Applications for New Awards; Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) Technical Assistance Center, 22122-22129 [2014-08964]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22122-22129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08964]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Promoting the Readiness of Minors in 
Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) Technical Assistance Center

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income 
(PROMISE) Technical Assistance Center

    Notice inviting applications for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 
2014.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.418T


DATES: Applications Available: April 21, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 5, 2014.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 4, 2014.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: Promoting the Readiness of Minors in 
Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) is a joint initiative of the 
U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Social Security Administration, 
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. 
Department of Labor. PROMISE is intended to improve the provision and 
coordination of services and supports for child Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI) recipients and their families to enable them to achieve 
improved outcomes and reduce their long-term reliance on SSI payments. 
In FY 2013, the Department funded six three-year model demonstration 
projects (MDPs) with an option for two additional years based on 
performance, for a total of five years under the PROMISE program. The 
purpose of this priority is to provide technical assistance to assist 
MDPs in the implementation of their projects and to increase their 
capacity to improve services and supports to child SSI recipients and 
their families. For further information about this program, please see 
the notice inviting applications for PROMISE published in the Federal 
Register on May 21, 2013 at 78 FR 29733 and the PROMISE Web site at 
www.ed.gov/promise.
    Priority: We are establishing this priority for the FY 2014 grant 
competition in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General 
Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1).
    Absolute Priority: This priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this 
priority.

Background

    The purpose of this priority is to fund one cooperative agreement 
for up to 48 months to establish and operate a PROMISE Technical 
Assistance Center (Center). The Center will provide technical 
assistance (TA) to the PROMISE program MDPs to support the 
implementation of these projects and increase their capacity to improve 
services and supports to child SSI recipients and their families.
    In FY 2013, the Department funded six five-year MDPs under the 
PROMISE program to improve the education and employment outcomes of 
child SSI recipients and their families that may eventually lead to 
increased economic self-sufficiency and a reduction in their dependence 
on SSI payments. Each MDP must address several core features, including 
the: (a) Development of strong and effective partnerships; (b)

[[Page 22123]]

coordination of transition services and supports for child SSI 
recipients and their families; and (c) management of data collection 
and tracking of the MDPs' performance.
    On the Department's behalf, the American Institutes for Research 
conducted a TA needs assessment of the MDPs, which identified the need 
for TA in addressing these core features. Specifically, the MDPs 
expressed the need for TA to train interagency coordinators and manage 
interagency systems, better engage parents and families, and ensure 
fidelity of implementation of MDP services and supports. In addition, 
MDP staff indicated needs for various areas of expertise (e.g., dropout 
prevention, mental health services, secondary transition evidence-based 
practices, scaling up evidence-based practices, and postsecondary 
education for youth with disabilities and their families).
    TA is necessary to assist MDPs in meeting the requirement that they 
establish formal partnerships in their respective States among agencies 
and organizations involved in implementing services and supports for 
child SSI recipients and their families. TA in this area would assist 
MDPs in forming effective partnerships across multiple stakeholders, 
coordinating and managing systems across agencies, and supporting a 
shared leadership approach with interactions coalescing around issues, 
relevant participation, and collaboration (Cashman et al., 2014).
    MDPs also need TA on coordinating services and supports for child 
SSI recipients and their families. The need for TA in this area in 
particular is evident given the findings of a recent U.S. Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-12-594) (hereafter ``GAO, 
2012''), describing the gaps in the coordination of transition support 
services provided by Federal, State, and local governments, as well as 
the limitations of the current structure of services to help child SSI 
recipients transition from high school to postsecondary education and 
competitive employment. The GAO concluded that it is difficult for 
providers to coordinate services across different programs (GAO, 2012).
    Furthermore, TA focused on engaging parents specifically, as 
indicated in the MDP needs assessment, would support the MDPs in 
increasing their capacity to reach and provide services to the families 
of participating children. The GAO's findings on the difficulty faced 
by parents in navigating different transition programs for their 
children with disabilities support the need for TA in this area (GAO, 
2012). In addition, the GAO indicated that families lacked sufficient 
information about, or awareness of, the full range of service options 
available after high school for students with disabilities (GAO, 2012). 
Given the nature of SSI eligibility criteria and the varied geographic 
locations of the MDPs, TA may also help MDPs reach underserved 
families, including those with limited English proficiency, or who are 
of Native American descent. For these reasons, TA would help MDPs 
address a particularly challenging set of issues for these populations 
of families and meet the requirements of the program.
    MDPs also indicated that they could benefit from assistance in 
conducting formative evaluations consistent with their data collection 
plans. SSA has funded a national evaluator to conduct a rigorous 
evaluation of the MDPs using a randomized controlled trial design. 
However, the MDPs must independently conduct formative evaluations of 
their activities and some have hired their own evaluators. The Center 
must work with all evaluators to ensure coordinated TA, services, and 
products. In addition, since the MDPs will use these formative 
evaluations to assess their progress and inform their decision-making, 
they will benefit from receiving TA in data collection and the tracking 
of their performance. They will also need to receive TA to ensure they 
are implementing their models with fidelity.
    To address the identified areas of need for TA, the Center funded 
under this priority will work in concert with each MDP to address the 
goals of the PROMISE program.

