[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60209-60214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22583]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4854]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Educational Adviser Training and Support Services

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/A-05-05.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005.
    Application Deadline: Friday, November 22, 2004.
    Executive Summary: The Educational Information and Resources Branch 
of the Office of Global Educational Programs in the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for 
Educational Adviser Training and Support Services. 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 
develop training programs and provide support services for the 
following:
1. Department of State-Affiliated Overseas Educational Advisers
    Overseas educational advisers provide accurate and objective 
information to foreign audiences on U.S. study opportunities at 
accredited academic institutions and guide students and professionals 
in selecting a program appropriate to their needs.
2. Regional Educational Advising Coordinators
    Regional Educational Advising Coordinators (REAC) provide training 
and needs assessment and serve as the chief resource to centers in 
their regions on advising and other educational issues.
    Project proposals should be structured to focus on the following:
    1. Short-term training for mid- and senior-level advisers.
    2. Logistical support services for Regional Educational Advising 
Coordinators and educational advisers attending the national NAFSA: 
Association of International Educators conference in Seattle in May 
2005.
    The Department anticipates awarding one grant to administer this 
program.
    The training component of the proposal should include a U.S.-Based 
Training program (USBT) for mid-level advisers and Professional 
Advising Leadership (PAL) fellowships for senior-level advisers.
    The USBT for mid-level educational advisers should be approximately 
three weeks in duration in Fall 2005 and must include workshops on 
advising issues of concern, visits to a variety of U.S. academic 
institutions outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and 
attendance at a regional NAFSA: Association of International Educators 
conference or similar professional development opportunity.
    Professional Advising Leadership (PAL) projects for senior-level 
advisers may take place three times throughout 2005 and include four 
advisers in each group. Advisers applying for a PAL fellowship will 
have at least four years of advising experience. Applicants will 
formulate a proposal outlining a project that will be of benefit to the 
adviser's center, region and the profession as a whole.
    The Support Services portion of the program will include providing 
logistical support for the following activities in May/June 2005:
1. Regional Educational Advising Coordinators (REAC) Meeting
    Support will include making arrangements for lodging and other 
activities for up to eight REACs and Educational Information and 
Resources Branch (ECA/A/S/A) program staff for five days of 
consultations in Washington, DC before the 2005 NAFSA Conference to be 
held May 29-June 3, 2005 in Seattle, Washington,
2. PAL Meeting
    Support will include making arrangements for meetings with REACs, 
PAL Fellows and Branch program officers after the NAFSA conference in 
Seattle.
3. Educational Adviser Pre-NAFSA Conference Campus Visits/Conference 
Attendance
    Support will include (a) making hotel reservations for advisers not 
participating in the USBT and PAL programs and (b) providing grants to 
advisers for conference attendance and to the ECA/A/S/A-designated 
campus liaison coordinator for administration of pre-conference campus 
visits.

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

[[Page 60210]]

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: The program's objectives are twofold: to strengthen and 
develop the skills of overseas educational advisers; and to build a 
corps of knowledgeable advisers who are skilled trainers and can 
advance the field of educational advising in their home countries with 
new and current expertise, techniques and knowledge of applicable 
technology.

Guidelines

1. Participants
    For the purposes of this RFGP, eligible advisers are defined as 
those who are currently working at a State Department-affiliated 
advising center and who have demonstrated the skills associated with 
the four major components of overseas educational advising: (1) 
Knowledge of the U.S. and home country educational systems; (2) 
knowledge of the application process for individuals to enroll in U.S. 
higher educational institutions; (3) demonstrated educational advising 
and cross-cultural communication skills; and (4) demonstrated office 
management skills as they relate to an overseas advising center. In 
addition, each participant must demonstrate leadership and a commitment 
to the profession.
    Approximately twenty participants are expected for one USBT program 
and twelve (three groups of four) for the PAL program. Participants 
will be selected by ECA/A/S/A based on nominations from overseas posts.
2. Program Design
    The Bureau invites organizations to submit creative and flexible 
program plans which can be tailored, in close consultation with ECA/A/
S/A, to the selected advisers' individual needs. The proposal should 
include an overall project framework which identifies objectives, an 
implementation plan and measurable, expected outcomes.
    Possible topics to incorporate for the USBT portion of the program 
include: Degree equivalency and accreditation; international student 
admissions; financial aid; standardized testing; ESL programs; 
immigration and visa issues; fields of study; cultural adjustment; U.S. 
societal diversity; specialized Internet usage; distance learning; 
proposal writing; fundraising; public relations and marketing; 
determining appropriate fees for advising services for students and 
others, given each host country's environment; trends in advising 
center cost-sharing and training and management of volunteer staff.
    For the PAL component, advisers, in consultation with ECA/A/S/A and 
the grantee organization, will develop a research or training project 
to be carried out in the United States that will have a formative 
impact on advising in their countries and regions. For 2005, PAL 
projects may include the following topics: Admission with financial 
aid; business planning and income-generating activities; outreach 
programming; marketing and publicity for advising centers.
3. Timing/Program Phases
    The USBT and PAL components should provide for the possibility of 
attendance at, and active participation in, an appropriate NAFSA or 
other conference where workshops and seminars address issues of current 
interest to international educators and overseas advisers and where the 
opportunity to brainstorm and to share information plays an important 
part. Advisers should have opportunities to present and/or participate 
in panels and pre-conference/conference workshops. In addition, the 
USBT portion of the program should include internship experiences and 
visits to a four-year public university, a private college or 
university, a community college, an Historically Black College or 
University (HBCU) or other minority-serving institution, and a graduate 
or research institution. Ideally, USBT participants should visit 
campuses while classes are in session to optimize their experience 
through interaction with students.
4. Logistics
    The grantee organization will be responsible for all arrangements 
associated with this program. For the USBT and PAL components, these 
include organizing a coherent progression of activities, providing 
international and domestic travel arrangements for all advisers, making 
lodging and local transportation arrangements, orienting and debriefing 
advisers, preparing support material, and recruiting host campuses. The 
organization should work with host campuses and experts in the field of 
higher education and overseas advising to achieve maximum program 
effectiveness, by providing participants with hands-on training and 
direct involvement in the administration of practices and policies of 
higher education institutions.
5. Evaluation/Follow-Up
    The proposal must include a detailed evaluation and follow-up plan. 
Special emphasis should be given to designing a program which 
incorporates outcome measurement strategies that assess ultimate 
effectiveness. Refer to Section IV.3d of this document for additional 
information on evaluation.
6. Visa/Insurance/Tax Requirements
    The program must comply with applicable visa regulations. 
Participants should come on B1/B2 tourist visas. Participant health and 
accident insurance will be provided to the overseas advisers by the 
Bureau; the recipient organization will be responsible for enrolling 
participants in the Bureau's insurance program and providing any 
necessary assistance should medical care be needed. Administration of 
the program must be in compliance with reporting and withholding 
regulations for federal, state, and local taxes as applicable. 
Recipient organizations should demonstrate tax regulation adherence in 
the proposal narrative and budget.
7. Printed Materials
    Drafts of all printed materials developed for this program should 
be submitted to ECA/A/S/A for review and approval. All official 
documents should highlight the U.S. government's role as program 
sponsor and funding source. The Bureau requires that it receive the 
copyright use and be allowed to distribute this material as it sees 
fit.
    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.
8. ECA's Role in the Cooperative Agreement Includes
    <bullet> Selection of program participants in coordination with 
Public Affairs Sections at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, with 
input from the ECA Grants Office
    <bullet> Participation and speaking at program sessions to include 
opening and closing activities
    <bullet> Organizing meetings with Department of State offices
    <bullet> Review and approval of program plans and agendas

