[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 189 (Thursday, September 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60576-60581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24988]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 7514]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant
Proposals: Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Serbia and
Montenegro
Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/EUR-12-04.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.009.
Key Dates: Application Deadline: November 24, 2011.
Executive Summary: The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open
competition for the administration of the FY 2012 Global Undergraduate
Exchange Program in Serbia and Montenegro (UGRAD). The total amount of
funding for this award will be up to $1,537,575, pending the transfer
of Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia (AEECA) funds for
obligation in FY 2012. Public and private non-profit organizations
meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)
may submit proposals to administer the placement, monitoring,
evaluation, follow-on, and alumni activities for the UGRAD program.
Recruitment and selection of participants will be administered by a
separate organization in conjunction with the U.S. Embassies in Serbia
and Montenegro. Organizations with less than four years experience in
conducting international exchange programs are not eligible for this
competition.
The UGRAD Program provides outstanding students from Serbia and
Montenegro with scholarships for one year of non-degree study at U.S.
institutions of higher education. Scholarships are available in all
fields of study. Funding should support a minimum of 50 participants,
with approximately 35 students from Serbia and 15 students from
Montenegro. Every effort should be made to maximize the number of
scholarships awarded.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the
program above is provided through legislation.
Purpose
The UGRAD Program is designed to promote mutual understanding among
the people of Serbia and Montenegro
[[Page 60577]]
and the United States by awarding Serbian and Montenegrin undergraduate
students full scholarships for one year of non-degree undergraduate
study at accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education
in the United States. Students will enhance their academic education
with community service participation and an internship. The academic
component of the program begins in the fall semester of the year
following the Agreement start date (academic year 2012-2013). At the
end of their academic programs, students are required to immediately
return to their home countries.
Applicant organizations must demonstrate the ability to administer
the following aspects of the UGRAD Program--university placements,
orientation, monitoring and support of FY 2012 participants including
all logistics, financial management, evaluation, follow-on, and alumni.
Recruitment and selection of participants is not a component of this
RFGP. The cooperating organization will serve as the principal liaison
with UGRAD Program host institutions and the Bureau. Further details on
specific program responsibilities can be found in the Project
Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) Statement, which is part
of the formal solicitation package available from the Bureau.
Interested organizations should read the entire Federal Register
announcement for all information prior to preparing proposals.
The Bureau will award one Cooperative Agreement for this program.
Should an applicant organization wish to work with other organizations
in the implementation of this program, the Bureau requests that a sub-
grant agreement be developed. The same requirements apply to the sub-
grantee as to the recipient organization.
In a Cooperative Agreement, the Office of Academic Exchange
Programs, European and Eurasian Branch (ECA/A/E/EUR) is substantially
involved in program activities above and beyond routine grant
monitoring. ECA/A/E/EUR activities and responsibilities for this
program are as follows:
1. Participating in the design and direction of program activities;
2. Approval of key personnel;
3. Approval and input for all program agendas and timelines;
4. Providing guidance in execution of all project components;
5. Monitoring the target goal for number of participants and
expenditure of funds toward meeting that goal;
6. Providing guidance on content and speakers for workshops;
7. Assisting with SEVIS-related issues;
8. Assisting with participant emergencies;
9. Providing background information related to participants' home
countries and cultures;
10. Providing liaison with Public Affairs Sections of the U.S.
Embassies and country desk officers at the State Department;
11. Providing Bureau evaluation mechanisms and instruments.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
The Bureau's level of involvement in this program is listed under
number I above.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2012.
Approximate Total Funding: $1,537,575. Funding will be provided
from FY 2011/FY 2012 Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia
(AEECA) funds transferred to ECA for obligation in FY 2012.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
Ceiling of Award Range: $1,537,575.
Anticipated Award Date: Pending the transfer of funds, December 30,
2011.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 30, 2014.
Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is
the Bureau's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal
years, before openly competing it again. Subsequent awards may include
the requirement to conduct a merit-based recruitment and selection
component.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit
organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code
section 26 USC 501(c)(3).
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds
There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this
competition. However, the Bureau encourages applicants to provide
maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the
cooperating organization 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, written records must be maintained
to support all costs which are claimed as 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 that the minimum
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget is not
provided, the Bureau's contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements
Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than
four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited
to $60,000 in Bureau funding. The Bureau anticipates awarding one
grant, in an amount up to $1,537,575 to support program and
administrative costs required to implement this exchange program.
Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in
conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this
competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels
of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
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 Program Officer Karene Grad Steiner in the Office of
Academic Exchange Programs, ECA/A/E/EUR, U.S. Department of State, SA-
5, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037,
tel. (202) 632-3237, e-mail: [email protected] to request a Solicitation
Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/EUR-12-
04 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 Bureau Program Officer Karene Grad Steiner and refer
to the
[[Page 60578]]
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/EUR-12-04 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. All federal award recipients and sub-recipients must
maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR) database and have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number. Recipients and sub-recipients must maintain
accurate and up-to-date information in the CCR until all program and
financial activity and reporting have been completed. All entities must
review and update the information at least annually after the initial
registration and more frequently if required information changes or
another award is granted.
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.
IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information
when preparing your proposal narrative:
IV.3d.1 Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is placing renewed
emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J
visa) Programs and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all
regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should
demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing
the administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22
CFR part 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, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
The Grantee will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to
participants in this program.
A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from:
Office of Designation, Private Sector Programs Division, U.S.
Department of State, ECA/EC/D/PS, SA-5, 5th Floor, 2200 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20037, 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 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
[[Page 60579]]
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.)
Recipient organizations will be required to provide reports
analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular
program reports. All data collected, including survey responses and
contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years
and provided to the Bureau upon request.
IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration
when preparing your budget:
IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--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) Program Expenses.
(2) Domestic Administration.
(3) Overseas Administration.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
Application Deadline Date: 11/24/2011.
Reference Number: ECA/A/E/EUR-12-04.
Methods of Submission: Electronic and Hard Copy.
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 the Bureau 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. The
Bureau 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 the Bureau
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 copies of the application should be sent to:
Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/A/E/EUR-12-
04, SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington,
DC 20037.
Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the
proposal in text (.txt) format on a CD-ROM. 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
[[Page 60580]]
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the
system.
Please Note: The Bureau 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. The Bureau 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. The Bureau 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:
grants.gov">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. The Bureau 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 the Bureau bears no responsibility
for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order
12372 does not apply to this program.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Review Process
The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility.
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review.
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for
cooperative agreement awards 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 and program planning: Proposals
should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the
Bureau's mission. 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.
2. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and
plan.
3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual
linkages.
4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in both program administration (program venues
and program evaluation) and program content (orientation and wrap-up
sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up
activities).
5. Institutional Record and Capacity: Proposed personnel and
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve
the program or project's goals. Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements for past Bureau awards (grants or cooperative agreements)
as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past
performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new
applicants.
6. Follow-on Activities and Evaluation: Proposals should provide a
plan for continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring
that Bureau supported programs are not isolated events. Proposals also
should include a plan to evaluate the activity's success, both as the
activities unfold and at the end of the program. A draft survey
questionnaire or other technique plus description of a methodology to
use to link outcomes to original project objectives is recommended.
7. Cost-sharing and cost-effectiveness: 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 an Assistance
Award Document (AAD) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the
original grant
[[Page 60581]]
proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the
only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S.
Government. The AAD 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 Bureau program office coordinating this
competition.
VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Terms and
Conditions for the Administration of Bureau 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. http://fa.statebuy.state.gov.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You must provide the Bureau with a
hard copy original plus one copy of the following reports:
(1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after
the expiration of the award;
(2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of the Bureau's
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting
requirements.
(3) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all
program reports.
(4) Quarterly program and financial reports which should include
summaries of program activity and lessons learned.
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 Bureau Grants Officer and the
Bureau Program Officer listed in the final assistance award document.
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, biographic sketch, and U.S.
host institution of higher education of all persons who travel
internationally on funds provided by the agreement or who benefit from
the award funding but do not travel.
(2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be
received by the Bureau Program Officer at least two week days prior to
the official opening of the activity.
VII. Agency Contacts
For questions about this announcement, contact: Program Officer
Karene Grad Steiner, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, ECA/A/E/EUR,
Reference Number: ECA/A/E/EUR-12-04, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632-3237, e-mail:
[email protected].
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the title and number ECA/A/E/EUR-12-04. 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: September 20, 2011.
J. Adam Ereli,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-24988 Filed 9-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P