Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: U.S.-French Teachers-in-Training Program, 17755-17761 [E9-8645]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 72 (Thursday, April 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17755-17761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8645]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6582]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: U.S.-French Teachers-in-Training Program

Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/X-09-02.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
Application Deadline: June 4, 2009.

    Executive Summary: The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch in the 
Office of Global Educational Programs of the U.S. Department of State's 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/S/X) announces an 
open competition for the U.S.-French Teachers-in-Training Program. 
Accredited, U.S. post-secondary educational institutions meeting the 
provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 
501(c)(3) may submit proposals to administer a three-month teacher 
exchange program for U.S. and French beginning teachers. The program 
will provide approximately 25 French pre-service teachers with a three-
week orientation to American history, culture and society, provided 
through seminars in an academic setting, and a nine-week practical 
component, provided through practice teaching experience under the 
guidance of experienced mentor teachers at a U.S. secondary school. The 
program will also integrate a professional development seminar with 
other program activities throughout the practical teaching period. 
Proposals should document strong contacts with local school districts 
in the United States to demonstrate the ability to provide the 
practical student-teaching component for French pre-service teachers. 
Proposals should also demonstrate the ability to conduct a substantive 
professional development seminar in an academic setting.
    The program will also provide for exchange visits to France for 
U.S. beginning teachers and students preparing for teaching careers. In 
cooperation with the French Ministry of Education and the Conference of 
Directors of the University Institutes for Teacher Training 
(Conf[eacute]rence des directeurs d'IUFM), and with support from the 
Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange (Fulbright 
Commission), the cooperating institution will recruit and select 
approximately 15 U.S. pre-service or in-service teachers, and provide a 
pre-departure orientation in the U.S. The French partners will arrange 
an in-country orientation, French language training, and a three-month 
student teaching internship for U.S. teachers with funds that will be 
provided separately. The program for French teachers will run from 
January to March 2010. The U.S. program should be planned for fall 
2010. The total award for all program and administrative expenses 
covered under the agreement will be approximately $375,000.

[[Page 17756]]

I. Funding Opportunity Description

I.1. 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.

