### 68243 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 213 / Thursday, November 3, 2011 / Notices

formerly traded exclusively in the over-the-counter

market be cleared. See, e.g., Report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs regarding The Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010, S. Rep. No. 111–176 at 34 (stating that ‘‘[s]ome parts of the OTC market may not be suitable for clearing and exchange trading

due to individual business needs of certain users. Those users should retain the ability to engage in customized, uncleared contracts while bringing in as much of the OTC market under the centrally cleared and exchange-traded framework as possible.’’). The Commission believes that expanding CME’s ability to clear CDS contracts referencing broad-based securities indices will facilitate bringing additional security-based swaps into clearing, particularly with respect to the individual components of these indices.

8 15 U.S.C. 78q–1.

9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

10 In approving the proposed rule change, the Commission considered the proposal’s impact on efficiency, competition and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

11 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). IV. Conclusion

On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act and in particular with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act 8 and the rules and regulations

thereunder.

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 9 that the proposed rule change (File No. SR– CME–2011–07) be, and hereby is, approved. 10

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority. 11
Kevin M. O’Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2011–28462 Filed 11–2–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 8011–01–P**

**SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION**

**[Docket No. SSA–2011–0068]**

**Social Security Rulings, SSR 91–1c and SSR 66–18c; Rescission of Social**  **Security Rulings (SSR) 66–18c and**

**SSR 91–1c**

**AGENCY :**  Social Security Administration.

**ACTION :**  Notice of rescission of Social Security Rulings.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with 20 CFR 402.35(b)(1), the Commissioner of Social Security gives notice of the rescission of Social Security Rulings (SSR) 66–18c

and SSR 91–1c.

**DATES :**  Effective Date: This rescission will be effective on November 3, 2011.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Joann S. Anderson, Office of Income Security Programs, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401, (410) 965–6716 or TTY (410) 966–5609,

for information about this notice. For information on eligibility or filing for benefits, call our national toll-free number, 1-(800) 772–1213 or TTY 1– (800) 325–0778, or visit our Internet site, Social Security Online, at http:// www.socialsecurity.gov

.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  SSRs make available to the public precedential decisions related to the Federal old age, disability, Supplemental Security Income, special veterans’ benefits, and black lung benefits programs. SSRs may be based

on determinations or decisions made at all levels of administrative adjudication, Federal court decisions, Commissioner’s decisions, opinions of the Office of the General Counsel, and other interpretations of the law and regulations.

We have historically presumed that corporate officers and self-employed individuals could report less than their actual earnings to avoid deductions

from retirement benefits under the annual earnings test. Accordingly, we developed detailed procedures to question earnings reported by corporate officers and self-employed individuals during periods of alleged retirement. These procedures sometimes entailed extensive interviews regarding the

nature and extent of the individual’s

business activities and the distribution of income within the company or corporation.

In 1966, we issued SSR 66–18c to

reflect the district court’s decision in Hellberg v. Celebrezze, 245 F.Supp. 390 (W.D. Mo. 1965), in which the court held that we have the authority to investigate the validity of a business transfer to determine its sufficiency for purposes of the annual earnings test.

The court found that we could declare a transfer invalid for earnings test purposes, even though it is valid for other purposes under State law, if the former legal titleholder retains a

beneficial interest in the business and continues to perform substantially

similar services for the business after

the transfer.

On February 5, 1991, we issued SSR

91–1c to reflect the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the

Eleventh Circuit in Martin v. Sullivan, 894 F.2d 1520 (11th Cir. 1990). The

court determined that we have the authority to investigate any business arrangements that appear to be for the purpose of qualifying for benefits or avoiding benefit deductions under the annual earnings test.

We recently decided to eliminate our current procedures for questioning corporate officers’ and self-employed individuals’ allegations of retirement. We have found that, over the long term, questioning retirement allegations has made no significant difference in Trust Fund outlays. By eliminating our questionable retirement procedures, we will reduce the public burden, save our scarce administrative resources, and increase the efficiency of the retirement determination process.

Since we are eliminating our current procedures for questioning corporate officers’ and self-employed individuals’ retirement allegations, the SSRs that relate to those procedures are no longer needed. Therefore, we are rescinding

SSR 66–18c and SSR 91–1c as obsolete.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic AssistanceProgram Nos. 96.002, Social SecurityRetirement Insurance, and 96.004 Social Security-Survivors Insurance)

Dated: October 27, 2011.
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social Security.

[FR Doc. 2011–28533 Filed 11–2–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4191–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice: 7671]**

**Youth Leadership Program: TechGirls**

Overview Information

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Youth Leadership Program:

TechGirls.

