11196 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 36 / Thursday, February 22, 2001 / Notices

by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by

other Bureau elements. Final funding

decisions are at the discretion of the

Department of State’s Acting Assistant

Secretary for Educational and Cultural

Affairs. Final technical authority for

assistance awards (grants or cooperative

agreements) resides with the Bureau’s

Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

Technically eligible applications will

be competitively reviewed according to

the criteria stated below. These criteria

are not rank ordered and all carry equal

weight in the proposal evaluation:

1. Quality of the program idea:

Proposals should exhibit originality,

substance, precision, and relevance to

the Bureau’s mission. Integration of

language and culture components

should adhere to stated objectives of

this project.

2. Program planning: Detailed agenda

and relevant work plan should

demonstrate substantive undertakings

and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan

should adhere to the program overview

and guidelines described above. Refer to

POGI regarding elements that should be

included in a calendar of activities/

timetable.

3. Ability to achieve program

objectives: Objectives should be

measurable, tangible and flexible.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate

how the organization will meet the

program’s objectives and plan.

4. Support of Diversity: Proposals

should demonstrate substantive support

of the Bureau’s policy on diversity.

Achievable and relevant features should

be cited in both program administration

(selection of staff and speakers, program

venue, host families) and program

content (curriculum, orientation and

wrap-up sessions, program meetings,

and resource materials).

5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed

personnel and institutional resources

should be adequate and appropriate to

achieve the program or project’s goals.

Coordinator responsible for curriculum,

materials development and instruction

should demonstrate relevant ESL/U.S.

culture teaching experience and

qualifications.

6. Institution’s Record/Ability:

Proposals should demonstrate an

institutional record of successful

language/culture programs, including

responsible fiscal management and full

compliance with all reporting

requirements for past Bureau grants as

determined by Bureau Grant Staff. The

Bureau will consider the past

performance of prior recipients and the

demonstrated potential of new

applicants.

7. Project Evaluation: Proposals

should include a plan to evaluate the

program’s success, both as the activities

unfold and at the end of the program. A

draft survey questionnaire, tests, or

other techniques plus description of a

methodology to use to link outcomes to

original project objectives is

recommended. Successful applicant

will be expected to submit a final report

after project is concluded.

8. 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.

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 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 appropriating funds annually

for Department of State’s exchange

programs.

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 RFP 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.

Notification

Final awards cannot be made until

funds have been appropriated by

Congress, allocated and committed

through internal Bureau procedures.

Dated: February 12, 2001.

Helena Kane Finn,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational

and Cultural Affairs, Department of State.

[FR Doc. 01–4396 Filed 2–21–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4710–11–P

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice #3547]

Advisory Committee for the Study of

Eastern Europe and the Independent

States of the Former Soviet Union;

Notice of Meeting

The Department of State announces

that the Advisory Committee for the

Study of Eastern Europe and the

Independent States of the Former Soviet

Union (Title VIII) will convene on

Thursday, April 19, 2001, beginning at

10 a.m. in Room 1105, U.S. Department

of State, 2201 C Street, NW.,

Washington, DC.

The Advisory Committee will

recommend grant recipients for the FY

2001 competition of the Program for the

Study of Eastern Europe and the

Independent States of the Former Soviet

Union in connection with the ‘‘Research

and Training for Eastern Europe and the

Independent States of the Former Soviet

Union Act of 1983, as amended.’’ The

agenda will include opening statements

by the Chairman and members of the

Committee and, within the Committee,

discussion, approval, and

recommendation that the Department of

State negotiate grant agreements with

certain ‘‘national organizations with an

interest and expertise in conducting

research and training concerning the

countries of Eastern Europe and the

independent states of the former Soviet

Union,’’ based on the guidelines

contained in the call for applications

published in the Federal Register on

November 14, 2000. Following

committee deliberation, interested

members of the public may make oral

statements concerning the Title VIII

program in general.

This meeting will be open to the

public; however, attendance will be

limited to the seating available. Entry

into the Department of State building is

controlled and must be arranged in

advance of the meeting. Those planning

to attend should notify Temi Johnson,

INR/RES, U.S. Department of State,

(202) 736–4572 by Monday, April 16,

2001, providing their date of birth,

Social Security number, and any

requirements for special needs. All

attendees must use the 2201 C Street,

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 36 / Thursday, February 22, 2001 / Notices 11197

NW., entrance to the building. Visitors

who arrive without prior notification

and without a photo ID will not be

admitted.

Dated: February 12, 2001.

W. Kendall Myers,

Executive Director, Advisory Committee for

Study of Eastern Europe and the Independent

States of the Former Soviet Union, U.S.

Department of State.

[FR Doc. 01–4395 Filed 2–21–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4710–32–P

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES

TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Notice of Meeting of the Industry

Sector Advisory Committee on

Services for Trade Policy Matters

(ISAC–13)

AGENCY: Office of the United States

Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The Industry Sector Advisory

Committee on Services will hold a

meeting on February 27, 2001, from 9

a.m. to 12 noon. The meeting will be

opened to the public from 9 a.m. to 9:45

a.m. and closed to the pubic from 9:45

a.m. to 12 noon.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for

February 27, 2001, unless otherwise

notified.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at

the Department of Commerce,

Conference Room 6057, located at 14th

Street between Pennsylvania and

Constitution Avenues, NW.,

Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen Holderman (202) 482–0345,

Department of Commerce, 14th Street

and Constitution Avenue, NW.,

Washington, DC 20230 (principal

contact), or myself on (202) 395–6120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the

opened portion of the meeting the

following topics will be discussed:

• Services Contribution to the United

States Economy

• Services Statistics

Christina Sevilla,

Acting Assistant United States Trade

Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs

and Public Liaison.

[FR Doc. 01–4388 Filed 2–21–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3190–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Policy Statement Number ANM–01–01]

FAA Policy on Use of the ‘‘Aircraft

Materials Fire Test Handbook’’

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of policy statement;

request for comments.

SUMMARY: This notice announces an

FAA policy applicable to the use of

Report DOT/FAA/AR–00/42, ‘‘Aircraft

Materials Fire Test Handbook.’’ This

notice advises the public that the FAA

considers the material flammability tests

described in the latest version of that

document to be the preferred acceptable

test methods for showing compliance

with the relevant regulations. This

notice is necessary to advise the public

of FAA policy and give all interested

persons an opportunity to present their

views on the policy statement.

DATES: Send all comments on this

policy statement on or before March 26,

2001.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on this

policy statement to the individual

identified under FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff

Gardlin, Federal Aviation

Administration, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Airframe/Cabin Safety

Branch, ANM–115, 1601 Lind Avenue

SW., Renton, WA 98055–4056;

telephone (425) 227–2136; fax (425)

227–1320; e-mail: jeff.gardlin@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

You may comment on this policy

statement by sending any written data,

views, or arguments as you may desire.

You should identify the Policy

Statement Number ANM–01–01 on your

comments, and submit your comments,

in duplicate, to the address indicated

above. The Transport Airplane

Directorate (Transport Standards Staff)

will consider all communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments.

Discussion

The Original Version of the Handbook

In September 1990, the FAA

published Report DOT/FAA/CT–99/15,

‘‘Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook’’

(referred to throughout this notice as

‘‘the Handbook’’). The Boeing Company,

with the assistance of the former

McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company,

developed the Handbook under contract

to the FAA.

The 1990 version of the Handbook

consisted of chapters outlining in detail

the various material flammability tests

that Boeing and McDonnell Douglas had

used to show compliance with the FAA

material flammability regulations. Those

specific regulations in Title 14, Code of

Federal Regulations (CFR), part 25, are:

§ 25.853 (‘‘Compartment interiors’’),

§ 25.855 (‘‘Cargo and baggage

compartments’’),

§ 25.857 (‘‘Cargo compartment

classification’’),

§ 25.858 (‘‘Cargo compartment fire

detection systems’’), and

§ 25.869 (‘‘Fire protection: systems’’).

At the time of its original publication,

the Handbook contained test methods

that represented acceptable, but not

necessarily the only, methods to show

compliance with those regulations. In

addition, the Handbook contained other

chapters with general information on

flammability testing of aircraft material,

such as where in the regulations to find

requirements, the location of

international contacts, and a list of

various fire test laboratories.

Modifications to Test Methods in the

Handbook

Since the original publication of the

Handbook, the FAA has relied on the

International Aircraft Materials Fire Test

Working Group (IAMFTWG) to review

the test methods and advise on areas

needing possible revision. The

IAMFTWG consists of experts in the

materials and fire testing specialties

who help refine and support the

development of test methods used in

aviation. The members of the

IAMFTWG include representatives from

the airlines, airframe manufacturers,

material suppliers, and regulatory

authorities, among others. A

representative from the FAA’s Technical

Center chairs this group. The IAMFTWG

is a participative technical peer group

that contributes to FAA research, but its

activities are not regulatory in nature.

Before any modifications to the test

methods described in the Handbook

have been incorporated, the IAMFTWG

has provided data supporting such

modifications, and the FAA has

reviewed and accepted the data. In

addition, the FAA’s Transport Airplane

Directorate (Transport Standards Staff)

has determined whether the modified

test methods complied with the

applicable regulations.

The following is an example of why

and how this procedure has been used

in the past to modify and improve test

methods.