I.2. Purpose

    Overview:
I.2a. Program Goals
    1. Contribute to mutual understanding between France, a key U.S. 
partner and ally, and the United States.
    2. Provide French teachers-in-training, especially those who plan 
to teach in diverse schools, a better understanding of U.S. society, 
history, and culture.
    3. Provide opportunities for students in French schools to learn 
first-hand about U.S. society, history and culture from beginning and 
future American teachers.
    4. Expose U.S. beginning and student teachers to a greater 
understanding of another culture, society, and educational system.
    5. Provide opportunities for both French and U.S. teachers to 
develop teaching skills in a different educational environment.
    6. Provide opportunities for schools in France and in the United 
States to develop long-lasting ties and to share educational best 
practices, including strategies for teaching in multi-cultural, mixed-
ability classrooms.
    This program is expected to assist French and American educators as 
they prepare students to live in an increasingly interdependent world.
I.2b. French Participants
    French participants will be in their first year of practical 
teaching and will be expected to pass their final practical examination 
in France in early June 2010. It is anticipated that many of the 
participants will teach in schools that serve economically 
disadvantaged and/or diverse socio-economic sectors.
I.2c. U.S. Participants
    U.S. participants will be undergraduate or graduate students in 
education, recent graduates with education degrees, or first-year 
teachers. All U.S. participants must be new teachers or in an advanced 
stage of preparations to become teachers. The cooperating institution 
will recruit and select U.S. participants in a nationwide search in 
coordination with the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch, the Fulbright 
Commission, the French Embassy, the Conference of Directors of the 
University Institutes for Teacher Training (Conf[eacute]rence des 
directeurs d'IUFM), and the French Ministry of Education. U.S. 
participants may teach any subject, but some proficiency in the French 
language is a requirement. As a whole, U.S. participants should reflect 
the diversity of American society (including, but not limited to 
geographic, gender, racial, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity).
I.2d. Guidelines
    The cooperating institution should conduct a short planning visit 
to France to consult with representatives from the Fulbright 
Commission, the French Ministry of Education, the Conference of 
Directors of the University Institutes for Teacher Training 
(Conf[eacute]rence des directeurs d'IUFM), the U.S. Embassy, and local 
educators. Based on assessments made during this planning visit, the 
cooperating institution will develop a detailed schedule and curriculum 
in consultation with the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch for the 
U.S.-based program and will discuss with French partners the 
development of the program for U.S. participants. The cooperating 
institution, in consultation with the Ministry of Education, should 
develop a process that will assist French participants to receive 
official recognition by the French Ministry of Education for their 
participation in this program.
I.2e. Cooperating Institution's Responsibilities for French 
Participants
     Plan and implement the exchange program, including both 
the academic and practical components;
     Identify school districts to host groups for internships 
(schools should submit a brief proposal outlining their interest, 
understanding of goals, examples of best practices, and commitment to 
mentoring). School districts should be within driving distance of the 
host university. Schools should designate an experienced mentor teacher 
to oversee the day-to-day activities of the participants;
     Arrange Washington, DC program;
     Assist with and attend pre-departure orientation in 
France;
     Conduct debriefing in the U.S.;
     Prepare DS-2019 forms for participants in this program 
under a Bureau SEVIS program number;
     Administer logistics for French participants: 
transportation to local schools and training sites, enrollment in 
Bureau health insurance program, assistance with U.S. tax, social 
security, and other government forms;
     Arrange for housing.
I.2f. Cooperating Institution's Responsibilities for U.S. Participants
     Recruit and select U.S. participants in consultation with 
the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch, the Fulbright Commission, the 
Conference of Directors of the University Institutes for Teacher 
Training (Conf[eacute]rence des directeurs d'IUFM), and the French 
Ministry of Education;
     Facilitate pre-departure orientation in the U.S.;
     Arrange travel of U.S. participants: Purchase airline 
tickets and enrollment in Bureau health insurance for U.S. 
participants.
I.2g. General Responsibilities
     Coordinate with various partners, including the Fulbright 
Commission, the French Ministry of Education, the Conference of 
Directors of the University Institutes for Teacher Training 
(Conf[eacute]rence des directeurs d'IUFM), and the Fulbright Teacher 
Exchange Branch in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
regarding all activities, reporting and evaluation (the proposal should 
address mechanisms for communication and coordination);
     Monitor and evaluate the program;
     Administer all financial aspects of the program and comply 
with reporting requirements;
     Plan follow-on activities with host schools and 
participants.
    Please note that international tickets for French participants will 
be arranged and funded by the French Ministry of Education. French 
participants will receive a maintenance allowance from the French 
Ministry of Education and will be responsible for their own meals and 
incidental expenses.
    The Department of State will provide American participants with a 
monthly maintenance allowance to be disbursed by the Fulbright 
Commission in France.
    Proposals should address follow-on activities in conjunction with 
the Fulbright Commission and host schools

[[Page 17757]]

in the United States and France to increase future impact and on-going 
participant support.
    The agreement will begin on, or about, September 1, 2009 and the 
cooperating institution should complete all exchange activities by June 
30, 2011. Please refer to additional program specific guidelines in the 
Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document. Programs 
must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to the Solicitation 
Package for further information.
    In a cooperative agreement, ECA/A/S/X will be substantially 
involved in the program activities mentioned above and beyond routine 
grant monitoring. ECA/A/S/X activities and responsibilities for this 
program are as follows:
     Formulation of program policy;
     Clearing texts, recruitment and program guidelines for 
publication;
     In cooperation the Fulbright Commission, oversee selection 
of U.S. participants;
     Oversight of the content for all orientations as well as 
review and approval of program schedules.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: New Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of 
involvement in this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY2009.
    Approximate Total Funding: $375,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $375,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2009.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 30, 2011.
    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 agreement for two additional fiscal years, 
before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by accredited, post-secondary 
educational institutions 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

