to prepare students for 
readjustment to their home environments.
    Applicants must request a grant for the placement of at least 30 
students. There is no ceiling on the number of students who may be 
placed by one organization. Placements may be in any region of the U.S. 
Strong preference will be given to organizations that choose to place 
participants in clusters of at least three students. Please refer to 
the Solicitation Package, available on request from the address listed 
below, for details on essential program elements, permissible costs, 
and criteria used to select and place students.
    We anticipate grants beginning no later than April 2007, subject to 
the availability of funds.
    Most participants arrive in their host communities during the month 
of August and remain for 10 or 11 months until their departure during 
the period mid-May to late June 2008. Students with disabilities and 
students requiring supplementary English language instruction may 
arrive at the end of July.
    Administration of the program must be in compliance with reporting 
and withholding regulations for Federal, State, and local taxes as 
applicable. Recipient organizations should demonstrate tax regulation 
adherence in the proposal narrative and budget.
    Applicants should submit the health and accident insurance plans 
they

[[Page 55261]]

intend to use for students on this program. If use of a private plan is 
proposed, the State Department will compare that plan with the Bureau 
plan and make a determination of which will be applicable.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: New Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2007.
    Approximate Total Funding: $6,625,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 10-15 grants.
    Average Grant Award: Dependent on the number of proposed students, 
total amount not to exceed $5,500 per student; a minimum award is 
approximately $165,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: April 2007, pending availability of funds.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: August 2008.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew grants awarded under this competition for at 
least two additional fiscal years, before openly competing it again.

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 which are claimed as your contribution, as 
well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are 
subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-
kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110, 
(Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost Sharing and Matching. In the event you do 
not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the 
approved budget, ECA's contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
    III. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements: Bureau grant guidelines 
require that organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau 
funding. ECA will award grants in amounts exceeding $60,000,which will 
cover costs to support and monitor a minimum of 30 students. 
Consequently, 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 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 Youth Programs, ECA/PE/C/PY, Room 568, U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
telephone (202) 203-7527, and fax (202) 203-7529, e-mail Judy Nowlin at 
NowlinJR@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY-07-06 located at the top of 
this announcement when making your request.
    Alternatively, an electronic application package may be obtained 
from https://www.grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f for further 
information.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document, which consists of required application 
forms and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria 
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify Bureau Program Officer Anna Mussman 
(MussmanAP@state.gov) and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/
PE/C/PY-07-06) 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 8 copies of 
the application should be sent per the instructions under IV.3e. 
``Application Deadline and Methods of Submissions'' section below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget. Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It 
contains the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document 
and the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) 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 62, which covers 
the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa program). 
Under the terms of 22 CFR 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

[[Page 55262]]

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 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 62. If your organization has experience as a 
designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should 
discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR 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.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for 
issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program. A copy of the 
complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor 
(J) programs is available at https://exchanges.state.gov 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) 203-5029, fax: (202) 453-8640.
    IV.3.d.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. Monitoring: 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 that will be used 
to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects 
that the grantee will track participants and be able to respond to key 
monitoring questions throughout the year, particularly on effects of 
the program on program participants, their host families and 
communities.
    Successful monitoring depends heavily on setting clear goals and 
outcomes at the outset of a program. Your monitoring plan should 
include a description of your project's objectives and how and when you 
intend to measure these outcomes. You should also show how your project 
objectives link to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Overall, the quality of your monitoring plan will be judged on how 
well it specifies successes and challenges. Grantees will be required 
to provide reports analyzing their monitoring 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.
    Evaluation: The Bureau's Office of Policy and Evaluation will 
conduct evaluations of the FLEX program through E-GOALS, its online 
system for surveying program participants and collecting data about 
program performance. These evaluations assist ECA and its program 
grantees in meeting the requirements of the Government Performance 
Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. This Act requires Federal agencies to 
measure the results of their programs in meeting pre-determined 
performance goals and objectives.
    All FLEX program participants will take three online surveys:
    1. Standardized pre-program surveys, at the beginning of the 
program;
    2. Standardized post-program surveys, at the end of the program and 
before their return home; and
    3. Standardized follow-up surveys, approximately six months to a 
year after the conclusion of the program.
    These surveys help ECA assess: Student satisfaction with the 
program; student attitudes and views; the extent of learning and skill 
development (including leadership); reliance on new learning and skills 
in their studies, at work, and in their communities; and their efforts 
to share new ideas, knowledge, and insights with citizens in their home 
countries.
    Since organizations play a critical role in facilitating E-GOALS 
evaluations of FLEX participants, it is imperative that applicants 
include a plan to ensure that FLEX students complete the post-program 
surveys while they are still on program and prior to their departure 
from the United States; this includes monitoring the response rate 
through collection of a certificate issued by the system to each 
student upon completion of the survey. The grantee will be working 
directly with an E-GOALS evaluator in the Office of Policy and 
Evaluation. Please see specific responsibilities in the accompanying 
Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    1V.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. Per capita costs are not to exceed $5,500 per 
participant. The budget must reflect costs for a minimum of 30 
participants. Please indicate clearly the number of students funded. 
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 and additional budget 
guidance are outlined in detail in the POGI document.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application deadline and methods of submission.
    Application deadline date: December 4, 2006.
    Reference number: ECA/PE/C/PY-07-06.

