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[Federal Register: March 12, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 48)]
[Notices]               
[Page 11976-11982]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12mr10-179]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6920]

 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Global Connections and Exchange Program

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA-PE-C-PY-10-05.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline: April 30, 2010.

Executive Summary

    The Youth Programs Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges, of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open 
competition for up to three Global Connections and Exchange programs in 
specified countries from the following regions: Middle East (Egypt, 
Jordan, Israel, West Bank/Gaza and Lebanon), East Asia/Pacific 
(Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam), and Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, 
Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia). Public and private non-profit organizations 
meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 
U.S.C. 501c(3) may submit proposals to facilitate online and face-to-
face exchanges between overseas schools and counterparts in the United 
States.
    The Global Connections and Exchange (GCE) program utilizes 
technology to create an American presence in areas where citizens have 
little opportunity to travel or participate in exchange programs. 
Through webchats and discussion boards, foreign youth participate in 
dialogue with American peers about their lives, families and 
communities. In addition, a theme-based curriculum will increase 
understanding of issues relevant to both U.S. and overseas 
participants. Each regional program also captures the spirit of 
activism through extracurricular projects that harness the energies of 
youth to affect positive change.
    Applicants may propose to host only one regional project listed 
under this competition. Should an applicant submit multiple proposals 
under this competition, all those proposals will be declared 
technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review 
process.

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.
    Overview: The Internet and social networking sites have become 
prevailing tools of influence among youth throughout the world. Social 
media such as Facebook, YouTube, mobile technology and blogs offer 
young people opportunities to connect with peers across borders and 
tear down misperceptions that lead to misunderstanding. In order to 
harness these powerful technology tools to remove stereotypes and impel 
change, youth need to be better equipped to use social networking sites 
and new technologies in a positive way.
    The Global Connections and Exchange program is designed to address 
these issues by developing a cadre of youth technology leaders who are 
introduced to a broad range of ideas and resources through the use of 
information and communication technologies. By participating in this 
yearlong program, high school students and teachers expand their 
computer literacy skills, improve general education, and gain a deeper 
understanding of diverse societies and values. As a result, students 
increase their understanding of foreign cultures, expand their 
perspectives regarding contemporary issues and are better able to use 
technology to influence change. The goals of the program are to:
     Generate personal and institutional ties between youth and 
educators in the United States and their overseas counterparts;
     Improve educational tools, resources, and learning through 
the application of computer technology, online resource development, 
and student collaboration.
     Empower youth to act as catalysts of change in their 
communities through multimedia outreach and leadership skills 
development.
    Information about similar programs can be found at: http://exchanges.state.gov/youth/programs/connections.html
    ECA plans to award multiple grants for the management of the Global 
Connections and Exchange program for countries or special areas 
[specified below] in the Middle East, East Asia/Pacific and Africa. The 
grant period will be 12-18 months in duration. Applicants should select 
the region and theme with which they plan to work, and present a strong 
justification for their choices in their proposals.
     East Asia/Pacific Regional Project--Indonesia, Malaysia, 
and Vietnam (any proposal for East Asia/Pacific must involve all three 
countries);
     Middle East Regional Project--Israel and at least two of 
the following: Egypt, Jordan, West Bank/Gaza and Lebanon;
     Africa Regional Project--Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, 
Zambia, Ethiopia (at least three countries)

    Please note:  Applicants may not include countries not listed 
and may not combine countries across regions.

    An essential element of all projects will be to build mutual 
understanding

[[Page 11977]]