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/

PE/C/PY–12–10.

Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance Number: 19.415.

Application Deadline: December 15,

2011.

Executive Summary

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, of the Bureau

of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for the new Youth Leadership Program‘‘TechGirls.’’ Public and private nonprofit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal

Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct a three- to five-week exchange program in the United States in Summer 2012 focused on promoting high-level study of technology for high school girls

from the Middle East and North Africa. U.S. Embassies in the participating countries and territories will recruit, screen, and select the teenage girls. The


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program will provide an exchange of academic study of applied technology for girls who already have a demonstrated aptitude and strong interest in the subject, will empower girls to pursue higher education and careers in technology, and will support activities in the participants’ home countries that are designed to reinforce and support the skills and linkages acquired during the U.S. program.

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.

Background

In July 2011, Secretary Clinton announced the launch of a youth exchange program called TechGirls ‘‘to encourage innovation and promote the spread of new technologies to give women and girls the support that they

need to become leaders in this field.’’ TechGirls will complement the TechWomen program and echo its goals; this initiative champions two distinct but key themes of President Obama’s June 2009 speech in Cairo by supporting development in the field of technology and enabling young women to reach their full potential in the technology industry. For additional background,

visit: http://exchanges.state.gov/ programs/professionals/techwomen.

html.

The TechGirls program will bring approximately 25 teenage girls from

select countries in the Middle East and

North Africa to the United States for a three- to five-week exchange program in Summer 2012 focused on promoting high-level study of technology. The program should include participation in a technology camp, perhaps at a university, that will bring together the program participants with American peers who share similar interests. The camp should be academically rigorous and provide exposure to advanced tools in technology, as well as tools that can be readily adopted for use in the participants’ home countries, through hands-on classes, labs, and individual or team-based projects.

The TechGirls program participants may be integrated into an existing camp or residential program, or one may be designed specifically for them. The camp should be complemented by additional activities designed specifically for the TechGirls to include mentoring experiences, job shadowing, mini-internships, and/or site visits to high tech companies in the United States. Participants should be afforded ample opportunity throughout the course of the program to engage in small group work to design and develop projects that are relevant to the field and will produce tangible, presentableoutcomes, as well as to plan for followon activities. The program will be rounded out by planned social, recreational, and cultural activities; community service activities; home hospitality arrangements such as meals, recreational activities, or homestays with local families; and other activities designed to achieve the program’s stated goals. Multiple opportunities for participants to interact meaningfully with their American peers must be

included. Follow-on activities that are designed to reinforce and support the skills and linkages acquired during the U.S. program are an integral part of the

program.

The Bureau anticipates that the TechGirls participants will be selected

from the same countries that are participating in TechWomen so that TechWomen participants may assist with recruitment and mentoring of the girls once they return home. TechWomen participants are currently expected to be from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian territories, Tunisia, and Yemen.

The goals of the program are to: (1) Provide a program of academic study of applied technology for girls who already have a demonstrated aptitude and strong interest in the subject;

(2) Empower girls to pursue higher education and careers in technology;

(3) Link peers who share interests and abilities;

(4) Develop leadership skills of the participants;

(5) Promote mutual understanding among the peoples of the United States

and the countries and territories of the

Middle East and North Africa. Using these goals and the theme of technology, applicant organizations should identify their own specific and measurable outputs and outcomes based on the project specifications provided in this solicitation. Proposals should indicate how recipients will achieve the short-term program objectives, and how these objectives will contribute to the achievement of the stated long-term goals.

Participants

U.S. Embassies in the participating countries will recruit, screen, and select the youth participants. Although the award recipient is not expected to be involved in participant selection, it may serve the posts in an advisory role, as needed. The youth participants will be high school girls, aged 15 to 17 years old who already have a demonstrated aptitude and strong interest in the field of technology. Participants will be proficient in the English language. The Bureau anticipates selecting two to five participants from each participating country or territory.

Participants will be provided with opportunities during the exchange program to interact with American peers who are of the same age and share

similar interests in the field of technology. American peers will either be participants of an existing technology camp or will be recruited and selected by the award recipient if a technology camp is designed specifically for the TechGirls program.

Organizational Capacity

Applicant organizations must demonstrate their capacity for providing projects that address the goals and themes outlined in this document, and providing age-appropriate programming for youth, particularly from this region.

