### 2181 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 9 / Thursday, January 14, 2010 / Notices

9 The text of the proposed rule change is available
on the Commission’s Web site at http://

www.sec.gov.

10 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 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, 9 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 inspection and copying 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 NYSE Amex. 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 available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File No.
SR–NYSEAmex–2009–102 and should be submitted on or before February 4,

2010.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority. 10
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2010–542 Filed 1–13–10; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 8011–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice: 6821]**

**60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS–4100, Iran Program**  **Grants Vetting, Information Collection**

**1405–0176**

**ACTION :**  Notice of request for public

comments.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the
information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. • Title of Information Collection: Iran Program Grants

• OMB Control Number: 1405–0176

• Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection

• Originating Office: Office of Iranian Affairs, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA/IR)

• Form Number: DS–4100

• Respondents: Potential grantees and participants for Iran programs

• Estimated Number of Respondents:

100

• Estimated Number of Responses:

200

• Average Hours Per Response: 1

• Total Estimated Burden: 200

• Frequency: On occasion

• Obligation to Respond: Required to
Obtain

**DATE (**  **S ):**  The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 days from January 14, 2010.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed information collection and supporting documents, to Danika Walters, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, who may be reached on 202–647–1347, or via e-mail

at WaltersDL@state.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our
functions.

• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected.

• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of technology.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

The State Department has made the awarding of grants a key component of its Iran policy. As a condition of licensing these activities, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) mandates that the Department conduct a vetting of potential Iran programsgrantees and sub-grantees for counterterrorism purposes. To conduct this vetting the Department envisions collecting information from grantees and sub-grantees regarding the identity and background of their key employees, board of directors, and program participants. Methodology

We will collect this information either through fax or electronic submission.

Additional Information

Provide background or other information as applicable or useful. This is optional.

Dated: January 5, 2010.

Sara Horner, Office Director, Office of Iranian Affairs, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State.

[FR Doc. 2010–599 Filed 1–13–10; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–31–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice 6865]**

**Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant**  **Proposals: Global Undergraduate Exchange Program for Pakistan** 

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/
A/E/SCA–10–01.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Number: 19.009.

Key Dates: Application Deadline: February 15, 2010.

Executive Summary: The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition
to administer the FY2010 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program for Pakistan. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) in the United States may submit proposals to organize and carry out academic exchange
activities for students from underrepresented sectors in Pakistan. The recipient organization will be responsible for the following aspects of the program: Placement of no less than 100 foreign students at accredited U.S. institutions (50 for fall semester 2010, 50 spring semester 2011) student travel to the U.S., orientation, enrichment programming, advising, monitoring and support, pre-return activities, evaluation, and follow-up with program alumni. Support for this program is being provided from special FY2009/ FY2010 supplemental funds that have been appropriated to the Department. It is anticipated that the total amount of funding for FY2010 administrative and program costs will be $2,000,000 pending availability of funds.


### 2182 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 9 / Thursday, January 14, 2010 / Notices

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority: Overall grant making authority for this program is contained
in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87– 256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the

Act is ‘‘to enable the Government of the
United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the
ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the
United States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful
relations between the United States and
the other countries of the world. ’’ The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation.

Purpose: The principal objective of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program for Pakistan (herein referred to
as the ‘‘ Global UGRAD—Pakistan ’’ ) is to provide a substantive exchange experience at a U.S. college or university to a diverse group of emerging student leaders from underrepresented sectors in Pakistan. In this context, the recipient organization should ensure that participants are able
to enroll full-time in courses at U.S. institutions alongside U.S. peers, and provide the participants with opportunities and enrichment activities designed to help them understand the
U.S. and U.S. citizens inside and
outside the classroom.

Participants will return to their home
countries at the conclusion of the exchange program to re-enter colleges and universities there, and re-integrate
with their home societies.

An objective of the program is to provide participants with tailored
instruction in the academic skills and study habits required to be successful at the undergraduate level as well as be better prepared for higher level studies
in the U.S. in the future.

The Global UGRAD—Pakistan will provide no less than 100 scholarships— 50 for fall semester, 50 for spring semester—at U.S. institutions of higher education to outstanding students from
non-elite sectors in Pakistan. Scholarships will be granted primarily to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in their home country, although students just completing their final year of high school will also be eligible. The recipient organization will place participants in non-degree programs at both two- and four-year U.S. colleges
and universities.