    (a) 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 anticipates awarding one 
grant, in an amount up to $375,000 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 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 Global Educational Programs, ECA/A/S/
X, Room 349, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, tel. (202) 453-8897, fax (202) 453-8890, or e-
mail Mosleypj@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer 
to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/X 09-02 located at the top of 
this announcement when making your request. Alternatively, an 
electronic application package may be obtained from Grants.gov. Please 
see section IV.3f for further information.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria 
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify ECA/A/S/X Program Officer Michelle Garren and refer 
to the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/A/S/X 09-02) 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, or 
from the Grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov.
    Please read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The application should be submitted per the instructions under 
IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and Methods of Submission'' section 
below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for 
ECA federal assistance awards must include in their application the 
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers, 
trustees, and key employees, regardless

[[Page 17758]]

of amount of compensation). In fulfilling this requirement, applicants 
must submit information in one of the following ways:
    (1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return of 
Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of relevant 
portions of this form.
    (2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information 
above in the format of their choice.
    In addition to final program reporting requirements, award 
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived 
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant 
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior 
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as 
the one- page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by 
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by 
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and 
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and 
Budget on its USASpending.gov Web site as part of ECA's FFATA reporting 
requirements.
    If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not received 
a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three years, or 
if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS within the 
past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation to verify 
nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to do so will 
cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:

IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa

    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically 
important emphases on the security and proper administration of the 
Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by award recipients 
and sponsors to all regulations governing the J-visa. Therefore, 
proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all 
requirements governing the administration of the Exchange Visitor 
Programs as set forth in 22 CFR part 62, including the oversight of 
Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and 
selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information 
and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper 
maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other 
requirements.
    The Grantee will be responsible for designating an Alternate 
Responsible Officer under a Bureau SEVIS program number to issue DS-
2019 forms on its behalf 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.
    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.

IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines

    Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must 
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and 
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and 
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest 
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to 
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic 
status, and disabilities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere 
to the advancement of this principle both in program administration and 
in program content. Please refer to the review criteria under the 
`Support for Diversity' section for specific suggestions on 
incorporating diversity into your proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides 
that ``in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in 
countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the 
Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for 
participation in such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of 
such countries.'' Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of 
the countries described above do not have inappropriate influence in 
the selection process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these 
goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.

IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation

    Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the 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 recipient will track participants or partners and be able to 
respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the 
program, learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a 
result of the program, and effects of the program on institutions 
(institutions in which participants work or partner institutions). The 
evaluation plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual 
understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and

[[Page 17759]]

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.3d.4. Describe Your Plans for Overall Program Management, Staffing, 
and Coordination With ECA/A/S/X

    ECA/A/S/X considers program management, staffing and coordination 
with the Department of State essential elements of your program. Please 
be sure to give sufficient attention to these elements in your 
proposal. Please refer to the Technical Eligibility Requirements and 
the POGI in the Solicitation package for specific guidelines. Describe 
your plans for: i.e., sustainability, overall program management, 
staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any other requirements, etc.
    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. The budget should not exceed $375,000 for program and 
administrative costs. There must be a summary budget as well as 
breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets. 
Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, 
phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) International Travel.
    (2) Costs for U.S. Competition.
    (3) U.S. Ground Transportation.
    (4) Orientation and Professional Development Seminar (instruction, 
materials, logistics).
    (5) Host schools (administrative costs).
    (6) Participant lodging and per diem.
    (7) Cultural Activities.
    (8) Book Allowance/Shipping.
    (9) Recipient Administrative Costs.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.

IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission

    Application Deadline Date: June 4, 2009.
    Reference No: ECA/A/S/X-09-02.
    Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two 
ways:
    1. In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal 
Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    2. Electronically through https://www.grants.gov.

