[Federal Register: April 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 70)]
[Notices]
[Page 19550-19556]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10ap08-106]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6184]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Cooperative Agreement Proposals: English Language Fellow Program for
Academic Year (AY) 2009-2010
Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/L--09-01.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.421.
Key Program Dates: N/A.
Application Deadline: June 13, 2008.
The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for
proposals to advance the Bureau's objectives through support of
academic exchanges that will result in the improvement of English
teaching capacity around the world and the enhancement of mutual
understanding between the people of the United States and those of
other countries through exchanges of U.S. English language educators to
all regions of the world.
The English Language Fellow (EL Fellow) Program sends U.S.
educators in the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
on ten-month fellowships to overseas academic institutions. The Program
also will bring Exchange EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Educators
to the U.S. for a three-week workshop/institute including participation
in the annual TESLO Convention. Pending the availability of Fiscal Year
(FY) 2009 funds, the Bureau anticipates the placement of approximately
88 English Language Fellows (EL Fellows) overseas in AY 2009-2010.
Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions
described in Internal Revenue Code, Section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may
submit proposals to administer and manage the EL Fellow Program for AY
2009-2010.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority
Overall Grant and Agreement-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 English Language Fellow Program fosters mutual understanding
between the people of the United States and those of other countries
through exchanges of U.S. English language educators. The EL Fellow
Program sends talented, highly qualified U.S. educators in the field of
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TEFL) on ten-month
assignments to academic institutions in all regions of the world.
Through projects recommended by U.S. embassies, EL Fellows share their
expertise, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn
other cultures. Upon returning to the United States, they share their
experiences and acquired knowledge with their communities and
professional colleagues. Projects are carried out with host-country
ministries of education, universities, teacher-training institutions,
NGOs, binational centers, and other English language teaching
institutions.
The EL Fellow Program allows students and teachers at host
institutions to benefit from the EL Fellows' expertise and to gain a
better understanding of American values, representative government,
free enterprise, and the rule of law. EL Fellows provide foreign
educators, professionals, and students with communications skills they
need to participate in the global economy and to improve their access
to diverse perspectives on a broad variety of issues.
During the program, EL Fellows typically serve as full-time (up to
20 classroom contact hours per week) educators and may be engaged in
teacher training, curriculum and materials development, English for
Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction, assessment, evaluation, research,
English club or American Corner programming, summer camps, and other
outreach projects.
The overarching goals of the EL Fellow Program are to:
Advance the Department of State's mutual understanding
objectives;
Enhance English teaching capacity overseas in order to
provide foreign teachers and students with the communication skills
they need to participate in the global economy;
Allow students and teachers at host institutions to
benefit from the EL Fellows' expertise and to gain a better
understanding of American values, representative government, free
enterprise, and the rule of law; and
Provide an opportunity for U.S. English language educators
to share their expertise, hone their skills, and learn about other
cultures, so that upon returning to the United States, they can share
their experiences and acquired knowledge with their communities and
professional colleagues.
EL Fellow Eligibility Requirements
U.S. citizenship;
Master's degree with a focus in the field of Teaching
English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), conferred no later than end of
2009 spring semester;
Minimum of two years of professional experience in the
field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL); and
Teacher training experience for a small cadre of
``Senior'' EL Fellows for projects requiring special expertise within
the TEFL discipline.
[[Page 19551]]
Background
The Bureau seeks to award Cooperative Agreement funding to an
applicant with the ability to achieve these objectives, incorporate
lessons learned, and build upon past successes. A Cooperative Agreement
will be awarded to a Recipient that has the necessary infrastructure
and experience conducting academic exchange programs. The timing of the
award and the amount of funding for the EL Fellow Program are subject
to the availability of funds in FY 2009.
EL Fellow Program Guidelines
With the approval of the Office of English Language Programs, the
roles and responsibilities of the Recipient administering the EL Fellow
Program are to:
Design and develop promotional materials to support
advertisement and recruitment for the EL Fellow Program.