and respect among the people of the United States and people of the 
partner countries. Programs will encourage respect for diversity, 
develop leadership skills, and promote problem-solving and critical 
thinking. Each regional program will include: (1) A theme-based project 
relevant to U.S. and overseas schools; (2) two-way exchanges for a 
small number of youth and one adult educator from each country; (3) a 
social networking site; (4) community service projects; and (5) a plan 
for continued communication once the grant expires.
    Themes:A successful project will focus on a specific theme by 
initiating a wide range of on-line and off-line activities throughout 
the academic year. Applicants must choose one of the following themes:
    (1) Environment--Participants will complete projects that tackle 
issues such as pollution, recycling, water consumption and 
conservation, waste management and other relevant topics that increase 
environmental awareness.
    (2) Rule of Law--Projects will focus on social issues and ways in 
which government policy and respective justice systems deal with these 
issues. Projects may include debates, research, advocacy, and community 
outreach.
    (3) Social Entrepreneurship--Participants will gain financial 
literacy skills and learn the difference between social and business 
sector definitions of entrepreneurship. Students will work together to 
design and operate social entrepreneurial projects that benefit their 
schools and communities.
    (4) Media Literacy--Participants will compare and contrast the role 
of media in their communities, analyze different media forms and create 
simple messages that influence others to take action.
    (5) Food Security--Participants will discuss and compare the 
agricultural production, nutrition, and accessibility of food in their 
respective societies. Students will create Web sites and other 
multimedia as an educational tool and share information about local 
organizations that address food and security needs.
    Applicants should identify specific objectives and measurable 
outcomes based on program goals and project specifications provided in 
the solicitation. Should organizations wish to conduct the program in 
more than one region, they must submit a separate proposal for each.
    Organizational Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate their capacity 
for conducting online programs, or they must partner with an 
organization or institution with the requisite capacity to create, 
monitor and evaluate a program of this nature. This includes the 
following elements: (1) Administrative infrastructure in the geographic 
areas from which schools will be selected; (2) technical expertise to 
create a web-based, multi-faceted curriculum focusing on a specific 
theme; (3) social networking expertise to monitor the Web site, create 
topics of discussion, and train participants in proactive communication 
to encourage interaction.
    Grants to be awarded under this competition will be based upon the 
quality and responsiveness of proposals to the review criteria 
presented later in this RFGP. The grants should begin on or about 
August 1, 2010, subject to availability of funds.
    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.
    Participants: A specified number of youth, 15 to 17 years old, must 
be competitively selected to participate in yearlong, theme-focused 
projects. Depending on how the program will be managed and implemented, 
students may be selected from one or more classrooms or schools. 
Proposals should indicate if the project will be conducted as part of 
the class curriculum or as an after-school activity. Proposals should 
also define criteria for student selection and indicate how students 
will be rewarded for participation. One educator and a small number of 
youth who are part of this prestigious group will be eligible to visit 
their partners on a three-week exchange.
    Concurrently, the social networking site should engage educators 
and students from as many classes and/or schools as possible. Proposals 
should include a plan to train and motivate participants to lead 
discussions, write blogs and inspire others to become active social 
networkers.
    Guidelines: Beginning on or about August 1, 2010, activities will 
include recruitment and selection of participants, development of a web 
environment to support a theme-based curriculum, creation of a social 
networking site, development of reciprocal exchange activities, and 
support of follow-on activities. Online interaction through the social 
networking site will begin at the start of the school year in September 
2010. Activities involving project themes may begin no later than 
November 1, 2010. Reciprocal exchanges should occur in 2011, preferably 
while schools are in session.
    Once the grant is awarded, the recipient must select a group of 
youth participants and at least one educator to be active participants 
in theme-based activities that involve Web-based interaction, research, 
and other technical applications that result in concrete outputs. Grant 
recipients are encouraged to incorporate webchats, community service 
and international events and competitions into the overall design of 
the curriculum. Examples include the Department's Doors to Diplomacy 
competition (http://future.state.gov/news/115213.htm), International 
Education Week (http://iew.state.gov/), and Global Youth Service Day 
(http://gysd.org/), among others.
    The grant recipient will select exchange participants among those 
most actively involved in the project theme. Responsibilities include: 
(1) Provide orientations for exchange participants and host schools and 
families; (2) manage all logistical arrangements; (3) provide for a 
meaningful cultural and educational experience that includes theme-
based activities, country presentations at schools and community 
centers and at least one community service activity; (4) develop action 
plans for continued communication and youth-led activities upon 
participants' return home.
    Added Notes: Grant recipients will identify the program as the 
``Global Connections and Exchange (GCE)'' at all times. Web sites and 
other materials must acknowledge the U.S. Department of State as the 
sponsor, with specific recognition of the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs. The Bureau will retain copyright use of and be 
allowed to distribute materials related to this program, as 
appropriate. Grant recipients must also inform the ECA Program Officer 
of their progress at each stage of the project's implementation in a 
timely fashion.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2010.
    Approximate Total Funding: $650,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: Three.
    Approximate Average Award: $220,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: August 1, 2010.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: 12-18 months after start date, 
to be specified by applicant.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit 
organizations meeting the provisions

[[Page 11978]]

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 agreement. Cost sharing may 
be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    (a) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be 
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making awards for 
each of the three programs in amounts exceeding $60,000 to support 
program and administrative costs required to facilitate activities. 
Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply for either 
of the two grants. However, organizations are strongly encouraged to 
offer sub-awards in order to strengthen capacity, enhance diversity and 
expand opportunities to organizations otherwise ineligible to apply.
    (b) Technical Eligibility: It is the Bureau's intent to award three 
separate grants to three different institutions under this competition. 
Therefore, prospective applicants may submit only one proposal under 
this competition. All applicants must comply with this requirement. 
Should an applicant submit multiple proposals under this competition, 
all proposals will be declared technically ineligible and given no 
further consideration in the review process.

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 Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA-PE-C-PY, Room 
568, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037, telephone: 202-632-6427, fax number: 202-632-9355, e-mail: 
MussmanAP@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA-PE-C-PY-10-05) 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), which provides specific information, award criteria and budget 
instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify Anna Mussman and refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number (ECA-PE-C-PY-10-05) 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 
``Application Deadline and Methods of Submission'' under the section 
below (IV.3f).
    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 one- page 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.