    Please Note: ECA strongly encourages organizations interested in 
applying for this competition to submit printed, hard copy 
applications as outlined in section IV.3f.1 below rather than 
submitting electronically through Grants.gov. This recommendation is 
being made as a result of the anticipated high volume of grant 
proposals that will be submitted via the Grants.gov webportal as 
part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in these RFGPs, 
ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from 
transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via 
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 you upon receipt of application. It is each applicant's 
responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible 
tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the 
Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local 
courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will 
not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above 
will be considered.

    Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure 
to include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it 
in an envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.

    The original and eight 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/X-09-02, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the 
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the 
proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word format on a PC-formatted 
disk. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to the 
appropriate Public Affairs Section at the U.S. embassy for its review.

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 Note: ECA strongly encourages organizations interested in 
applying for this competition to submit printed, hard copy 
applications as outlined in section IV.3f.1. above rather than 
submitting electronically through Grants.gov. This recommendation is 
being made as a result of the anticipated high volume of grant 
proposals that will be submitted via the Grants.gov webportal as 
part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in these RFGPs, 
ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from 
transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via 
Grants.gov.

    Please follow the instructions available in the `Get Started' 
portion of the site (https://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could 
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate 
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP 
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov. Once 
registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of

[[Page 17760]]

the application and the speed of your internet connection. In addition, 
validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can take up to 
two business days.
    Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the submission process through 
Grants.gov.
    The Grants.gov Web site includes extensive information on all 
phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive 
section on frequently asked questions, located under the ``For 
Applicants'' section of the Web site. ECA strongly recommends that all 
potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov Web site, well in 
advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA 
bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or 
conversion processes.
    Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and 
submission to: Grants.gov Customer Support, Contact Center Phone: 800-
518-4726, Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time, E-
mail: support@grants.gov.
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of 
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been 
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above 
deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the 
application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the 
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible.
    Please refer to the Grants.gov Web site, for definitions of various 
``application statuses'' and the difference between a submission 
receipt and a submission validation. Applicants will receive a 
validation e-mail from grants.gov upon the successful submission of an 
application. Again, validation of an electronic submission via 
Grants.gov can take up to two business days. Therefore, we strongly 
recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the 
submission process through Grants.gov. ECA will not notify you upon 
receipt of electronic applications.
    It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via 
the Grants.gov web portal to ensure that proposals have been received 
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for 
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process

    The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the 
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible 
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, 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 (cooperative agreement) resides with the Bureau's 
Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive expertise in professional development for 
student teachers and logistical capacity. The agenda and plan should 
illustrate effective use of community and regional resources to enhance 
participants' educational and cultural experiences.
    2. 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.
    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 between U.S. and French schools.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities) both in the United States and in France.
    5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    6. 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.
    7. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity ensuring that Bureau supported programs 
are not isolated events.
    8. 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 are recommended.
    9. 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.

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 a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with 
subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding 
authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The 
FAA will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and mailed to the 
recipient's responsible officer identified in the application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this 
competition.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements 
include the following:


[[Page 17761]]


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://fa.statebuy.state.gov.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of the 
following reports:
    1. A program report no more than 90 days following the French 
teacher program component as well as the U.S. teacher program 
component.
    2. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    3. A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program 
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This 
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to 
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting 
requirements.
    4. A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports.
    Award recipients 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 Bureau as 
required. As a minimum, the data must include the following:
    1. Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all 
persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or 
who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.
    2. Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing 
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take 
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be 
received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Michelle Garren, 
garrenmw@state.gov, ECA/A/S/X, Room 349, ECA/A/S/X 09-02, U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
tel. (202) 453-8884, fax (202) 453-8890.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/X 09-02.
    Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff 
may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal 
review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may 
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment 
on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section VI.3 
above.

    Dated: April 8, 2009.
C. Miller Crouch,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E9-8645 Filed 4-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P