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17 July 2008
[Federal Register: July 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 138)]
[Notices]
[Page 41149-41154]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jy08-142]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6299]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: Study of the United States Institute on U.S. National
Security Policymaking in a Post 9/11 World
Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/USS-09-01.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.418.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: September 17, 2008.
Executive Summary: The Branch for the Study of the U.S., Office of
Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
(ECA/A/E/USS), invites proposal submissions for the design and
implementation of the Study of the United States Institute on U.S.
National Security Policymaking in a Post 9/11 World. This institute
will provide a multinational group of up to 18 experienced foreign
university educators and other professionals with a deeper
understanding of U.S. approaches to national security policymaking,
past and present, in order to strengthen curricula and to improve the
quality of teaching about the United States at universities and other
institutions abroad. The institute should be an intensive, academically
rigorous program for scholars and other professionals from outside the
United States, and should have a central theme and a strong
contemporary component.
It is anticipated that this grant will be awarded on or about
October 15, 2008, pending the availability of funds. This six-week
program, to be conducted during the winter of 2009, must include a
four-week academic residency segment at a U.S. college or university
campus (or other appropriate U.S. location) and a two-week study tour
segment that complements the academic residency segment. The study tour
segment must include a visit to Washington, D.C. that involves
substantive briefings by national security policy professionals from
the Department of State, other relevant U.S. government agencies, and
private institutions.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Pub. L. 87-256,
as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the
Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the
program above is provided through legislation.
Purpose: The Bureau is seeking a detailed proposal for a Study of
the United States (U.S.) Institute on U.S. National Security issues
from colleges, universities, consortia of colleges and universities,
and other not-for-profit academic organizations that have an
established reputation in one or more of the following fields:
Political science, international relations, law, military science, and/
or other disciplines or sub-disciplines related to the program themes.
The institute should be organized around a central theme or themes in
U.S. national security policy planning and formulation and should
illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in
American society.
[[Page 41150]]
The institute is intended to offer up to 18 foreign scholars and
other professionals, whose professional work focuses in whole or in
substantial part on the United States, the opportunity to deepen their
understanding of American society, culture and institutions. The
ultimate goal is to strengthen curricula, to improve the quality of
teaching, and to broaden understanding of U.S. national security
policymaking in universities and other institutions of influence
abroad.
This Study of the United States Institute program should:
1. Provide participants with a survey of contemporary scholarship
within the institute's governing academic discipline. The proposal
should describe how current scholarly debates within the field will be
presented;
2. Give participants a multi-dimensional examination of U.S.
society and institutions that reflects a broad and balanced range of
perspectives and responsible views from scholars and other
professionals, such as government officials, and private practitioners;
and,
3. Ensure access to library and material resources that will enable
grantees to continue their research, study and curriculum development
upon returning to their home institutions.
Program Description
1. Study of the U.S. Institute on U.S. National Security: U.S.
National Security Policymaking in a Post 9/11 World
This Institute should provide participants an opportunity to
increase their understanding of the foundations and formulation of U.S.
national security policy, U.S. views on basic U.S. national security
and defense requirements, and how those views have evolved in the post-
Cold War era and in the ongoing global fight against terrorism. This
multi-disciplinary program should examine historical, political,
geographic, and economic factors involved in U.S. national security
policymaking.
This intensive, academically rigorous program should integrate
lectures, readings, seminar discussions, regional travel and site
visits. The institute also should include opportunities for limited but
well-directed independent research. Proposals should describe a
thematically coherent program that maximizes institutional strengths,
faculty, and resources, as well as recognized scholars and experts from
throughout the United States.
The program must conform with Bureau requirements and guidelines
outlined in the Solicitation Package. Bureau programs are subject to
the availability of funds.
Participants: Participants will be diverse in age, professional
position, and travel experience abroad. While participants may not have
in-depth knowledge of the particular institute program theme, they will
likely have had exposure to the relevant discipline and some experience
teaching about the United States.
Participants will be drawn from all regions of the world and will
be fluent or proficient in the English language. Fulbright Commissions
and U.S. Embassies abroad will nominate candidates, and final
selections will be made by the Bureau. A final list of participants
will be sent to the grantee institution.
Program Dates: The anticipated award date for this cooperative
agreement will be on or about October 15, 2008. Program activities
should begin shortly thereafter. The institute should be approximately
44 days in length (including participant arrival and departure days),
should begin in early January, and end in late February or early March
2009.
Program Guidelines: Proposals provide a comprehensive narrative
describing the objectives of the institute; the title, scope and
content of each session; and how each session relates to the overall
institute theme. A syllabus must indicate the subject matter for each
lecture or panel discussion, identify proposed lecturers and
discussants, and demonstrate how assigned readings support each
session. A calendar of all activities for the program must also be
included. Proposals will be reviewed for the completeness and clarity
with which they respond to the individual review criteria referenced in
Section V.1.
Note: In a cooperative agreement, ECA/A/E/USS is substantially
involved in program activities above and beyond routine grant
monitoring. ECA/A/E/USS activities and responsibilities for this
program are as follows: Completing the final selection of
participants; Exercising oversight with one or more site visits;
Coordinating and arranging briefings by officials from the
Department of State; and, Debriefing participants. ECA/A/E/USS may
also require changes in the content of the program as well as the
activities proposed either before or after the grant is awarded.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in
this program is listed under number I above.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY-09.
Approximate Total Funding: $290,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
Approximate Average Award: $290,000.
Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, October 15,
2009.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: March 30, 2009.
Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is
ECA's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years,
before openly competing it again.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by
colleges, universities, consortia of colleges and universities, and
other not-for-profit academic organizations that meet the provisions
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and
funding in support of its programs.
When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its
proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in
accordance with OMB Circular A-110 (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements:
(a) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates awarding one
grant, in an amount up to $290,000 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
[[Page 41151]]
of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
(b) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the
following or they will result in your proposal being declared
technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review
process: The project director or one of the key program staff
responsible for the academic program must have an advanced degree in
political science, international relations, law, military science, and/
or other disciplines or sub-disciplines related to the program themes,
and; Staff escorts traveling under the cooperative agreement must have
demonstrated qualifications to perform this service.
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 Branch for the Study of the United States, ECA/A/E/USS,
Room 664, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20547, tel. (202) 453-8532; fax (202) 453-8533 to
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number (ECA/A/E/USS-09-01) located at the top of this announcement when
making your request. Alternatively, an electronic application package
may be obtained from grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f for further
information.
The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
Please specify Program Officer Brendan M. Walsh, WalshBm@state.gov,
and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/A/E/USS-09-01) 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/education/rfgps/menu.htm, or from the
Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov.
Please read all information before downloading.
IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The application should be
submitted per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and
Methods of Submission'' section below.
IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities.
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application
package.
IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal
narrative and budget.
Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document'' for additional
formatting and technical requirements.
IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of
application. Please note: Effective March 14, 2008, all applicants for
ECA federal assistance awards must include with their application, a
copy of page 5, Part V-A, ``Current Officers, Directors, Trustees, and
Key Employees'' of their most recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Form 990, ``Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.'' If an
applicant does not file an IRS Form 990, but instead files Schedule A
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)--``Organization Exempt Under Section 501(c)(3),''
applicants must include with their application a copy of Page 1, Part
1, ``Compensation of the Five Highest Paid Employees Other Than
Officers, Directors and Trustees,'' of their most recent Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) Form--Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ).
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 consider the following information when preparing
your proposal narrative:
IV.3d.1 Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically
important emphases on the security and proper administration of the
Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by grantees and
sponsors to all regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals
should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements
governing the administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set
forth in 22 CFR 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and
Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection 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.
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: United States Department of State, Office
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734,
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 203-5029,
FAX: (202) 453-8640.
Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
IV.3d.2 Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, 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
[[Page 41152]]
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 grantee 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
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.)
Grantees 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 overall program management,
staffing, and coordination with ECA/A/E/USS ECA/A/E/USS considers
program management, staffing and coordination with the Department of
State essential elements of your program. Please be sure to give
sufficient attention to these elements in your proposal. Please refer
to the Technical Eligibility Requirements and the POGI in the
Solicitation package for specific guidelines.
IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration
when preparing your budget:
IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the
entire program. Awards for the institute on National Security may not
exceed $290,000. While there is no rigid ratio of administrative to
program costs, the Bureau urges applicant organizations to keep
administrative costs as low and reasonable as possible. 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) Institute staff salary and benefits.
(2) Participant housing and meals.
(3) Participant travel and per diem.
(4) Textbooks, educational materials and admissions fees.
(5) Honoraria for guest speakers.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3F. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
Application Deadline Date: September 17, 2008.
Reference Number: ECA/A/E/USS-09-01.
Methods of Submission:
Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:
(1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery
service (i.e., 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
[[Page 41153]]
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: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/E/USS-09-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
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 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 throughly the Grants.gov Web site, well in
advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA
bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or
conversion processes.
Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and
submission to:
Grants.gov Customer Support:
Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726;
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time; E-mail:
support@grants.gov.
Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above
deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the
application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible.
Please refer to the Grants.gov Web site, for definitions of various
``application statuses'' and the difference between a submission
receipt and a submission validation. Applicants will receive a
validation e-mail from grants.gov upon the successful submission of an
application. Again, validation of an electronic submission via
Grants.gov can take up to two business days. Therefore, we strongly
recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the
submission process through Grants.gov. ECA will not notify you upon
receipt of electronic applications.
It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via
the Grants.gov web portal to ensure that proposals have been received
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order
12372 does not apply to this program.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Review Process
The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility.
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review.
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for
assistance awards for cooperative agreements resides with the Bureau's
Grants Officer.
V.2. 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 Program Plan and Ability to Achieve Program
Objectives: Your proposal should exhibit originality, substance,
precision, and relevance to the Bureau's mission. Detailed agenda and
relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and
logistical. Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible.
Your proposal should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet
the program's objectives and plan.
2. Support for Diversity: Your proposal should demonstrate
substantive support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and
relevant features should be cited in both program administration
(program venue and program evaluation) and program content (orientation
and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, presenters, and resource
materials).
3. Evaluation and Follow-Up: Your proposal 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. Your proposal should also
discuss provisions made for follow-up with returned participants as a
means of establishing longer-term individual and institutional
linkages.
4. 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. Your proposal should maximize cost-sharing through other
private sector support, as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.
5. Institutional Track Record/Ability: Your proposal should
demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs,
including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all
reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau
Grants Staff. The
[[Page 41154]]
Bureau will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the
demonstrated potential of new applicants. Proposed personnel and
institutional resources should be fully qualified to achieve the
project's goals.
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 grant
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
Non-profit Organizations
Please reference the following Web sites for additional
information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants, or http://
fa.statebuy.state.gov.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one (1) copy of
the following reports:
(1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after
the expiration of the award;
(2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site, as part of ECA's Federal
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting
requirements.
Grantees 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: Brendan M. Walsh,
Branch for the Study of the United States, ECA/A/E/USS, Room 664, U.S.
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547,
tel. (202) 453-8532, fax (202) 453-8533, e-mail WalshBM@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the above title and number (ECA/A/E/USS-09-01).
Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or
submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff
may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal
review process has been completed.
VIII. Other Information
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment
on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce,
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section VI.3
above.
Dated: July 8, 2008.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E8-16379 Filed 7-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P