[Federal Register: April 16, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 72)]
[Notices]
[Page 17749-17755]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16ap09-94]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6579]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
Request for Grant Proposals: Visual Arts Initiative Program.
Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreements.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/CU-09-50.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: May 19, 2009.
Executive Summary: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
(ECA) of the U.S. Department of State seeks an organization to assist
the Cultural Programs Division of the Office of Citizen Exchanges in
all logistical and administrative aspects related to its support of
U.S. Embassy sponsored visual arts programs. The visual arts programs
to be supported are intended to foster good will, engage foreign
audiences, and provide insight into American culture and values. The
Visual Arts Initiative (VAI) program will provide funding on a
competitive basis for posts to showcase American talent overseas. Over
a period of two years, grantee will be responsible for one-way
exchanges in the visual arts, providing support to ECA to include
cyclical solicitation and review of proposals received from U.S.
Missions abroad using ECA-established criteria; packaging and
submitting proposals to ECA for final decision; extending financial
support to selected U.S. partners, and; to reporting on program
results. The Bureau anticipates that approximately $500,000 will be
available to support this program.
The Bureau is interested in receiving proposals from organizations
with a strong background/thematic expertise in the visual arts,
institutional commitment to cultural diplomacy and the role of the
United States in the arts, and a successful track-record in conducting
international programs in the arts. Organizations that have the
expertise, interest, and institutional commitment but lack the required
experience of conducting exchanges may wish to consider developing
proposals based on consortia type relationships with more experienced,
eligible organizations. Please note that for these proposals, the role
of each organization must be clearly defined and any sub-granting
agreements must be included in the proposal submission.
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
Goals and Objectives
This competition is based on the premise that the arts provide an
ideal vehicle for communication between people in the United States and
other countries and is well-suited to highlight American innovation,
creativity, and democratic values. Cultural exchanges strengthen
discourse, nurture the social growth of societies, help counter
negative stereotypes and demonstrate U.S. commitment to the arts and to
artistic and educational projects of high quality. Under this premise,
the Bureau and Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Missions abroad look for
opportunities to support selected exhibitions or other projects that
showcase the work of U.S. artists abroad and that can be the basis for
outreach beyond exhibition halls and into the community. The Bureau
therefore offers this new funding opportunity for an organization that
will help facilitate this type of cultural diplomacy abroad.
Desired Grantee Qualifications
Applicants should have extensive expertise in the visual arts and
in the organization of international programs. Proposals must therefore
describe this expertise and reflect a practical understanding of global
issues, and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, political, economic,
and social differences. Special attention should be given to describing
the applicant organization's experience with planning and implementing
international cultural exchange projects. Applicants should outline
their project team's capacity for successfully implementing projects of
this nature, provide a detailed sample program and timeline to
illustrate planning capacity and ability to achieve overall objectives.
Applicants must identify all U.S. and foreign partner organizations
and/or venues with whom they are proposing to collaborate, and describe
previous cooperative projects in the section on ``Institutional
Capacity.'' For this competition, applicants must include in their
proposal supporting materials or documentation that demonstrates a
minimum of five years experience in conducting international arts
programs and four years experience in conducting exchange programs with
the U.S. Government. Proposals must include references with name and
contact information for other assistance awards the applicant has
received in the event the Bureau chooses to be in touch directly.
[[Page 17750]]
Successful applicants must fully demonstrate a capacity to achieve
the following:
(1) Work jointly with foreign and U.S. partners, including Public
Affairs Sections of U.S. Missions, and/or contacts to design, develop,
and execute a program that achieves the goals described in this
solicitation.
(2) Design, build, and implement a program across a three year
continuum.
(3) Provide a sound infrastructure for coordination and
implementation of the entire program. This refers to both substantive
and administrative components of the program, including but not limited
to: Receipt, review and recommendations of VAI proposals for possible
ECA support; arrangement of international and domestic travel for U.S.
artists/approved participants; briefing and orientation of artists
prior to departure; visa and passport applications; vaccines and other
pre-departure procedures; transfer of funds for honoraria; shipping and
insuring of art and other costs allowed by ECA under the approved
proposal.
(4) Successful applicants will also have U.S. partners able and
willing to provide cost-sharing (including in-kind) in order to help
cover program costs.