The recipient organization should develop enrichment activities to enhance the participants’ academic education, including having students participate in community service and make local presentations about their countries. All participants are required
to return to their home countries immediately upon the conclusion of the program. Transfers of academic program or visa sponsorship of participants to
another U.S. institution will not be
considered.

ECA will award one cooperative agreement for this program. Programs and projects must conform to Bureau requirements and guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package. ECA programs are subject to the availability of funds.

Programs must comply with J–1 Visa regulations. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for further
information.

In a cooperative agreement, the South and Central Asia Programs Branch of the Office of Academic Exchange Programs
in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/E/SCA) is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine grant monitoring. ECA/A/E/SCA activities and responsibilities for this program are, but not limited to, the following:

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

2. Approval of key personnel; 3. Final selection of program participants;

4. Approval and input for all program agendas and timelines;

5. Final approval of all student placements;

6. Final approval of internship placements;

7. Guidance in execution of all project components;

8. Arrangement for State Department speakers during workshops;

9. Assistance with participant emergencies;

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

11. Liaison with Public Affairs
Sections of the U.S. Embassies and country desk officers at the State Department.

Note: All materials, publicity, and correspondence related to the program must acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. The Bureau will retain copyright use of and distribute materials related to this program as it sees fit. II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA’s level of involvement in this program is listed under number
I above.

Fiscal Year Funds: FY2010. Approximate Total Funding: $2,000,000.

Approximate Number of Awards: 1. Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, the anticipated program start date will be May 1, 2010.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 31, 2011.

Additional Information: At this time, support for this program is being provided from special one-time FY2009/ FY2010 supplemental funds that have been appropriated to the Department. In
the event that additional funds become available in fiscal years 2011 and 2012, and pending successful implementation of the FY2010 funded program, ECA reserves the right to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants: Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 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 applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost sharing may be in the
form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal Government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and
in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A–110, (Revised), Subpart C.23—Cost Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA’s contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: (a) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000. ECA anticipates


### 2183 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 9 / Thursday, January 14, 2010 / Notices

awarding one grant, in the amount of up to $2,000,000 to support the program and administrative costs required to implement the program. Therefore, applicant organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchange programs are ineligible to apply under this competition. The Bureau encourages applications to provide the maximum levels of cost sharing and funding to in support of its program.

IV. Application and Submission
Information

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

IV.1 Contact Information To Request an Application Package:

Please contact the South and Central Asia Programs Branch, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, ECA/A/ E/SCA, SA–5 Floor 4, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522–0504,

202–632–3270, Fax: 202–632–9411 or AlamiLT@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/ E/SCA–10–01 located at the top of this announcement when making your request.

Alternatively, an electronic application package may be obtained from grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f
for further information.

The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.

It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria and budget instructions tailored to this competition.

Please specify Program Officer, Theresa Drake, and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/SCA– 10–01 on all other inquiries and correspondence.

IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet:

The entire Solicitation Package may
be downloaded from the Bureau’s Web

site at http://exchanges.state.gov/grants/ open2.html, or from the Grants.gov Web

site at http://www.grants.gov. Please
read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of
Submission: Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package. The application should be submitted per the instructions under IV.3f., Application Deadline and Methods of
Submission section below.

IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number,

access http://
www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1– 866–705–5711. Please ensure that your
DUNS number is included in the appropriate box of the SF–424 which is part of the formal application package.

IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal narrative and budget.

Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional formatting and technical requirements.

IV.3c. 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 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, recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements.

The award recipient 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, ECA/EC/ D, SA–5, Floor C2, Department of State, Washington, DC 20522–0582.

Please refer to Solicitation Package for
further information.

IV.3d.2 Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines: Pursuant to the Bureau’s authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-political
character and should be balanced and representative of the diversity of American political, social, and cultural
life. ‘‘Diversity’’ should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and physical challenges. 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


### 2184 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 9 / Thursday, January 14, 2010 / Notices

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 award 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. 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.)

The recipient organization 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.3d.4. Describe your plans for: i.e. sustainability, overall program management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any other requirements. 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. Participant expenses. 2. Administrative costs.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.