Applicants are strongly urged to garner private sector support. The Bureau encourages the expansion of the scope of this program beyond what it is

able to fund. Private sector monies and in-kind offerings may be used, for instance, to fund additional visits to technology companies in the United States, to increase the number of American students that participate in exchange program activities, or to ramp up activities during the technology

camp.
U.S. Embassy Involvement

U.S. Embassies in the participating countries will recruit, screen, and select the participants; facilitate visas; arrange and purchase international travel; arrange for adult accompaniment on the international flights; collaborate with the U.S. recipient organization in


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providing pre-departure briefings and overseeing alumni follow-on activities; and engage TechWomen alumni in their

home countries to serve as mentors to

the TechGirls alumni.

Guidelines

The total amount of funding is $175,000, pending availability of funds. It is anticipated that the cooperative agreement will begin on or around March 15, 2012. The award period will be approximately 12 months, and will cover all aspects of the program planning, U.S.-based exchange activities, and support of follow-on activities in the participants’ home

countries.

Applicants should propose to host one group of approximately 25 participants. The U.S.-based exchangeshould take place during a three- to fiveweek period between June 15 and July 19, 2012, to coincide with the school calendars in the participating countries, and also to allow participants to complete the program and return home before Ramadan (estimated to begin on July 20, 2012). Applicants should propose specific exchange dates in their proposals, but the exact timing may be altered through the mutual agreement of the Department of State and the award recipient.

The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal project configurations, budgets, and participant numbers in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. In addition, the Bureau reserves the right to adjust the participating countries should conditions change in a partner country or if other countries and/or regions are identified as Department priorities.

In pursuit of the goals outlined above, the award recipient will be responsible for the following:

(1) Providing U.S. Embassy Public Affairs staff in participating countries and territories with program materials and logistical information forpreparation sessions at the predeparture orientations.

(2) Managing logistical arrangements, including any domestic travel, ground transportation, accommodations, group meals, and disbursement of pocket

money.

(3) Conducting an orientation for the TechGirls upon their arrival in the United States and for those participating from the U.S. host communities, including American peers and host

families.

(4) Arranging housing for the participants in a dormitory, hotel, homestay, or some combination thereof and provide staff monitoring of the housing arrangement throughout the exchange. American host families must be properly screened and briefed, and criminal background checks must be

conducted for all members of host families (and others living in the home) who are 18 years of age or older.

(5) Designing and planning three to five weeks of exchange activities, including a technology camp, that will provide a creative and substantive program aimed at developing the participants’ knowledge and skill base in the field of technology. The exchange will include a short trip to Washington,

DC

(6) Developing and implementing a plan to monitor the participants’ safety and well-being while on the exchange, and to create opportunities for participants to share potential issues and resolve them promptly. The award recipient will be required to provide proper staff supervision and facilitation to ensure that the teenagers have a safe and pedagogically rich program. Staff, along with mentors will assist the youth with cultural adjustments, provide societal context to enhance learning,

and counsel students as needed.

(7) Making proper arrangements for participants’ religious observances.

(8) Facilitating, in coordination with the U.S. Embassies, continued engagement among the participants and offering opportunities to reinforce the ideas, values, and skills imparted during the exchange.

(9) Collaborating with U.S. Embassies to design and implement an evaluation plan that assesses the short- and medium-term impact of the project on the participants as well as on U.S. host

and home communities.

Please Note: The ECA award for the TechGirls program will take the form of a cooperative agreement with the award recipient. In a cooperative agreement, the Department of State is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine grant monitoring. The Department’s activities and responsibilities for the TechGirls program are as follows:

(1) Provide advice and assistance in the execution of all program components.

(2) Manage the recruitment and selection of the participants, arrange and purchase international travel, arrange for adult accompaniment on the international flights, and oversee pre- and post-exchange activities in each country.

(3) Issue DS–2019 forms and J–1 visas. All foreign participants will travel on a U.S. Government designation for the J Exchange Visitor Program.

(4) Provide the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefits plan for foreign participants.

(5) Facilitate interaction within the Department of State, to include ECA, the regional bureau, and overseas embassies and

consulates.

(6) Arrange meetings with Department of State officials in Washington, DC and the participating countries.

(7) Approve publicity materials and final calendar of exchange activities.

(8) Monitor and evaluate the program, through regular communication with the award recipient and possibly one or more site

visits.

Additional Information

Award recipients will retain the name ‘‘TechGirls’’ to identify their project. All materials, publicity, and correspondence related to the program will acknowledge this as a program of

the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The Bureau will retain copyright use of

and be allowed to distribute materials related to this program as it sees fit.

The organization must inform the ECA Program Officer and participating U.S. Embassies of their progress at each stage of the project’s implementation in a timely fashion, and will be required to obtain approval of any significant program changes in advance of their implementation.