[[Page 11979]]

    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 part 
62, which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J 
visa program). Under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, organizations 
receiving grant awards 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 part 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 part 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 part 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, 
record-keeping, 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, ECA/EC/ECD, SA-5, 
Floor C2, Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-0582.
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 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.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational 
improvements.

    Please note:  Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.

    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when

[[Page 11980]]

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.3d.4. Describe your plans for: Sustainability, overall program 
management, staffing, school linkages and projects, reciprocal 
exchanges, and coordination with ECA and PAS.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--Non-
Construction 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) Stipends for U.S. and overseas educators;
    (2) Small grants to support community service projects;
    (3) Competitions and other types of incentives;
    (4) Reciprocal exchanges for a small group of students and one 
educator to/from the United States.
    Organizations are required to use free and existing Web sites for 
purposes of social networking and project implementation. Please refer 
to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and 
formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: April 30, 2010.
    Reference Number: ECA-PE-C-PY-10-05.
    Methods of Submission:
    Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:
    (1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2) Electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
IV.3f.1 Submitting Printed Applications
    Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline. 
Delivery services used by applicants must have in-place, centralized 
shipping identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via 
the Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly 
recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or 
before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days 
after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration under 
this competition. Proposals shipped after the established 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: Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA-PE-C-PY-10-
05, SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20522-0504.
    Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the 
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the 
proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word 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 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, 7a.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.

[[Page 11981]]

    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 grants 
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. Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Program: Proposals should 
clearly convey a feasible plan that supports program goals and is 
relevant to the Bureau's mission. The substance of online activities 
should be described in detail. A detailed agenda and relevant work plan 
should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above. 
Reviewers will evaluate how training and the curriculum will support 
online learning and collaboration among students. They will also assess 
how objectives will be achieved and assure that the timetable is 
feasible for completion of major tasks.
    2. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Geographic, gender and 
socio-economic diversity should be reflected in the selection of 
schools and participants. The curriculum content should reinforce 
cultural diversity in the broadest sense of the term.
    3. Institutional Capacity/Track Record: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources in both the United States and in the partner 
countries should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program 
goals. Proposals should exhibit significant experience in social 
networking as well as implementing web-based educational projects at 
the high school level. Reviewers will assess the organization's 
institutional record of successful programs, including responsible 
fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements 
as determined by the Bureau's Grants Division. The Bureau will consider 
the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential 
of new applicants.
    4. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events. Reviewers will 
examine ways in which social networking sites are managed and their 
applicability for use when funds are no longer available.
    5. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is strongly recommended, particularly for prior 
grant recipients implementing similar programs.
    6. 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.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1a. Award Notices

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. 
Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with 
subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding 
authorizing 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.1b The following additional requirements apply to this project
    For assistance awards involving the Palestinian Authority, West 
Bank, and Gaza:
    All awards made under this competition must be executed according 
to all relevant U.S. laws and policies regarding assistance to the 
Palestinian Authority, and to the West Bank and Gaza. Organizations 
must consult with relevant Public Affairs Offices before entering into 
any formal arrangements or agreements with Palestinian organizations or 
institutions.

    Note:  To assure that planning for the inclusion of the 
Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please contact 
Program Officer Anna Mussman (tel.: 202-632-6427, e-mail: 
MussmanAP@state.gov) for additional information.

VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Terms and Conditions for the administration of ECA agreements 
include the following:
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles 
for Nonprofit Organizations.''
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles 
for Educational Institutions.''
    OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian 
Governments.''
    OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations.
    OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
    OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and 
Non-profit Organizations.
    Please reference the following Web sites for additional 
information: http://[[Page 11982]]www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants. http://fa.statebuy.state.gov.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original of the following 
reports plus two copies of the following reports:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program 
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This 
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to 
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting 
requirements.
    (3) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports.
    (4) One interim report, midway into the program, describing 
activities and progress.
    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.
VI.4. Program Data Requirements
    Award recipients will be required to maintain specific data on 
program participants and activities in an electronically accessible 
database format that can be shared with the Bureau as required. As a 
minimum, the data must include the following:
    (1) Name, address, contact information of all persons who travel 
internationally on funds provided by the agreement.
    (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.
    (3) Information about schools including, but not limited to, 
location, demography, participating teachers and students.

    Note:  All travelers must have been selected to participate in 
theme-based projects. Collaboration with partner country and school 
will determine travel itinerary.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Anna Mussman, 
Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA-PE-C-PY, Room 3-H17, ECA-PE-C-PY-10-
05, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037, telephone: 202-632-6427, fax number: 202-632-9355, E-mail: 
MussmanAP@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number: ECA-PE-C-PY-10-05.
    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: March 5, 2010.
Maura M. Pally,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2010-5489 Filed 3-11-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P
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