[[Page 60211]]

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: FY2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $475,000-$575,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: Not to exceed $575,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, January 1, 
2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 31, 2005.
    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 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this 
competition. However, the Bureau encourages applicants to provide 
maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost 
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

III.3 Other Eligibility Requirements

    a. Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less 
than four years' experience in conducting international exchanges be 
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates awarding one 
grant, in an amount not to exceed $575,000 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.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: Please read the complete Federal Register announcement 
before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP 
deadline has passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition 
with applicants until the proposal review process has been 
completed.

IV.1 Contact Information To Request an Application Package

    Please contact the ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, U.S. Department of State, 
SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone: 202-260-
6936, fax: 202-401-1433, e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#165b796477525256656277627338717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f32100d1e3b3b3f0c0b1e0b1a51181009">[email protected]</span></a> to request a 
Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number 
ECA/A/S/A-05-05 located at the top of this announcement when making 
your request.
    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.

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/education/rfgps/menu.htm. Please 
read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and eight copies of the application should be 
sent per the instructions under IV.3e., ``Submission Dates and Times'' 
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.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not 
received a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three 
years, or if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS 
within the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation 
to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to 
do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1 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.2 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

[[Page 60212]]

link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that 
the grantee 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 timeframe), 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.)
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All 
data collected, including survey responses and contact information, 
must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the 
Bureau upon request.
    IV.3.e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit 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. Applicants must submit 
two budgets: One for not more than $475,000 to support initial program 
and administrative costs required to implement this program, and a 
second for not more than $575,000, for additional adviser training and 
support activities, should additional funding become available.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Salaries and fringe benefits; travel and per diem;
    (2) Other direct costs, inclusive of rent, utilities, etc.;
    (3) Indirect expenses (except against participant program 
expenses), auditing costs;
    (4) Participant program costs; i.e., international/domestic travel, 
visas, per diem, conference attendance.
    (5) Alumni Web site and alumni support activities
    (6) Advising coordinator expenses for pre-conference campus visits
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times:
    Application Deadline Date: Friday, November 22, 2004.
    Explanation of Deadlines: In light of recent events and heightened 
security measures, proposal submissions must be sent via a nationally 
recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, 
Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.) 
and be shipped no later than the above deadline. The 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. 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. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of application. 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. 
Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package.

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


    The original and eight copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/S/A/-05-05, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.

[[Page 60213]]

    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: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission.
    2. Program Planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above.
    3. Ability To Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. Multiplier Effect/Impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    7. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grants 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    8. Follow-On Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is recommended.
    10. 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.
    11. Cost-Sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.
    12. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects 
should receive positive assessments by the U.S. Department of State's 
geographic area desk and overseas officers of program need, potential 
impact, and significance in the partner country(ies).

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

VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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

Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles for 
Nonprofit Organizations.''
Office of Management and Budget Circular 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 websites for additional information:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of the 
following reports:
    1. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. 
(Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3.d.3) 
above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.
    All data collected, including survey responses and contact 
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request.
    All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.
    Organizations awarded grants will be required to maintain specific 
data on program participants and activities in an electronically 
accessible database format that can be shared with the Bureau as 
required. As a minimum, the data must include the following:
    (1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all

[[Page 60214]]

persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or 
who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.
    (2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing 
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take 
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be 
received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Dorothy Mora, 
Educational Information and Resources Branch, ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, 
Reference number ECA/A/S/A-05-05, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 
4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone: 202-260-6936 and fax 
number: 202-401-1433, Internet address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#327f5d405376767241465346571c555d44"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="25684a574461616556514451400b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/A-05-05 Please read the 
complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff 
may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal 
review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

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

    Dated: September 27, 2004.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, , Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-22583 Filed 10-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P


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