Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2011 / Notices 27143 

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Numbers 59002 and 59008) 

James E. Rivera, 

Associate Administrator for Disaster 

Assistance. 

[FR Doc. 2011–11434 Filed 5–9–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8025–01–P 

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 

[Docket No. SSA–2010–0038] 

Future Systems Technology Advisory 

Panel Meeting 

AGENCY: Social Security Administration 

(SSA). 

ACTION: Notice of Eleventh Panel 

Meeting. 

DATES: May 24, 2011, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 

Location: Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 

Arlington, VA, Regency B. 

ADDRESSES: 2799 Jefferson Davis 

Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Type of meeting: The meeting is open 

to the public. 

Purpose: The Panel, under the Federal 

Advisory Committee Act of 1972, as 

amended, (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘the 

FACA’’) shall report to and provide the 

Commissioner of Social Security 

independent advice and 

recommendations on the future of 

systems technology and electronic 

services at the agency five to ten years 

into the future. The Panel will 

recommend a road map to aid SSA in 

determining what future systems 

technologies may be developed to assist 

in carrying out its statutory mission. 

Advice and recommendations can relate 

to our systems in the area of internet 

application, customer service, or any 

other arena that would improve SSA’s 

ability to serve the American people. 

Agenda: The Panel will meet on 

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 from 10 a.m. 

until 5 p.m. The agenda will be 

available on the Internet at http:// 

www.ssa.gov/fstap/index.htm or 

available by e-mail or fax on request, 

one week prior to the starting date. 

During the meeting, the Panel may 

have experts address items of interest 

and other relevant topics to the Panel. 

This additional information will further 

the Panel’s deliberations and the effort 

of the Panel subcommittees. 

The Panel will hear Public comments 

on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, from 4:30 

p.m. until 5 p.m. Individuals interested 

in providing comments in person 

should contact the Panel staff as 

outlined below to schedule a time slot. 

Members of the public must schedule a 

time slot in order to comment. In the 

event public comments do not take the 

entire scheduled time period, the Panel 

may use that time to deliberate or 

conduct other Panel business. Each 

individual providing public comment 

will be acknowledged by the Chair in 

the order in which they are scheduled 

to testify. Individuals providing public 

comment are limited to a maximum 

five-minute, verbal presentation. In lieu 

of public comments provided in person, 

individuals may provide written 

comments to the panel for their review 

and consideration. Comments in written 

or oral form are for informational 

purposes only for the Panel. Public 

comments will not be specifically 

addressed or receive a written response 

by the Panel. 

For individuals that are hearing 

impaired and in need of sign language 

services please contact the Panel staff as 

outlined below at least 10 business days 

prior to the meeting so that timely 

arrangements can be made to provide 

this service. 

Contact Information: Records are kept 

of all proceedings and will be available 

for public inspection by appointment at 

the Panel office. Anyone requiring 

information regarding the Panel should 

contact the staff by: 

Mail addressed to SSA, Future 

Systems Technology Advisory Panel, 

Room 500, Altmeyer Building, 6401 

Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 

21235–0001; Telephone at 410–966– 

2203; Fax at 410–966–7474; or E-mail to 

FSTAP@ssa.gov. 

Dated: May 4, 2011. 

Karen Palm, 

Designated Federal Officer, Future Systems 

Technology Advisory Panel. 

[FR Doc. 2011–11240 Filed 5–9–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4191–02–P 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

[Public Notice 7448] 

Bureau of Educational and Cultural 

Affairs (ECA) Request for Cooperative 

Agreement Proposals; English 

Language Fellow Program for 

Academic Year (AY) 2012–2013 

Announcement Type: New 

Cooperative Agreement. 

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/ 

A/L–12–01. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance Number: 19.421. 

Key Program Dates: N/A. 

Application Deadline: June 24, 2011. 

The Office of English Language 

Programs of the Bureau of Educational 

and Cultural Affairs announces an open 

competition for proposals to advance 

the Bureau’s objectives through support 

of academic exchanges that will result 

in the improvement of English teaching 

capacity around the world and the 

enhancement of mutual understanding 

between the people of the United States 

and those of other countries through 

exchanges of U.S. English language 

educators to all regions of the world. 

