[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14737-14744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6272]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 7367]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: One Beat
Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/CU-11-45.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.
Key Dates: September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013.
Application Deadline: May 16, 2011.
Executive Summary: The Cultural Programs Division of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition
for a series of 2-4 week group programs for approximately 55-65 young
(average age 19-35) foreign musicians and music professionals from
selected countries that will highlight artistic collaboration,
improvisation, mentoring, and professional training opportunities. One
Beat is a programmatic refinement of the existing Fiscal Year 2010
Cultural Visitors program. The original Cultural Visitors Program was
initiated in Fiscal Year 2005 and targeted key countries in the Muslim
world and on priority youth audiences in those countries. Vital to the
innovative use of the arts in foreign policy are the elements of
artistic collaboration, audience engagement, professional enrichment,
and artistic production. By concentrating on music, One Beat seeks to
combine these elements into cohesive group programs which enhance
cross-cultural understanding and demonstrate democratic values such as
collaboration, cohesion, and innovation to strengthen the leadership
and professional potential of the participants as well as enrich their
American counterparts. The program should seek innovative ways to
incorporate new media to enhance the program offerings and extend the
impact of the program.
The goals of the program are to:
Energize the work of international musicians in their own
countries;
Provide unique opportunities for musical collaboration,
engagement, and performance among the international participants and
with their American peers and American music professionals;
Provide participants with instructive and informative
experiences in their art form;
Provide exposure to the creation and performance of world-
class American music;
Create opportunities for sustaining relationships with
U.S. arts professionals; and
Provide opportunities for educational outreach to American
audiences and students.
Pending the availability of funds, ECA will provide approximately
$1,000,000 to the award recipient to implement this program through a
cooperative agreement. The agreement will cover project activities from
September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013.
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
Cultural diplomacy, an essential facet of America's foreign policy,
strives to enhance cross-cultural understanding and open new avenues of
dialogue between individuals and nations. It builds on Secretary
Clinton's concept of ``smart power,'' which utilizes a variety of means
to achieve our 21st Century foreign policy goals. This program ventures
to create a dialogue through musical collaboration and professional
development that will enrich both the international participants and
the Americans with whom they meet.
Program Description
ECA welcomes innovative and creative approaches to programming,
which:
Offers coherent approaches to developing the artistic
talents and skills of the participants (activities include, but are not
limited to master classes, professional conferences, festivals,
workshops, lectures, demonstrations, group work, impromptu play, jam
sessions, and attendance at performances);
Uses new media to enhance and extend the impact and
richness of the program through online collaborations and educational
programming among other activities;
Provides mentoring by and exposure to well-respected
American artists, diverse cultural organizations and productions;
Fosters creative musical collaborations, cohesion and open
dialogue between the participants and their professional American
peers;
Engages with the diversity of the American public through
non fee-based public performance and/or presentation. (Please note that
the production and presentation costs of performances in the United
States cannot be funded by ECA, but can be included in the
organization's cost share.);
Visits multiple U.S. arts organizations and cities to
present a diverse view of American music, musicians, music
professionals, and;
[[Page 14738]]
Establishes a foundation for sustaining professional
networks and relationships.
Participants
ECA envisions that approximately 55-65 young foreign musicians in
contemporary genres (including but not limited to urban, hip-hop,
roots, rock, electronic, and world music) and music professionals
(including but not limited to composers, producers, arrangers,
songwriters, and DJs) from selected countries will visit the United
States in a series of specially designed group programs organized by
the award recipient in consultation with ECA. Participant composition
should reflect an emphasis on musicians.
Foreign participants must be between 19-35 years of age,
demonstrate high artistic abilities and professional performance
experience, a predisposition to engage with their community through
their art, promise in solo and ensemble performance (as appropriate),
commitment to teaching and to their craft, and be conversant with
broader aspects of society, their home culture and artistic patrimony.
Participants should be prepared to conduct or participate in master
classes, lecture demonstrations, workshops, impromptu sessions, media
outreach, and educational activities with peers, students, and general
audiences. They should also be adaptable to performance in situations
of varying infrastructure and sophistication.
ECA's Responsibilities
In a cooperative agreement, ECA is substantially involved in
program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. Specifically,
ECA will:
Identify countries from which the participants will be
selected and provide contact information at posts to award recipient;
Advise selected countries for recruitment of participants;
Provide final approval on the award recipient's
participant recommendations;
Review and approve daily schedules and program materials;
Review and approve media and outreach plans;
Issue DS-2019 forms to participants; and
Participate in briefing and debriefing sessions as
possible.