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

Application Deadline Date: February

15, 2010.

Reference Number: ECA/A/E/SCA–

10–01.

Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:

(1.) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or

(2.) Electronically through http:// www.grants.gov.

Please Note: ECA strongly encourages organizations interested in applying for this competition to submit printed, hard copy applications as outlined in section IV.3f.1., below rather than submitting electronically through Grants.gov. This recommendation is being made as a result of the anticipated high volume of grant proposals that will be submitted via the Grants.gov webportal as part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in this RFGP, ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via 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


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will be ineligible for further consideration under this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are ineligible for consideration under this competition.
ECA will not notify you upon receipt of application. It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as
stated above will be considered.

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

.

The original and eight (8) copies of the application should be sent to: Office of Academic Exchange Programs, ECA/ A/E/SCA, SA–5, 4th Floor, 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 PC-formatted disk. 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 packages are available at Grants.gov in the ‘‘ Find ’’ portion of the system.

Please Note: ECA strongly encourages organizations interested in applying for this competition to submit printed, hard copy applications as outlined in section IV.3f.1. above, rather than submitting electronically through Grants.gov. This recommendation is being made as a result of the anticipated high volume of grant proposals that will be
submitted via the Grants.gov webportal as part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in this RFGP, ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via Grants.gov.

Please follow the instructions available in the ‘Get Started’ portion of the site ( http://www.grants.gov/
GetStarted).

Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov. Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. In addition,
validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can take up to two business days. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

The Grants.gov Web site includes extensive information on all phases/ aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive section on frequently asked questions, located
under the ‘‘ For Applicants ’’ section of the Web site. ECA strongly recommends that all potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov Web site, well in advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission

to: Grants.gov Customer Support Contact Center Phone: 800–518–4726.
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 7

a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern Time. E-mail: 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.

It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via the Grants.gov web portal to ensure that proposals have been received by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

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

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process: The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of State’s Assistant Secretary for
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for cooperative agreements resides with the Bureau’s
Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to
the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:

1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to
the Bureau’s mission.

2. Ability to achieve program objectives: 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. 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) andprogram content (orientation and wrapup sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up activities).


### 2186 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 9 / Thursday, January 14, 2010 / Notices

5. Institution’s Record/Capacity: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.

6. Project Evaluation and Follow-on: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the activity’s success, both as
the activities unfold and at the end of the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives is recommended. Proposals should also provide a plan for continued follow-on activity (with minimal Bureau support) ensuring that Bureau supported programs are not
isolated events.

7. Cost-effectiveness/Cost-sharing:
The overhead and administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.

8. Value to U.S.-Partner Country
Relations: Proposed projects should receive positive assessments by the U.S. Department of State’s geographic area desk and overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance in the partner countries.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1a. Award Notices: Final awards
cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will
receive an Federal Assistance Award (FAA) from the Bureau’s Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the
U.S. Government. The FAA will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and mailed to the recipient’s responsible officer identified in the application.

Unsuccessful applicants will receive
notification of the results of the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this competition.

VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements include the following:

Office of Management and Budget Circular A–122, ‘‘ Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations. ’’

Office of Management and Budget Circular A–21, ‘‘ Cost Principles for
Educational Institutions. ’’

Office of Management and Budget 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 ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of the following reports:

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

(2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to the public via OMB’s USAspending.gov Web site—as part of ECA’s Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting requirements.

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

Award recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. ( Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3.d.3) above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.

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

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

Optional Program Data Requirements: Organizations awarded grants will be required to maintain specific data on program participants and activities in an electronically accessible database format that can be shared with the Bureau as required. As a minimum, the data must include the following:

(1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or who benefit from the grant funding but do

not travel.

(2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

For questions about this announcement, contact: Theresa Drake, South and Central Asia Programs Branch, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, ECA/A/E/SCA, SA–5 Floor 4, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522–0504, (202) 632–3277 and

Fax: 202–632–9411, http:// www.exchanges.state.gov.

All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference
the above title and number ECA/A/E/ SCA–10–01. 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: January 5, 2010.
Maura M. Pally,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State.

[FR Doc. 2010–610 Filed 1–13–10; 8:45 am]

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