Desired Program Design
Each year of the grant, ECA will solicit proposals for visual arts
projects from Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of U.S. Missions in
countries across the globe. The solicitation will be for proposals in a
determined/set number of cycles with specific deadlines. The grantee,
in turn, will receive these proposals from PAS and review them for
accuracy and completion. It will communicate with PAS when additional
information or clarification is necessary to obtain a complete and
comprehensive proposal. The grantee will review and assess proposals
following other criteria to be determined by ECA. Shortly following the
cycle deadline, the grantee will present the full package of completed
proposals in priority order with recommendations and comments that
correspond to criteria set by ECA. The Bureau will make final decisions
regarding approval of projects and communicate these to the grantee and
to the Public Affairs Section (PAS) located at U.S. Missions abroad.
PAS and/or ECA will communicate final decisions to selected U.S.
artists. The grantee will subsequently proceed to disburse approved
funds to the U.S. artist or his/her designated representative. As
applicable, the grantee will make all travel arrangements for the U.S.
artist, curator or other approved participant selected by the Bureau to
participate in the overseas program. Funds are expected to cover such
costs as international travel, honoraria and/or expenses for shipment
of art, including insurance. Final determination of funding amounts
will be made by ECA as part of its approval of projects. Occasionally,
proposals will be received from PAS outside of the cycle deadlines and
the grantee may be asked to make a review and recommendation in these
instances. The grantee will be expected to put together a final report
within a month of the project completion that will include but not be
limited to media coverage, reports from PAS, photos or other visuals,
reports from the selected artist or other approved participant, and
final costs.
Responsibilities
In the cooperative agreement, ECA is substantially involved in
program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. ECA
responsibilities for this program are as follows:
[dec221] Each year of the grant ECA will make a worldwide
solicitation of nominations for visual arts projects from U.S. Missions
abroad (Public Affairs Sections).
[dec221] PAS will be one channel for nominations of proposals.
Grantee may also propose visual arts projects for consideration by PAS.
However, all nominations for consideration under this program must be
submitted by PAS to the grantee with a copy to ECA.
[dec221] ECA will review all the nominations as presented by the
grantee and make the final selection of projects for award. ECA will
also make the final determination regarding funding amount for each
proposal approved.
[dec221] ECA will notify PAS and, as appropriate, the U.S. artist/
approved participant.
Grantee responsibilities for this program are as follows:
Design nomination form and draft solicitation message for
final approval by ECA.
Develop a budget that will incrementally allocate the
total funding over the life-cycle of the entire project.
Accept, review and analyze incoming proposals using
criteria set by ECA at the initiation of the program. Criteria may
include, but is not limited to elements such as artistic quality/
excellence of U.S. artist and art; appropriateness of venue, and;
opportunities for local outreach. Grantee will need to rely on its
expertise in the visual arts in order to provide the necessary analysis
addressing matters related to quality of art to be displayed,
suitability of U.S. artist selected to represent the U.S., suitability
of foreign venue.
Cyclically present to ECA a package of all received
proposals in priority order with recommendations based on expert
analysis of all criteria set by ECA.
For each cycle, the grantee will also provide
recommendations for funding of each proposal, and produce a report of
past expenditures to include an itemized listing of actual costs
compared to budgeted amounts and a detailed plan for the use of any
funds not expended and carried over. Grantee will need to rely on its
expertise in arts exchanges in order to provide ECA with an appropriate
recommendation of suitability of costs for project.
Once final decisions on proposals have been communicated
to PAS by ECA and artists or curators informed by ECA or PAS, begin to
process administrative aspects of program, including but not limited to
disbursement of moneys to U.S. artists or other envoys, travel
arrangements, visa and passport, immunizations, payments and other
applicable logistical elements determined by ECA to be necessary in
order to support PAS' project.
Arrange and provide orientation sessions and pre-travel
briefings and produce press materials for U.S. artists/envoys.
Orientation sessions should address issues of cultural sensitivity for
country/ies to be visited by U.S. artist/approved participant/curator.
Liaise with post and U.S. artist/approved participant/
curator as necessary in order to support logistical aspects of the VAI
project.
Within one month from project completion, report on VAI
project activities compiling PAS and U.S. artist/envoy reports, media
coverage and an evaluation of the project.
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-2009.
Approximate Total Funding: $500,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
Approximate Average Award: $500,000.
Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2009.
Anticipated Project Completion Dates: December 30, 2011.
Additional Information:
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit
[[Page 17751]]
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 agreement. Cost sharing may
be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost
Sharing, and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements
(a.) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making one award
of approximately $500,000 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.