The English Language Fellow (EL 

Fellow) Program sends U.S. educators in 

the field of Teaching English as a 

Foreign Language (TEFL) on ten-month 

fellowships to overseas academic 

institutions. The Program brings foreign 

English as a Foreign Language (EFL) 

Educators to the U.S. for a three-week 

workshop/institute including 

participation in the annual Teachers of 

English to Speakers of Other Languages 

(TESOL) Convention. Pending the 

availability of Fiscal Year FY 2012 

funds, the Bureau anticipates the 

placement of approximately 112 English 

Language Fellows overseas in AY 2012– 

2013. 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 administer and manage the 

EL Fellow Program for AY 2012–2013. 

I. Funding Opportunity Description: 

Authority 

Overall Grant and Agreement-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 

The English Language Fellow Program 

fosters mutual understanding between 

the people of the United States and 

those of other countries through 

exchanges of U.S. English language 

educators. The EL Fellow Program 

sends talented, highly qualified U.S. 

educators in the field of Teaching 

English to Speakers of Other Languages 


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27144 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2011 / Notices 

(TESOL) on ten-month assignments to 

academic institutions in all regions of 

the world. Through projects 

recommended by U.S. embassies, EL 

Fellows share their expertise, hone their 

skills, gain international experience, 

and learn about other cultures. Upon 

returning to the United States, they 

share their experiences and acquired 

knowledge with their communities and 

professional colleagues. Projects are 

carried out with host-country ministries 

of education, universities, teachertraining institutions, NGOs, binational 

centers, and other English language 

teaching institutions. 

The EL Fellow Program allows 

students and teachers at host 

institutions to benefit from the EL 

Fellows’ expertise and to gain a better 

understanding of American values, 

representative government, free 

enterprise, and the rule of law. EL 

Fellows provide foreign educators, 

professionals, and students with 

communications skills they need to 

participate in the global economy and to 

improve their access to diverse 

perspectives on a broad variety of 

issues. 

During the program, EL Fellows 

typically serve as full-time (up to 20 

classroom contact hours per week) 

educators assigned to foreign host 

institutions and may be engaged in 

teacher training, curriculum and 

materials development, English for 

Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction, 

assessment, evaluation, research, 

English club or American Corner 

programming, summer camps, and other 

outreach projects. 

The overarching goals of the EL 

Fellow Program are to: 

• Advance the Department of State’s 

mutual understanding objectives; 

• Enhance English teaching capacity 

overseas in order to provide foreign 

teachers and students with the 

communication skills they need to 

participate in the global economy; 

• Allow students and teachers at host 

institutions to benefit from the EL 

Fellows’ expertise and to gain a better 

understanding of American values, 

representative government, free 

enterprise, and the rule of law; and 

• Provide an opportunity for U.S. 

English language educators to share 

their expertise, hone their skills, and 

learn about other cultures, so that upon 

returning to the United States, they can 

share their experiences and acquired 

knowledge with their communities and 

professional colleagues. 

EL Fellow Eligibility Requirements 

• U.S. citizenship; 

• Master’s degree with focus on 

Teaching English as a Foreign or Second 

Language (TEFL/TESL), Applied 

Linguistics, or relevant field, conferred 

no later than end of 2012 spring 

semester; 

• Minimum of three years of 

professional experience in the field of 

teaching English to non-native speakers 

(one year of experience equals two 

semesters of 15–16 hours per week); and 

• Teacher training experience (Senior 

EL Fellows should have at least four 

years of teacher training experience and 

one full year of international teaching 

experience). 

Background 

The Bureau seeks to award a 

Cooperative Agreement to an applicant 

with the ability to achieve these 

objectives and that has the necessary 

infrastructure and experience 

conducting academic exchange 

programs. The timing of the award and 

the amount of funding for the EL Fellow 

Program are subject to the availability of 

funds in FY 2012. 