Award Funding and Award recipient Responsibilities
In consultation with ECA, the award recipient will:
Participant Selection
Develop participant selection criteria;
Develop an application process and timeline (efforts
should be made to make it web-based);
Work with Embassy staff to coordinate the recruitment and
solicitation of foreign participants and alternates for U.S. based
programs;
Based on qualifications, recommend participants to ECA for
review and approval;
Inform posts of final selections.
Program Development and Management
Devise innovative and multi-faceted plans for the program
components with detailed timelines for accomplishing each project
activity in consultation with ECA program staff;
Within 3-6 months of the beginning of the award period,
submit to ECA for approval proposed outlines and schedules for the
music programs, and then advise posts on the application, recruitment
and participant selection process. Outlines should include goals and
objectives for the programs and suggested participant profiles.
Recruit American participants and institutions to be
engaged in activities with the exchange participants. American site
locations are to be determined by the award recipient's organization in
consultation with ECA. The award recipient will consult with ECA, but
ultimately be responsible for the design and implementation of program
development and composition such as performances, workshops, master
classes and outreach programs at each site. The programs must strive to
represent a diversity of American organizations, regions and cities.
Orient host institutions and staff to the goals of the
program, and to the cultures and sensitivities of the participants;
Coordinate and identify group coordinator/escort and/or
interpreter travel, lodging and other arrangements needed for their
participation, including airport meet and greet;
Maintain liaison with ECA and program participants to
ensure the program schedule is compatible with needs and objectives.
Provide ECA and program participants with a final program schedule no
later than 2 weeks prior to their arrival in the U.S.;
Provide day-to-day monitoring of the program to prevent
and/or manage any issues or complications that may arise;
Work in consultation with ECA on the implementation of the
program, provide timely reporting of progress to ECA, and comply with
financial and program reporting requirements.
Create and encourage solid follow-on projects (not
supported by funding from this award) in order to continue and deepen
the relationships created by these projects between the award recipient
and foreign participants;
Design and implement an evaluation plan that assesses the
impact of the program.
Contact participants before the program to provide program
information, pre-departure materials, and to gather information
necessary for visa issuance and specific requirements (dietary,
medical, etc.);
Enroll participants in a health insurance plan for the
period of the exchange. Participants can be enrolled in the Bureau's
Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) with no charge to
the cooperative agreement. Alternatively, you may use your own plan as
long as it offers the same or better coverage and costs no more than
$50 per person per month; premiums may be included in the agreement
request;
Facilitate the J-1 visa application process, working with
ECA and the Public Affairs Sections (PAS) at the relevant U.S.
Embassies and/or Consulates;
Cover the cost of and arrange all international and
domestic travel and lodging for U.S. and foreign participants;
including travel for visa interviews when necessary;
Arrange for an orientation session upon arrival to provide
programmatic and logistical information;
Provide a de-briefing session at the end of the program
for evaluation, to summarize the project activities, prepare
participants for their return home, and plan for possible follow on
activities. Whenever possible, de-briefing sessions should take place
in Washington and should include an introduction to the nation's
capital and the U.S. form of government;
Manage all financial aspects of the program, including
stipend disbursements to the participants and management of sub-award
relationships with partner organizations, if applicable. The proposal
should clearly outline all duties and responsibilities of U.S.
organizations with which you plan to partner; describe work
requirements and provide representative budgets. The applicant must
submit a comprehensive budget for the entire program. There must be a
summary budget, as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative
and program budgets. The applicant may provide separate sub-budgets for
each program
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component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
Work in consultation with ECA to develop and implement a
media and marketing plan that includes but is not limited to program
branding, press strategy, press/media packets, program Web site and
social media plan. The award recipient will prepare educational and
promotional materials that support the program.
The proposal submitted must demonstrate how these activities/
objectives will be met. The proposal narrative should be substantive
and provide detailed information on major program activities to be
undertaken. In particular, the proposal should include a thorough
outline of the program with a list of arts organizations and musicians/
artists that the participants will visit in the United States, and
potential musicians/artists and/or host arts organizations across the
country with which the applicant plans to place the participants for
mentoring/collaboration opportunities.
Applicants should submit a complete and thorough proposal
describing the program in a convincing and comprehensive manner, with
an eye towards artistic collaboration, professional development,
innovation, and new media. Since there is no opportunity for applicants
to meet with reviewing officials, the proposal should respond to the
criteria set forth in the solicitation and other guidelines as clearly
as possible.
