[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 246 (Thursday, December 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80879-80885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32272]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 7273]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: English Language Materials Training and Development
Program
Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/L-11-02.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.421.
Key Dates: Application Deadline: March 15, 2011.
Executive Summary: The Office of English Language Programs of the
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open
competition for the English Language Materials Training and Development
Program, including a U.S. exchange component in summer, 2012. U.S.
public and private universities with a graduate TEFL program meeting
the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C.
501(c)(3) may submit proposals to implement the program that will
include the following: 1. A needs assessment for English language
instructional materials abroad; 2. an rigorous, online academic program
in materials development for 26 international participants; 3. a three-
week, U.S. exchange program for the same 26 participants including
materials development training; 4. the revision of at least three
products/publications presently in the ECA/A/L materials catalogue and
the development of at least three new products/publications. More
detailed information about each of these four components of this
cooperative agreement are detailed in the Program Objectives, Goals,
and Implementation (POGI). Funding is pending the availability of FY-
2011 funds.
For the needs assessment for English language instructional
materials, the proposal should include a detailed plan for the
recipient organization to perform a needs assessment among English
language learners and instructors outside the U.S., including present
and past participants in ECA/A/L programs as well as the Regional
English Language Officers (RELOs), the corps of State Department
Specialist Foreign Service Officers based around the world. The
objective of the materials needs assessment will be to identify
instructional materials preferences and needs of learners and
instructors of English. This information will serve to inform the
development and implementation of the other components of this program.
For the online program in materials development, proposals must
outline and demonstrate an ability to produce an online program that
blends various social media and web-based technologies to provide
professional development opportunities on materials assessment, review,
adaptation and development to approximately twenty-six foreign
participants. The participants will be selected by ECA/A/L in
consultation with the RELOs. Participants will be: citizens of the
country in which they reside; university degree holders, preferably at
the graduate level in the fields of TEFL or Applied Linguistics;
employed in a position which includes substantive responsibilities in
the area of materials assessment, adaptation, development, or closely
related area; in positions of authority with regard to the adaptation,
development and use of instructional materials at the institutional,
regional, and/or national levels; and professionally proficient in
English. The online program must commence at least ten weeks before the
U.S. exchange and include at least five sessions after completion of
the U.S. exchange. The program must also incorporate existing ECA/A/L
materials, drafts of revised materials, and new products/publications
as illustrations throughout the online program.
For the U.S. university-based Exchange component, the recipient
will develop and implement a workshop in the U.S. for the twenty-six
English language teaching professionals who have been participating in
online program. The four-week U.S. Exchange should be implemented in
July of 2012 and include an orientation to the U.S.; an intensive
program on materials assessment, adaptation, review and development;
cultural and community service activities; and a three day briefing in
Washington, DC at the conclusion of the exchange component. The
Washington, DC briefing should familiarize participants with ECA and
other relevant bureaus within the State Department, allow participants
to meet with English language materials developers from Washington, DC,
and provide an opportunity for participants to share their materials
development program development plans. Participants will be encouraged
to develop a materials development program to implement in their home
countries following the exchange program. The proposal should include a
detailed plan for the content, administration, and implementation of
the U.S. exchange.
[[Page 80880]]
For the materials revision and production component, the recipient
will revise at least three current ECA/A/L products/publications and
develop at least three new products/publications based on the findings
of the materials needs analysis. The recipient will prepare revised
drafts of existing ECA/A/L materials and new materials based on
feedback from program participants garnered during the second and third
components of this program and present at least three publishable
revised ECA/A/L products/publications and at least three publishable
new products/publications to ECA/A/L for review and future publication.
Applicant organizations should demonstrate a substantial track
record of conducting substantive academic programs for EFL educators
with a particular emphasis on materials assessment and development,
conducting needs assessments internationally, developing and
implementing training programs through virtual media, developing
English language materials for teachers and learners in EFL settings,
and managing logistical and administrative aspects of similar programs.
(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 purpose of the English Language Materials Training and
Development Program is to develop high quality, diverse, and engaging
materials for English teachers and learners globally and provide
opportunities for professional development for educators involved in
English language materials assessment, review, adaptation and/or
development.
Overview: The online course in materials development and the U.S.
based summer institute should provide participants with the skills and
experience to review, assess and adapt/revise existing English language
instructional materials and the ability to develop context appropriate
new materials of their own. These programs should expose participants
to drafts of revised ECA/A/L materials and new materials being
developed for ECA/A/L, insights into the role of instructional
materials in the teaching/learning process and approaches to developing
learner-centered instructional materials. These programs should also
include a substantive cultural/educational exchange experience in the
United States.
Program Design: Participants will be selected by the Office of
English Language Programs in consultation with Regional English
Language Officers (RELOs) and Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) at U.S.
embassies.
The program will focus on publications relevant and appropriate to
ECA/A/L's ongoing English language programming efforts around the
world. Activities should focus on updating existing materials and
creating new materials (print, audio, and online) for ECA/A/L's current
titles. Selection of titles to expand and revise will be made by the
Office of English Language Programs in consultation with the recipient
based on the results of the needs assessment carried out by the
recipient.
The Department of State will retain full foreign ownership of the
texts that are prepared including the right to print, publish,
repurpose, and distribute these texts in all media including electronic
media, and in all languages and editions.
The program should be designed as an intensive, academically
rigorous online course and summer institute for an experienced group of
graduate level educators from abroad. Both the online course and summer
institute should be organized through an integrated series of lectures
(virtual and in-person), readings, seminar discussions, and site
(virtual and in-person) visits. Both the online course and summer
institute should reflect the participants' previous education and
experience and promote strategies for participants to share their
knowledge with counterparts and with students in their home countries.
Syllabus: Proposals must include syllabi for both the online course
and the summer institute that identify the subject matter for each
thematic unit and specify dates, proposed speakers and/or trainers,
proposed site visits (virtual or in-person), and proposed readings in
ELT materials design and development. The syllabi must clearly show how
assignments, readings, and speakers will advance the goals of the
program. Overall, proposals will be reviewed on the basis of their
responsiveness to RFGP criteria, coherence, clarity, and attention to
detail. The accompanying Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation
(POGI) document provides program-specific guidelines that all proposals
must address fully.
Program Dates: It is anticipated that the cooperative agreement
will begin on or about May 1, 2011, and the recipient should complete
all exchange activities by March 31, 2013. The exchange program will
take place during June/July, 2012. Please refer to additional program
specific guidelines in the Program Objectives, Goals, and
Implementation (POGI) document.
Program Guidelines: Under the auspices of the Cooperative
Agreement, the Bureau's Office of English Language Programs and U.S.
embassies are substantially involved in the English Language Materials
Training and Development Program. The Bureau provides overall program
and policy design and direction, with substantial involvement at all
levels of the program while U.S. embassies are responsible for the in-
country aspects of the program. The roles and responsibilities of the
Bureau include:
Inviting RELOs to nominate program participants;
Analyzing the prospective impact of program on the quality
of instructional materials;
Reviewing nominees and selecting participants for the
program;
Approval of ECA/A/L materials to adapt and of new
materials to develop; and
Providing feedback on the drafts of adapted and new
materials and final approval of all draft materials.
Posts are responsible for:
Identifying and nominating program participants from their
countries/regions;
Briefing program participants on all aspects of the
program;
Monitoring and supporting the online segment of the
program;
Monitoring and reporting to ECA/A/L on program impact;
Facilitating communication between the recipient and
program participants regarding exchange logistics (e.g. obtaining
visas); and
Conducting post-program follow-up opportunities as
appropriate.
(II.) Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in
this program is listed under number I above.
[[Page 80881]]
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2011.
Approximate Total Funding: $750,000 (pending the availability of
funds).
Approximate Number of Awards: One (1)
Approximate Average Award: One award of $750,000.
Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, May 1, 2011.
Anticipated Program Completion Date: March 31, 2013.
Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is
ECA's intent to renew this 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 U.S. colleges and universities with a graduate TEFL program
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, 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 fewer 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 $750,000 to support program and administrative costs
required to implement the English Language Materials Training and
Development 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 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 Craig Dicker of the Office of English Language
Programs, ECA/A/L, Room 4-B15, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 2200 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, telephone: (202) 632-9277, fax:
(202) 632-9464, e-mail: [email protected] to request a Solicitation
Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-11-02
located at the top of this announcement when making your request.
Alternatively, an electronic application package may be obtained
from grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f for further information.
The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
It also contains the Program Objectives, Goals and Implementation
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
Please specify Craig Dicker, telephone: (202) 632-9277, and refer
to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-11-02 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 original and seven copies
of 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 Program
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
[[Page 80882]]
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 recipient 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.
Please refer to the 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 Program'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 Program 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. Your evaluation
plan should include a description of your Program's objectives, your
anticipated Program 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 Program 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 Program 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 Program 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.)
The recipient will be required to provide reports analyzing their
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All
data
[[Page 80883]]
collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be
maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the Bureau upon
request.
IV.3.d.4. Describe your plans for staffing: Please provide a
staffing plan which outlines the responsibilities of each staff person
and explains which staff member will be accountable for each program
responsibility. The Office of English Programs requests that at least
one member of the staff should be well versed in current methodology of
teaching English as a foreign language preferably holding an advanced
degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), applied
linguistics or a related field. In depth knowledge of best practices in
the English language teaching (ELT) field is preferable. Wherever
possible please streamline administrative processes.
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. The budget should not exceed $750,000 including all
administrative costs. There must be a summary budget as well as
breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets for host
campus and foreign teacher involvement in the program. Applicants may
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase,
location, or activity to provide clarification.
The summary and detailed administrative and program budgets should
be accompanied by a narrative which provides a brief rationale for each
line item including a methodology for estimating appropriate average
maintenance allowance levels and tuition costs (as applicable) for the
participants, and the number that can be accommodated at the levels
proposed. The total administrative costs funded by the Bureau must be
reasonable and appropriate.
IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program and additional budget
guidance are outlined in detail in the POGI document. Please refer to
the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and formatting
instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
Application Deadline Date: March 15, 2011.
Reference Number: ECA/A/L-11-02.
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 Program 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 seven (7) copies of the application should be sent
to: U.S. Department of State, Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/
PM, Ref.: ECA/A/L-11-02 SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20522-0504.
Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the
proposal in text (.txt) format on a PC-formatted disk.
IV.3f.2. Submitting Electronic Applications
Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically
through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the
system. Please follow the instructions available in the `Get Started'
portion of the site (http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an
application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the
size of the application and the speed of your internet connection.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you 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: 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.
Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon
the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify you
upon receipt of electronic applications.
It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via
the Grants.gov Web portal to ensure that proposals have been received
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order
12372 does not apply to this program.
(V.) Application Review Information
V.1. Review Process
The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility.
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible
proposals will be reviewed by the program office. Eligible proposals
will be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review.
[[Page 80884]]
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for
assistance awards (cooperative agreements) resides with the Bureau's
Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. Quality of Program Plan and Ability to Achieve Program
Objectives: Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision,
and relevance to the Bureau's mission as well as the objectives of the
English Language Materials Training and Development Program. It should
include an effective, feasible plan and clearly demonstrate how the
institution will meet the program's objectives. A detailed agenda and
relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and
logistical capacity.
2. Multiplier effect/impact: The proposed program should strengthen
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual
linkages.
3. Support for 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
speakers, program venue and program evaluation) and program content
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials
and follow-up activities).
4. Institutional Capacity and Record: 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 as determined by Bureau Grants
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. The
successful proposal will demonstrate the organization's experience in
international educational exchange and intensive programs, and an
understanding of international differences of culture, religion, and
system of education.
5. Follow-up and Follow-on Activities: Proposals should discuss
provisions made for follow-up with returned participants as a means of
establishing longer-term individual and institutional linkages.
Proposals also should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity
(without Bureau support) ensuring that the Bureau supported programs
are not isolated events. Proposals also should include a plan for
tracking and maintaining updated lists of all alumni. These lists
should be made available to ECA/A/L and the Office of Alumni Affairs.
6. Program Evaluation: Proposals should discuss provisions to
evaluate the program'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
program objectives is recommended.
7. 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 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 Federal Assistance Award (FAA)
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original cooperative
agreement proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall
be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the
U.S. Government. The FAA will be signed by an authorized Grants
Officer, and mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified
in the application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this
competition.
VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements
include the following:
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles
for Nonprofit Organizations.''
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles
for Educational Institutions.''
OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian
Governments.''
OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and
Non-profit Organizations.
Please reference the following Web sites for additional
information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants. http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You must provide ECA with a hard copy
original plus one copy of the following reports:
(1.) Quarterly program and financial reports;
(2.) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days
after the expiration of the award;
(3.) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's Federal
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting
requirements;
(4.) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all
program reports.
The recipient 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 Federal Assistance Award.
(VII.) Agency Contacts
For questions about this announcement, contact: Craig Dicker,
Office of English Language Programs, ECA/A/L, Room 4-B015, ECA/A/L,
U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC
20037, Tel: 202-632-9277; Fax: 202-632-9464, [email protected].
[[Page 80885]]
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the above title and number ECA/A/L-11-02.
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: December 16, 2010.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2010-32272 Filed 12-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P