EL Fellow Program Guidelines 

With the approval of the Office of 

English Language Programs, the roles 

and responsibilities of the Recipient 

administering the EL Fellow Program 

are to: 

• Design and develop promotional 

materials to support advertisement and 

recruitment for the EL Fellow Program. 

• Conduct an extensive, 

comprehensive, and ongoing 

promotional and advertising campaign 

to recruit qualified and experienced 

candidates for the EL Fellow Program. 

• Identify and review with the Bureau 

of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 

Office of English Language Programs, 

and U.S. embassies, candidates for 

approximately 112 EL Fellow projects 

selected by the U.S. Department of 

State. Qualified staff must interview 

candidates and match candidates’ skills 

to the needs of specific projects. The 

recruitment, selection, and placement 

process shall be completed by May 1, 

2012. 

• Plan and conduct a pre-departure 

orientation in Washington, DC in 

August 2012. 

• Conduct all financial management 

aspects of the EL Fellow Program, 

including processing of all EL Fellow 

grant payments electronically to EL 

Fellows’ designated bank accounts. 

Maintain an EL Fellow Program budget 

spreadsheet. 

• Provide fiscal management for EL 

Fellows’ professional development 

activities during the assignment. These 

activities are selected by the Bureau and 

are supported by U.S. embassies and the 

Public Diplomacy Offices of the U.S. 

Department of State’s Regional 

Geographic Bureaus. 

• Make all necessary travel 

arrangements for the EL Fellows 

including reservations and issuance of 

tickets. 

• Enroll the selected EL Fellows in 

the Bureau Accident and Sickness 

Program for Exchanges (ASPE) Benefit 

Plan. 

• Collect EL Fellows’ health 

verification forms and arrange for 

proper medical clearance by a qualified 

medical practitioner. 

• Monitor the EL Fellow Program 

activities and the EL Fellows, including 

emergencies, project performance, 

housing, security, terminations, and 

making regional site visit(s). 

• Prepare and enter into a fellowship 

agreement which establishes the terms 

and conditions of the 10-month 

fellowship including communications, 

project performance, terminations, and 

other program-related issues. 

• Communicate directly with EL 

Fellows with regard to fellowshiprelated issues including, in consultation 

with the relevant U.S. embassy and host 

institution(s), project performance, 

emergencies, terminations, reporting, 

highlights, and successes. 

• Notify and consult with the Office 

of English Language Programs (ECA/A/ 

L) immediately in regard to EL Fellows’ 

emergencies, evacuations, project 

performance, terminations, etc., and act 

in accordance to guidance from the 

Bureau. 

• Develop evaluation and implement 

strategies designed to measure the 

impact and outcome of the EL Fellow 

Program and the effectiveness of each 

individual EL Fellow’s professional 

activities at his/her designated host 

institution(s). 

• Maintain information sharing tools 

(e.g., Web site/listserv, database, and 

social networking media) and provide 

EL Fellow information to the Bureau’s 

Alumni Office. 

• Organize and implement activities 

related to the annual TESOL 

Convention, including: conducting a 

one-week Exchange EFL (English as a 

Foreign Language) Educators Fellow 

workshop/institute for foreign 

participants chosen by the State 

Department; arranging for the 

workshop/institute participants to 

attend the annual TESOL Convention; 

and, making all provisions for the Office 

of English Language Programs’ 

networking event at the TESOL 

Convention for the workshop/institute 

participants and EL Fellow Program 

alumni; 


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• Prepare Form DS–2019 and send 

the Form to each selected Exchange EFL 

Educator Fellow at least 60 days before 

his/her departure from his/her home 

country for the workshop/institute. 

