FR Doc E9-28873[Federal Register: December 3, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 231)]
[Notices]
[Page 63392-63398]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03de09-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview
Information; Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services
and Results for Children With Disabilities--Regional Resource Center;
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Note: This notice inviting applications is open to qualified
applicants to serve the Region 3 area only.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.326R.
Note: On July 10, 2009, we published a Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for FY 2009 in the Federal Register (74
FR 33226) inviting applications for CFDA Number 84.326R using the
Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve Services and
Results for Children With Disabilities--Regional Resource Centers
priority. We invited applications in that notice to support the
operation of six Regional Resource Centers (RRCs) located in
geographic regions established by the Secretary. Two applications
were submitted to serve Region 3 and neither was recommended for
funding. Through this notice, we invite applications for another
competition for a Regional Resource Center to serve Region 3.
Dates:
Applications Available: December 3, 2009.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 1, 2010.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 2, 2010.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Technical Assistance and
Dissemination To Improve Services and Results for Children with
Disabilities program is to promote academic achievement and to improve
results for children with disabilities by providing technical
assistance (TA), supporting model demonstration projects, disseminating
useful information, and implementing activities that are supported by
scientifically based research.
Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority
is from allowable activities specified in the statute or otherwise
authorized in the statute (see sections 663 and 681(d) of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1400, et
seq.).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2010 and any subsequent year in which we
make awards based on the list of unfunded applicants from this
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve Services and
Results for Children With Disabilities--Regional Resource Center.
Background:
Over the last four decades, the Office of Special Education
Programs (OSEP) has supported Regional Resource Centers to provide TA
that is targeted to meet State-specific needs related to meeting the
program requirements under Parts B and C of IDEA.
Historically, each RRC functioned independently, serving primarily
as a TA provider to State educational agencies (SEAs) in the RRC's
region helping the SEAs address self-identified needs related to
providing services to children with disabilities. In 1998, RRCs'
traditional role as TA providers expanded when they also began serving
as brokers of TA, linking SEAs and local educational agencies (LEAs) to
relevant OSEP-funded TA centers. Over time, and as OSEP developed its
monitoring of Part C programs and issued monitoring reports from 1998
through 2003, RRCs began providing TA in their respective regions to
the State Part C lead agencies (LAs).
When IDEA was last reauthorized in 2004, the increased general
supervision responsibilities of SEAs and LAs under Parts B and C,
respectively, also increased the need for general supervision support
and collaboration among RRCs and other OSEP-funded TA Centers (i.e.,
the National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities
and the Data Accountability Center) to provide coordinated and
meaningfully informed TA. Specifically, sections 616(b) and 642 of IDEA
require each State to have in place a State Performance Plan (SPP) that
evaluates the State's efforts to implement requirements under Parts B
and C of IDEA and that describes how the State will improve its
implementation of these requirements. The SPP must include measurable
and rigorous targets for quantifiable indicators in the priority areas
described in section 616(a)(3) of IDEA. These priority areas for Part B
are--providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least
restrictive environment (LRE); reducing disproportionate representation
of racial and ethnic groups in special education and related services,
to the extent the representation is the result of inappropriate
identification; and ensuring effective general supervision, including
child find, transition, and dispute resolution. These priority areas
for Part C are--providing early intervention services in natural
environments and ensuring effective general supervision, including
child find, transition, and dispute resolution.
Additionally, sections 616 and 642 of IDEA require each SEA and LA
to conduct many activities annually. Each SEA and LA must submit an
Annual Performance Report (APR) to the Secretary on the State's
progress in meeting its targets in each of the priority areas under
Parts B and C of IDEA. There are 20 priority indicators under Part B
(including early childhood transition, postsecondary transition,
graduation, and dropout prevention) and 14 priority indicators under
Part C (including provision of early intervention services in the
natural environment, timely provision of services, timely evaluation,
and early childhood transition). OSEP issues annual letters of
determination and response tables for each State under Parts B and C of
IDEA based in large part on the State's APR data in each of these
priority indicator areas.