Conduct an extensive, comprehensive, and ongoing
promotional and advertising campaign to recruit qualified and
experienced candidates for the EL Fellow Program.
Identify and review with the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs, and U.S.
embassies' candidates for approximately 88 EL Fellow projects selected
by the U.S. Department of State (approximately 70 EL Fellows and 18
Senior EL Fellows). Staff who are qualified and experienced in the
field of TESOL must interview candidates and match candidates' skills
to the needs of specific projects. The recruitment, selection, and
placement process shall be completed by June 1, 2009.
Plan and conduct a pre-departure orientation in
Washington, DC.
Conduct all financial management aspects of the EL Fellow
Program, including processing of all EL Fellow grant payments
electronically to EL Fellows' designated bank accounts. Maintain an EL
Fellow Program budget spreadsheet.
Provide fiscal management for EL Fellows' professional
development activities during the assignment. These activities are
selected by the Bureau and are supported by U.S. embassies and the
Public Diplomacy Offices of the U.S. Department of State's Regional
Geographic Bureaus.
Make all necessary travel arrangements for the EL Fellows
including reservations and issuance of tickets and itineraries.
Enroll the selected EL Fellows in the Bureau Accident and
Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) Benefit Plan.
Collect EL Fellows' health verification forms and arrange
for proper medical clearance by a qualified medical practitioner.
Monitor the EL Fellow Program activities and the EL
Fellows, including making regional site visit(s).
Develop evaluation strategies designed to measure the
impact and outcome of the EL Fellow Program and the effectiveness of
each individual EL Fellow's professional activities at his/her
designated host institution(s).
Maintain information sharing tools (e.g., Web site/
listserv, database) records for the Bureau's Alumni Office.
Organize and implement activities related to the annual
TESOL Convention, including: conducting a three-week Exchange EFL
(English as a Foreign Language) Educators Fellow workshop/institute for
foreign participants chosen by the State Department; arranging for the
workshop/institute participants to attend the annual TESOL Convention;
and making all provisions for the Office of English Language Programs'
reception at the TESOL Convention for the workshop/institute
participants and EL Fellow Program alumni.
Prepare Form DS-2019 and send the Form to each selected
Exchange EFL Educator Fellow at least 60 days before his/her departure
from his/her home country for the workshop/institute.
The responsibilities of the Recipient are clearly detailed in the
Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI). Due to the
diverse responsibilities involved in administering the Cooperative
Agreement, the Bureau welcomes the submission of proposals involving
partnering organizations. In addition to the primary grantee, these
other organizations may be sub-grantees responsible for carrying out
specific activities or components of the EL Fellow Program, such as
recruitment, financial and logistical management, reporting
requirements, pre-departure orientation, evaluations, clearance of
health verification records, TESOL 2009-related activities, etc.
Applications involving partnering organizations, if applicable, must
clearly delineate the role each partnering organization will play and
its responsibilities. Letters of commitment from any potential
partnering organization(s) must be included.
The Office of English Language Programs and U.S. embassies are
substantially involved in the EL Fellows' roles and responsibilities.
U.S. embassies facilitate the management of the EL Fellows in-country
while the Bureau provides overall program and policy design and
direction, with substantial involvement at all levels of the EL Fellow
Program. Under the auspices of the Cooperative Agreement managed by the
Bureau, the roles and responsibilities of the Bureau include:
Inviting U.S. embassies to submit EL Fellow proposals;
Reviewing and analyzing the ability of projects to raise
the academic standards of English language teaching and to promote the
Bureau's public diplomacy and exchanges goals;
Analyzing the prospective impact of projects on host-
country English teaching institutions and the likelihood of projects
meeting host-country institutional needs;
Prioritizing and finalizing selection of projects for
which the Recipient will recruit EL Fellow candidates;
Reviewing candidates' qualifications and
r[eacute]sum[eacute]s;
Monitoring projects, participants, and program activities;
Communicating and working with U.S. embassies to resolve
EL Fellow issues (academic, health, welfare, etc); and
Reviewing reports of EL Fellow activities and projects in
host countries.