The Executive Summary should contain an overview of the goals and
activities of the program. The Narrative should deal with program
facts, rather than the history of the organization which should be
addressed in the section ``Institutional Capacity.'' In the narrative,
applicants should not only describe major program activities but also
explain and justify their programmatic choices. Applicants should
outline their project team's capacity for doing projects of this nature
and provide a detailed sample program to illustrate planning capacity
and ability to achieve program objectives. Applicants should describe
previous cooperative projects in the section on ``Institutional
Capacity.'' For this competition, applicants should include in their
proposal supporting materials or documentation that demonstrates a
minimum of four years experience in conducting global exchanges in the
performing arts.
The recipient organization is responsible for all components of the
program outlined in this document. The organization must also inform
the ECA program officer of its progress at each stage of the project's
implementation in a timely fashion. All materials and correspondence
related to the program will acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.
The Bureau will retain copyright use of and be allowed to distribute
materials related to this program as it sees fit.
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: 2011.
Approximate Total Funding: $1,000,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
Approximate Average Award: $1,000,000.
Ceiling of Award Range: $1,000,000.
Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, September 1,
2011.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 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 non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3).
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and
funding in support of its programs.
When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the
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) Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four
years of experience in conducting international exchange programs will
be limited to $60,000.
(b) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the
following:
Full adherence to the guidelines stated herein and in the
Solicitation Package;
Proposal submission deadline date;
Non-profit organization status, and
For purposes of this competition, at least four years of
demonstrated experience in programming in the performing arts, or your
proposal will be declared technically ineligible and given no further
consideration in the review process.
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 Julia G[oacute]mez-Nelson in the Cultural
Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/CU, SA-5, 3rd Floor, U.S. Department of
State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, (T) 202-632-6409, (F)
202-632-9355, [email protected] to request a Solicitation Package.
Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/CU-11-45
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 Julia G[oacute]mez-Nelson and refer to the Funding
Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/CU-11-45 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.
[[Page 14740]]
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. All federal award recipients and sub-recipients must
maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR) database and have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number. Recipients and sub-recipients must maintain
accurate and up-to-date information in the CCR until all program and
financial activity and reporting have been completed. All entities must
review and update the information at least annually after the initial
registration and more frequently if required information changes or
another award is granted.
You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of
application. Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for
ECA federal assistance awards must include in their application the
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers,
trustees, and key employees, regardless of amount of compensation). In
fulfilling this requirement, applicants must submit information in one
of the following ways:
(1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return of
Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of relevant
portions of this form.
(2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information
above in the format of their choice.
In addition to final program reporting requirements, award
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as
the one-page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and
Budget on its USASpending.gov website 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 places critically important
emphases on the security and proper administration of the Exchange
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by award recipients 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 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.
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, Private Sector
Programs Division, U.S. Department of State, ECA/EC/D/PS, SA-5, 5th
Floor, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.
Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines. Pursuant to
the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life.
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass
differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender,
religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please
refer to the review criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section
for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into your proposal.
Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such
programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.''
Public Law 106--113 requires that the governments of the countries
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation. Proposals must include
a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends
that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other
technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes
to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that the recipient
organization will track participants or partners and 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,
[[Page 14741]]
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.3d.4. Describe your plans for: Sustainability, overall program
management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any other
requirements.
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 but are not
limited to the following:
(1) Program Expenses, including but not limited to: Domestic and
international travel for the selected participants (per The Fly America
Act); visas and immunizations; airport taxes and country entrance fees;
honoraria; educational materials and presentation items; excess and
overweight baggage fees; trip itinerary booklets; press kits and
promotional materials; follow-on activities; monitoring and evaluation;
and other justifiable expenses related to program activities.
The following guidelines may be helpful in developing a proposed
budget:
Travel Costs. International and domestic airfares. (per
The Fly America Act), transit costs, ground transportation, and visas
participants to travel to program destinations. Travel costs should
also include airfare for selected participants to travel for visa
interviews.
Per Diem: Domestic per diem rates may be accessed at:
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentId=17943&contentType=GSA_BASIC%20
Sub-recipient and Consultants. Sub-recipient organizations
may be used, in which case the written agreement between the
prospective recipient and sub-recipient should be included in the
proposal. Sub-grants must be itemized in the budget under General
Program Expenses. Consultants/interpreters/group coordinators/escorts
may be used to provide specialized expertise. Daily honoraria cannot
exceed $250 per day, and applicants are strongly encouraged to use
organizational resources, and to cost share heavily in this area.
