Youth Leadership Program: TechGirls, 68243-68250 [2011-28420]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 213 (Thursday, November 3, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68243-68250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28420]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 7671]


Youth Leadership Program: TechGirls

Overview Information

    Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant 
Proposals: Youth Leadership Program: TechGirls.
    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-12-10.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.
    Application Deadline: December 15, 2011.

Executive Summary

    The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open 
competition for the new Youth Leadership Program ``TechGirls.'' 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 conduct a three- to five-week exchange program in the 
United States in Summer 2012 focused on promoting high-level study of 
technology for high school girls from the Middle East and North Africa. 
U.S. Embassies in the participating countries and territories will 
recruit, screen, and select the teenage girls. The

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program will provide an exchange of academic study of applied 
technology for girls who already have a demonstrated aptitude and 
strong interest in the subject, will empower girls to pursue higher 
education and careers in technology, and will support activities in the 
participants' home countries that are designed to reinforce and support 
the skills and linkages acquired during the U.S. program.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority

    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of 
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the 
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us 
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural 
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United 
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of 
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States 
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the 
program above is provided through legislation.

Background

    In July 2011, Secretary Clinton announced the launch of a youth 
exchange program called TechGirls ``to encourage innovation and promote 
the spread of new technologies to give women and girls the support that 
they need to become leaders in this field.'' TechGirls will complement 
the TechWomen program and echo its goals; this initiative champions two 
distinct but key themes of President Obama's June 2009 speech in Cairo 
by supporting development in the field of technology and enabling young 
women to reach their full potential in the technology industry. For 
additional background, visit: https://exchanges.state.gov/programs/professionals/techwomen.html.
    The TechGirls program will bring approximately 25 teenage girls 
from select countries in the Middle East and North Africa to the United 
States for a three- to five-week exchange program in Summer 2012 
focused on promoting high-level study of technology. The program should 
include participation in a technology camp, perhaps at a university, 
that will bring together the program participants with American peers 
who share similar interests. The camp should be academically rigorous 
and provide exposure to advanced tools in technology, as well as tools 
that can be readily adopted for use in the participants' home 
countries, through hands-on classes, labs, and individual or team-based 
projects.
    The TechGirls program participants may be integrated into an 
existing camp or residential program, or one may be designed 
specifically for them. The camp should be complemented by additional 
activities designed specifically for the TechGirls to include mentoring 
experiences, job shadowing, mini-internships, and/or site visits to 
high tech companies in the United States. Participants should be 
afforded ample opportunity throughout the course of the program to 
engage in small group work to design and develop projects that are 
relevant to the field and will produce tangible, presentable outcomes, 
as well as to plan for follow-on activities. The program will be 
rounded out by planned social, recreational, and cultural activities; 
community service activities; home hospitality arrangements such as 
meals, recreational activities, or homestays with local families; and 
other activities designed to achieve the program's stated goals. 
Multiple opportunities for participants to interact meaningfully with 
their American peers must be included. Follow-on activities that are 
designed to reinforce and support the skills and linkages acquired 
during the U.S. program are an integral part of the program.
    The Bureau anticipates that the TechGirls participants will be 
selected from the same countries that are participating in TechWomen so 
that TechWomen participants may assist with recruitment and mentoring 
of the girls once they return home. TechWomen participants are 
currently expected to be from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, 
Palestinian territories, Tunisia, and Yemen.
    The goals of the program are to:
    (1) Provide a program of academic study of applied technology for 
girls who already have a demonstrated aptitude and strong interest in 
the subject;
    (2) Empower girls to pursue higher education and careers in 
technology;
    (3) Link peers who share interests and abilities;
    (4) Develop leadership skills of the participants;
    (5) Promote mutual understanding among the peoples of the United 
States and the countries and territories of the Middle East and North 
Africa.
    Using these goals and the theme of technology, applicant 
organizations should identify their own specific and measurable outputs 
and outcomes based on the project specifications provided in this 
solicitation. Proposals should indicate how recipients will achieve the 
short-term program objectives, and how these objectives will contribute 
to the achievement of the stated long-term goals.

Participants

    U.S. Embassies in the participating countries will recruit, screen, 
and select the youth participants. Although the award recipient is not 
expected to be involved in participant selection, it may serve the 
posts in an advisory role, as needed. The youth participants will be 
high school girls, aged 15 to 17 years old who already have a 
demonstrated aptitude and strong interest in the field of technology. 
Participants will be proficient in the English language. The Bureau 
anticipates selecting two to five participants from each participating 
country or territory.
    Participants will be provided with opportunities during the 
exchange program to interact with American peers who are of the same 
age and share similar interests in the field of technology. American 
peers will either be participants of an existing technology camp or 
will be recruited and selected by the award recipient if a technology 
camp is designed specifically for the TechGirls program.

