Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Professional Exchanges Congress, 14719-14725 [2011-6279]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14719-14725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6279]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7366]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Professional Exchanges Congress

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C-11-21.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.
    Key Dates: Spring and Fall 2012.
    Application Deadline: May 19, 2011
    Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs invites proposal submissions to 
conduct the 2012 spring and fall End-of-Program ``Professional 
Exchanges Congresses'' for individuals from Africa, East Asia and the 
Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central 
Asia and the Western Hemisphere participating in the Legislative 
Fellows Program, the Women's Empowerment Program, and the Young 
Entrepreneurs Program. Public and private non-profit organizations 
meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 
USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct two three-day 
Professional Exchanges Congresses in spring and fall 2012. These 
professional exchange programs support and encourage young government 
and civil society leaders, roughly ages 25-38, from eligible countries 
to gain knowledge of U.S. practices and techniques in their field of 
expertise, explore governance principles and practices in both public 
and civil society institutions in the United States, and gain a deeper 
understanding of U.S. society, culture, and people. These professional 
exchange programs are also designed to provide U.S. participants the 
opportunity to share their professional expertise with counterparts in 
eligible countries and gain a deeper understanding of the societies, 
cultures, and professional arena of their foreign colleagues.

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

    ECA anticipates funding one grant of approximately $576,000 for the 
development, management, and implementation of two (2) Professional 
Exchanges Congresses that will occur at the end of both the spring and 
fall fellowship components for the 2012 Legislative Fellows Program, 
Women's Empowerment Program, and Young Entrepreneurs Program.
    These professional exchange programs are two-way exchanges 
involving current or potential government and civil society leaders 
from both the U.S. and foreign countries who will effect positive 
change in their workplace and communities and develop long-term 
engagement between their home organizations and foreign counterparts. 
In addition to the professional focus of the program, foreign 
participants will be provided opportunities to explore governance as 
practiced in the United States, and in particular the interface between 
government and civil society.
    Additional information about these professional exchange programs 
can be located on the Federal Registry under Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Open Competition 
for the Professional Exchange Programs, Funding Opportunity Number: 
ECA/PE/C-11-01.
    The three-day Professional Exchanges Congresses should build upon 
the thematic focus of the Legislative Fellows Program, the Women's 
Empowerment Program, and the Young Entrepreneurs Program; work to 
reinforce programmatic goals; allow for engaged interaction between 
individuals from different countries; highlight key learning 
objectives; outline plans for follow-on projects; and help the 
professional exchange participants translate and utilize their U.S. 
experiences in their home communities. Special attention should be paid 
to integrating these three professional exchange programs, and concepts 
such as citizen empowerment, grassroots advocacy, volunteerism, 
community action, and leadership into the Congress

[[Page 14720]]

design, content, and programmatic activities.
    As the capstone events of the 2012 spring and fall professional 
exchange experience, each Professional Exchanges Congress is designed 
to provide participating fellows:
     a contextual framework for understanding the ``fellowship 
experience'' and the interplay of government, governance, and civil 
society;
     the opportunity to network with colleagues from 
participating countries;
     a deeper understanding of the ways an individual, 
organization, or interest group can generate change for the common 
good;
     concrete tools to support the role of the individual as a 
cultural ambassador; and,
     an enhanced appreciation of the importance of public 
diplomacy in the global community.
    A description of the Legislative Fellows Program, the Women's 
Empowerment Program, and the Young Entrepreneurs Program are provided 
in Section I.8 below. Additional information about these specific 
professional exchange programs can be found in a separate RFGP 
published in the Federal Register, and available at www.grants.gov, as 
well as on the ECA Web site at https://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html (ECA/PE/C-11-01). Potential applicants may wish to review 
the RFGP for these professional exchange programs before developing a 
proposal for the Congresses.

I.3. Participants

    For the purposes of the Professional Exchanges Congress, 
``participants'' are defined as citizens of the eligible countries 
selected through a merit-based competition to travel to the United 
States to take part in one of the three spring or fall professional 
exchange programs. Participants will be young up-and-coming and mid-
level government and civil society professionals with experience and 
current employment related to one of the designated areas. Because of 
the nature of this program, all selected participants will be highly 
proficient in written and oral English, self-directed, able to work 
effectively in a cross-cultural setting, and have demonstrated 
leadership abilities.

I.4. Project Activities

    Projects should including planning, development, and implementation 
of two three-day long Professional Exchanges Congress in spring and 
fall 2012. Each Congress will include approximately 200-250 
participants in addition to staff from approximately 12-18 
participating organizations. Strong project designs will ground and 
augment the fellowship experience with leadership development 
activities that relate to civic engagement. Proposals should clearly 
outline the goals and objectives of the Professional Exchanges 
Congress, describe possible symposium themes and topics, suggest 
speakers, and include innovative informal networking events that allow 
ample time for interaction among the program participants. Special 
attention should be paid to highlighting the program using social media 
and other outreach methods. Proposals should also include a detailed 
draft agenda. Projects should provide opportunities for the exchange 
participants to begin the transition from program participant to alumni 
and discuss how to translate and utilize their U.S. experiences in 
their home communities.

I.5. Projected Timeline

    ECA envisions the approximate dates of the Professional Exchanges 
Congress to be as follows:
    September 2011-January 2012:
     Develop and implement communication plan and system.
     Identify and negotiate contract with appropriate hotel or 
meeting site for both spring and fall Congresses. Contracts should 
include provisions for meals and lodging for participating fellows and 
staff from grantee organizations, as well as space for plenary 
meetings, informal networking activities, break-out sessions, etc.
    February 2012-April 2012:
    In coordination with ECA/PE/C staff and participating grantee 
organizations,
     develop spring Congress agenda and all corresponding 
materials.
     arrange all hotel, meals, and travel logistics.
     disseminate arrival and hotel information to participating 
fellows along with the agenda for the Congress and materials.
     develop and implement a public media outreach campaign to 
interested stakeholders and the wider community. Special provisions 
should be made for internal outreach within the Department of State.
    May 2-4, 2012: Conduct Three-Day Spring Professional Exchanges 
Congress.
    June 2012: Prepare Final Congress Report. Meet with ECA/PE/C staff 
for an official programmatic debrief.
    June 2012-October 2012:
    In coordination with ECA/PE/C staff and participating grantee 
organizations,
     develop fall Congress agenda and all corresponding 
materials.
     arrange all hotel, meals, and travel logistics.
     disseminate arrival and hotel information to participating 
fellows along with the agenda for the Congress and materials.
     implement a public media outreach campaign to interested 
stakeholders and the wider community. Special provisions should be made 
for internal outreach within the Department of State.
    November 7-9, 2012: Conduct Three-Day Fall Professional Exchanges 
Congress.
    December 2012: Prepare Final Congress Report. Meet with ECA/PE/C 
staff for an official programmatic debrief.

I.6. Professional Exchange Programs

    Programs and Eligible Partner Countries: Congress proposals need to 
embrace a global program design that incorporates the professional 
exchange programs outlined in announcement ECA/PE/C-11-01:
Legislative Fellows Program
    The Legislative Fellows Program will engage professionals who are 
actively involved in the legislative process and/or policy-making 
through their work in government, civic education organizations, 
citizen advocacy groups, political parties, or election monitoring 
organizations. During their time in the United States, the participants 
will examine the relationship between civil society and government, and 
the issue of public corruption and accountability. Participants will 
observe the role of their U.S. counterparts in various levels of the 
U.S. government, through placements in Congressional offices (including 
state/district offices), state legislatures, city councils/local 
government bodies, advocacy groups or other relevant organizations 
across the United States, engage in dialogue, and develop plans for 
projects that support more responsive social and political 
institutions.
Women's Empowerment
    The Women's Empowerment Program will focus on the unique interests 
of women in issues that affect the broader society, including business, 
civil society, and journalism. Participants will represent women-owned 
businesses, non-governmental organizations, healthcare industries, and 
educational institutions. During their 4-6 week fellowships in the 
United States, participants will gain firsthand knowledge of how 
organizations and institutions advocate on behalf of women and their 
critical role in

[[Page 14721]]

community advancement, while also participating in site visits and 
specially-designed seminars.
Young Entrepreneurs
    The Young Entrepreneurs Program will engage small business owners, 
business professionals and business educators, to observe best 
practices in business, engage in dialogue with their peers in the U.S., 
and complete individually tailored fellowships in appropriate 
organizations. Participants will increase their understanding of the 
links between entrepreneurial activity and free markets, as well as the 
importance of transparency and accountability in business and 
government through the participants' direct involvement in American 
businesses.
    Participants in these professional exchange programs will come from 
at a minimum 30 countries worldwide. For a full list of the eligible 
countries under each specific theme, please refer to the RFGP for these 
professional exchange programs; announcement ECA/PE/C-11-01.
    Additional guidelines and programming responsibilities of the 
recipient organization and ECA are located in the Program Objectives, 
Goals and Implementation (POGI) document.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2011
    Approximate Total Funding: $576,000
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1
    Approximate Average Award: $576,000
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending the availability of funds, 
September 1, 2011
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 31, 2012
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years before 
openly competing it again.

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 USC 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 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 making one award, 
in an amount up to $576,000 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.
    (b.) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following, or they will result in your proposal being declared 
technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review 
process.

--Eligible applicants may not submit more than one proposal in this 
competition.
--If more than one proposal is received from the same applicant, all 
submissions will be declared technically ineligible and will receive no 
further consideration in the review process. Please note: Applicant 
organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated 
on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation 
outlined in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document.
--Eligible applicants may only propose working with the professional 
exchange programs and themes listed in this RFGP.

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 David Gustafson in the Office of Citizen Exchanges, 
ECA/PE/C, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 3rd Floor, 2200 C Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632-6083, GustafsonDP@state.gov to 
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number ECA/PE/C-11-21 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 PSI document, which consists 
of required application forms, and standard guidelines for proposal 
preparation.
    It also contains the POGI document, which provides specific 
information, award criteria and budget instructions tailored to this 
competition.
    Please specify Linn[eacute]a E. Allison and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C-11-21 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/grants/open2.html, 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

[[Page 14722]]

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 
PSI document and the POGI for additional formatting and technical 
requirements.
    IV.3c. All federal award recipients and sub-recipients must 
maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration 
(CCR) database and have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number. Recipients and sub-recipients must maintain 
accurate and up-to-date information in the CCR until all program and 
financial activity and reporting have been completed. All entities must 
review and update the information at least annually after the initial 
registration and more frequently if required information changes or 
another award is granted.
    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 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 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 awards (either a grant or cooperative agreement) under this 
RFGP will be third parties ``cooperating with or assisting the sponsor 
in the conduct of the sponsor's program.'' The actions of recipient 
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 an award under this competition 
will render all assistance necessary to enable the Bureau to fully 
comply with 22 CFR part 62 et seq.
    For informational purposes only, the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs places critically important emphases on the secure and 
proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and 
adherence by recipient organizations and program participants to all 
regulations governing the J visa program status. Therefore, proposals 
should explicitly state in writing that the applicant is prepared to 
assist the Bureau in meeting all requirements governing the 
administration of Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR part 
62. If your organization has experience as a designated Exchange 
Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should discuss their record of 
compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et. seq., including the oversight of 
their Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, 
screening and selection of program participants, provision of pre-
arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of 
participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, 
reporting and other requirements.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for 
issuing DS-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: Office of Designation, Private Sector 
Programs Division, U.S. Department of State, ECA/EC/D/PS, SA-5, 5th 
Floor, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.
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 organization will track participants or partners and 
be able to respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction 
with

[[Page 14723]]

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


    Please note:  Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.


    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when 
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear 
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., 
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation 
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] 
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
    Recipient organizations will be required to provide reports 
analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular 
program reports. All data collected, including survey responses and 
contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years 
and provided to the Bureau upon request.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs'' along with a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    Eligible costs include:
    (1) Symposium programming for approximately 500 Professional 
Fellows, participating grantee organizations, and ECA staff
    (2) Honoraria for speakers
    (3) Lodging and hotel expenses including conference space and 
audio-visual support
    (4) Food including working meals (reception and final banquet)
    (5) Enhancement and cultural programming
    (6) Ground transportation in the Washington, DC, area for 
participants, staff, and speakers
    (7) Educational Materials
    (8) Materials including printing and duplication of promotional 
pieces, Congress binders, participant bios, name tags, table tents, and 
other supporting Congress-related items
    (9) Staffing
    (10) General administrative expenses

Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines 
and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: May 19, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/PE/C-11-21.
    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.
    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 8 copies of the application should be sent to: 
Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM,

[[Page 14724]]

Ref. ECA/PE/C-11-21, SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20037.
    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 CD-ROM. As 
appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to 
Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for its(their) 
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 bears no responsibility for applicant 
timeliness of submission or 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 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: grants.gov">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 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:
    The submission will be reviewed with the following review criteria 
in mind:
    1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission.
    2. Program planning and ability to achieve objectives: Detailed 
agenda, sample materials, and relevant work plan should demonstrate an 
institution's or organization's substantive undertakings and logistical 
capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to the stated Professional 
Exchange Programs overview and Congress guidelines described above. 
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution or 
organization will meet the Congress goals and objectives.
    3. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the 
institution's or organization's commitment to promoting the awareness 
and understanding of diversity in all aspects of the Congress planning, 
development and implementation.
    4. Institutional Capacity and Track Record: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to 
designing, developing, implementing, and managing a spring and fall 
capstone event for these professional exchange programs. Proposals 
should demonstrate an institutional record of successful execution of 
large scale conference, workshop, or symposium type programming and 
related activities, including responsible fiscal management and full 
compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau awards.
    5. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. The Bureau recommends that the proposal include a draft 
survey questionnaire or other technique plus description of a 
methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives. 
Award-receiving organizations/institutions will be expected to submit 
intermediate reports after each project component is concluded or 
quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
    6. 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.

[[Page 14725]]

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 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:
    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 an electronic version and one hard copy 
of the following reports:
    (1.) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days 
after the expiration of the award;
    (2.) 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 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.
    (3.) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports.
    (4.) Quarterly program and financial reports highlighting all major 
activities undertaken during the grant period including program 
analysis and lessons learned.

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.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Linn[eacute]a E. 
Allison, U.S. Department of State, Office of Citizen Exchanges, 
Professional Exchanges, ECA/PE/C-EAP-ECA-SCA, SA-5, 3rd Floor, ECA/PE/
C-11-21, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632-6060, Fax: 
(202) 632-6492, allisonle@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number: ECA/PE/C-11-21. 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: March 9, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-6279 Filed 3-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P