The responsibilities of the Recipient 

are clearly detailed in the Project 

Objectives, Goals, and Implementation 

(POGI). Due to the diverse 

responsibilities involved in 

administering the Cooperative 

Agreement, the Bureau welcomes the 

submission of proposals involving 

partnering organizations. In addition to 

the primary grantee, these other 

organizations may be sub-grantees 

responsible for carrying out specific 

activities or components of the EL 

Fellow Program, such as recruitment, 

financial and logistical management, 

reporting requirements, pre-departure 

orientation, evaluations, clearance of 

health verification records, TESOL 2012 

related activities, etc. Applicants should 

include a minimum of two management 

staff with qualifications and experience 

in TEFL/TESL or Applied Linguistics. 

Applications involving partnering 

organizations, if applicable, must clearly 

delineate the role each partnering 

organization will play and its 

responsibilities. Letters of commitment 

from any potential partnering 

organization(s) must be included. 

In a Cooperative Agreement, ECA/A/ 

L is substantially involved in the 

program activities above and beyond 

routine monitoring. ECA/A/L activities 

and responsibilities for this program are 

as follows: 

• Providing overall program and 

policy design and direction; 

• Inviting U.S. embassies to submit 

EL Fellow proposals; 

• Reviewing and analyzing the ability 

of projects to raise the academic 

standards of English language teaching 

and to promote the Bureau’s public 

diplomacy and exchanges goals; 

• Analyzing the prospective impact of 

projects on host-country English 

teaching institutions and the likelihood 

of projects meeting host-country 

institutional needs; 

• Prioritizing and finalizing selection 

of projects for which the Recipient will 

recruit EL Fellow candidates; 

• Reviewing candidates’ 

qualifications and re ́sume ́s; 

• Monitoring participants and 

program activities; 

• Communicating and working with 

U.S. embassies to resolve EL Fellow 

issues (academic, health, security, etc.); 

and 

• Reviewing reports of EL Fellow 

activities and projects in host countries. 

U.S. embassies submit proposals to 

the Bureau identifying opportunities for 

placement of Fellows in host-country 

institutions in accordance with the 

guidance provided by the Bureau. U.S. 

embassies are responsible for managing 

the EL Fellow Program in-country. The 

role of the U.S. embassies includes: 

• Selecting host institutions, 

including evaluating the security of 

prospective sites; 

• Establishing viable partnerships 

with prospective in-country host 

institutions that have critical English 

language programming needs; 

• Developing project proposals in 

consultation with in-country host 

institutions to be implemented by EL 

Fellows; 

• Reviewing applicants’ 

qualifications and making final 

selections of EL Fellow candidates in 

consultation with in-country host 

institutions; 

• Contacting EL Fellows prior to their 

arrival to answer questions about workrelated issues, and to ensure that they 

have accurate information regarding 

housing, visa requirements, security, 

etc.; 

• Conducting an EL Fellows’ incountry arrival orientation and ensuring 

that the EL Fellows receive a security 

briefing by the embassy’s Regional 

Security Officer; 

• Working to maximize participants’ 

safety and well-being, locating and 

securing quality housing, ensuring that 

the EL Fellows’ visa/residency status is 

adjusted immediately after arrival in 

host country to comply with hostcountry immigration regulations, and 

acting as the EL Fellows’ and Bureau’s 

direct point of contact; 

• Conducting site visits and jointly 

monitoring EL Fellows’ programs and 

activities with the recipient and sharing 

of information with the recipient; and 

• Selecting nominees (foreign 

teachers of English as a Foreign 

language) for participation in the 46th 

Annual TESOL Convention (TESOL 

2012) and related activities in the U.S. 

II. Award Information 

Type of Award: Cooperative 

Agreement. 

Bureau’s level of involvement in the 

EL Fellow Program is listed under 

number I above. 

Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2012 (pending 

availability of funds). 

Approximate Total Funding: 

$8,500,000. 

Approximate Number of Awards: 1. 

Approximate Average Award: 

$8,500,000. 

Floor of Award Range: N/A. 

Ceiling of Award Range: N/A. 

Anticipated Award Date: October 1, 

2011, pending availability of funds. 

Anticipated Project Completion Date: 

March 31, 2014. 