Health Insurance. Participants can be enrolled in the
Bureau's Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) with no
charge to the cooperative agreement. Alternatively, you may use your
own plan as long as it offers the same or better coverage and costs no
more than $50 per person per month; premiums may be included in the
agreement request. Please see http://exchanges.state.gov/aspe for more
information on coverage. Please refer to the PSI for allowable costs
and complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
Your proposal should show strong administrative cost
sharing contributions. Maximum limits on cooperative agreement funding
are as follows: Books and educational materials allowance-$100 per
participant; Conference room rental costs-$250 per day per room;
Consultant fees and honoraria-$200/day; Cultural allowance-$150 per
participant; honoraria for foreign participants-$200/day; per diem-
standard government rates; Evaluation costs-5% of the cooperative
agreement. Organizations are encouraged to cost-share any rates that
exceed these amounts.
Excess Baggage. Excess baggage costs are based on the size
and weight of the instrument. Excess baggage estimates may be subject
to change once actual programs are scheduled.
Immunizations/Visas. For purposes of a proposed budget,
line items for immunizations should be estimated at $400 per musician,
and visas/visa photos should be estimated at $600 per musician.
Translation of outreach and/or educational materials.
Staff Travel. Allowable costs include domestic staff
travel for one staff member to attend pre and post program briefings if
held in cities different that awardee's headquarters.
For purposes of this proposal's budget please use the
following program as a model: A three week program in music for 8
participants from 7 countries accompanied by one group coordinator and
two interpreters to travel to 3 cities in the United States to conduct
intensive professional development programs consisting of
[[Page 14742]]
workshops, master classes, attendance at relevant festivals or
professional conferences, artist-to-artist engagement, outreach
activities and performances. Participants will participate in a two-day
orientation in Washington, DC, before travelling to Chicago, IL for a 5
to 7 day residency to include multiple master classes with professional
and student artists, attendance at a professional music festival to
attend performances, meet fellow artists, participate in impromptu play
or jam sessions, and participate in a performance. The group will then
travel to Nashville, TN for a residency of the same length and
composition, after which they will depart Tennessee and travel to
Washington, DC for a final debrief and performance.
2. Administrative Costs. Costs necessary for the effective
administration of the program may include salaries for grantee
organization employees, benefits, and other direct and indirect costs
per detailed instructions in the Solicitation 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 from
ECA grant funds will be more competitive on cost effectiveness. Please
refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and
formatting instructions.
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 16, 2011
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/CU-11-45
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 10 copies of the application should be sent to:
Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/A/S/U-10-01 (each
program office assigns a unique number) SA-5, Floor 4, Department of
State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.
(Include following language re: CD-ROM submission only if proposals
will be forwarded to embassies. If post input is not necessary, delete
language.)
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 website 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 website. ECA strongly recommends that all
potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov website, 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.
Email: grants.gov">support@grants.gov.
Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above
deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the
application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible.
Please refer to the Grants.gov website, 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
[[Page 14743]]
Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for data
errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order
12372 does not apply to this program.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Review Process
The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility.
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant 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 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 the program idea: Proposals should exhibit
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's
mission.
2. Program planning and Ability to achieve program objectives:
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. Objectives should
be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and
plan.
3. Multiplier effect/impact and Follow on Activities: Proposed
programs should strengthen long-term mutual understanding, including
maximum sharing of information and establishment of long-term
institutional and individual linkages. Proposals should provide a plan
for continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials
and follow-up activities).
5. Institutional Capacity and Ability: Proposed personnel and
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve
the program or project's goals. Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements for past Bureau awards (grants or cooperative agreements)
as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past
performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new
applicants.
6. 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 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 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:
For assistance awards involving Iran:
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. Sec. Sec. 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 award recipients 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 (Julia G[oacute]mez-Nelson, ECA/
PE/C/CU at 202-487-8266 or [email protected].) for additional
information.
For assistance awards involving the Palestinian Authority, West
Bank, and Gaza:
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
[[Page 14744]]
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 websites 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,
but are not limited to: Audience numbers for the public performances as
well as participant numbers for the workshop/outreach activities; press
clippings (print and web); proactive media outreach; photographs of
activities; marketing/collateral materials produced for the program;
program calendar; tour agendas and itineraries and relevant contact
information; participant bio data and contact information; and program
and administrative updates/recaps.
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: Julia G[oacute]mez-
Nelson, U.S. Department of State, Cultural Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/
CU, SA-5, 3rd Floor, ECA/PE/C/CU-11-45, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington,
DC 20037,telephone 202-632-6409 and fax 202-632-9355,
[email protected].
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/CU-11-45.
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: March 9, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 2011-6272 Filed 3-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P