[[Page 55263]]

    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 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 Applications. Applications must be 
shipped no later than the above deadline. Delivery services used by 
applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping identification and 
tracking systems that may be accessed via the Internet and delivery 
people who are identifiable by commonly recognized uniforms and 
delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or before the above deadline 
but received at ECA more than seven days after the deadline will be 
ineligible for further consideration under this competition. Proposals 
shipped after the established deadlines are ineligible for 
consideration under this competition. ECA will not notify upon receipt 
of application. It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure that 
each package is marked with a legible tracking number and to monitor/
confirm delivery to ECA via the Internet. Delivery of proposal packages 
may not be made via local courier service or in person for this 
competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Only 
proposals submitted as stated above will be considered.
    Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure to 
include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it in an 
envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.
    The original and eight (8) 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/PY-07-06, 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.3f.2. Submitting electronic applications. Applicants have the 
option of submitting proposals electronically through Grants.gov 
(https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation packages are available 
at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the system. Please follow the 
instructions available in the ``Get Started'' portion of the site 
(https://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.) of the closing date to 
ensure that their entire application has been uploaded to the 
grants.gov site. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of 
the application deadline date will be technically ineligible.
    Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon 
the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify you 
upon receipt of electronic applications.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

    V.1. Review process: The Bureau will review all proposals for 
technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do 
not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
program office, 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 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 Management and Planning: Your proposal narrative should 
exhibit originality, substance, and relevance to the Bureau's mission 
as well as to the goals of the FLEX program. The level of creativity, 
resources, and effectiveness will be primary factors for review. 
Proposals should demonstrate an understanding of Eurasian countries and 
of the needs of students from this region, as related to the program. 
Proposals should also indicate how students will be monitored, trained 
and prepared for their role as FLEX alumni. Reviewers will assess the 
degree in which proposals engage participants in community activities 
that involve skills development and leadership training. They will also 
assess proposed activities that foster tolerance and social justice. 
Proposals should indicate clearly the capacity and willingness to 
provide short-term programming for some students if this becomes 
necessary. A detailed agenda and work plan should adhere to the program 
overview and guidelines described in the solicitation package.
    2. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. With respect to anticipated program 
outcomes, reviewers will assess the degree to which the proposed 
outcomes of the project are realistic and measurable. Strategies should 
creatively utilize and reinforce activities to ensure an efficient use 
of program resources.
    3. 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. Reviewers will assess ways in which proposals include 
innovative ways to involve students in their U.S. communities and 
substantive plans to prepare them for their role as active, effective 
FLEX alumni.
    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, host families, schools, program venue and program 
evaluation) and program content (orientations, program meetings, 
resource materials and follow-up activities).
    5. Organization's record/institutional capacity: Proposed personnel 
and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to 
achieve the program or project's goals. In assessing institutional 
capacity, reviewers will assess the applicant and its partners to 
determine if they offer adequate resources, expertise, and experience 
to fulfill program objectives. Partner activities should be clearly 
defined. Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of 
successful exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management 
and full compliance with all reporting and J-1 Visa requirements for 
past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grant Staff. The Bureau will 
consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated 
potential of new applicants.
    6. Project monitoring and evaluation: Proposals should include a 
plan to monitor the activity's success, both as the activities unfold 
and at the end of

[[Page 55264]]

the program. Reviewers will assess your plans to monitor student 
progress and program activities, particularly in regard to intended 
outcomes indicated in your proposal. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit quarterly reports, which should be included as an 
inherent component of the work plan. Proposals should also specify ways 
in which students will be encouraged and monitored to ensure they 
complete the mandatory end-of-the-year surveys administered through the 
E-GOALS system.
    7. Cost-effectiveness/cost sharing: Reviewers will analyze the 
budget for clarity and cost-effectiveness. They will also assess the 
rationale of the proposed budget and whether the allocation of funds is 
appropriate to complete tasks outlined in the project narrative. 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. Preference will be given to 
organizations whose proposals demonstrate a quality, cost-effective 
program.

VI. Award Administration Information

    VI.1a. Award notice: 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, ``Cost Principles for 
Educational Institutions.''
OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian 
Governments.''
OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative Requirements 
for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, 
Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants-
in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and Non-
profit Organizations.

    Please reference the following Web sites for additional 
information: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants, https://
exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.
    VI.3. Reporting requirements: You must provide ECA with a hard copy 
original plus one copy of the following reports:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) Quarterly program and financial reports which should include 
both quantitative and qualitative data you have available.
    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.
    VI.4. Program data requirements: Organizations awarded grants will 
be required to maintain specific data on program participants and 
activities in an electronically accessible database format that can be 
shared with the Bureaus required.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Anna Mussman, 
Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C/PY, Room 568, U.S. Department of 
State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547. Telephone: 
(202) 203-7506, fax number: (202) 203-7529, Internet address: 
MussmanAP@state.gov. All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this 
RFGP should reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/PY-07-06.
    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: September 13, 2006.
Dina Habib Powell,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 06-7937 Filed 9-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P