Additional Information: Pending 

successful implementation of the EL 

Fellow Program and the availability of 

funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is the 

Bureau’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 

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 

Cooperative Agreement. Cost sharing 

may be in the form of allowable direct 

or indirect costs. For accountability, the 

applicant must maintain written records 

to support all costs which are claimed 

as 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 the applicant 

does not provide the minimum amount 

of cost sharing as stipulated in the 

approved budget, the Bureau’s 

contribution will be reduced in like 

proportion. 

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements 

Bureau Cooperative Agreement 

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 

Cooperative Agreement in an amount up 

to $8,500,000 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. 


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IV. Application and Submission of 

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 Office of English 

Language Programs, ECA/A/L, U.S. 

Department of State, SA–5, 4th Floor, 

2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 

20522, telephone (202) 632–9267, fax: 

(202) 632–9267, e-mail 

williamsoncj@state.gov to request a 

Solicitation Package. Please refer to 

Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/ 

L–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.2 

for further information. 

The Solicitation Package contains the 

Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) 

document which consists of required 

application forms, and standard 

guidelines for proposal preparation. 

It also contains the Project Objectives, 

Goals, and Implementation (POGI) 

document, which provides specific 

information, award criteria, and budget 

instructions tailored to this competition. 

Please specify ECA/A/L Program 

Officer, Catherine Williamson, and refer 

to Funding Opportunity Number ECA/ 

A/L–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/ 

education/rfgps/menu.htm 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. Applicant is 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 the 

applicant’s 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 for formatting and 

technical requirements. The package 

contains the mandatory Proposal 

Submission Instructions (PSI) document 

and the Project Objectives, Goals, and 

Implementation (POGI) document. 

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. Applicant 

must have nonprofit status with the IRS 

at the time of application. Please note: 

Effective March 14, 2008, all applicants 

for ECA Federal assistance awards must 

include with their application, a copy of 

page 5, Part V–A, ‘‘Current Officers, 

Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees’’ 

of their most recent Internal Revenue 

Service (IRS) Form 990, ‘‘Return of 

Organization Exempt From Income 

Tax.’’ If the organization is a private 

nonprofit which has not received a 

Grant or Cooperative Agreement from 

ECA in the past three years, or if the 

applicant organization has received 

nonprofit status from the IRS within the 

past four years, the applicant must 

submit the necessary documentation to 

verify nonprofit status as directed in the 

PSI document. Failure to do so will 

cause the proposal to be declared 

technically ineligible. 

IV.3d. Please take into consideration 

the following information when 

preparing the proposal narrative: 

IV.3d.1 Adherence to All Regulations 

Governing the J Visa 

The Bureau of Educational and 

Cultural Affairs places critical emphases 

on the security and proper 

administration of Exchange Visitor (J 

visa) programs and adherence by the 

Recipient and sponsors to all 

regulations governing the J visa. 

Therefore, proposals should 

demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to 

meet all requirements governing the 

administration of the Exchange Visitor 

Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62, 

including the oversight of Responsible 

Officers and Alternate Responsible 

Officers, screening and selection of 

program participants, provision of prearrival information and orientation to 

participants, monitoring of participants, 

proper maintenance and security of 

forms, record-keeping, reporting, and 

other requirements. 

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, socioeconomic 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 the 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 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. 


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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 the proposal 

include a draft survey questionnaire, or 

other technique, plus a description of a 

methodology to be used to link 

outcomes to original project objectives. 

The Bureau expects that the Recipient 

will track participants or partners and 

be able to respond to key evaluation 

questions, including satisfaction with 

the program, learning as a result of the 

program, changes in behavior as a result 

of the program, and effects of the 

program on institutions (institutions in 

which participants work or partner 

institutions). The evaluation plan 

should include indicators that measure 

gains in mutual understanding as well 

as substantive knowledge. 

Successful monitoring and evaluation 

depend heavily on setting clear goals 

and outcomes at the outset of a program. 

The evaluation plan should include a 

description of the project’s objectives, 

the anticipated project outcomes, and 

how and when the Recipient intends 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. The 

Recipient should also show how the 

project objectives link to the goals of the 

program described in this RFGP. The 

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, i.e., the 

results achieved. Examples of outputs 

include the number of people trained or 

the number of seminars conducted. 

