Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)-Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, 1523-1527 [E6-126]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices
statutory obligations. The IC Clearance
Official, Regulatory Information
Management Services, Office of the
Chief Information Officer, publishes that
notice containing proposed information
collection requests prior to submission
of these requests to OMB. Each
proposed information collection,
grouped by office, contains the
following: (1) Type of review requested,
e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or
reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of
the collection; (4) Description of the
need for, and proposed use of, the
information; (5) Respondents and
frequency of collection; and (6)
Reporting and/or Recordkeeping
burden. OMB invites public comment.
The Department of Education is
especially interested in public comment
addressing the following issues: (1) Is
this collection necessary to the proper
functions of the Department; (2) will
this information be processed and used
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate
of burden accurate; (4) how might the
Department enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (5) how might the
Department minimize the burden of this
collection on the respondents, including
through the use of information
technology.
Dated: January 3, 2006.
Angela C. Arrington,
IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information
Management Services, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
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Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services
Type of Review: New.
Title: Annual Performance Reporting
(APR) Forms for NIDRR Grantees
(RERCs, RRTCS, FIPs, ARRTs, DBTACs,
DRRPs, D&Us, SBIRs, Research
Fellowships, and Model Systems).
Frequency: Annually.
Affected Public: Not-for-profit
institutions; businesses or other forprofit.
Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour
Burden:
Responses: 340.
Burden Hours: 5,440.
Abstract: Information collection to
obtain annual performance data from
NIDRR grantees. The Department of
Education will use the information for
monitoring of grantees, program
planning, budget development and
Government Performance and Results
Act (GPRA) and Program Assessment
Rating Tool (PART) reporting.
Requests for copies of the proposed
information collection request may be
accessed from https://edicsweb.ed.gov,
by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending
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Collections’’ link and by clicking on
link number 2963. When you access the
information collection, click on
‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view.
Written requests for information should
be addressed to U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington,
DC 20202–4700. Requests may also be
electronically mailed to
IC_DocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202–
245–6623. Please specify the complete
title of the information collection when
making your request.
Comments regarding burden and/or
the collection activity requirements
should be electronically mailed to the email address IC_DocketMgr@ed.gov.
Individuals who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8339.
[FR Doc. E6–81 Filed 1–9–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services; Overview
Information; National Institute on
Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR)—Small Business Innovative
Research Program (SBIR); Notice
Inviting Applications for New Awards
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S–1.
Dates: Applications Available:
January 10, 2006.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: March 13, 2006.
Eligible Applicants: Entities that are,
at the time of award, small business
concerns as defined by the Small
Business Administration (SBA). This
definition is included in the application
package.
All technology, science, or
engineering firms with strong research
capabilities in any of the priority areas
listed in this notice are encouraged to
participate.
Consultative or other arrangements
between these firms and universities or
other non-profit organizations are
permitted, but the small business
concern must serve as the grantee.
If it appears that an applicant
organization does not meet the
eligibility requirements, we will request
an evaluation by the SBA. Under
circumstances in which eligibility is
unclear, we will not make a SBIR award
until the SBA makes a determination.
Estimated Available Funds: The
Administration has requested
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$5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY
2006, of which we intend to use an
estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I
awards. The actual level of funding, if
any, depends on final congressional
action. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to
complete the grant process if Congress
appropriates funds for this program.
Note: The estimated amount of funds
available for new Phase I awards is based
upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation
for the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), minus prior
commitments for Phase II continuation
awards.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$75,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any
application that proposes a budget
exceeding $75,000 for a single budget
period of six months. The Assistant
Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services may change the
maximum amount through a notice
published in the Federal Register.
Note: Maximum award amount includes
direct and indirect costs and fees.
Estimated Number of Awards: 15.
Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000–
$75,000.
Note: The Department is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to six months for
Phase I. Full Text of Announcement.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of
this program is to stimulate
technological innovation in the private
sector, strengthen the role of small
business in meeting Federal research or
research and development (R/R&D)
needs, increase the commercial
application of Department of Education
(ED) supported research results, and
improve the return on investment from
Federally funded research for economic
and social benefits to the Nation.