Proposals must demonstrate how the stated objectives will be met. The proposal narrative should provide detailed information on the major project activities, and applicants should explain and justify their programmatic choices. Projects must comply with J–1 visa regulations for the International Visitor category. Please be sure to refer to the complete Solicitation Package— this RFGP, the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI), and the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI)—for further information.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA’s level of involvement in this program is listed under Section

I above.

Fiscal Year Funds: FY–2012. Approximate Total Funding: Pending availability of funds, $175,000.

Approximate Number of Awards:

One.

Anticipated Award Date: March 15,

2012.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: Approximately 12 months after start date, to be specified by applicant based on project plan.

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).


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III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

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

When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the

form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 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

(1) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making an award in an amount exceeding $60,000 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.

(2) Proposed sub-award recipients are also limited to grant funding of $60,000 or less if they do not have four years of experience in conducting international exchanges.

(3) The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its

programs.

(4) Organizations may submit only one proposal (total) under this competition. If more than one proposal is received from the same applicant, all

submissions will be declared technically ineligible and will receive

no further consideration in the review

process.

Please Note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF–424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document.

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 Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, SA–5, 3rd Floor, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20037, by telephone (202) 632–9261 or Email: ShieldsSD@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/ C/PY–12–10 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 Sarah Shields and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY–12– 10 located at the top of this announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence.

IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet

The entire Solicitation Package may

be downloaded from the Bureau’s Web

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

site at http://www.grants.gov.

Please read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package. The application should be submitted per the instructions under IV.3f. ‘‘Application Deadline and Methods of

Submission’’ section below.

IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun

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

access http://

www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1– 866–705–5711. Please ensure that your

DUNS number is included in the appropriate box of the SF–424 which is part of the formal application package.

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

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

IV.3c. All federal award recipients must maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Recipients must maintain accurate and up-to-date

information in the CCR until all program and financial activity and reporting have been completed. Recipients 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. Failure to register in the CCR will render applicants ineligible to receive funding.

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


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(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 Office of Citizen Exchanges of the

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is the official program sponsor of the exchange program covered by this RFGP, and an employee of the Bureau will be the ‘‘Responsible Officer’’ for the program under the terms of 22 CFR 62,

which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa program). Under the terms of 22 CFR 62, organizations receiving awards (either a grant or cooperative agreement) under this RFGP will be third parties ‘‘cooperating with or assisting the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor’s program.’’ The actions of recipient organizations shall be ‘‘imputed to the sponsor in evaluating the sponsor’s compliance with’’ 22 CFR 62. Therefore, the Bureau expects that any organization receiving an award under this competition will render all assistance necessary to enable the Bureau to fully comply with 22 CFR 62
et seq

.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically important emphases on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by recipient organizations and program participants to all regulations governing the J visa program status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in writing that the applicant is prepared to assist the Bureau in meeting all requirements governing the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR part 62. If your organization has experience as a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR

62 et seq., including the oversight of their Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for issuing DS– 2019 forms to participants in this

program.

A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor (J) programs is

available at http://exchanges.state.gov

or from:

Office of Designation, Private Sector Programs Division, U.S. Department of State, ECA/EC/D/PS, SA–5, 5th Floor, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC

20037.

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 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.


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(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. Budget requests may not exceed $175,000. 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. Please refer to the Solicitation Package (POGI and PSI) for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.

IV.3f. Application Deadline and

Methods of Submission

Application Deadline Date: December

15, 2011.

Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY–

12–10.

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

(1) In hardcopy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery service ( i.e., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or (2) Electronically through http://www.
grants.gov.

Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above

Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF– 424 contained in the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI)

of the solicitation document.

IV.3f.1. Submitting Printed Applications

Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline. Delivery services used by applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via the Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on

or before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days after the deadline will be ineligible for

further consideration under this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are ineligible for consideration under this competition.

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

stated above will be considered.

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

EX/PM’’.

The original and six (6) copies of the application should be sent to:
Program Management Division, ECA–

IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY–12– 10, SA–5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street NW., Washington,

DC 20037. With the submission of the proposal package, please also email the Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, and Budget sections of the proposal, as well as any attachments essential to understanding the program, in Microsoft Word, Excel, and/or PDF, to ShieldsSD@
state.gov. The Bureau may provide these files electronically to the Public Affairs Sections at the relevant U.S. Embassy

for its 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 bears no responsibility for applicant timeliness of submission or data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via Grants.gov.

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

GetStarted).

Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.

Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. In addition, validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can take up to two business days.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

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

Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission to: Grants.gov Customer Support.
Contact Center Phone: (800) 518–4726.

Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern Time. Email: 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


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will receive a validation email 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 assistance awards (cooperative agreements) resides

with the Bureau’s Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to

the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:

(1) Quality of the program idea: Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. The proposal should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program’s objectives and plan. The proposedprogram should be creative, ageappropriate, respond to the design outlined in the solicitation, and demonstrate originality. It should be clearly and accurately written, substantive, and with sufficient detail. Proposals should also include a plan to support participants’ follow-on activities upon their return home.

(2) Program planning and ability to achieve program objectives: A detailed agenda and work plan should clearly demonstrate how project objectives will be achieved. The agenda and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above. The substance of exchange activities, such as workshops, presentations, and/or site visits, should be described in detail.

(3) Support of diversity: The proposal should demonstrate the applicant’s commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of diversity in both program administration (selection of participants, program venue, and program evaluation) and program content (orientation and debriefing sessions, and follow-on activities). Applicants should demonstrate readiness to accommodate participants with physical disabilities.

(4) Institutional capacity and track

record: Proposed personnel and

institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program goals. The proposal should

demonstrate an institutional record of successful implementation of similar 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.

(5) Program evaluation: The proposal should include a plan to evaluate the program’s success in meeting its goals,

both as the activities unfold and after they have been completed. The proposal should include a draft survey questionnaire or other technique, plus a description of a methodology to link outcomes to original project objectives.

(6) Cost-effectiveness and cost sharing: The applicant should

demonstrate efficient use of Bureau

funds. 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.The proposal should maximize costsharing through other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding contributions, which

demonstrates institutional and community commitment. 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.’’ 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. 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


### 68250 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 213 / Thursday, November 3, 2011 / Notices

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) Quarterly or interim reports, as required in the Bureau cooperative
agreement.

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

All data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must

be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the Bureau upon
request.

All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program Officer

listed in the final assistance award

document.

VII. Agency Contacts

For questions about this announcement, contact: Sarah Shields, Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/ PY/T, SA–5, 3rd Floor, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20522–0503, by telephone (202) 632–9261 or email ShieldsSD@state.gov.

All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference

the above title and number ECA/PE/C/

PY–12–10.

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: October 27, 2011.
J. Adam Ereli,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

[FR Doc. 2011–28420 Filed 11–2–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–05–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice: 7672]**

**Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant**  **Proposals: Study of the U.S. Institutes**

**for Women Student Leaders on Women’s Leadership** 

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreements.

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/

A/E/USS–12–22–23.

Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance Number: 19.009.

Key Dates: May to August, 2012. Application Deadline: December 30,

2011.

Executive Summary

The Branch for the Study of the United States, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, invites proposal submissions from accredited U.S. colleges and universities for the design and implementation of two (2) Study of the United States Institutes for

Women Student Leaders on Women’s Leadership. Applicants may submit a proposal to administer one institute.

The five week Institutes should take place in June and July, 2012.

Both Institutes should take place at U.S. academic institutions and provide groups of highly motivated female undergraduate students from the countries and regions noted below with in-depth seminars on Women’s Leadership. Each Institute should

include four weeks of academic residency followed by a one-week integrated educational travel tour that will expose participants to a differentregion of the United States. The oneweek educational study tour should

continue to examine the theme of women’s leadership and should conclude with a three day session in Washington, DC. In order to take part in a joint closing conference, the participants should travel to Washington, DC no later than the evening of July 18, 2012.

Each Institute will host up to 20 participants, for a total of approximately 40 students. ECA plans to provide two awards (a maximum of one per applicant) for the administration of two Study of the U.S. Institutes and welcomes applications from accredited post-secondary education institutions in the United States (see Eligibility Information, section III). Women’s colleges are especially encouraged to apply. The awarding of Cooperative Agreements for this program is contingent upon the availability of FY

2012 funds.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

I.1. 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.

I.2. Purpose

The Study of the U.S. Institutes for

Student Leaders are intensive academic programs whose purpose is to provide groups of foreign undergraduate students with a deeper understanding of the United States while also enhancing their leadership skills. The Institutes also expose Americans to the diverse cultures and traditions of the exchange participants.

The Institutes on Women’s Leadership aim to provide undergraduate women leaders an introduction to women’s leadership in the United States, while strengthening their leadership skills and heightening their awareness of U.S. and global

women’s issues. The Institutes should examine the history and evolution of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions, with particular emphasis on women’s roles throughout U.S. history. The Institutes should also incorporate a focus on contemporary American life and contemporary women, including the role of women in political, social, and economic issues

and debates. The Institutes should address the influence of principles and values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual rights, freedom of expression, equality, diversity, and