In turn, SEAs must monitor and evaluate LEAs' implementation of
Part B, and State LAs must monitor and
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evaluate the implementation of Part C by early intervention service
(EIS) programs. Each year, the SEA and LA must publicly report on the
performance of each LEA or EIS program in each of the priority areas
and issue a local ``determination.'' Through such reporting, SEAs and
LAs are responsible for ensuring both the continuous improvement of
results and functional outcomes for children with disabilities and the
timely correction of noncompliance with IDEA requirements.
The Department first issued its annual determinations under
sections 616 and 642 of IDEA in 2007 and made one of the following
determinations for each State: (1) The State meets IDEA requirements,
(2) the State needs assistance, or (3) the State needs intervention.
Under section 616(e)(1) of IDEA, when conducting its second annual
determinations in 2008, the Department was required to take enforcement
actions for those States determined to be in ``needs assistance'' for
two consecutive years. One of those enforcement options was advising a
State of the availability of TA, including the resources of the RRCs
and the need to utilize such TA. In 2008, the Department advised 25
Part B SEAs and 17 Part C LAs determined to be in ``needs assistance''
for two consecutive years of the requirement to access TA under section
616(e)(1)(A) of IDEA. In 2009, the Department took specific enforcement
actions for those States determined to be in ``needs intervention'' for
three consecutive years, which may include the development of an
improvement plan or corrective action plan. These enforcement options
will require continued and additional TA support of SEAs and State LAs.
In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA), Public Law 111-5, identifies four education reform areas that
the Secretary considers to be central to improving the results for all
students, including students with disabilities. These reform areas
include: (1) Implementing rigorous college- and career-ready standards
and assessments; (2) improving the collection and use of data; (3)
improving teacher effectiveness; and (4) supporting the struggling
schools. These four ARRA reform areas directly align with the SPP
priority indicators and the SPP targets. The following Web site
provides more information on ARRA:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/factsheet/stabilization-fund.html.
To ensure that RRCs are available to meet these increased TA needs,
OSEP has determined that new funding is needed to support consistent
and collaborative work between the six regional RRCs while addressing
the increased SEA and LA general supervision responsibilities under
Parts B and C of IDEA.
Priority:
The purpose of this priority is to fund one cooperative agreement
to support the operation of an RRC in Region 3 that will collaborate
with the five other RRCs to provide coordinated and research-based TA
to SEAs and LAs to help them: (1) Meet Federal accountability
requirements under IDEA; (2) implement systems of general supervision
that improve results and functional outcomes for children with
disabilities; (3) work with OSEP-funded TA centers, as appropriate, to
develop, identify, and implement evidence-based tools and practices to
increase the likelihood that SEAs and LAs will meet their SPP targets
in the priority areas described in section 616(a)(3), such as providing
FAPE in the LRE, early childhood transition, secondary transition,
postsecondary outcomes, graduation, and dropout prevention; and (4)
develop and implement strategies that address the four education reform
areas and other critical goals that align with the indicators
established under IDEA.
The Secretary establishes the following geographic regions for the
RRCs:
Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Region 2: Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Region 4: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Region 5: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and the Bureau of Indian
Affairs.
Region 6: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon,
Washington, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
To be considered for funding under this absolute priority,
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in this
priority. All projects funded under this absolute priority also must
meet the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the
priority.
Application Requirements. An applicant must include in its
application--
(a) A logic model for the RRC that depicts, at a minimum, the
goals, activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed RRC. A logic
model communicates how the RRC will achieve its outcomes and provides a
framework for both the formative and summative evaluations of the RRC;
Note: The following Web site provides more information on logic
models and lists multiple online resources:
http://www.cdc.gov/eval/resources.htm.
(b) A plan to implement the activities described in the Project
Activities section of this priority;
(c) A plan, linked to the proposed project's logic model, for a
formative evaluation of the proposed project's activities. The plan
must describe how the formative evaluation will use clear performance
objectives to ensure continuous improvement in the operation of the
proposed project, including objective measures of progress in
implementing the project and ensuring the quality of products and
services;
(d) A budget for a summative evaluation to be conducted by an
independent third party;
(e) A budget for attendance at the following:
(1) A one day kick-off meeting to be held in Washington, DC, within
four weeks after receipt of the award, and an annual two-day planning
meeting held in Washington, DC, with the OSEP Project Officer and the
other five OSEP-funded RRCs during each subsequent year of the project
period. The initial kick-off meeting must allow time for the RRC to be
briefed on the action plan that was collectively started in October
2009 by the other five RRCs to address how the six RRCs will share
resources when appropriate (see, e.g., paragraph (f) below). The Region
3 RRC will provide input to this action plan during meetings designated
by the Project Officer and held with the other five OSEP-funded RRCs.