(b.) Proposals must demonstrate that an applicant has an
established resource base of programming contacts and the ability to
keep this resource base continuously updated. This resource base should
include but is not limited to thematically related institutions (e.g.,
visual arts organizations), speakers, thematic specialists, and
practitioners in a wide range of professional fields in both private
and public sectors.
(c.) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the list
of requirements below or they will result in your proposal being
declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in
the review process:
--For this competition, all eligible organizations must demonstrate a
minimum of five years' experience successfully conducting international
arts exchange programs that involved the exchange of participants, as
well as at least four years' experience successfully conducting
international programs with the U.S. Government.
--Key U.S. partner institutions and their roles in the project must be
identified and letters of support provided in the proposal.
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 Cultural Programs Division of the Office of
Citizens' Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs,
ECA/PE/P/CU, Room 569, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20547, 202-453-8175, 202-203-7525,
BrooksMM@state.gov, to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to
the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/CU-09-50 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.
Please specify Alan Cross and refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number ECA/PE/C/CU-09-50 located at the top of this announcement on all
other inquiries and correspondence.
IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's
Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html, or from the
Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov.
Please read all information before downloading.
IV.3. Content and Form of Submission
Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation
Package. The application should be submitted per the instructions under
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.
IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of
application. Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for
ECA federal assistance awards must include in their application the
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers,
trustees, and key employees, regardless of amount of compensation). In
fulfilling this requirement, applicants must submit information in one
of the following ways:
(1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return of
Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of relevant
portions of this form.
(2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information
above in the format of their choice.
In addition to final program reporting requirements, award
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as
the one-page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and
Budget on its USASpending.gov Web site as part of ECA's FFATA reporting
requirements.
If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not received
a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three years, or
if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS within the
past four years, you must submit the necessary
[[Page 17752]]
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 Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs is the official program sponsor of the exchange
program covered by this RFGP, and an employee of the Bureau will be the
``Responsible Officer'' for the program under the terms of 22 CFR part
62, which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J
visa program). Under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, organizations
receiving awards (either a grant or cooperative agreement) under this
RFGP will be third parties ``cooperating with or assisting the sponsor
in the conduct of the sponsor's program.'' The actions of recipient
organizations shall be ``imputed to the sponsor in evaluating the
sponsor's compliance with'' 22 CFR 62. Therefore, the Bureau expects
that any organization receiving an award under this competition will
render all assistance necessary to enable the Bureau to fully comply
with 22 CFR part 62 et seq.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically
important emphases on the secure and proper administration of Exchange
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by recipient organizations and
program participants to all regulations governing the J visa program
status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in writing that
the applicant is prepared to assist the Bureau in meeting all
requirements governing the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs
as set forth in 22 CFR part 62. If your organization has experience as
a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should
discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et seq.,
including the oversight of their Responsible Officers and Alternate
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants,
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants,
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms,
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for
issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://
exchanges.state.gov or from: 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.
IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic
status, and disabilities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere
to the advancement of this principle both in program administration and
in program content. Please refer to the review criteria under the
`Support for Diversity' section for specific suggestions on
incorporating diversity into your proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides
that ``in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in
countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the
Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for
participation in such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of
such countries.'' Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of
the countries described above do not have inappropriate influence in
the selection process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these
goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation
Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program.
The Bureau recommends that your proposal include a draft survey
questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects
that the recipient organization will track participants or partners and
be able to respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction
with the program, learning as a result of the program, changes in
behavior as a result of the program, and effects of the program on
institutions (institutions in which participants work or partner
institutions). The evaluation plan should include indicators that
measure gains in mutual understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast,
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes,
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in
increasing order of importance):
1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange
experience.
2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude,
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community
members, and others.
4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational
improvements.
Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example,
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas
behavior and
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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.3d.4. Describe your plans for: Sustainability, overall program
management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS.
IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration
when preparing your budget:
IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs'' along with a comprehensive budget for the
entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase,
location, or activity to provide clarification.
IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
(1) Design and implementation of VAI program (including, as
appropriate, staff, administrative expenses, supplies, equipment,
production costs for filmmaking project, orientation and de-briefing
costs, etc.);
(2) International and domestic travel for U.S. artists/envoys and
other costs associated (visas, passports, immunization);
(3) As allowed, costs associated with transportation of art to
foreign venue, including insurance;
(4) Costs related to collecting and compiling material for final
reports to ECA.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods Of Submission
Application Deadline Date: May 19, 2009.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/CU-09-50.
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., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal
Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
2. Electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
Please Note: ECA strongly encourages organizations interested in
applying for this competition to submit printed, hard copy
applications as outlined in section IV.3f.1., below rather than
submitting electronically through Grants.gov. This recommendation is
being made as a result of the anticipated high volume of grant
proposals that will be submitted via the Grants.gov webportal as
part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in this RFGPs,
ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from
transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via
Grants.gov.
Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
IV.3f.1. Submitting Printed Applications
Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline.
Delivery services used by applicants must have in-place, centralized
shipping identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via
the Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly
recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or
before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days
after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration under
this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are
ineligible for consideration under this competition. ECA will not
notify you upon receipt of application. It is each applicant's
responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible
tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the
Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local
courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will
not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above
will be considered.
Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure
to include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it
in an envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.
The original and nine (9) copies of the application should be sent
to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/CU-09-50, 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 Note: ECA strongly encourages organizations interested in
applying for this competition to submit printed, hard copy
applications as outlined in section IV.3f.1. above, rather than
submitting electronically through Grants.gov. This recommendation is
being made as a result of the anticipated high volume of grant
proposals that will be submitted via the Grants.gov webportal as
part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in these RFGPs,
ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from
transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via
Grants.gov.
Please follow the instructions available in the `Get Started'
portion of the site (http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an
application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the
size of the application and the speed of your internet connection. In
addition, validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can
take up to two business days.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the
application deadline to begin the submission process through
Grants.gov.
The Grants.gov Web site includes extensive information on all
phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive
section on frequently asked questions, located under the ``For
Applicants'' section of the Web site. ECA strongly recommends that all
potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov Web site, well in
advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA
bears no responsibility for data
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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.
Optional--IV.3f.3. You may also state here any limitations on the
number of applications that an applicant may submit and make it clear
whether the limitation is on the submitting organization, individual
program director or both.
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 agreements resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
1. Program Planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described
above.
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. 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).
4. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
5. 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 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. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original
project objectives is recommended.
7. Cost-effectiveness/Cost-sharing: The overhead and administrative
components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be
kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and
appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other
private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1a. Award Notices
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.
Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA)
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with
subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding
authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The
FAA will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and mailed to the
recipient's responsible officer identified in the application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this
competition.
VI.1b. The following additional requirements apply to this project:
A critical component of current U.S. government Iran policy is the
support for indigenous Iranian voices. The State Department has made
the awarding of grants for this purpose a key component of its Iran
policy. As a condition of licensing these activities, the Office of
Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has requested the Department of State to
follow certain procedures to effectuate the goals of Sections 481(b),
531(a), 571, 582, and 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as
amended); 18 U.S.C. 2339A and 2339B; Executive Order 13224; and
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6. These licensing conditions
mandate that the Department conduct a vetting of potential Iran
grantees and sub-grantees for counter-terrorism purposes. To conduct
this vetting the Department will collect information from grantees and
sub-grantees regarding the identity and background of their key
employees and Boards of Directors.
Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of Iran complies
with requirements, please contact (Cultural Programs Division--Jill
Staggs at StaggsJ@state.gov) for additional information.
All awards made under this competition must be executed according
to all relevant U.S. laws and policies regarding assistance to the
Palestinian Authority, and to the West Bank and Gaza. Organizations
must consult with relevant Public Affairs Offices before entering into
any formal arrangements or agreements with Palestinian organizations or
institutions.
[[Page 17755]]
Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of the
Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please contact
Cultural Programs Division, Jill Staggs, StaggsJ@state.gov for
additional information.
VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements
include the following:
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles for
Nonprofit Organizations.''
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles for
Educational Institutions.''
OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian
Governments''.
OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative Requirements
for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education,
Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants-
in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and Non-
profit Organizations.
Please reference the following Web sites for additional
information:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
http://fa.statebuy.state.gov.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus nine (9) copies
of the following reports:
1. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after
the expiration of the award;
2. A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This
one-page report will will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available
to the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting
requirements.
3. A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all
program reports.
Award recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing
their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program
reports. (Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions
(IV.3.d.3) above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information).
All data collected, including survey responses and contact
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and
provided to the Bureau upon request.
All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.
VII. Agency Contacts
For questions about this announcement, contact: Alan Cross,
Cultural Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/CU, Room 568, ECA/PE/C/CU-09-50,
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC
20547, 202-203-7497, 202-205-7525, CrossA@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/CU-09-50.
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 8, 2009.
C. Miller Crouch,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs,
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E9-8677 Filed 4-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P