[Federal Register: April 20, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 75)]
[Notices]
[Page 20663-20670]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20ap10-100]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 6958]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: TechWomen
Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C-10-55.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415
Dates: Key Dates:
Application Deadline: June 2, 2010.
Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for
``TechWomen''. 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 conduct a professional mentorship
exchange program. This initiative champions two distinct but key themes
of President Obama's June 2009 speech in Cairo by supporting
development in the field of technology and enabling women to reach
their full potential in the technology industry. Applicants should plan
to recruit and select a total of approximately 20-40 women from
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the West Bank and Gaza to
participate in a four- to six-week peer mentoring program in the United
States. The mentoring experience will focus on bolstering the status of
professional women in the field of technology, will provide networking
opportunities for the participants, and will support activities in the
participants' home countries that encourage the interest of girls in
technology-based careers.
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 project ``TechWomen'' will link approximately 20-40 emerging
female leaders from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the West
Bank and Gaza, who have at least two years of professional experience
in the field of technology, with female peer mentors in the United
States for a four- to six-week mentorship program. A smaller number of
select American experts will then travel to the foreign participants'
home region to offer skills development sessions and workshops for a
broader range of local participants. The program is designed to reach
beyond the exchange by serving as the basis for an international
professional support network for women working in the field of
technology both within and outside of each participant's home country.
Participants will also have access to the community of alumni from
previous State Department sponsored exchange programs.
Applicants must identify the U.S. and foreign organizations and
individuals with whom they are proposing to collaborate both to secure
mentorships in the United States, to recruit and select participants
overseas, and to implement follow-on workshops conducted by American
experts in certain of the participants' home countries. Proposals
should contain letters of commitment or support from partner
organizations for the proposed mentorships, and for the follow-on
workshops overseas. A description of any previous cooperative
activities with these partner organizations must be included in the
proposal, along with information about their mission, activities, and
accomplishments. Applicants should clearly outline and describe the
roles and responsibilities of all partner organizations in terms of
project logistics, management and oversight.
Competitive proposals will include the following:
A proposed timeline detailing potential activities and
project goals;
A description of the recruitment and selection processes
of participants from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the West
Bank and Gaza;
A description of U.S.-based activities, including the
securing of mentorships and mentors in American companies; monitoring
and support of participants during the mentorship; a group orientation;
and a debriefing/evaluation session at the conclusion of the program;
A description of the workshops, seminars and/or other
activities conducted by the American experts overseas;
Letters of commitment from U.S. partners to serve as
possible host mentoring sites;
A description of the applicant organization's relevant
expertise in the project area and working with participants or
organizations from eligible countries;
A description of relevant experience managing previous
exchange and/or mentoring programs;
Resumes of experienced staff who have demonstrated a
commitment to implement and monitor projects and ensure outcomes;
A comprehensive plan to evaluate whether program outcomes
will achieve the specific objectives described in the narrative;
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A post-grant plan that demonstrates how the participants
can maintain contacts initiated during the program. Applicants should
discuss ways that U.S. and foreign participants will collaborate and
communicate after the ECA-funded grant has concluded.
U.S. Embassy Involvement: Award recipients must acknowledge U.S.
Embassy involvement in the final selection of all participants. Before
submitting a proposal, all applicants are strongly encouraged to
consult with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Washington,
DC-based State Department contact, Sheila Casey; (202) 632-6070 (tel);
(202) 632-9355 (fax); e-mail: caseysd@state.gov.
Project Details
Audience
Participants will be women (aged 25-42) from Algeria, Egypt,
Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the West Bank and Gaza who are engaged or
rising in professional careers that require significant expertise/
knowledge of technology and/or innovative application of these skills,
and who already are, or show promise of being, role models for others
in their countries, particularly for women. ``Technology'' should be
interpreted broadly to include--but not be limited to--the fields of
science, education, and business. Participants must have at least two
years of previous work experience in a field that explicitly and
directly involves and applies technology in meeting professional goals.
All participants must be proficient in English.
Each participant should be matched with one female U.S. mentor who
is a mid-level professional. Also, each participant should have a
personal mentor as well to help ease her adjustment to American culture
and life.
A successful program will:
Provide foreign participants from eligible countries the
opportunity for professional development through project-based
mentorships with American peers for up to 6 weeks, and through
activities conducted in select countries overseas after the conclusion
of the U.S.-based program.
Promote mutual understanding and partnerships between key
professional groups in the United States and counterpart groups in
eligible countries.
Create sustainable professional mentoring relationships
between U.S. and foreign participants.
Expand the network of technology professionals in eligible
countries.