Priority

    The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative agreement to 
establish and operate a PROMISE Technical Assistance Center (Center) 
that supports PROMISE Model Demonstration Projects (MDPs). At a 
minimum, the Center must meet the following expected outcomes:
    (a) Improved skills of State and local personnel to support 
partnerships among agencies responsible for administering programs that 
provide services to MDP SSI recipients and their families.
    (b) Improved implementation of interventions for MDP SSI recipients 
and their families, including a coordinated set of services and 
supports designed to improve the education and employment outcomes of 
MDP SSI recipients and their families.
    (c) Increased knowledge that supports training to the families of 
participating children about--
    (1) The parents' role in supporting and advocating for their 
children's education and employment goals; and
    (2) Resources for improving the education and employment outcomes 
of the parents and the economic self-sufficiency of the family.
    (d) Improved methods to develop and implement a plan for conducting 
a formative evaluation of each MDP activity and model, consistent with 
the proposed logic model and data collection plan, to assess the MDP's 
performance and progress in achieving its goals and inform decision 
making.
    (e) Improved methods for collecting data and the capacity to track 
and manage MDP information, such as service participation and 
documentation sufficient to replicate MDPs.
    In addition to these programmatic requirements, to be considered 
for funding under this priority, applicants must meet the application 
and administrative requirements in this priority. The Office of Special 
Education Programs (OSEP) encourages innovative approaches to meeting 
the following requirements:
    (a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Significance of the Project,'' how the proposed Center will--
    (1) Address the gaps and weaknesses of each MDP in forming 
partnerships, delivering services and supports for child SSI recipients 
and their families, conducting formative evaluations to allow for mid-
course corrections, and providing TA and training for applicable State, 
regional, and local staff. To meet this requirement the applicant 
must--
    (i) Demonstrate how the Center will analyze applicable State, 
regional, and local data to identify the training and information needs 
of each MDP in order to address gaps and weaknesses in forming 
partnerships, delivering services and supports for child SSI recipients 
and their families, conducting formative evaluations, and providing TA 
to MDP staff;
    (ii) Demonstrate knowledge of current and previous issues and 
policy initiatives relating to the provision and coordination of 
services and supports for child SSI recipients and their families that 
enable them to achieve improved educational and employment outcomes and 
economic self-sufficiency; and
    (iii) Present the best available information on promising 
strategies and practices, including, where available, evidence of the 
effectiveness of the