Outcomes, in contrast, represent 

specific intended project results 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 the applicant 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; such as 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 shortterm outcome, whereas behavior and 

institutional changes are normally 

considered longer-term outcomes. 

Overall, the quality of the 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.) 

The Recipient will be required to 

provide reports analyzing the evaluation 

findings to the Bureau in the regular 

program reports. All data collected, 

including survey responses and contact 

information, must be maintained for a 

minimum of three years and provided to 

the Bureau upon request. 

IV. 3d.4. Describe plans for 

sustainability, e.g., overall program 

management, staffing, coordination with 

ECA and embassies. 

IV.3e. Please take the following 

information into consideration when 

preparing the budget: 

IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF– 

424A—‘‘Budget Information—NonConstruction Programs’’ along with a 

comprehensive budget for the entire 

program. The budget request may not 

exceed $8,500,000. 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. For allowable costs for the 

program and complete budget 

guidelines and formatting instructions, 

please refer to the Solicitation Package 

and POGI. 

IV.3f. Application Deadline and 

Methods of Submission 

Application Deadline Date: June 24, 

2011. 

Reference Number: ECA/A/L–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., DHL, 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 deadline, are ineligible 

for consideration under this 

competition. ECA will not notify the 

applicant 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 the 

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 11 copies of the 

application should be sent to: Program 

Management Division, ECA–IIP/EX/PM, 

Ref: ECA/A/L–12–01, SA–5, Floor 4, 

U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street, 

NW., Washington, DC 20037. 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
27148 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2011 / Notices 

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 to complete. 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 connectivity. 

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 bears no 

responsibility for data errors resulting 

from transmission or conversion 

processes. 

Direct all questions regarding 

Grants.gov registration and submission 

to: 

Grants.gov Customer Support. 

Contact Center Phone: 800–518–4726. 

Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 

a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern Time. 

E-mail: support@grants.gov. 

Applicants have until midnight (12 

a.m.), Washington, DC time of the 

closing date to ensure that their entire 

application has been uploaded to the 

Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions 

to the above deadline. Applications 

uploaded to the site after midnight of 

the application deadline date will be 

automatically rejected by the Grants.gov 

system and will be technically 

ineligible. 

Please refer to the Grants.gov Web 

site, for definitions of various 

‘‘application statuses’’ and the difference 

between a submission receipt and a 

submission validation. Applicants will 

receive a validation e-mail from 

Grants.gov upon the successful 

submission of an application. Again, 

validation of an electronic submission 

via Grants.gov can take up to two 

business days. Therefore, we strongly 

recommend that you not wait until the 

application deadline to begin the 

submission process through Grants.gov. 

ECA will not notify you upon receipt of 

electronic applications. 

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 and 

Agreement 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 a 

Cooperative Agreement resides with the 

Bureau’s Grants Officer. 

V.2. 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/ 

program planning: Proposals should 

exhibit originality, substance, precision, 

and relevance to the Bureau’s mission. 

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. Proposal should 

clearly demonstrate how the applicant 

will meet the program’s objectives and 

plan. 

2. Ability to achieve program 

objectives: Objectives should be 

reasonable, feasible, and flexible. 

Proposals should clearly demonstrate 

how the institution will meet the 

program’s objectives and plan. 

3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed 

programs should strengthen long-term 

mutual understanding, including 

maximum sharing of information and 

establishment of long-term institutional 

and individual linkages. 

4. Support of diversity: Proposals 

should demonstrate substantive support 

of the Bureau’s policy on diversity. 

Achievable and relevant features should 

be cited in both program administration 

(selection of participants, program 

venue, and program evaluation) and 

program content (orientation and wrapup sessions, program meetings, resource 

materials, and follow-up activities). 

5. Institutional capacity: Proposed 

personnel and institutional resources 

should be adequate and appropriate to 

achieve the program or project’s goals. 