The action plans for years two and three must be developed
collaboratively with the other five OSEP-funded RRCs at the close of
years one and two respectively.
(2) A three-day Project Directors' Conference in Washington, DC,
during each year of the project period.
(3) A four-day Technical Assistance and Dissemination Conference in
Washington, DC, during each year of the project period.
[[Page 63394]]
(4) Four two-day trips annually to attend Department briefings,
Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings, as requested by
OSEP;
(f) A line item in the proposed budget that will support the cost,
shared among all of the RRCs when established, for hiring, at a
minimum, one full-time coordinator (1 FTE) who will manage the
collaborative work of the RRCs; and
Note: Over the last two decades the RRCs received direct support
(e.g., workgroup facilitation and technology development support,
etc.) from the OSEP-funded Federal Resource Center (FRC). In 2008
the FRC was recompeted as the Technical Assistance Coordination
Center (TACC). TACC is a coordination hub where the OSEP-funded
centers and other Federal agencies find resources, collaborate, and
problem-solve in order to conduct their work without duplicating
efforts. RRCs will receive the same level of support from TACC as
all the other centers; however, the direct support once provided by
the FRC (i.e., the coordination of activities with the small States
consortium, coordination of cross-RRC workgroups, the planning and
facilitation of monthly RRC meetings) will no longer be available to
the RRCs.
(g) A line item in the proposed budget for an annual set-aside of
five percent of the grant amount to support emerging needs that are
consistent with the proposed RRCs' shared project activities, as those
needs are identified in consultation with OSEP.
Note: With approval from the OSEP Project Officer, the RRC must
reallocate any remaining funds from this annual set-aside no later
than the end of the third quarter of each budget period.
Project Activities. To meet the requirements of this priority, the
RRC must, at a minimum, conduct the following activities:
Knowledge Development Activities.
The RRC, in collaboration with the other five RRCs, must--
(a) During the first year of the project conduct a systematic
review of the former RRCs and other OSEP-funded TA Centers, as
appropriate, that--
(1) Analyzes existing data (e.g., data on previously developed
scopes of work, tools, products, and staffing) collected on the nature
of the TA provided and its evidence-based; and
(2) By the end of year one, produces a summary report regarding the
most effective types of TA and the best practices for implementing
effective TA in SEAs and LAs; and
(b) Conduct an annual review of--
(1) Part B and Part C SPPs and APRs to evaluate States' progress in
meeting their targets in each of the priority areas under IDEA; and
(2) OSEP letters of determination and response tables, including
letters of determination and response tables of States determined to be
in ``needs assistance'' for two consecutive years and States determined
to be in ``needs intervention'' for three consecutive years, in order
to develop an action plan for supporting SEAs and LAs in their
development of improvement and corrective action plans.
Technical Assistance and Dissemination Activities.
The RRC must--
(a) Collaborate and communicate on an ongoing basis with the other
five RRCs, the other OSEP-funded TA&D Centers, and the other centers
funded by the Department's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
(e.g., The Regional Comprehensive Centers and the Equity Assistance
Centers) to provide coordinated and research-based TA to SEAs and LAs;
(b) In collaboration with the other RRCs and OSEP-funded TA
Centers, as appropriate--
(1) Develop action plans and activities based on OSEP-identified
priorities, i.e., all indicators found in the Part B and C SPPs. Action
plans and activities may include items mentioned in activities (a),
(b), and (c) under this section but are not limited to these
activities;
(2) Develop TA tools and products related to SPP and APR
requirements and evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of
these tools and products through annual assessments;
(3) Provide coordinated and research-based TA to SEAs and LAs to
help them establish and implement strategies that address the four
goals outlined in the ARRA and that are aligned with the indicators
established under IDEA and other critical priorities related to
improving outcomes for children with disabilities such as developing
seamless, high-quality early childhood programs; scaling up successful
models and strategies; and helping more students enter and complete
college and get jobs; and
(4) Assist SEAs and LAs in refining and improving State policies,
procedures, or both related to the Federal accountability requirements
under IDEA; and
(c) Provide coordinated and research-based TA to SEAs and LAs to
support them in meeting current IDEA requirements and OSEP initiatives
for--
(1) Meeting APR reporting requirements (e.g., data collection and
analysis, and development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-
based improvement activities);
(2) Identifying improvement activities and, through annual
assessments, determining if the newly identified activities are
effective;
(3) Developing and implementing corrective action plans for LEAs
and local providers, including implementation of enforcement actions
for States in ``needs intervention'' for three consecutive years; and
(4) Improving general supervision at the SEA and LA level,
including improving skills in fiscal management, policy development,
practices and procedures, monitoring systems, and the timely correction
of noncompliance with IDEA requirements.