Organizational Capacity

    Applicant organizations must demonstrate their capacity for 
providing projects that address the goals and themes outlined in this 
document, and providing age-appropriate programming for youth, 
particularly from this region.
    Applicants are strongly urged to garner private sector support. The 
Bureau encourages the expansion of the scope of this program beyond 
what it is able to fund. Private sector monies and in-kind offerings 
may be used, for instance, to fund additional visits to technology 
companies in the United States, to increase the number of American 
students that participate in exchange program activities, or to ramp up 
activities during the technology camp.

U.S. Embassy Involvement

    U.S. Embassies in the participating countries will recruit, screen, 
and select the participants; facilitate visas; arrange and purchase 
international travel; arrange for adult accompaniment on the 
international flights; collaborate with the U.S. recipient organization 
in

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providing pre-departure briefings and overseeing alumni follow-on 
activities; and engage TechWomen alumni in their home countries to 
serve as mentors to the TechGirls alumni.

Guidelines

    The total amount of funding is $175,000, pending availability of 
funds. It is anticipated that the cooperative agreement will begin on 
or around March 15, 2012. The award period will be approximately 12 
months, and will cover all aspects of the program planning, U.S.-based 
exchange activities, and support of follow-on activities in the 
participants' home countries.
    Applicants should propose to host one group of approximately 25 
participants. The U.S.-based exchange should take place during a three- 
to five-week period between June 15 and July 19, 2012, to coincide with 
the school calendars in the participating countries, and also to allow 
participants to complete the program and return home before Ramadan 
(estimated to begin on July 20, 2012). Applicants should propose 
specific exchange dates in their proposals, but the exact timing may be 
altered through the mutual agreement of the Department of State and the 
award recipient.
    The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase 
proposal project configurations, budgets, and participant numbers in 
accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. 
In addition, the Bureau reserves the right to adjust the participating 
countries should conditions change in a partner country or if other 
countries and/or regions are identified as Department priorities.
    In pursuit of the goals outlined above, the award recipient will be 
responsible for the following:
    (1) Providing U.S. Embassy Public Affairs staff in participating 
countries and territories with program materials and logistical 
information for preparation sessions at the pre-departure orientations.
    (2) Managing logistical arrangements, including any domestic 
travel, ground transportation, accommodations, group meals, and 
disbursement of pocket money.
    (3) Conducting an orientation for the TechGirls upon their arrival 
in the United States and for those participating from the U.S. host 
communities, including American peers and host families.
    (4) Arranging housing for the participants in a dormitory, hotel, 
homestay, or some combination thereof and provide staff monitoring of 
the housing arrangement throughout the exchange. American host families 
must be properly screened and briefed, and criminal background checks 
must be conducted for all members of host families (and others living 
in the home) who are 18 years of age or older.
    (5) Designing and planning three to five weeks of exchange 
activities, including a technology camp, that will provide a creative 
and substantive program aimed at developing the participants' knowledge 
and skill base in the field of technology. The exchange will include a 
short trip to Washington, DC
    (6) Developing and implementing a plan to monitor the participants' 
safety and well-being while on the exchange, and to create 
opportunities for participants to share potential issues and resolve 
them promptly. The award recipient will be required to provide proper 
staff supervision and facilitation to ensure that the teenagers have a 
safe and pedagogically rich program. Staff, along with mentors will 
assist the youth with cultural adjustments, provide societal context to 
enhance learning, and counsel students as needed.
    (7) Making proper arrangements for participants' religious 
observances.
    (8) Facilitating, in coordination with the U.S. Embassies, 
continued engagement among the participants and offering opportunities 
to reinforce the ideas, values, and skills imparted during the 
exchange.
    (9) Collaborating with U.S. Embassies to design and implement an 
evaluation plan that assesses the short- and medium-term impact of the 
project on the participants as well as on U.S. host and home 
communities.

    Please Note: The ECA award for the TechGirls program will take 
the form of a cooperative agreement with the award recipient. In a 
cooperative agreement, the Department of State is substantially 
involved in program activities above and beyond routine grant 
monitoring. The Department's activities and responsibilities for the 
TechGirls program are as follows:
    (1) Provide advice and assistance in the execution of all 
program components.
    (2) Manage the recruitment and selection of the participants, 
arrange and purchase international travel, arrange for adult 
accompaniment on the international flights, and oversee pre- and 
post-exchange activities in each country.
    (3) Issue DS-2019 forms and J-1 visas. All foreign participants 
will travel on a U.S. Government designation for the J Exchange 
Visitor Program.
    (4) Provide the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges 
(ASPE) health benefits plan for foreign participants.
    (5) Facilitate interaction within the Department of State, to 
include ECA, the regional bureau, and overseas embassies and 
consulates.
    (6) Arrange meetings with Department of State officials in 
Washington, DC and the participating countries.
    (7) Approve publicity materials and final calendar of exchange 
activities.
    (8) Monitor and evaluate the program, through regular 
communication with the award recipient and possibly one or more site 
visits.