Ideal Program Model
A four- to six-week U.S.-based program that includes a
group orientation at the beginning of the program; a mentorship with a
peer mentor; a debrief/evaluation session at the conclusion of the
U.S.-based mentorship; and additional educational and cultural
programming, as appropriate. Participants should be placed in small
groups in one or multiple tech hub areas to provide them with a social
and support network. Placing participants in the Silicon Valley region
of California and/or other centers of technology in the United States
is strongly encouraged. Based on the participant's interests and goals,
the award recipient will design each mentorship around a specific
project or effort within a company that is clearly relevant to the
participant's professional goals.
Robust engagement with the private sector to expand
networking opportunities and secure mentorship hosts in small-, medium-
and large-size companies.
A four- to seven-day project in one-two of the
participants' home countries for select U.S. experts in technology
(either the participants' mentors themselves, or other women that have
been in close contact with the mentees in the United States) to
conduct/participate in seminars, workshops, on-site consultancies, and
other types of activities with the goal of reinforcing the mentorship
experience and creating a wider network of women who are established in
these professions, or who aspire to do so. During this overseas
project, the award recipient should also arrange one-two workshops for
at least 25 girls (within the age range of 11-15) each to expose them
to role models and insight into what it means to be a female leader in
a technological field. At the end of the overseas project, there should
be a one-day debriefing and evaluation session with the participants.
A follow-on plan to establish regular communication
between the participants themselves, as well as with those who were
engaged during the programming during the overseas project.
Successful applicants must demonstrate a capacity to achieve the
following:
Recruit and select 20-40 qualified individuals from
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the West Bank and Gaza. The
program should be designed for participants to travel to the United
States at the same time, in order to participate in a group orientation
upon arrival, even if they will subsequently be engaged in smaller,
more customized programs. The award recipient will be responsible for
making all international and domestic travel arrangements.
Identify U.S.-based organizations and individuals with
whom collaboration on mentorships and networking opportunities is
possible, and describe previous cooperative activities, if any.
Identify qualified and established partner organizations/
offices overseas where participants are being recruited in consultation
with ECA and the relevant U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
Implement meaningful and effective four- to six-week
professional mentoring experiences in the United States. The final
selection of foreign participants should take into account the types of
mentorship placements that may be available in the United States.
Three-six months after the conclusion of the mentorships
in the United States, design and make all logistical arrangements to
implement a four- to seven-day seminar, workshop, on-site consultancy
or other activity conducted by U.S. experts in one-two of the
participants' home countries that includes one-two age-appropriate
workshops for girls (within the age range of 11-15), and a one-day
debriefing and evaluation session with the participants at the
conclusion of the overseas activities. The award recipient will be
responsible for making all international and domestic travel
arrangements.
Propose specific ideas and approaches to maintaining
contact and networking opportunities between the participants
themselves, and between them and their U.S. mentors and host
institutions/organizations.
In collaboration with ECA and the respective U.S.
Embassies, design and arrange for the publication (both in print and
online) of program materials for TechWomen. Relevant materials include
those to advertise and promote the program (both in the United States
and overseas), orientation materials, mentoring guidelines, and
materials for activities conducted in the participants' home countries.
Materials and Web site designs must be approved by ECA prior to
publication and/or distribution; please allow a minimum of three weeks
for this review process. Printed materials and Web sites must
prominently display the TechWomen program logo (designed by the award
recipient in consultation with and subject to the approval of ECA) and
U.S. Department of State seal. All official documents and materials
developed for promotional purposes must use the TechWomen logo and
acknowledge the
[[Page 20665]]
U.S. Department of State's role as program sponsor. Please note: All
materials and Web site resources paid for by grant funds will become
the property of the Department of State.
ECA envisions the approximate dates of TechWomen to be as follows:
September 2010-January 2011: Recruitment and selection of
foreign participants. Recruitment campaign for U.S. hosting
institutions.
February 2011-April 2011: Securing U.S.-based mentors and
host sites.
May 2011-August 2011: Travel to the United States by
foreign participants to the United States for orientation and placement
at mentorship sites for a four- to six-week program.
November 2011-February 2012: U.S. experts travel to select
countries overseas to conduct seminars, workshops and/or other
activities.
Additional Information
All projects proposed for the mentorship should encourage both the
American mentors and the foreign participants to come together, learn
from each other and to build relationships.
The Department has initiated outreach to women in technology in the
Middle East through previous contract and conferences; once a
cooperative agreement has been awarded under this competition, the
organizers of previous projects may be consulted for additional
contacts and information.
