### 60576 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 189 / Thursday, September 29, 2011 / Notices

19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

20 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied the five-day prefiling requirement.

21 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65383 (September 22, 2011) (SR–CBOE–2011–040) (order approving proposed rule changes to simplify the $1 Strike Price Interval Program).

22 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 23 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 19 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder. 20

The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Commission believes that waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because the proposal is substantially similar to that of another exchange that has been approved by the

Commission. 21 Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal operative upon filing. 22

At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission’s Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml ); or

• Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–ISE–2011–59 on the subject
line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC

20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–ISE–2011–59. This file
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site ( http://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–ISE–
2011–59 and should be submitted on or before October 20, 2011.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority. 23 Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2011–25075 Filed 9–28–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 8011–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice 7514]**

**Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant Proposals:**  **Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Serbia and Montenegro** 

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/
A/E/EUR–12–04.

Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number: 19.009.

Key Dates: Application Deadline: November 24, 2011.

Executive Summary: The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition
for the administration of the FY 2012 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Serbia and Montenegro (UGRAD). The total amount of funding for this award will be up to $1,537,575, pending the transfer of Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia (AEECA) funds for obligation in FY 2012. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3) may submit proposals to administer the placement, monitoring, evaluation, follow-on, and alumni activities for the UGRAD program.
Recruitment and selection of participants will be administered by a separate organization in conjunction
with the U.S. Embassies in Serbia and Montenegro. Organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchange programs are not eligible for this competition.

The UGRAD Program provides outstanding students from Serbia and Montenegro with scholarships for one year of non-degree study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Scholarships are available in all fields of study. Funding should support a minimum of 50 participants, with approximately 35 students from Serbia and 15 students from Montenegro. Every
effort should be made to maximize the number of scholarships awarded.

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, asamended, also known as the FulbrightHays 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 UGRAD Program is designed to promote mutual understanding among the people of Serbia and Montenegro


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and the United States by awarding Serbian and Montenegrin undergraduate students full scholarships for one year of non-degree undergraduate study at accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education in the
United States. Students will enhance
their academic education with community service participation and an internship. The academic component of the program begins in the fall semester of the year following the Agreement start date (academic year 2012–2013). At the end of their academic programs, students are required to immediately
return to their home countries.

Applicant organizations must demonstrate the ability to administer the following aspects of the UGRAD Program—university placements, orientation, monitoring and support of FY 2012 participants including all logistics, financial management, evaluation, follow-on, and alumni.
Recruitment and selection of participants is not a component of this RFGP. The cooperating organization will serve as the principal liaison with UGRAD Program host institutions and the Bureau. Further details on specific program responsibilities can be found in the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) Statement, which is part of the formal solicitation package available from the Bureau. Interested organizations should read the

entire Federal Register announcement for all information prior to preparing proposals.

The Bureau will award one Cooperative Agreement for this program. Should an applicant organization wish to work with other organizations in the implementation of this program, the Bureau requests that a sub-grant agreement be developed. Thesame requirements apply to the subgrantee as to the recipient organization.

In a Cooperative Agreement, the Office of Academic Exchange Programs, European and Eurasian Branch (ECA/A/ E/EUR) is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine grant monitoring. ECA/A/E/EUR activities and responsibilities for this program are as follows:

1. Participating in the design and direction of program activities;

2. Approval of key personnel; 3. Approval and input for all program agendas and timelines;

4. Providing guidance in execution of all project components;

5. Monitoring the target goal for number of participants and expenditure of funds toward meeting that goal;

6. Providing guidance on content and speakers for workshops; 7. Assisting with SEVIS-related issues;

8. Assisting with participant emergencies;

9. Providing background information related to participants’ home countries and cultures;

10. Providing liaison with Public
Affairs Sections of the U.S. Embassies and country desk officers at the State Department;

11. Providing Bureau evaluation
mechanisms and instruments.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.

The Bureau’s level of involvement in this program is listed under number I
above.

Fiscal Year Funds: 2012. Approximate Total Funding: $1,537,575. Funding will be provided
from FY 2011/FY 2012 Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia (AEECA) funds transferred to ECA for obligation in FY 2012.

Approximate Number of Awards: 1. Ceiling of Award Range: $1,537,575. Anticipated Award Date: Pending the transfer of funds, December 30, 2011.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 30, 2014.

Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is the Bureau’s intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years, before openly competing it again. Subsequent awards may include the requirement to
conduct a merit-based recruitment and selection component.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3).

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the cooperating organization 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,
written records must be maintained 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 that the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget is not provided, the Bureau’s contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. The Bureau anticipates awarding one grant, in an amount up to $1,537,575 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.

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 Program Officer Karene
Grad Steiner in the Office of Academic Exchange Programs, ECA/A/E/EUR, U.S. Department of State, SA–5, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, tel. (202) 632–

3237, e-mail: GradKE@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number ECA/A/E/EUR–12–04 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 Bureau Program Officer
Karene Grad Steiner and refer to the


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Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/ E/EUR–12–04 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. 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 onepage 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 is placing renewed emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by grantees 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 part 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection ofprogram participants, provision of prearrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements. The Grantee 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, Fax: (202) 453–8640. 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 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


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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 shortterm 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—NonConstruction Programs’’ along with a comprehensive budget for the entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.

IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:

(1) Program Expenses. (2) Domestic Administration. (3) Overseas Administration.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.

IV.3f. Application Deadline and
Methods of Submission:

Application Deadline Date: 11/24/

2011.

Reference Number: ECA/A/E/EUR–

12–04.

Methods of Submission: Electronic and Hard Copy.

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 the Bureau 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. The Bureau 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 the Bureau 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 eight copies of the application should be sent to:

Program Management Division, ECA– IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/A/E/EUR–12–04, SA–5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC

20037.

Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the ‘‘Executive Summary’’ and ‘‘Proposal Narrative’’ sections of the proposal in text (.txt) format on a CD–ROM. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to the appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassies
for their review.

IV.3f.2—Submitting Electronic Applications

Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically through Grants.gov ( http:// www.grants.gov ). Complete solicitation


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packages are available at Grants.gov in the ‘‘Find’’ portion of the system.

Please Note: The Bureau 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. The Bureau 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. The Bureau 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. The Bureau 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 the Bureau bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process

The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of State’s Assistant Secretary for
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for cooperative agreement awards 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 and 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.

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 (program venues and program evaluation) and program content (orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up activities).

5. Institutional Record and Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or project’s goals. Proposals should
demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau awards (grants or cooperative agreements) as determined by Bureau
Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.

6. Follow-on Activities and
Evaluation: Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that Bureau supported programs are not isolated events. Proposals also 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.

7. Cost-sharing and 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. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.

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


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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 Bureau program office coordinating this competition.

VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Terms and
Conditions for the Administration of Bureau 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 ofStates, Local Government, and Nonprofit 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 the Bureau with a hard copy original plus one copy of the following reports:

(1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award;

(2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to the public via

OMB’s USAspending.gov Web site—as part of the Bureau’s Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting requirements.

(3) A SF–PPR, ‘‘Performance Progress Report’’ Cover Sheet with all program reports.

(4) Quarterly program and financial reports which should include summaries of program activity and
lessons learned. Award recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. (Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3.d.3) above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information).

All data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must
be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the Bureau upon request.

All reports must be sent to the Bureau Grants Officer and the Bureau Program
Officer listed in the final assistance
award document.

Program Data Requirements: Award recipients 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, biographic sketch, and U.S. host institution of higher education of all persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the agreement or who benefit from the award 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 Bureau Program Officer at least two week days prior to the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

For questions about this

announcement, contact: Program Officer Karene Grad Steiner, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, ECA/A/E/EUR,
Reference Number: ECA/A/E/EUR–12– 04, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632–3237, e-mail: GradKE@state.gov

.

All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference
the title and number ECA/A/E/EUR–12– 04. 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: September 20, 2011.
J. Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

[FR Doc. 2011–24988 Filed 9–28–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–05–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice 7603]**

**Notice of Public Meeting**

Summary: The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), Office of
Marine Conservation announces that the Advisory Panel to the U.S. Section of
the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission will meet on October 6,

2011.

Dates: The meeting will take place via teleconference on October 6th, 2011, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time.

Meeting Details: The teleconference
call-in number is toll-free 1–888–989– 7597, passcode 21898, and will have a
limited number of lines for members of the public to access from anywhere in
the United States. Callers will hear instructions for using the passcode and joining the call after dialing the toll-free number noted. Members of the public wishing to participate in the
teleconference must contact the OES officer in charge as noted in the **FOR**

**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT** section
below no later than close of business on Tuesday, October 4th, 2011.

For Further Information Contact: John Field, Office of Marine Conservation, OES, Room 2758, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20520. Telephone (202) 647–3263, fax (202) 736–7350, e-mail fieldjd@state.

gov.

Supplementary Information: In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is given that the Advisory Panel to the
U.S. Section of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC)
will meet on the date and time noted
above.