FR Doc E9-29807[Federal Register: December 15, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 239)]
[Notices]
[Page 66304-66307]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview
Information; High School Equivalency Program (HEP); Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.141A.
Dates: Applications Available: December 15, 2009.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 16, 2010.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 14, 2010.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of HEP is to help migrant and
seasonal farmworkers and members of their immediate family obtain a
general education diploma (GED) that meets the guidelines for high
school equivalency established by the State in which the HEP project is
conducted, and to gain employment or be placed in an institution of
higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training.
Priorities: This competition includes two competitive preference
priorities and one invitational priority. In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the competitive preference priority for ``novice
applicant'' is from the Education Department General Administrative
Regulations (EDGAR) (34 CFR 75.225). In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(iv), the competitive preference priority for ``prior
experience of service delivery'' is from section 418A(e) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended by section 408(3) of the Higher
Education Opportunity Act (20 U.S.C. 1070d-2(e)).
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2010, these priorities
are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we
award an additional five points to an application that meets the
``novice applicant'' competitive preference priority, and up to a
maximum of 15 additional points to an application that meets the
``prior experience of service delivery'' competitive preference
priority.
These priorities are:
Novice Applicant
The applicant must be a ``novice applicant'' as defined in 34 CFR
75.225(a).
Prior Experience of Service Delivery
With respect to applicants with an expiring HEP project, the
Secretary will consider the applicant's prior experience in
implementing its expiring HEP project based on information contained in
documents previously provided to the Department, such as annual
performance reports, project evaluation reports, site visit reports,
and the previously approved HEP application.
Under this competition, we are particularly interested in
applications that address the following priority.
Invitational Priority: For FY 2010, this priority is an
invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an
application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or
absolute preference over other applications.
This priority is:
Applications that propose to engage faith-based and community
organizations in the delivery of services under this program.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d-2, the Higher Education Act
of 1965, as reauthorized by the Higher Education Opportunity Act
(HEOA) (Pub. L. 110-315).
Applicable Regulations: (a) EDGAR in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79,
82, 84, 85, 86, 97, and 99. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 206. (c)
The definitions in 34 CFR 200.81. (d) The regulations in 20 CFR 669.110
and 669.320.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 206 were issued prior to
the enactment of the HEOA. The application package identifies any
provisions in part 206 that have been superseded by enactment of the
HEOA.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$6,153,000 for new awards for this program for FY 2010. 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.
Estimated Range of Awards: $180,000-$475,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $473,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a HEP
award exceeding $475,000 for any of the five single budget periods of
12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary
Education may change the maximum amount through a notice published in
the Federal Register.
Minimum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a HEP
award that is less than $180,000 for any of the five single budget
periods of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and
Secondary Education may change the minimum amount through a notice
published in the Federal Register.
Estimated Number of Awards: 13.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs or private non-profit organizations
(including faith-based organizations) that plan their
[[Page 66305]]
projects in cooperation with an IHE and propose to operate some aspects
of the project with the facilities of the IHE.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Annual Meeting Attendance: Projects funded under this
competition are encouraged to budget for a two-day OME Annual Meeting
for HEP and CAMP Directors in the Washington, DC area during each year
of the project period.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: David De Soto, U.S.
Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW., Room 3E344, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone: (202)
260-8103 or by e-mail: david.de.soto@ed.gov.
The application package content also can be viewed electronically
at the following address: http://www.ed.gov/programs/hep/applicant.html.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
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 program contact person listed
in this section.
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 is where you, the applicant,
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your
application. Panel readers will award points only for an applicant's
response to a given selection criterion that is contained within the
section of the application designated to address that particular
selection criterion. Readers will not review, or award points for
responses to a given selection criterion that are in any other section
of the application or appendices. You must limit the application
narrative to no more than 25 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. However, you may
single space all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. Charts,
tables, figures, and graphs presented in the application narrative
count toward the page limit.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch) throughout the entire application
package.
Appendices must be limited to 20 pages and must include
the following: resumes and job descriptions of key personnel. Job
descriptions must include duties and minimum qualifications. Items in
the appendices will only be used by the program office for the purpose
of approving any future personnel changes.
The 25-page limit for the project narrative does not apply to the
cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget
justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page
abstract. However, the page limit does apply to all of the application
narrative section.
Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that
exceed the page limit.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: December 15, 2009.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 16, 2010.
Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. For
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, 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 14, 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 must be submitted electronically unless you qualify
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the
instructions in this section.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications
Applications for grants under the High School Equivalency Program--
CFDA Number 84.141A, must be submitted electronically using e-
Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at:
http://e-grants.ed.gov.
We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
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:
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,
[[Page 66306]]
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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and 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 e-Application
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.
Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application
through e-Application because--
You do not have access to the Internet; or
You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to
e-Application; and
No later than two weeks before the application deadline
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you
mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no
later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax
your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed
statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.
Address and mail or fax your statement to: David De Soto, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 3E344, Washington,
DC 20202-6135. FAX: (202) 205-0089.
Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail
If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. 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 84.141A), 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.
(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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper
application to the Department by hand. You 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 84.141A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between
8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 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--
[[Page 66307]]
(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
Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are
from 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in the application package.
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 developed the following
performance measures to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the HEP:
(1) The percentage of HEP program exiters receiving a General Education
Development (GED) credential (GPRA 1), and (2) the percentage of HEP
GED recipients who enter postsecondary education or training programs,
upgraded employment, or the military (GPRA 2).
Applicants must propose annual targets for these measures in their
applications. The national target for GPRA 1 for FY 2010 is that 69
percent of HEP program exiters will receive a GED credential. The
national target for GPRA 2 for FY 2010 is that 80 percent of HEP GED
recipients will enter postsecondary education or training programs,
upgraded employment, or the military. The panel readers will score
related selection criteria for applicants, in part, on the basis of how
well an applicant addresses these GPRA measures. Therefore, applicants
should consider how they will demonstrate their capacity to provide
reliable data on these measures, including the project's annual
performance targets for the GPRA measures, as required by the OMB
approved annual performance report that is included in the application
package. All grantees will be required to submit, as part of their
annual performance report, information with respect to these GPRA
measures.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David De Soto, U.S. Department of
Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room
3E344, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone: (202) 260-8103, or by e-
mail: david.de.soto@ed.gov, or Tara Ramsey, U.S. Department of
Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room
3E323, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone: (202) 260-2063, or by e-
mail: tara.ramsey@ed.gov. If you use a TDD, call the 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) on
request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
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.
Dated: December 10, 2009.
Thelma Mel[eacute]ndez de Santa Ana,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. E9-29807 Filed 12-14-09; 8:45 am]
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