Based on existing relations, the Department will work with the
award recipient to finalize potential companies where the participants
are placed; however, only applicants who can demonstrate a strong
private sector network through their own resources will be deemed
competitive.
In a cooperative agreement, ECA is substantially involved in
program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. ECA's
activities and responsibilities for this program are as follows:
Collaborating with the award recipient on the outreach and
selection of mentors and host sites.
Approval of host institutions and organizations;
Review and approval of all program publicity and other
materials;
Final selection of participants;
Assistance with SEVIS-related issues;
Assistance with participant emergencies;
Liaison with relevant U.S. Embassies and country desk
officers at the Department of State, particularly in terms of
recruitment and selection efforts.
Issuance of DS-2019 forms to participants.
Enrolling participants in the Accident and Sickness
Program for Exchanges (ASPE) for the duration of the program, issue
health benefits identification cards, and provide instructions on host
claim forms;
Working with the award recipient to publicize the program
through various media outlets; and
Monitoring and evaluating the program as necessary,
through site visits or debriefing sessions.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2010.
Approximate Total Funding: $1,000,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1-2.
Floor of Award Range: $500,000.
Ceiling of Award Range: $1,000,000.
Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2010.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 30, 2012.
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 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 up to two
awards for approximately $1,000,000 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 as the primary award recipient. Organizations and
institutions that are interested in being part of the administration of
TechWomen, but that have less than the required four years experience,
are encouraged to explore the possibility of being a sub-grantee in a
consortium lead by another entity that is the primary award recipient.
Applicants may choose to apply for a minimum award of $500,000, or up
to a maximum award of $1,000,000. The Bureau encourages applicants to
provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its
programs.
b. Technical Eligibility: Eligible applicants may not submit more
than one proposal in this competition. If more than one proposal is
received from the same applicant, all submissions will be declared
technically ineligible and will receive no further consideration in the
review process. Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by
their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424
and additional supporting documentation outlined in the Proposal
Submission Instructions (PSI) document.
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 Veronica Rector in the Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C,
SA-5, 3rd Floor, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20522-0504, (202) 632-6081 (tel); (202) 632-9355 (fax);
rectorva@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to
the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C-10-55 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
[[Page 20666]]
application forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
Please specify Sheila Casey and refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number ECA/PE/C-10-55 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.
Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document for additional
formatting and technical requirements.
IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of
application. Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for
ECA federal assistance awards must include in their application the
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers,
trustees, and key employees, regardless of amount of compensation). In
fulfilling this requirement, applicants must submit information in one
of the following ways:
(1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return of
Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of relevant
portions of this form.
(2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information
above in the format of their choice.
In addition to final program reporting requirements, award
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as
the one- page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and
Budget on its USASpending.gov Web site as part of ECA's FFATA reporting
requirements.
If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not received
a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three years, or
if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS within the
past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation to verify
nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to do so will
cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information
when preparing your proposal narrative:
IV.3d.1 Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa
The 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 part 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: Office of Designation, ECA/EC/D, SA-5,
Floor C2, Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-0582.
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.
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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 institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.
Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e.,
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction]
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
Recipient organizations will be required to provide reports
analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular
program reports. All data collected, including survey responses and
contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years
and provided to the Bureau upon request.
IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration
when preparing your budget:
IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs'' along with a comprehensive budget for the
entire program. Budget requests may not exceed $1,000,000. 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:
International and domestic air fares; visas; transit
costs; ground transportation costs and airline baggage and seat fees.
Please note that all air travel must be in compliance with the Fly
America Act. There is no charge for J-1 visas for participants in
Bureau sponsored programs.
Per Diem. For U.S.-based programming, organizations should
refer to the published Federal per diem rates for individual U.S.
cities. Domestic per diem rates may be accessed at: http://www.gsa.gov/
Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=17943.
ECA requests applicants to budget realistic costs that reflect the
local economy and do not exceed Federal per diem rates. Foreign per
diem rates for overseas activities can be accessed at: http://
aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=184&menu_id=78.
Return Travel Allowance. A return travel allowance of $70
for each foreign participant may be included in the budget. The
allowance may be used for incidental expenses incurred during
international travel.
Health Insurance. Foreign participants will be covered
under the terms of a U.S. Department of State-sponsored health
insurance policy. The premium is paid by the U.S. Department of State
directly to the insurance company. Applicants are permitted to include
costs for travel insurance for U.S. participants in the budget.
Consultants. Consultants may be used to provide
specialized expertise or to make presentations. Daily honoraria may not
exceed $250 per day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in
which case the written agreement between the prospective grantee and
subcontractor should be included in the proposal. Subcontracts should
be itemized in the budget.
Room Rental. Room rental may not exceed $250 per day.
Materials Development. Your proposal may contain costs to
purchase, develop and translate materials for participants.
Wire transfer fees. When necessary, applicants may include
costs to transfer funds to partner organizations overseas. Award
recipients are urged to research applicable taxes that may be imposed
on these transfers by host governments.
In-country travel costs for visa processing purposes.
Given the requirements associated with obtaining J-1 visas for ECA-
supported participants, applicants should include costs for any travel
associated with visa interviews or DS-2019 pick-up.
Administrative Costs. Costs necessary for the effective
administration of the program may include salaries for recipient
organization employees, benefits, and
[[Page 20668]]
other direct and indirect costs per detailed instructions in the
Application Package. While there is no rigid ratio of administrative to
program costs, proposals in which the administrative costs do not
exceed 25% of the total requested ECA grant funds will be more
competitive under the cost effectiveness and cost sharing criterion,
per item V.1 below. Proposals should show strong administrative cost
sharing contributions from the applicant, the in-country partner and
other sources. Please also include in the administrative portion of
your budget plans to travel to Washington, DC, to meet with your
program officer within the first 45 days after the grant has been
awarded.
Please refer to the PSI for complete budget guidelines and
formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
Application Deadline Date: June 2, 2010.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C-10-55.
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.
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 seven (7) copies of the application should be sent
to: Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C-10-55,
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) or Microsoft Word format on CD-ROM. As
appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to
Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for its (their)
review.
IV.3f.2 Submitting Electronic Applications
Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically
through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the
system.
Please note: ECA bears no responsibility for applicant
timeliness of submission or data errors resulting from transmission
or conversion processes for proposals submitted via Grants.gov.
Please follow the instructions available in the ``Get Started''
portion of the site (http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an
application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the
size of the application and the speed of your internet connection. In
addition, validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can
take up to two business days.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the
application deadline to begin the submission process through
Grants.gov.
The Grants.gov Web site includes extensive information on all
phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive
section on frequently asked questions, located under the ``For
Applicants'' section of the Web site. 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 errors resulting from transmission or
conversion processes.
Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and
submission to: Grants.gov Customer Support, Contact Center Phone: 800-
518-4726, Business Hours: Monday--Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time,
E-mail: support@grants.gov.
Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above
deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the
application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the
Grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible. Please refer to
the Grants.gov Web site, for definitions of various ``application
statuses'' and the difference between a submission receipt and a
submission validation.
Applicants will receive a validation e-mail from Grants.gov upon
the successful submission of an application. Again, validation of an
electronic submission via Grants.gov can take up to two business days.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the
application deadline to begin the submission process through
Grants.gov. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of electronic
applications.
It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via
the Grants.gov web portal to ensure that proposals have been received
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order
12372 does not apply to this program.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Review Process
The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility.
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and
guidelines and
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forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may
also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other
Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of
the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Educational and
Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for assistance awards
(cooperative agreement) resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. Quality of the Program Idea: Proposals should exhibit
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's
mission.
2. Program Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives: Detailed
agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive
undertakings and logistical capacity. The agenda and plan should adhere
to the program overview and guidelines described above. 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 debriefing sessions, and follow-on activities).
4. Institutional Capacity/Track Record: Proposed personnel and
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve
the program's goals, particularly in securing meaningful and effective
mentorships for participants in TechWomen. 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.
5. Program 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 a
description of a methodology to link outcomes to the original program
objectives are recommended.
6. 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 an 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:
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.
Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of the
Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please contact
(insert program office contact name, telephone and e-mail) 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 one copy of the following reports:
(1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after
the expiration of the award;
(2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's Federal
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting
requirements.
(3) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all
program reports.
(4) Quarterly program and financial reports which should include
relevant details on participant recruitment efforts, mentorship hosts,
and the status of overseas workshops, seminars, and/or other
activities.
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.
Program Data Requirements:
Award recipients will be required to maintain specific data on
program participants and activities in an electronically accessible
database format that can be shared with the Bureau as required. As a
minimum, the data must include the following:
(1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all
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persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the agreement
or who benefit from the award funding but do not travel.
(2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be
received by the 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: Sheila Casey, U.S.
Department of State, Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, SA-5, 3rd
Floor, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20522-0503, (202) 632-6070
(tel); (202) 632-9355 (fax); caseysd@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference ECA/PE/C-10-55.
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 14, 2010.
Maura M. Pally,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S.
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2010-9079 Filed 4-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P