6. Institution’s record/ability: 

Proposals should demonstrate an 

institutional record of successful 

exchange programs, including 

responsible fiscal management and full 

compliance with all reporting 

requirements for past Bureau 

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. 

7. 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. 

8. Project evaluation: Proposals 

should include a plan to evaluate the 

activities’ 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 be used to link 

outcomes to original project objectives 

is recommended. 

9. Cost-effectiveness and Cost 

Sharing: The overhead and 

administrative components of the 

proposal, including salaries and 

honoraria, should be kept as low as 

possible. All other budgeted items 

should be necessary and appropriate. 

Proposals should maximize cost-sharing 

through other private sector support as 

well as institutional direct funding 

contributions. 

10. Professional expertise in teaching 

English as a Foreign/Second Language 

(TEFL/TESL): The proposal should 

demonstrate a publicity and recruitment 

plan that allows for the greatest 

dissemination of information to 

professionals in the areas of teaching 

English as a foreign language, Applied 

Linguistics, and related fields. 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2011 / Notices 27149 

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 

documents 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. 

The Recipient shall insert the 

foregoing provision in all subagreements under the award. 

This provision includes express terms 

and conditions of the agreement and 

any violation of it shall be grounds for 

unilateral termination of the agreement 

by the Department of State prior to the 

end of its term. 

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 Nonprofit Organizations.’’ 

Please reference the following Web 

sites for additional information: http:// 

www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants. 

VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You 

must provide ECA with a hard copy 

original plus two copies of the following 

reports: 

1. A final program and financial 

report no more than 90 days after the 

expiration of the award; 

2. A concise, one-page final program 

report summarizing program outcomes 

no more than 90 days after the 

expiration of the award. This one-page 

report will 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. A Quarterly Program Report: A 

narrative program report describing and 

evaluating the activities shall be 

submitted within 30 days following 

each calendar year quarter. 

5. A Quarterly Financial Report: A 

financial report using SF 425–FFR to 

reflect expenditures shall be submitted 

within 30 days following each calendar 

year quarter. The report must be 

certified by the Recipient’s Chief Fiscal 

Officer or an officer of comparable rank. 

Award recipients will be required to 

provide reports analyzing evaluation 

findings to the Bureau in the regular 

program reports. (Please refer to IV. 

Application and Submission 

Instructions (IV.3.d.3) above for Program 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

information). 

All data collected, including survey 

responses and contact information, must 

be maintained for a minimum of three 

years and provided to the Bureau upon 

request. 

All reports must be sent to the ECA 

Grants Officer and ECA Program Officer 

listed in the final assistance award 

document. 

VI.4. Optional Program Data 

Requirements: Organizations awarded a 

Cooperative Agreement will be required 

to maintain specific data on program 

participants and activities in an 

electronically accessible database format 

that can be shared with the Bureau as 

required. As a minimum, the data must 

include the following: 

(1) Name, address, contact 

information, and biographic sketch of 

all persons who travel internationally 

on funds provided by the Cooperative 

Agreement or who benefit from the 

Cooperative Agreement 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: Catherine 

Williamson, Office of English Language 

Programs, ECA/A/L, U.S. Department of 

State, SA–5, 2200 C Street, NW., 

Washington, DC 20522, telephone 

(202)632–9267, fax (202) 632–9464, email williamsoncj@state.gov. 

All correspondence with the Bureau 

concerning this RFGP should reference 

the above title and number ECA/A/L– 

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. 

Dated: May 3, 2011. 

Ann Stock, 

Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational 

and Cultural Affairs, Department of State. 

[FR Doc. 2011–11430 Filed 5–9–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4710–05–P 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

[Public Notice 7449] 

Bureau of Educational and Cultural 

Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant 

Proposals; Access Teacher 

Development Online Program 

Announcement Type: New 

Cooperative Agreement. 

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/ 

A/L–11–05. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance Number: 19.421. 

Key Dates: Application Deadline: June 

4, 2011. 

Executive Summary: The Office of 

English Language Programs of the 

Bureau of Educational and Cultural 

Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES