Applications for New Awards; Veterans Upward Bound Program, 23215-23221 [2017-10461]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 97 (Monday, May 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23215-23221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10461]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Veterans Upward Bound Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department is issuing a notice inviting applications for 
new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2017 for the Veterans Upward Bound 
Program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.047V.
    Dates:
    Applications Available: May 22, 2017.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 21, 2017.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 21, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Foushee, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 5E113, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 453-7417 or by email: Kenneth.Foushee@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Upward Bound (UB) Program is one of the 
seven programs known as the Federal TRIO Programs. The UB Program is a 
discretionary grant program that supports projects designed to provide 
students with the skills and motivation necessary to complete a program 
of secondary education and to enter into, and succeed in, a program of 
postsecondary education. There are three types of grants under the UB 
Program: UB; Veterans UB; and UB Math and Science (UBMS) grants. In 
this notice we invite applications for Veterans UB (VUB) grants only. 
The invitations to apply for UB and UBMS grants were published in an 
earlier issue of the Federal Register.
    The VUB Program supports projects designed to prepare, motivate, 
and assist military veterans in the development of academic and other 
skills necessary for acceptance into and success in a program of 
postsecondary education.
    VUB grantees are required to provide the services listed in section 
402C(b) and (c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) 
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-13), and in 34 CFR 645.15. Grantees may also provide 
the permissible services in section 402C(d) of the HEA.
    Background:
    The VUB Program is a critical component of the Department's efforts 
to improve college readiness, college access, college selection, and 
degree completion for veterans. To more strategically align the VUB 
Program with broader reform strategies intended to improve 
postsecondary access and completion, and consistent with the 
Department's increasing emphasis on promoting evidence-based practices 
through our grant competitions, the Secretary will also evaluate 
applications on the extent to which the components of the proposed 
project are supported by ``strong theory''--that is, a rationale for 
the proposed process, product, strategy, or practice that includes a 
logic model. We encourage applicants to read carefully the Selection 
Criteria section of this notice. Resources to assist applicants in 
creating a logic model can be found here: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf.
    Definitions:
    These definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1.
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a well-
specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active 
``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the 
relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key 
components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally.
    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 20 U.S.C. 1070a-13.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75 (except for 
75.215 through 75.221), 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The 
Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on 
Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 
180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 645.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.



[[Page 23216]]


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $14,220,358.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2018 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $257,500 to $558,804.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $288,842.
    Maximum Award: We will fund a successful application only up to the 
applicable maximum award amount listed here for a single budget period 
of 12 months to serve the minimum number of applicable participants.
     For an applicant that is not currently receiving a VUB 
Program grant, the minimum number of participants is 125 for the 
maximum award amount of $257,500.
     For an applicant that is currently receiving a VUB Program 
grant, the minimum number of participants is the number of participants 
served in FY 2016 for the maximum award amount equal to the applicant's 
base award amount for FY 2016.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 49.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education; public 
and private agencies; organizations including community-based 
organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth; 
combinations of such institutions, agencies, and organizations; and 
secondary schools.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: An applicant may submit more than one application for a 
VUB Program grant so long as each application describes a project that 
serves a different target area (34 CFR 645.20(a)). The term ``target 
area'' is defined as a discrete local or regional geographical area 
designated by the applicant as the area to be served by a VUB project 
(34 CFR 645.6(b)). The Secretary is not designating any additional 
populations for which an applicant may submit a separate application 
under this competition (34 CFR 645.20(b)).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Kenneth S. Foushee, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5E113, 
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7417 or by email: 
Kenneth.Foushee@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the 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 compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in 
this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content and form of an application, together with the 
forms you must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    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. We recommend that you (1) 
limit the application narrative, which includes the budget narrative, 
to no more than 65 pages and (2) use the following standards.
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. Page numbers and an 
identifier may be within the 1'' margin. Each page on which there is 
text or graphics will be counted as one full page.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including charts, tables, 
figures, and graphs. Titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, 
references, and captions may be singled spaced.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, or no 
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the 
Application for Federal Assistance Face Sheet (SF 424); Part II, the 
Budget Information Summary form (ED Form 524); Part III, the VUB 
Program Profile form; Part III, the one-page Project Abstract form; and 
Part IV, the Assurances and Certifications. The recommended page limit 
also does not apply to a table of contents, which you should include in 
the application narrative. You must include your complete response to 
the selection criteria in Part III, the application narrative.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: May 22, 2017.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 21, 2017.
    Applications for grants under this program 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 Other Submission Requirements in section 
IV 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 program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT. 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 21, 2017.
    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 specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
645.41. We reference additional 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), 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 at the 
following Web site: https://fedgov.dnb.com/

