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DOCUMENT ID: [Public Notice 6388]

NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals:

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA); Request for Grant Proposals: International Arrival and Departure Program

DOCUMENT SUMMARY:

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/V/C/R0901.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.402.

Key Dates: January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

Application Deadline: November 6, 2008.

Executive Summary: The Community Relations Branch of the Office of International Visitors, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/PE/V/C/R) invites proposal submissions for the design and implementation of an airport arrival and departure program at New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and New Jersey's Newark International Airport.

It is anticipated that a cooperative agreement for $195,000 will be awarded on or about January 1, 2009, pending availability of FY 2009 funds. This 18month award will begin on or about January 1, 2009 and end September 30, 2010, and will be based on a combination of 500 incoming and outgoing flights between the two international points of entry stated above.

Proposed funding would support the following specific activities: Meet incoming International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants at JFK International Airport, New York, and assist them to their connecting flights; meet incoming IVLP participants at Newark International Airport, New Jersey, and assist participants to their connecting flights; provide assistance to outgoing IVLP participants, through U.S. Customs, at JFK International Airport, New York, and Newark International Airport, New Jersey; and liaise with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials, and Port Authority officials at both points of international entry in order to carry out scope of work under the cooperative agreement.
I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Public Law 87256, also known as the FulbrightHays 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 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking detailed proposals for the airport arrival and departure program from notforprofit organizations that have an established reputation and experience with:
(1) International airport arrivals and departures for official participants under the International Visitor Leadership Program or other international exchange and training programs;
(2) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security;
(3) Transportation Security Administration (TSA);
(4) National Security Entry and Exit Registration System (NSEERS) and requirements;
(5) International airport facilities and services;
(6) Airport security regulations;
(7) U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security to secure background checks and badges;
(8) Port Authority Officials to secure background checks and badges;
(9) Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, training, monitoring of international airport arrivals Reception Officers; (10) Accessing the Federal Inspections areas;
(11) Handling groups and individuals, especially from the Middle East who are subject to the NSEERS process.

In a cooperative agreement, ECA is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine grant monitoring. ECA activities and responsibilities for this program are as follows: Washington Office: Community Relations Branch, ECA/PE/V/C/R:

A. Provides flight manifests to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), for clearance, prior to airport reception approval.

B. Clears all reception officers for entry to restricted zones at JFK International Airport, New York and at Newark International Airport, New Jersey.

New York Office: New York Program Branch, ECA/PE/V/C/N:

A. Consults with DOSECA/PE/V Staff concerning all flight information, before requesting reception service from award recipient.

B. Prioritizes and finalizes all flight information for reception services and forwards to award recipient to implement for JFK International Airport, New York and Newark International Airport, New Jersey.

C. Communicates with award recipient concerning any missed flights, changed arrival time, no shows, cancellations, etc.

D. Sets up and secures DOS background security checks and DOS ID Badges for all award recipient contract reception officers. II. Award Information

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.

Fiscal Year Funds: 2009.

Approximate Total Funding: $195,000.

Approximate Number of Awards: 1.

Approximate Average Award: $195,000.

Floor of Award Range: $195,000.

Ceiling of Award Range: $195,000.

Anticipated Award Date: On or around January 1, 2009, pending availability of FY 2009 funds.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2010.

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.
[[Page 59702]]
III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by public and private notforprofit 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, ECA encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved cooperative agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and inkind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A110, (Revised), Subpart C.23Cost 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.) ECA grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making one award, in an amount up to $195,000 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.
(b.) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the following or they will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

IV. Application and Submission Information

Note: Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, ECA 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 Community Relations Branch, Office of International Visitors, ECA/PE/V/C/R, Room 247, U.S. Department of State, SA44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone 202/ 4538625, fax number 202/4538631, or email yateskf@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/V/C/R0901 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 Package, which consists of required application forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.

It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria and budget instructions tailored to this competition.

Please specify Program Manager Carmen Marrero, marrerocm@state.gov and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/V/C/R0901 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/education/rfgps/menu.htm or from the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov.

Please read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package. The original and 10 copies of the application should be sent per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Submission Dates and Times 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 ninedigit 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 1866705 5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the appropriate box of the SF424 which is part of the formal application package.

IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal narrative and budget.

Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) 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 March 14, 2008, all applicants for ECA federal assistance awards must include with their application, a copy of page 5, Part VA, ``Current Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees'' of their most recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990, ``Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.'' If an applicant does not file an IRS Form 990, but instead files Schedule A (Form 990 or 990EZ)``Organization Exempt Under Section 501(c)(3),'' applicants must include with their application a copy of Page 1, Part 1, ``Compensation of the Five Highest Paid Employees Other Than Officers, Directors and Trustees,'' of their most recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) FormSchedule A (Form 990 or 990EZ).

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 part 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, provision of prearrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of
[[Page 59703]]

forms, recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements.

ECA will be responsible for issuing DS2019 forms to participants in this program.

