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< Back to current issue of Immigration Daily <Back to current issue of Immigrant's Weekly
[Federal Register: November 2, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 213)]
[Notices]
[Page 65889-65892]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02no00-134]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 3461]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; English Language
Fellow Program
NOTICE: Request for proposals.
SUMMARY: The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the
2001 English Language Fellow Program. The program consists of English
Language Fellows, who are recent TEFL/TESL M.A. graduates (within the
last five years), and senior English Language Fellows, who are
experienced English as a foreign language teacher trainers.
Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions
described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501[c] may submit proposals to
administer and manage the English Language Fellow Program, which is
designed to provide universities, binational centers, teacher-training
colleges, ministries of education and other educational language
institutions worldwide with professionally trained American expertise
in English as a Foreign Language (EFL).
The goal of this program is to promote the teaching of English to
facilitate democratic institution building and to encourage
participation in the global economy. An introduction to American
English, methodology and materials opens the door for advanced study in
the U.S., and to develop and promote mutual understanding.
Program Information
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is soliciting
proposals from U.S. non-profit educational institutions/organizations
to manage and administer the 2001 English Language Fellow Programs.
English Language Fellows must be U.S. citizens. The programs are for an
eleven-month period beginning with academic year 2001-2002. One-year
extensions will be granted only under exceptional circumstances, and
require agreement of the Bureau, U.S. Embassy, host institution, and
the fellow.
The English Language Fellows are not employees of the Bureau or the
grantee organization. Selection of countries which will receive English
Language Fellows will be made by the Bureau. The programs have placed
over 250 English language professionals worldwide in the past five
years, promoting English Teaching as a response to the dramatic
increase in the demand for English caused by political and/or economic
changes.
The program is open to English language professionals at two
different levels:
A. The English Language Fellows are recent TEFL/TESL M.A. graduates
(within the last five years) who provide expertise to institutions
selected by U.S. Embassies abroad while gaining international teaching
experience. The fellows serve as full-time teachers of English as a
Foreign Language (EFL). They may teach up to 20 hours of English a week
in the host program. In addition, they may be asked to work in
materials and test development or teacher-training activities. They
should not be assigned administrative duties. The sum of all duties
should not exceed 40 hours per week.
B. The senior English Language Fellows are experienced EFL trainers
who have a M.A. or higher degree in TEFL/TESL or a closely related
field and have overseas teacher training experience. The senior fellows
serve as full-time teacher trainers of English as a foreign language as
well as serving in program-related activities such as: (1) Teaching
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in a variety of professional fields
such as business, law and economics; (2) designing and developing EFL
curricula and materials; (3) conducting program evaluation and design;
(4) testing; and (5) organizing and hosting country-wide workshops and
conferences.
The grant period should begin on/about January 15, 2001 and extend
through September 30, 2002.
The grantee organization is responsible for the management and
administrative aspects of the program, which include the following:
--Recruitment, selection and placement of approximately 24 English
Language Fellows and approximately 36 senior English Language
Fellows in all areas of the world at universities, binational
centers, teacher-training colleges, ministries of education and
other educational language institutions;
--Pre-departure orientations;
--Mid-year senior English Language Fellow conference (optional);
[[Page 65890]]
--Fiscal management and logistics;
--Travel management (reservations/itineraries, ticketing);
--Medical insurance enrollment;
--Development of promotional materials in support of programs;
--Monitoring: programs and individuals;
--Extensive monitoring, review and evaluation of English Language
Fellow reports, including a preliminary report, a mid-year report,
and a final, year-end report;
--Evaluation of and follow-on activities for programs;
--Establishment and maintenance of an alumni database of English
Language Fellows.
The period of the program is from on/about February 15, 2001
through September 30, 2002. The recruitment and selection process will
begin at the 2001 TESOL Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, February
2001; pre-departure orientations, third or fourth week of August 2001;
and the fellows' departures to overseas assignments, first and second
week of September 2001.
The grantee organization should provide a time line for all
activities. The fellows will receive a basic stipend, living and
housing allowance, pre-departure orientation travel to Washington, DC,
pre-departure allowance, international round trip travel from U.S.
residence to host country; book or materials allowance, miscellaneous
expense and health/medical coverage up to $50,000 per illness/injury.
Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to
Solicitation Package for further information.
Budget Guidelines
Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be
limited to $60,000. The Bureau anticipates awarding one grant in an
amount not to exceed $2,725,000. Applicants 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.
Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component,
phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
A. Allowable costs for the English Language Fellows (approx.
24 worldwide) include the following:
(1) Basic stipend........................................ $13,750
(2) Round trip travel.................................... 4,000
(3) Living allowance..................................... 6,000
(4) Pre-departure orientation travel..................... 1,800
(5) Pre-departure allowance.............................. 500
(6) Shipping allowance................................... 400
(7) Miscellaneous expense................................ 200
(8) Promotional/educational materials.................... 100
B. Allowable costs for the senior English Language Fellows
(approx. 6 worldwide) include the following:
(1) Basic stipend........................................ 21,000
(2) Round trip travel.................................... 4,000
(3) Living allowance..................................... 10,000
(4) Pre-departure round trip travel...................... 1,800
(5) Pre-departure allowance.............................. 500
(6) Shipping allowance................................... 400
(7) Book allowance (up to)............................... 850
(8) In-country arrival orientation (1-2 days) (if not 700
based in the host country)..............................
(9) In-country travel allowance (up to).................. 750
(10) Miscellaneous expenses.............................. 200
(11) Mid-year senior English Language Fellow conference
(optional--if conference is held, grant will be amended
to add additional funds)................................
C. Allowable costs for the senior English Language Fellows
for Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the NIS (approx. 18)
include the following: Albania (3), Azerbaijan (2), Croatia
(2) Kosovo (6), Kazakhstan (1), Kyrgyzstan (1), Moldova (1),
Ukraine (2)
(1) Basic stipend........................................ 21,000
(2) Round trip travel.................................... 4,000
(3) Living allowance..................................... 16,000
(4) Pre-departure round trip travel...................... 1,800
(5) Pre-departure allowance.............................. 500
(6) Shipping allowance................................... 400
(7) Book allowance (up to)............................... 850
(8) In-country arrival orientation (1-2 days) (if not 700
based in capital city)..................................
(9) In-country travel allowance (up to).................. 1,500
(10) Miscellaneous expenses.............................. 200
(11) Mid-year senior English Language Fellow conference
(optional--if conference is held, grant will be amended
to add additional funds)................................
D. Allowable costs for the senior English Language Fellows
for Russia (approx. 12) include the following:
(1) Basic stipend........................................ 21,000
(2) Basic stipend (2) regional coordinators.............. 25,000
(3) Round trip travel.................................... 4,000
(4) Living allowance..................................... 16,500
(5) Pre-departure round trip travel...................... 1,800
(6) Pre-departure allowance.............................. 500
(7) Shipping allowance................................... 400
(8) Book allowance (up to)............................... 850
(9) In-country arrival orientation (1-2 days) (if not 700
based in capital city)..................................
(10) In-country travel allowance (up to)................. 5,000
(11) Miscellaneous expenses.............................. 255
(12) Mid-year senior English Language Fellow conference
(optional--if conference is held, grant will be amended
to add additional funds)................................
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
Announcement Title and Number
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFP should
reference the above title and number ECA/A/L-01-01.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of English Language
Programs, ECA/A/L, Room 3U.S. Department of State, 301
4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone: 202/619-5869 and fax
number: 202/401-1250, Internet address: http://exchanges.state.gov/
education/rfps to request a Solicitation Package. The Solicitation
Package contains detailed award criteria, required application forms,
specific budget instructions, and standard guidelines for proposal
preparation. Please specify Bureau Program Officer Catherine Williamson
on all other inquiries and correspondence.
Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants
until the proposal review process has been completed.
To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's
website at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfps. Please read all
information before downloading.
Deadline for Proposals
All proposal copies must be received at the Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Friday, December
22, 2000. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents
postmarked the due date but received on a later date will not be
accepted. Each applicant must ensure that the proposals are received by
the above deadline.
Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation
Package. The original and ten copies of the application should be sent
to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/L-01-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 534,
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
[[Page 65891]]
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 physical challenges.
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 the
total 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 this goal in their
program contents, to the fullest extent deemed feasible.
Review Process
The Bureau will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will
review them 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. 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 (grants or 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. Program Planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described
above.
2. Ability To Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and
plan.
3. Multiplier Effect/Impact: Proposed programs should strengthen
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual
linkages.
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: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals.
6. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grant
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
7. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
8. 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. Successful applicants will be
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
9. 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.
10. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects
should receive positive assessments by the U.S. Department of State's
geographic area desk and overseas officers of program need, potential
impact, and significance in the partner country(ies).
11. TEFL/TESL Background: Proposal should demonstrate a plan to
network that allows for the greatest dissemination of information to
the profession of Teachers of English as a Second or Foreign Language;
moreover, grantee must be able to provide knowledgeable, TEFL/TESL-
qualified, experienced staff capable of interviewing candidates and
evaluating their qualifications for teaching and/or developing
materials or for conducting teacher training in the context of English
as a foreign language in accordance with criteria established by the
Bureau.
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. There will be three (3) sources of funding for this
program: The Bureau's Exchanges Appropriation; and Support for East
European Democracy (SEED) and Freedom Support Act (FSA) interagency
transfers.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFP 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 RFP 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 programs and the
[[Page 65892]]
availability of funds. Awards made will be subject to periodic
reporting and evaluation requirements.
Notification
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.
Dated: October 26, 2000.
Helena Kane Finn,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 00-28185 Filed 11-1-00; 8:45 am]
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