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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 155 (Thursday, August 11, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49826-49832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20310]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7553]

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Study of the United States Institute on U.S. National 
Security Policymaking

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/USS-12-01.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.401

DATES: Key Dates: January to March, 2012.

 Application Deadline: October 11, 2011.

 Executive Summary: The Branch for the Study of the U.S., Office of 
Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
(ECA/A/E/USS), invites proposal submissions for the design and 
implementation of the Study of the United States Institute on U.S. 
National Security Policymaking. This institute will provide a 
multinational group of up to 18 experienced foreign university 
educators and other professionals with a deeper understanding of U.S. 
approaches to national security policymaking, past and present, in 
order to strengthen curricula and to improve the quality of teaching 
about the United States at universities and other institutions abroad. 
The institute should be an intensive, academically rigorous program for 
scholars and other professionals from outside the United States, and 
should have a central theme and a strong contemporary component.

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.
    Purpose: Study of the U.S. Institutes for scholars are intended to 
offer up to 18 foreign scholars and other professionals, whose 
professional work focuses in whole or in substantial part on the United 
States, the opportunity to deepen their understanding of American 
society, culture, and institutions. The ultimate goal is to strengthen 
curricula, to improve the quality of teaching, and to broaden 
understanding of U.S. national security policymaking in universities 
and other institutions of influence abroad.
    The Bureau is seeking detailed proposals for a Study of the United 
States Institute on U.S. National Security Policymaking from colleges, 
universities, consortia of colleges and

[[Page 49827]]

universities, and other not-for-profit academic organizations that have 
an established reputation in one or more of the following fields: 
Political science, international relations, law, military science, and/
or other disciplines or sub-disciplines related to U.S. National 
Security. The institute should be organized around a central theme or 
themes in U.S. national security policy planning and formulation and 
should illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates 
in American society.
    This Study of the United States Institute program should:
    (1) Provide participants with a survey of contemporary scholarship 
within the institute's governing academic discipline. The proposal 
should describe how current scholarly debates within the field will be 
presented;
    (2) Give participants a multi-dimensional examination of U.S. 
society and institutions that reflects a broad and balanced range of 
perspectives and responsible views from scholars and other 
professionals, such as government officials, and private practitioners; 
and,
    (3) Ensure access to library and material resources that will 
enable participants to continue their research, study, and curriculum 
development upon returning to their home institutions.
    Program Description: The Study of the U.S. Institute on U.S. 
National Security Policymaking should provide participants an 
opportunity to increase their understanding of the foundations and 
formulation of U.S. national security policy, U.S. views on basic U.S. 
national security and defense requirements, and how those views have 
evolved in the post-Cold War era and within the context of current 
counterterrorism strategies. This multi-disciplinary program should 
examine historical, political, geographic, and economic factors 
involved in U.S. national security policymaking.
    Overview: The program should be six weeks in length; participants 
will spend approximately four weeks at the host institution, and 
approximately two weeks on the educational study tour, including four 
to five days in Washington, DC, at the conclusion of the Institute. 
This intensive, academically rigorous program should integrate 
lectures, readings, seminar discussions, regional travel, and site 
visits. The institute also should include opportunities for limited but 
well-directed independent research. Proposals should describe a 
thematically coherent program that maximizes institutional strengths, 
faculty expertise, and resources, as well as recognized scholars and 
experts from throughout the United States.
    The program must conform with Bureau requirements and guidelines 
outlined in the Solicitation Package. Support for bureau programs is 
subject to the availability of funds. One award of up to $290,000 will 
support this institute.
    Participants: Participants will be diverse in professional position 
and travel experience abroad. While participants may not have in-depth 
knowledge of the particular institute program theme, they will likely 
have had exposure to the relevant discipline and some experience 
teaching about the United States.
    Participants will be drawn from all regions of the world and will 
be fluent or proficient in the English language. Fulbright Commissions 
and U.S. Embassies abroad will nominate candidates, and final 
selections will be made by the Bureau. A final list of participants 
will be sent to the recipient institution.
    Program Dates: The anticipated award date for this Cooperative 
Agreement will be on or about December 1, 2011. The institute should be 
approximately 44 days in length (including participant arrival and 
departure days), should begin in early January, and end in late 
February or early March 2012.
    Program Guidelines: The conception and structure of the institute 
agenda is the responsibility of the recipient, and it is essential that 
proposals provide a detailed and comprehensive narrative describing the 
objectives of the institute; the title, scope and content of each 
session; planned site visits; and how each session relates to the 
overall institute theme. Proposals must include a syllabus that 
indicates the subject matter for each lecture, panel discussion, group 
presentation, or other activity. The syllabus also should confirm or 
provisionally identify proposed speakers, trainers, and session 
leaders, and clearly show how assigned readings will advance the goals 
of each session. Overall, proposals will be reviewed on the basis of 
their responsiveness to RFGP criteria, coherence, clarity, and 
attention to detail. The accompanying Project Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation (POGI) document provides program-specific guidelines 
that all proposals must address fully.