A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http:// exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECDSA44, Room 734, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 2035029,

SUMMARY: International Arrival and Departure Program,

DOCUMENT BODY 2:

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/V/C/R0901.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.402.

Key Dates: January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

Application Deadline: November 6, 2008.

Executive Summary: The Community Relations Branch of the Office of International Visitors, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/PE/V/C/R) invites proposal submissions for the design and implementation of an airport arrival and departure program at New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and New Jersey's Newark International Airport.

It is anticipated that a cooperative agreement for $195,000 will be awarded on or about January 1, 2009, pending availability of FY 2009 funds. This 18month award will begin on or about January 1, 2009 and end September 30, 2010, and will be based on a combination of 500 incoming and outgoing flights between the two international points of entry stated above.

Proposed funding would support the following specific activities: Meet incoming International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants at JFK International Airport, New York, and assist them to their connecting flights; meet incoming IVLP participants at Newark International Airport, New Jersey, and assist participants to their connecting flights; provide assistance to outgoing IVLP participants, through U.S. Customs, at JFK International Airport, New York, and Newark International Airport, New Jersey; and liaise with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials, and Port Authority officials at both points of international entry in order to carry out scope of work under the cooperative agreement.
I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Public Law 87256, also known as the FulbrightHays 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 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking detailed proposals for the airport arrival and departure program from notforprofit organizations that have an established reputation and experience with:
(1) International airport arrivals and departures for official participants under the International Visitor Leadership Program or other international exchange and training programs;
(2) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security;
(3) Transportation Security Administration (TSA);
(4) National Security Entry and Exit Registration System (NSEERS) and requirements;
(5) International airport facilities and services;
(6) Airport security regulations;
(7) U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security to secure background checks and badges;
(8) Port Authority Officials to secure background checks and badges;
(9) Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, training, monitoring of international airport arrivals Reception Officers; (10) Accessing the Federal Inspections areas;
(11) Handling groups and individuals, especially from the Middle East who are subject to the NSEERS process.

In a cooperative agreement, ECA is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine grant monitoring. ECA activities and responsibilities for this program are as follows: Washington Office: Community Relations Branch, ECA/PE/V/C/R:

A. Provides flight manifests to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), for clearance, prior to airport reception approval.

B. Clears all reception officers for entry to restricted zones at JFK International Airport, New York and at Newark International Airport, New Jersey.

New York Office: New York Program Branch, ECA/PE/V/C/N:

A. Consults with DOSECA/PE/V Staff concerning all flight information, before requesting reception service from award recipient.

B. Prioritizes and finalizes all flight information for reception services and forwards to award recipient to implement for JFK International Airport, New York and Newark International Airport, New Jersey.

C. Communicates with award recipient concerning any missed flights, changed arrival time, no shows, cancellations, etc.

D. Sets up and secures DOS background security checks and DOS ID Badges for all award recipient contract reception officers. II. Award Information

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.

Fiscal Year Funds: 2009.

Approximate Total Funding: $195,000.

Approximate Number of Awards: 1.

Approximate Average Award: $195,000.

Floor of Award Range: $195,000.

Ceiling of Award Range: $195,000.

Anticipated Award Date: On or around January 1, 2009, pending availability of FY 2009 funds.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2010.

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.
[[Page 59702]]
III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by public and private notforprofit 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, ECA encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved cooperative agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and inkind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A110, (Revised), Subpart C.23Cost 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.) ECA grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making one award, in an amount up to $195,000 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.
(b.) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the following or they will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

IV. Application and Submission Information

Note: Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, ECA 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 Community Relations Branch, Office of International Visitors, ECA/PE/V/C/R, Room 247, U.S. Department of State, SA44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone 202/ 4538625, fax number 202/4538631, or email yateskf@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/V/C/R0901 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 Package, which consists of required application forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.

It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria and budget instructions tailored to this competition.

Please specify Program Manager Carmen Marrero, marrerocm@state.gov and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/V/C/R0901 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/education/rfgps/menu.htm or from the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov.

Please read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package. The original and 10 copies of the application should be sent per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Submission Dates and Times 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 ninedigit 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 1866705 5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the appropriate box of the SF424 which is part of the formal application package.

IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal narrative and budget.

Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) 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 March 14, 2008, all applicants for ECA federal assistance awards must include with their application, a copy of page 5, Part VA, ``Current Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees'' of their most recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990, ``Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.'' If an applicant does not file an IRS Form 990, but instead files Schedule A (Form 990 or 990EZ)``Organization Exempt Under Section 501(c)(3),'' applicants must include with their application a copy of Page 1, Part 1, ``Compensation of the Five Highest Paid Employees Other Than Officers, Directors and Trustees,'' of their most recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) FormSchedule A (Form 990 or 990EZ).

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 part 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, provision of prearrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of
[[Page 59703]]

forms, recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements.

ECA will be responsible for issuing DS2019 forms to participants in this program.

A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http:// exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECDSA44, Room 734, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 2035029,