[[Page 22124]]

proposed strategies and practices, related to the provision and 
coordination of services and supports for child SSI recipients and 
their families.
    (2) Result in each MDP's improved ability and capacity to form 
partnerships, deliver services and supports for child SSI recipients 
and their families, conduct formative evaluations allowing for mid-
course corrections, and provide TA and training for applicable State, 
regional, and local staff.
    (b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the Project Services,'' how the proposed Center will--
    (1) Identify the needs of each MDP for TA and information that will 
improve the provision and coordination of services and supports for 
child SSI recipients and their families that result in changed 
educational and employment outcomes and economic self-sufficiency;
    (2) Ensure equal access and treatment for members of groups that 
have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. To meet this requirement, the 
applicant must describe how it will ensure that products and services 
meet the needs of the intended recipients and are produced in 
accessible formats and languages;
    (3) Achieve its goals, objectives, and intended outcomes. To meet 
this requirement, the applicant must provide--
    (i) Measurable intended outcomes for the proposed Center; and
    (ii) The logic model by which the proposed Center will achieve its 
intended outcomes;
    (4) Use a conceptual framework to develop project plans and 
activities, describing any underlying concepts, assumptions, 
expectations, beliefs, or theories, as well as the presumed 
relationships or linkages among them, and any empirical support for 
this framework;
    (5) Be based on current research and make use of evidence-based 
practices. To meet this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) The current research on the effectiveness of partnerships 
(e.g., interagency collaboration), and a coordinated set of services 
and supports designed to improve the education and employment outcomes 
and economic self-sufficiency of child SSI recipients and their 
families (e.g., case management, benefits counseling, work-based 
learning experiences, parent training and information);
    (ii) The current research about adult learning principles and 
implementation science and how this information will be used to provide 
training and TA to the MDPs; and
    (iii) How the proposed Center will incorporate current research and 
evidence-based practices in the development and delivery of its TA and 
services;
    (6) Develop products and provide services that are of high quality 
and sufficient intensity and duration to achieve the intended outcomes 
of the proposed Center. To address this requirement, the applicant must 
describe--
    (i) How it proposes to identify or develop the knowledge base of 
current research and evidence-based practices designed to improve the 
education and employment outcomes and economic self-sufficiency of 
child SSI recipients and their families;
    (ii) Its proposed approach to targeted, specialized TA,\1\ which 
must identify the intended recipients of the products and services 
under this approach; and
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    \1\ As used in this priority, ``targeted, specialized TA'' means 
TA service based on needs common to multiple recipients and not 
extensively individualized. A relationship is established between 
the TA recipient and one or more TA center staff. This category of 
TA includes one-time, labor-intensive events, such as facilitating 
strategic planning or hosting regional or national conferences. It 
can also include episodic, less labor-intensive events that extend 
over a period of time, such as facilitating a series of conference 
calls on single or multiple topics that are designed around the 
needs of the recipients. Facilitating communities of practice can 
also be considered targeted, specialized TA.
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    (iii) Its proposed approach to intensive, sustained TA,\2\ which 
must identify--
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    \2\ As used in this priority, ``intensive, sustained TA'' means 
TA services often provided onsite and requiring a stable, ongoing 
relationship between the TA center staff and the TA recipient. ``TA 
services'' are defined as a negotiated series of activities designed 
to reach a valued outcome. This category of TA should result in 
changes to policy, program, practice, or operations that support 
increased recipient capacity or improved outcomes at one or more 
systems levels.
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    (A) The intended recipients of the products and services under this 
approach;
    (B) Its proposed plan for assisting applicable State, regional, and 
local agencies with training systems that include professional 
development based on adult learning principles and coaching; and
    (C) Its proposed plan for working with applicable State, regional, 
and local agencies to ensure communication among all levels to support 
interagency collaboration, resource and data sharing consistent with 
the consent requirements in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy 
Act (FERPA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
confidentiality of information provisions \3\ and any other Federal and 
State laws or regulations that govern the privacy or confidentiality of 
student information, and innovative methods of service and support 
provision;
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    \3\ If agencies are sharing data contained in education records, 
the requirements in FERPA and the IDEA FERPA and its implementing 
regulations); and 20 U.S.C. 1417(c) and 34 CFR Sec. Sec.  300.610-
300.626 (IDEA confidentiality of information provisions).
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    (7) Develop products and implement services that maximize each 
MDP's efficiency. To address this requirement, the applicant must 
describe--
    (i) How the proposed Center will use technology to achieve its 
intended outcomes;
    (ii) With whom the proposed Center will collaborate and the 
intended outcomes of this collaboration; and
    (iii) How the proposed Center will use non-project resources to 
achieve its intended outcomes.
    (c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the Evaluation Plan,'' how--
    (1) The proposed Center will collect and analyze data on specific 
and measurable goals, objectives, and intended outcomes of the Center. 
To address this requirement, the applicant must describe its--
    (i) Proposed evaluation methodologies, including instruments, data 
collection methods, and analyses; and
    (ii) Proposed standards or targets for determining effectiveness.
    (2) The Center will use the evaluation results to examine the 
effectiveness of its implementation and its progress toward achieving 
intended outcomes; and
    (3) The methods of evaluation will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data that demonstrate whether the Center achieved its 
intended outcomes.
    (d) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Adequacy of Project Resources,'' how--
    (1) The proposed Center will encourage applications for employment 
from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been 
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
disability, as appropriate;
    (2) The proposed key Center personnel, consultants, and 
subcontractors have the qualifications and experience to carry out the 
proposed activities and achieve the Center's intended outcomes;

[[Page 22125]]

    (3) The applicant and any key partners have adequate resources to 
carry out the proposed activities; and
    (4) The proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the 
anticipated results and benefits.
    (e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the Management Plan,'' how--
    (1) The proposed management plan will ensure that the Center's 
intended outcomes will be achieved on time and within budget. To 
address this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) Clearly defined responsibilities for key Center personnel, 
consultants, and subcontractors, as applicable; and
    (ii) Timelines and milestones for accomplishing the Center's tasks;
    (2) How key personnel and any consultants and subcontractors will 
be allocated to the Center and how these allocations are appropriate 
and adequate to achieve the Center's intended outcomes;
    (3) The proposed management plan will ensure that the products and 
services provided are of high quality; and
    (4) The proposed Center will benefit from a diversity of 
perspectives, including those of child SSI recipients and their 
families; agencies and organizations (e.g., State VR service providers, 
Workforce Development service providers, Medicaid service providers, 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families service providers, 
developmental and intellectual disabilities service providers, mental 
health service providers); State educational agency officials as well 
as educators (e.g., special education and related services personnel 
under Part B of IDEA, transition personnel); TA providers; researchers; 
and policy makers, among others, in its development and operation.
    (f) Address the following application requirements. The applicant 
must--
    (1) Include in Appendix A a logic model that depicts, at a minimum, 
the goals, activities, outputs, and intended outcomes of the proposed 
Center. A logic model communicates how a Center will achieve its 
intended outcomes and provides a framework for both the formative and 
summative evaluations of the Center.

    Note: The following Web sites provide more information on logic 
models: www.researchutilization.org/matrix/logicmodel_resource3c.html and www.tadnet.org/pages/589;
    (2) Include in Appendix A a conceptual framework for the Center;
    (3) Include in Appendix A person-loading charts and timelines, 
as applicable, to illustrate the management plan described in the 
narrative;
    (4) Include in the budget attendance at the following:
    (i) A one and one-half day kick-off meeting in Washington, DC, 
after receipt of the award, and an annual planning meeting in 
Washington, DC, with the OSEP project officer and other relevant 
staff during each subsequent year of the project period.


    Note: Within 30 days of receipt of the award, a post-award 
teleconference must be held between the OSEP project officer and the 
grantee's project director or other authorized representative;
    (ii) A two and one-half day project directors' conference in 
Washington, DC, during each year of the project period;
    (iii) Two, two-day trips annually to attend Department 
briefings, Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings, as 
requested by OSEP; and
    (iv) A one-day intensive review meeting in Washington, DC, 
during the first half of the second year of the project period;
    (5) Maintain a Web site that meets government or industry-
recognized standards for accessibility.

Third and Fourth Years of the Project

    In deciding whether to continue funding the Center for the third 
and fourth years, the Secretary will consider the requirements of 34 
CFR 75.253(a), as well as--
    (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 that will be held during the first 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 
Center; and
    (c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the Center's products 
and services and the extent to which the project's products and 
services are aligned with its project's objectives and likely to result 
in the Center achieving its intended outcomes.

References

Cashman, J., Linehan, P., Purcell, L., Rosser, M., Schultz, S., & 
Skalski, S. (2014). Leading by convening: A blueprint for authentic 
engagement. Alexandria, VA: National Association of State Directors 
of Special Education.
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (July 12, 2012). Students 
with Disabilities: Better Federal Coordination Could Lessen 
Challenges in the Transition from High School (GAO-12-594). 
Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.

    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 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary 
to exempt from this rulemaking requirement regulations governing the 
first grant competition under a new or substantially revised program 
authority. This is the first TA grant competition for this program 
under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-74), as 
incorporated into the Consolidated and Further Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2013, (Pub. L. 113-6), and therefore qualifies for 
this exception. In order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary 
has decided to forego public comment on the priority. This priority 
will apply to the FY 2014 grant competition only and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from 
this competition.

    Program Authority:  Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub. 
L. 112-74), as incorporated into the Consolidated and Further 
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, (Pub. L. 113-6).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Education Department debarment 
and suspension regulations in 2 CFR part 3485.

    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: $2,000,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $500,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary for the Office of 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 48 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies; local 
educational agencies (LEAs), including public charter schools that 
operate as LEAs and receive funding under Part B of IDEA;

[[Page 22126]]

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 program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other General Requirements:
    (a) Recipients of funding under this program must make positive 
efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with 
disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).
    (b) Each applicant for, and recipient of, funding under this 
program must involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of 
individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of 
IDEA).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following 
address: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/. To obtain a 
copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S. 
Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. 
Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), 
call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.418T.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) 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 Part III to 
no more than 50 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, reference citations, and captions, as well as 
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
     Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    The page limit and double-spacing requirement 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 abstract (follow the guidance provided in the 
application package for completing the abstract), the table of 
contents, the list of priority requirements, the resumes, the reference 
list, the letters of support, or the appendices. However, the page 
limit and double-spacing requirement does apply to all of Part III, the 
application narrative, including all text in charts, tables, figures, 
graphs, and screen shots.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit in the 
application narrative section; or if you apply standards other than 
those specified in the application package.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: April 21, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 5, 2014.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). 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. 7. 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: August 4, 2014.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program 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 program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and System for Award Management: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the System for Award 
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)), the 
Government's primary registrant database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one-to-two business days.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by 
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal 
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, 
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number 
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

    Note:  Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to 
allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in 
Grants.gov. and

[[Page 22127]]

before you can submit an application through Grants.gov.

    If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make 
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with 
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update 
your registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.
    7. 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 Promoting the Readiness of Minors 
in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) Technical Assistance Center 
competition, CFDA number 84.418T, must be submitted electronically 
using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. 
Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the 
application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit 
your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant 
application to us.
    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.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the Promoting 
the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) 
Technical Assistance Center competition at www.Grants.gov. You must 
search for the downloadable application package for this competition by 
the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your 
search (e.g., search for 84.418, not 84.418T).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 
system home page at www.G5.gov.
     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 upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document) 
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not 
review that material. Additional, detailed information on how to attach 
files is in the application instructions.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by email. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem

[[Page 22128]]

you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.

    Note:  The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    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 the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; 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 
prevent 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: Corinne Weidenthal, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4115, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2600. FAX: (202) 245-7617.
    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 84.418T), 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 84.418T), 550 12th Street SW., Room 7039, 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--
    (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 
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 program are 
from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors:
    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 section 682(b) of 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 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

[[Page 22129]]

for funding, this may result in different cut-off points for fundable 
applications in each group.
    4. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

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); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your 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: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) 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 www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The Department will work with the grantee 
to develop project performance measures based on the measurable goals, 
objectives, and intended outcomes of the Center, consistent with the 
priority's application and administrative requirements in paragraph(c) 
under the ``Quality of the Evaluation Plan.''

    Note: The following Web site provides more information on 
writing performance measures: https://www.tadnet.org/pages/589.

    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review 
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes 
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds 
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and 
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corinne Weidenthal, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4115, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2600. Telephone: (202) 245-6529.
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, 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 compact disc) 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 or a TTY, call the FRS, 
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site 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). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: April 14, 2014.
Michael K. Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2014-08964 Filed 4-18-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P