    Please note:  In a Cooperative Agreement, the Branch for the 
Study of the United States is substantially involved in program 
activities above and beyond routine grant monitoring. The Branch 
will assume the following responsibilities for the institute: 
participating in the selection of participants; overseeing the 
institute through one or more site visits; debriefing participants 
in Washington, DC at the conclusion of the institute; and engaging 
in follow-on communication with the participants after they return 
to their home countries (see POGI document for additional details). 
The Branch may request that the recipient make modifications to the 
academic residency and/or educational travel components of the 
program. The recipient will be required to obtain approval of 
significant program changes in advance of their implementation.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in 
this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY-12.
    Approximate Total Funding: $290,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $290,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, November 1, 
2011.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: March 31, 2012 for the 
program; alumni programming available until 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 cooperative agreement 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 U.S. colleges, universities, and other not-for-profit 
academic organizations that have an established reputation in a field 
or discipline related to the specific program theme, and which meet the 
provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 
501(c)(3).
    III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved 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

[[Page 49828]]

for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
    III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: (a.) Bureau grant guidelines 
require that organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau 
funding. ECA anticipates awarding one grant, in an amount up to 
$290,000 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: The project director or one of the key program staff 
responsible for the academic program must have an advanced degree in 
political science, international relations, law, military science, and/
or other disciplines or sub-disciplines related to the program themes, 
and; Staff escorts traveling under the Cooperative Agreement must have 
demonstrated qualifications to perform this service.

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 Branch for the Study of the United States, ECA/A/E/USS, 
Fourth Floor, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 2200 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632-3339 to request a Solicitation Package. 
Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/USS-12-01 
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 Kevin H. Orchison and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/USS-12-01 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 
http://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html, or from the Grants.gov 
Web site at http://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 http://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 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 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically 
important emphases on the security and proper administration of the 
Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by award recipients 
and sponsors to all regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, 
proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to

[[Page 49829]]

meet all requirements governing the administration of the Exchange 
Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62, including the oversight of 
Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and 
selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information 
and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper 
maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other 
requirements.
    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 http://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.

    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.

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

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

IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation

    Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's 
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. 
The Bureau recommends that your proposal include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects 
that the recipient 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.
    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. Awards for the Institute on National Security 
Policymaking may not exceed $290,000, and administrative costs should 
be no more than approximately $95,000. 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.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Institute staff salary and benefits.

[[Page 49830]]

    (2) Participant housing and meals.
    (3) Participant travel and per diem.
    (4) Textbooks, educational materials, and admissions fees.
    (5) Honoraria for guest speakers.
    (6) Follow-on programming for alumni of Study of the United States 
programs.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.

IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission

    Application Deadline Date: October 11, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/E/USS-12-01.
    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 http://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/A/E/USS-12-01, 
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037.

IV.3f.2. Submitting Electronic Applications

    Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically 
through Grants.gov (http://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 (http://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 (12:00 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.
    Optional--IV.3f.3. You may also state here any limitations on the 
number of applications that an applicant may submit and make it clear 
whether the limitation is on the submitting organization, individual 
program director or both.
    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 
Cooperative

[[Page 49831]]

Agreements resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
    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 Program Plan and Ability to Achieve Program 
Objectives: Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision, 
and relevance to the Bureau's mission. A detailed agenda and relevant 
work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical 
capacity. Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. 
Proposals should demonstrate clearly how the institution will meet the 
program's objectives and plan.
    2. Support for Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (program venue 
and program evaluation) and program content (orientation and wrap-up 
sessions, program meetings, presenters, and resource materials).
    3. Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the 
activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the 
program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus a 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is strongly recommended.
    4. Cost-effectiveness/Cost-sharing: The overhead and administrative 
components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be 
kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and 
appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other 
private sector support, as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.
    5. Institutional Track Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate 
an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grants 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. Proposed 
personnel and institutional resources should be fully qualified to 
achieve the project's goals.
    6. Follow-up and Follow-on Activities: Proposals should discuss 
provisions made for follow-up with returned participants as a means of 
establishing longer-term individual and institutional linkages. 
Proposals also should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity 
(without Bureau support) ensuring that Bureau supported programs are 
not isolated events.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1a. Award Notices

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. 
Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with 
subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding 
authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The 
FAA will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and mailed to the 
recipient's responsible officer identified in the application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this 
competition.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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

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:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
http://fa.statebuy.state.gov
    VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You must provide ECA with a hard copy 
original plus one copy of the following reports:

Mandatory:

    (1) Quarterly financial reports; final program 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 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.
    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: Kevin H. Orchison, 
U.S. Department of State, Branch for the Study of the United States, 
ECA/A/E/USS, SA-5, Fourth Floor, ECA/A/E/USS-12-01, 2200 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20522-0503, (202) 632-3339, OrchisonKH@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/USS-12-01.
    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.

[[Page 49832]]

    Dated: August 1, 2011.
J. Adam Ereli,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-20310 Filed 8-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P
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