[[Page 23217]]

webform. 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 two to five 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 you enter into the SAM database. 
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, it may be 24 to 48 
hours before you can access the information in, and 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 program 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 VUB Program, CFDA number 84.047V, 
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 VUB Program 
at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application 
package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA 
number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.047, not 
84.047V).
    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 program 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. In addition, for specific guidance and procedures 
for submitting an application through Grants.gov, please refer to the 
Grants.gov Web site at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
     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: 
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 read-only, non-modifiable 
Portable Document Format (PDF). Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a 
password-protected file, we will not review that material. Please note 
that this could result in your application not being considered for 
funding because the material in question--for example, the application 
narrative--is critical to a meaningful review of your proposal. For 
that reason it is important to allow yourself adequate time to upload 
all material as PDF files. The Department will not convert material 
from other formats to PDF.
     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. Grants.gov 
will also notify you automatically by email if your application met all 
the Grants.gov validation requirements or if there were any errors 
(such as submission of your application by someone other than a 
registered Authorized Organization Representative, or inclusion of an 
attachment with a file name that

[[Page 23218]]

contains special characters). You will be given an opportunity to 
correct any errors and resubmit, but you must still meet the deadline 
for submission of applications.
    Once your application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, the 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
you an email with a unique PR/Award number for your application.
    These emails do not mean that your application is without any 
disqualifying errors. While your application may have been successfully 
validated by Grants.gov, it must also meet the Department's application 
requirements as specified in this notice and in the application 
instructions. Disqualifying errors could include, for instance, failure 
to upload attachments in a read-only, non-modifiable PDF; failure to 
submit a required part of the application; or failure to meet applicant 
eligibility requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your 
submitted application has met all of the Department's requirements.
     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 program 
contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT and provide 
an explanation of the technical problem 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 the problem affected your 
ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date. We will contact you after we 
determine 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 Grants.gov 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 
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: Gaby Watts, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5E119, 
Washington, DC 20202. Fax: (202) 260-7464.
    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 84.047V), 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.
    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.
    We will not consider applications postmarked after the application 
deadline date.
    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 84.047V), 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 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 following selection criteria are from 34 
CFR

[[Page 23219]]

645.31 and 34 CFR 75.210. A maximum of 105 points may be awarded to an 
application based on the applicant's response to these selection 
criteria.
    (a) Need for the project (24 points). The Secretary evaluates the 
need for a VUB project in the proposed target area on the basis of 
clear evidence that shows--
    (1) The proposed target area lacks the services for eligible 
veterans that the applicant proposes to provide;
    (2) A large number of veterans who reside in the target area are 
low income and potential first generation college students;
    (3) A large number of veterans who reside in the target area who 
have not completed high school or have completed high school but have 
not enrolled in a program of postsecondary education; and
    (4) Other indicators of need for a VUB project, including the 
presence of unaddressed academic or socio-economic problems of veterans 
in the area.
    (b) Objectives (9 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of 
the applicant's objectives and proposed targets (percentages) in the 
following areas on the basis of the extent to which they are both 
ambitious, as related to the need data provided under paragraph (a) of 
this section, and attainable, given the project's plan of operation, 
budget, and other resources:
    (1) Academic performance (standardized test scores) (2 points);
    (2) Education program retention and completion (3 points);
    (3) Postsecondary enrollment (3 points); and
    (4) Postsecondary completion (1 point).
    (c) Plan of operation (30 points). The Secretary determines the 
quality of the applicant's plan of operation by assessing the quality 
of--
    (1) The plan to inform the faculty and staff at the applicant 
institution or agency and the interested individuals and organizations 
throughout the target area of the goals and objectives of the project 
(3 points);
    (2) The plan for identifying, recruiting, and selecting 
participants to be served by the project (3 points);
    (3) The plan for assessing individual participant needs and for 
monitoring the academic progress of participants while they are in VUB 
(3 points);
    (4) The plan for locating the project within the applicant's 
organizational structure (3 points);
    (5) The curriculum, services and activities that are planned for 
participants in both the academic year and summer components (3 
points);
    (6) The planned timelines for accomplishing critical elements of 
the project (3 points);
    (7) The plan to ensure effective and efficient administration of 
the project, including, but not limited to, financial management, 
student records management, and personnel management (3 points);
    (8) The applicant's plan to use its resources and personnel to 
achieve project objectives and to coordinate the VUB project with other 
projects for disadvantaged students (3 points);
    (9) The plan to work cooperatively with parents and key 
administrative, teaching, and counseling personnel at the target 
schools to achieve project objectives (3 points); and
    (10) A follow-up plan for tracking graduates of VUB as they enter 
and continue in postsecondary education (3 points).
    (d) Applicant and community support (16 points). The Secretary 
evaluates the applicant and community support for the proposed project 
on the basis of the extent to which--
    (1) The applicant is committed to supplementing the project with 
resources that enhance the project such as: space, furniture and 
equipment, supplies, and the time and effort of personnel other than 
those employed in the project (8 points).
    (2) Resources secured through written commitments from community 
partners (8 points).
    (i) An applicant that is an institution of higher education must 
include in its application commitments from the target schools and 
community organizations;
    (ii) An applicant that is a secondary school must include in its 
application commitments from institutions of higher education, 
community organizations, and, as appropriate, other secondary schools 
and the school district;
    (iii) An applicant that is a community organization must include in 
its application commitments from the target schools and institutions of 
higher education.
    (e) Quality of personnel (8 points). To determine the quality of 
personnel the applicant plans to use, the Secretary looks for 
information that shows--
    (1) The qualifications required of the project director, including 
formal training or work experience in fields related to the objectives 
of the project and experience in designing, managing, or implementing 
similar projects (3 points);
    (2) The qualifications required of each of the other personnel to 
be used in the project, including formal training or work experience in 
fields related to the objectives of the project (3 points); and
    (3) The quality of the applicant's plan for employing personnel who 
have succeeded in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting the 
project's target population (2 points).
    (f) Budget and cost effectiveness (5 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the extent to which--
    (1) The budget for the project is adequate to support planned 
project services and activities (3 points); and
    (2) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives and scope of 
the project (2 points).
    (g) Evaluation plan (8 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality 
of the evaluation plan for the project on the basis of the extent to 
which the applicant's methods of evaluation--
    (1) Are appropriate to the project and include both quantitative 
and qualitative evaluation measures (4 points); and
    (2) Examine in specific and measurable ways the success of the 
project in making progress toward achieving its process and outcomes 
objectives (4 points).
    (h) Quality of project design (5 points). The Secretary considers 
the quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the 
quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong theory 
(as defined in this notice).
    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 assistance from the Department of 
Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    For this competition, a panel of non-Federal reviewers will review 
each application in accordance with the selection criteria. The 
individual scores of the reviewers will be added and the sum divided by 
the number of reviewers

[[Page 23220]]

to determine the average peer reviewer score received in the review 
process. Additionally, in accordance with 34 CFR 645.32, the Secretary 
will award prior experience points to applicants that conducted a VUB 
Program project during budget periods 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16, 
based on their documented experience. Prior experience points, if any, 
will be added to the application's averaged reader score to determine 
the total score for each application.
    If there are insufficient funds for all applications with the same 
total scores, the Secretary will choose among the tied applications so 
as to serve geographic areas and eligible populations that have been 
underserved by the VUB Program.
    3. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this program the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose special conditions and, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk 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 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$150,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through SAM. You may review and comment on any 
information about yourself that a Federal agency previously entered and 
that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

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 multiyear 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    4. Performance Measures: The success of the VUB Program will be 
measured by the percentage of VUB participants who enroll in and 
complete a postsecondary education program. The following performance 
measures have been developed to track progress toward achieving program 
success:
    (a) The percentage of VUB participants who enrolled in a program of 
postsecondary education.
    (b) The percentage of VUB participants who enrolled in a program of 
postsecondary education and who attained either an associate's degree 
within three years or a bachelor's degree within six years.
    (c) The percentage of VUB participants who enrolled in a program of 
postsecondary education and who in the first year of the program placed 
into college-level math and English without the need for remediation.
    (d) The percentage of VUB participants who enrolled in a program of 
postsecondary education and graduated on time--within four years for a 
bachelor's degree and within two years for an associate's degree.
    (e) The cost per successful participant.
    Note: To assess the fifth performance measure on efficiency of the 
program, the Department will track the average cost, in Federal funds, 
of achieving a successful outcome, where a successful outcome is 
defined as enrollment in postsecondary education by a VUB participant 
no later than one year after program completion. These performance 
measures constitute the Department's indicators of the success of the 
VUB program.
    Grant recipients must collect and report data on the steps they 
have taken toward achieving these goals. Accordingly, we request that 
applicants include these performance measures in conceptualizing the 
design, implementation, and evaluation of their proposed projects.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance management requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    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. 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

[[Page 23221]]

print, audiotape, or computer disc) on request to the program contact 
person listed under For Further Information Contact.
    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 PDF. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat 
Reader, which is available free at this 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 feature at 
this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the 
Department.

    Dated: May 17, 2017.
Lynn B. Mahaffie,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2017-10461 Filed 5-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P