Leadership and Coordination Activities.
The RRC, in collaboration with the other five RRCs, must do the
following:
(a) Establish and maintain an advisory committee to review the
activities and outcomes of the RRCs' collaborative work and provide
programmatic support and advice throughout the project period. The
committee must include, but is not limited to, SEA special education
directors, Part C coordinators, directors of OESE-funded Regional
Comprehensive Centers, and directors of OSEP-funded TA centers. The RRC
must submit names of proposed members of the advisory committee to OSEP
for approval within four weeks after receipt of the award. These names
will be considered along with the names submitted earlier by the other
five RRCs. At a minimum, the advisory committee must meet on an annual
basis either in Washington, DC, or by electronic means.
(b) Collaborate, on an ongoing basis, with OSEP-funded TA projects,
especially those working on SPP indicators and general supervision.
This collaboration must include the joint development of products, the
coordination of TA services, and the planning and carrying out of TA
meetings and events that are addressed in annual work plans.
(c) Participate in, organize, or facilitate, as directed by OSEP,
communities of practice (http://www.tadnet.org/communities) that are
aligned with the RRCs' objectives as a way to support discussions and
collaboration among key stakeholders.
(d) Submit, prior to developing any new product, whether paper or
electronic, through the Proposed Product Review (PPR) system, to the
OSEP Project Officer for approval, a proposal describing the content
and purpose of the product.
(e) Maintain and upgrade the existing RRCs' Web site portal. (This
portal can be found at www.rrfcnetwork.org). This Web site must
continue to meet government or industry-recognized standards for
accessibility and must link to http://www.tadnet.org.
[[Page 63395]]
(f) Contribute, on an ongoing basis, updated information on the
RRCs' services to OSEP's mega database (http://matrix.tadnet.org). The
mega database provides current information on Department-funded TA
services to a range of stakeholders.
(g) Coordinate with the National Dissemination Center for
Individuals with Disabilities to develop an efficient and high-quality
dissemination strategy that reaches broad audiences. The RRC must
report to the OSEP Project Officer the outcomes of these coordination
efforts.
(h) Maintain ongoing communication with the OSEP Project Officer
through monthly phone conversations, e-mail communication, and monthly
reports.
Fourth and Fifth Years of the RRC:
In deciding whether to continue funding the RRC for the fourth and
fifth years, the Secretary will consider the requirements of 34 CFR
75.253(a), and in addition--
(a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of experts
selected by the Secretary. This review will be conducted during a one-
day intensive meeting in Washington, DC, that will be held during the
last half of the second year of the project period;
(b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the
RRC; and
(c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the RRC's activities
and products and the degree to which its activities and products have
contributed to changed practice and improved State Parts B and C
general supervision systems, SPPs, and APRs.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and
requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment
requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1463 and 1481.
Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants
except federally recognized Indian tribes.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education (IHEs) only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$48,048,664 for the Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve
Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program for FY
2010, of which we intend to use an estimated $1,300,000 for this
Regional Resource Center competition. The actual level of funding, if
any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if
Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Maximum Awards: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $1,300,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in
the Federal Register.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs; LEAs, including public charter
schools that are considered LEAs under State law; IHEs; other public
agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely
associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-
profit organizations.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Other: General Requirements--(a) The projects funded under this
competition must make positive efforts to employ and advance in
employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of
IDEA).
(b) Applicants and grant recipients funded under this competition
must involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals
with disabilities ages birth through 26 in planning, implementing, and
evaluating the projects (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: Education Publications
Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone, toll
free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call, toll free: 1-877-
576-7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also:
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or at its e-mail address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to
identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.326R.
Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape,
or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application)
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that
reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the
application narrative to the equivalent of no more than 70 pages, using
the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II,
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the
resumes, the bibliography, the references, or the letters of support.
However, the page limit does apply to the application narrative in Part
III.
We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit or if
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: December 3, 2009.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 1, 2010.
Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site, or in
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates
and times) about how to submit your application
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electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery, please
refer to section IV.6. Other Submission Requirements of this notice.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the
application process, the individual's application remains subject to
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 2, 2010.
4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this
competition.
5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by
mail or hand delivery.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
If you choose to submit your application to us electronically, you
must use e-Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants
Web site at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
While completing your electronic application, you will be entering
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
Please note the following:
Your participation in e-Application is voluntary.
You must complete the electronic submission of your grant
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this
competition after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait
until the application deadline date to begin the application process.
The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00
a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until
8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of
maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and
6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m.
on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours are
posted on the e-Grants Web site.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you submit your application in paper format.
You must submit all documents electronically, including
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and
certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your
application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF
(Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the
three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password
protected file, we will not review that material.
Your electronic application must comply with any page
limit requirements described in this notice.
Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number
(an identifying number unique to your application).
Within three working days after submitting your electronic
application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control
Center after following these steps:
(1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.
(2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
(3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the
hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.
(4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at
(202) 245-6272.
We may request that you provide us original signatures on
other forms at a later date.
Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting
your application on the application deadline date because e-Application
is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to
enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by
hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
(1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
(2)(a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the
application deadline date; or
(b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between
3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date.
We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due
to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application
deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users
who have initiated an e-Application.
Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the
unavailability of e-Application. If e-Application is available, and,
for any reason, you are unable to submit your application
electronically or you do not receive an automatic acknowledgment of
your submission, you may submit your application in paper format by
mail or hand delivery in accordance with the instructions in this
notice.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the
U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the
original and two copies of your application, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.326R), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
[[Page 63397]]
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Education.
If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
If your application is postmarked after the application deadline
date, we will not consider your application.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.
c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery,
you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of
your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date,
to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number
84.326R), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays,
Sundays, and Federal holidays.
Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail
or hand deliver your application to the Department--
(1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the
Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix
letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your
application; and
(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification
of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this grant
notification within 15 business days from the application deadline
date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application
Control Center at (202) 245-6288.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.
2. Peer Review: In the past, the Department has had difficulty
finding peer reviewers for certain competitions because so many
individuals who are eligible to serve as peer reviewers have conflicts
of interest. The Standing Panel requirements under IDEA also have
placed additional constraints on the availability of reviewers.
Therefore, the Department has determined that, for some discretionary
grant competitions, applications may be separated into two or more
groups and ranked and selected for funding within the specific groups.
This procedure will make it easier for the Department to find peer
reviewers by ensuring that greater numbers of individuals who are
eligible to serve as reviewers for any particular group of applicants
will not have conflicts of interest. It also will increase the quality,
independence, and fairness of the review process while permitting panel
members to review applications under discretionary grant competitions
for which they also have submitted applications. However, if the
Department decides to select an equal number of applications in each
group for funding, this may result in different cut-off points for
fundable applications in each group.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a
final performance report, including financial information, as directed
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an
annual performance report that provides the most current performance
and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent
performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements
on reporting, please go to:
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department has established a set of
performance measures, including long-term measures, that are designed
to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and
quality of the Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve
Services and Results for Children With Disabilities program. These
measures focus on the extent to which projects provide high-quality
products and services, the relevance of project products and services
to educational and early intervention policy and practice, and the use
of products and services to improve educational and early intervention
policy and practice.
Grantees will be required to report information on their project's
performance in annual reports to the Department (34 CFR 75.590).
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rex Shipp, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4178, Potomac Center Plaza
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7523.
If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free,
at 1-800-877-8339.
VIII. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by
contacting the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC
20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD, call the FRS,
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister. To
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at
this site.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at:
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.
[[Page 63398]]
Dated: November 30, 2009.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E9-28873 Filed 12-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P