U.S. embassies submit proposals to the Bureau identifying
opportunities for placement of Fellows in host-country institutions in
accordance with the guidance provided by the Bureau. U.S. embassies are
responsible for managing the EL Fellow Program in-country. The role of
the U.S. embassies includes:
Selecting host institutions, including evaluating the
security of prospective sites;
Establishing viable partnerships with prospective in-
country host institutions that have critical English language
programming needs;
Developing project proposals in consultation with in-
country host institutions to be implemented by EL Fellows;
Reviewing applicants' qualifications and making final
selections of EL Fellow candidates in consultation with in-country host
institutions;
Contacting EL Fellows prior to their arrival to answer
questions about work-related issues, and to ensure that they have
accurate information regarding housing, visa requirements, security,
etc.;
Conducting an EL Fellows' in-country arrival orientation
and ensuring that the EL Fellows receive a security briefing by the
embassy's Regional Security Officer;
Working to maximize participants' safety and well-being,
locating and securing quality housing, ensuring that
[[Page 19552]]
the EL Fellows' visa/residency status is adjusted immediately after
arrival in host country to comply with host-country immigration
regulations, and acting as the EL Fellows' and Bureau's direct point of
contact;
Conducting site visits and monitoring of EL Fellows'
programs and activities; and
Selecting nominees (foreign teachers of English as a
Foreign language) for participation in the 43rd Annual TESOL Convention
(TESOL 2009) and related activities in the U.S.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
Bureau's level of involvement in the EL Fellow Program is listed
under number I above.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2009 (pending availability of funds).
Approximate Total Funding: $6,300,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
Approximate Average Award: $6,300,000.
Floor of Award Range: N/A.
Ceiling of Award Range: N/A.
Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, October 1,
2008.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: March 31, 2011.
Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of the EL
Fellow Program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal
years, it is the Bureau's intent to renew this Cooperative Agreement
for two additional fiscal years before openly competing it again.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
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 Cooperative Agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of
allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, the applicant
must maintain written records 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 the applicant does not provide the minimum amount of cost
sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, the Bureau's contribution
will be reduced in like proportion.
III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements
Bureau Cooperative Agreement 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 Cooperative Agreement in an amount up to $6,300,000 to
support program and administrative costs required to implement this
exchange program. Therefore, organizations with less than four years
experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to
apply under this competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to
provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its
programs.
IV. Application and Submission of Information
Note: Please read the complete Federal Register 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 English Language Programs, ECA/A/L, Room 304,
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC
20547, telephone (202) 453-8844, fax: (202) 453-8858, e-mail
williamsoncj@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer
to Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-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.2 for further information.
The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission
Instructions (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 ECA/A/L Program Officer, Catherine Williamson, and
refer to Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-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://www.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. Applicant is 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 the
applicant's 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 for
formatting and technical requirements. The package contains the
mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the
Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document.
IV.3c. Applicant 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 the organization is a private nonprofit which has not
received a Grant or Cooperative Agreement from ECA in the past three
years, or if the applicant organization has received nonprofit status
from the IRS within the past four years, the applicant must submit the
necessary documentation to verify nonprofit status as directed in the
PSI document. Failure to do so will cause
[[Page 19553]]
the proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information
when preparing the proposal narrative:
IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critical
emphases on the security and proper administration of Exchange Visitor
(J visa) programs and adherence by the Recipient 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.
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 the 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 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 the proposal include a draft survey
questionnaire, or other technique, plus a description of a methodology
to be used to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau
expects that the Recipient 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. The evaluation
plan should include a description of the project's objectives, the
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when the Recipient intends 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. The Recipient should also show how the project
objectives link to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
The 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, i.e., the
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast,
represent specific intended project results 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 the applicant 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; such as 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 the 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.)
The Recipient will be required to provide reports analyzing the
evaluation findings to the Bureau in the 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 plans for sustainability, e.g., overall program
management, staffing, coordination with ECA and embassies.
IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration
when preparing the budget:
IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit 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
[[Page 19554]]
component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
IV.3e.2. For allowable costs for the program and complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions, please refer to the
Solicitation Package and POGI.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
Application Deadline Date: June 13, 2008.
Reference Number: ECA/A/L-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 established deadline are
ineligible for consideration under this competition. ECA will not
notify the applicant 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 the 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 14 copies of the application should be sent to:
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/L-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 to complete. 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 the applicant has 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 the applicant's
Internet connectivity.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that the applicant not wait until
the application deadline to begin the submission process through
Grants.gov.
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.
Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from Grants.gov upon
the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify
applicants 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 and Agreement 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 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 the program idea/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 (selection of
participants, program venue, and program evaluation) and program
content (orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource
materials, and follow-up activities).
5. Institutional capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
[[Page 19555]]
6. Institution's record/ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements for past Bureau 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.
7. 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.
8. Project evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the activities' 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 be used to link outcomes to original
project objectives is recommended.
9. Cost-effectiveness and Cost Sharing: The overhead and
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other budgeted items
should be necessary and appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-
sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional
direct funding contributions.
10. Professional expertise in TEFL: Proposals should demonstrate a
publicity and recruitment plan that allows for the greatest
dissemination of information to professionals in the areas of teaching
English as a foreign language, Applied Linguistics, and related fields.
The applicant must be able to provide knowledgeable, experienced
management staff with TEFL/TESOL qualifications who are capable of
interviewing candidates and accurately evaluating their teaching
qualifications for the Fellow program.
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 Cooperative
Agreement proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall
be the only binding authorizing documents 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 ECA program office coordinating this
competition.
Prohibition on the Use of Federal Funds to Promote, Support, or
Advocate for the Legalization or Practice of Prostitution.
``The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related
activities which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing and contribute
to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. None of the funds made
available under this agreement may be used to promote, support, or
advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. Nothing in the
preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude assistance designed
to ameliorate the suffering of, or health risks to, victims while they
are being trafficked or after they are out of the situation that
resulted from such victims' being trafficked.''
The Recipient shall insert the foregoing provision in all sub-
agreements under the award.
This provision includes express terms and conditions of the
agreement and any violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral
termination of the agreement by the Department of State prior to the
end of its term.
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.
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements: The Recipient must provide ECA with a
hard copy original plus two copies of the following reports:
(1) Interim Program Reporting: A report describing and evaluating
the activities undertaken pursuant to the award document shall be
submitted within 30 days following each calendar year quarter.
(2) Interim Financial Reporting: A report reflecting expenditures
against each line item set forth in Article II of the Bureau Specific
Requirements shall be submitted within 30 days following each calendar
year quarter. The Recipient's Chief Fiscal Officer or an officer of
comparable rank must certify this report.
(3) Final Program Reporting: A report describing and evaluating the
activities undertaken pursuant to the award document shall be submitted
within 90 days after the expiration date of the Agreement.
(4) Final Financial Reporting: A report reflecting expenditures
against each line item set forth in Article II of the Bureau Specific
Requirements shall be submitted within 90 days after the expiration
date of the Agreement. The report must disclose cost sharing and be
certified by the Recipient's Chief Fiscal Officer or an officer of
comparable rank.
The Recipient will be required to provide reports analyzing
evaluation findings to the Bureau in the 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. Optional Program Data Requirements: Organizations awarded a
Cooperative Agreement 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, and biographic sketch of
all persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the
Cooperative Agreement or who benefit from the Cooperative Agreement
funding but do not travel.
[[Page 19556]]
(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.
VII. Agency Contacts
For questions about this announcement, contact: Catherine
Williamson, Office of English Language Programs, ECA/A/L, U.S.
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547,
telephone (202) 453-8844, fax (202) 453-8858, e-mail
williamsoncj@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the above title and number ECA/A/L-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: April 3, 2008.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E8-7625 Filed 4-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P