Additional Information

    Award recipients will retain the name ``TechGirls'' to identify 
their project. All materials, publicity, and correspondence related to 
the program will acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The 
Bureau will retain copyright use of and be allowed to distribute 
materials related to this program as it sees fit.
    The organization must inform the ECA Program Officer and 
participating U.S. Embassies of their progress at each stage of the 
project's implementation in a timely fashion, and will be required to 
obtain approval of any significant program changes in advance of their 
implementation.
    Proposals must demonstrate how the stated objectives will be met. 
The proposal narrative should provide detailed information on the major 
project activities, and applicants should explain and justify their 
programmatic choices. Projects must comply with J-1 visa regulations 
for the International Visitor category. Please be sure to refer to the 
complete Solicitation Package--this RFGP, the Project Objectives, 
Goals, and Implementation (POGI), and the Proposal Submission 
Instructions (PSI)--for further information.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in 
this program is listed under Section I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY-2012.
    Approximate Total Funding: Pending availability of funds, $175,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Anticipated Award Date: March 15, 2012.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: Approximately 12 months after 
start date, to be specified by applicant based on project plan.

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).

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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

    (1) 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 an award 
in an amount exceeding $60,000 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.
    (2) Proposed sub-award recipients are also limited to grant funding 
of $60,000 or less if they do not have four years of experience in 
conducting international exchanges.
    (3) The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of 
cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
    (4) Organizations may submit only one proposal (total) under 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.

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 Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, SA-5, 3rd 
Floor, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 
20037, by telephone (202) 632-9261 or Email: ShieldsSD@state.gov to 
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number ECA/PE/C/PY-12-10 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 Program Officer Sarah Shields and refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY-12-10 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 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. All federal award recipients must maintain current 
registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. 
Recipients must maintain accurate and up-to-date information in the CCR 
until all program and financial activity and reporting have been 
completed. Recipients 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. Failure to register in 
the CCR will render applicants ineligible to receive funding.
    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

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(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 62, 
which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa 
program). Under the terms of 22 CFR 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 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 62 et seq.
    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 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:

    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 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.

[[Page 68248]]

    (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. Budget requests may not exceed $175,000. 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. Please refer to the Solicitation Package (POGI and PSI) 
for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
    Application Deadline Date: December 15, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-12-10.
    Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two 
ways:
    (1) In hardcopy, 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 six (6) copies of the application should be sent 
to:

Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY-12-10, 
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 
20037.

    With the submission of the proposal package, please also email the 
Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, and Budget sections of the 
proposal, as well as any attachments essential to understanding the 
program, in Microsoft Word, Excel, and/or PDF, to ShieldsSD@state.gov. 
The Bureau may provide these files electronically to the Public Affairs 
Sections at the relevant 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 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. 
Email: 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

[[Page 68249]]

will receive a validation email 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 agreements) resides with the Bureau's 
Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    (1) Quality of the program idea: Objectives should be reasonable, 
feasible, and flexible. The proposal should clearly demonstrate how the 
institution will meet the program's objectives and plan. The proposed 
program should be creative, age-appropriate, respond to the design 
outlined in the solicitation, and demonstrate originality. It should be 
clearly and accurately written, substantive, and with sufficient 
detail. Proposals should also include a plan to support participants' 
follow-on activities upon their return home.
    (2) Program planning and ability to achieve program objectives: A 
detailed agenda and work plan should clearly demonstrate how project 
objectives will be achieved. The agenda and plan should adhere to the 
program overview and guidelines described above. The substance of 
exchange activities, such as workshops, presentations, and/or site 
visits, should be described in detail.
    (3) Support of diversity: The proposal should demonstrate the 
applicant's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of 
diversity in both program administration (selection of participants, 
program venue, and program evaluation) and program content (orientation 
and debriefing sessions, and follow-on activities). Applicants should 
demonstrate readiness to accommodate participants with physical 
disabilities.
    (4) Institutional capacity and track record: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the program goals. The proposal should demonstrate an institutional 
record of successful implementation of similar programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau awards (grants or cooperative agreements) 
as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past 
performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new 
applicants.
    (5) Program evaluation: The proposal should include a plan to 
evaluate the program's success in meeting its goals, both as the 
activities unfold and after they have been completed. The proposal 
should include a draft survey questionnaire or other technique, plus a 
description of a methodology to link outcomes to original project 
objectives.
    (6) Cost-effectiveness and cost sharing: The applicant should 
demonstrate efficient use of Bureau funds. 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. The proposal should maximize cost-sharing 
through other private sector support as well as institutional direct 
funding contributions, which demonstrates institutional and community 
commitment.

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 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) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program 
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This 
one-page

[[Page 68250]]

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.
    (3) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports.
    (4) Quarterly or interim reports, as required in the Bureau 
cooperative agreement.
    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: Sarah Shields, 
Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY/T, SA-5, 3rd Floor, U.S. 
Department of State, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20522-0503, by 
telephone (202) 632-9261 or email ShieldsSD@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/PY-12-10.
    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: October 27, 2011.
J. Adam Ereli,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-28420 Filed 11-2-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P