Note: NIDRR supports the goals of
President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative
(NFI). The NFI can be accessed on the
Internet at the following site: https://
www.whitehouse.gov/news/
freedominitiative/freedominitiative.html.
The goals of the SBIR program are in
concert with NIDRR’s proposed LongRange Plan (Plan) published in the
Federal Register on July 27, 2005 (70 FR
43521). The Plan is comprehensive and
integrates many issues relating to
disability and rehabilitation research
topics. The Plan can be accessed on the
Internet at the following site: https://
www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/
other/2005-3/072705d.html.
Through the implementation of the
NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks to—(1)
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Improve the quality and utility of
disability and rehabilitation research;
(2) Foster an exchange of expertise,
information, and training to facilitate
the advancement of knowledge and
understanding of the unique needs of
traditionally underserved populations;
(3) Determine best strategies and
programs to improve rehabilitation
outcomes for underserved populations;
(4) Identify research gaps; (5) Identify
mechanisms of integrating research and
practice; and (6) Disseminate findings.
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Executive Order 13329—ManufacturingRelated Innovation
Executive Order 13329 states that
continued technological innovation is
critical to a strong manufacturing sector
of the United States economy and
directs Federal agencies to assist the
private sector in its manufacturing
innovation efforts. ED’s SBIR Program
encourages innovative R&D projects that
are manufacturing related, as defined by
the Executive Order. Manufacturingrelated R&D encompasses improvements
in existing methods or processes, or
wholly new processes, machines or
systems. Broadly speaking, ED’s SBIR
program encourages R&D in
manufacturing through systems-level
technologies, such as artificial
intelligence and other information
technology devices, software, systems,
and product design. For more
information on Executive Order 13329,
please visit the following Web site:
https://www.sba.gov/sbir/execorder.html
or contact Carol Cohen at:
Carol.Cohen@ed.gov.
Background
The Small Business Reauthorization
Act of 2000 (Act) was enacted on
December 21, 2000. The Act requires
certain agencies, including ED, to
establish SBIR programs by reserving a
statutory percentage of their extramural
research and development budgets to be
awarded to small business concerns
through a uniform, highly competitive
three-phase process.
The three phases of the SBIR program
are:
Phase I: Phase I projects determine,
insofar as possible, the scientific or
technical merit and feasibility of ideas
submitted under the SBIR program. The
application should concentrate on
research that will significantly
contribute to proving the scientific or
technical feasibility of the approach or
concept and that would be a
prerequisite to further ED support in
Phase II.
Phase II: Phase II projects expand on
the results of and further pursue the
development of Phase I projects. Phase
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II is the principal R/R&D effort. It
requires a more comprehensive
application, outlining the effort in detail
including the commercial potential.
Phase II applicants must be Phase I
awardees with approaches that appear
sufficiently promising as a result of
Phase I. Awards are for periods of up to
two years in amounts up to $500,000.
Phase III: In Phase III, the small
business must use non-SBIR capital to
pursue commercial applications of the
R/R&D. Also, under Phase III, Federal
agencies may award non-SBIR follow-on
funding for products or processes that
meet the needs of those agencies.
All SBIR projects funded by NIDRR
must address the needs of individuals
with disabilities and their families. 29
U.S.C. 762. Activities may include
exploring the uses of technology to
ensure equal access to education,
employment, community environments,
and information for individuals with
disabilities and improving the quality
and utility of disability and
rehabilitation research.
Priorities: Under this competition we
are particularly interested in
applications that address one of the
following priorities.
Invitational Priorities: For FY 2006
these priorities are invitational
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we
do not give an application that meets
one of these invitational priorities a
competitive or absolute preference over
other applications. The invitational
priorities relate to innovative research
utilizing new technologies to address
the needs of individuals with
disabilities and their families.
These priorities are:
(1) Development of technology to
support access, promote integration, or
foster independence of individuals with
disabilities in the workplace,
recreational activities, or educational
settings.
(2) Development of technology to
enhance sensory or motor function of
individuals with disabilities.
(3) Development of technology to
support access to employment, promote
sustained employment, and promote
employment advancement for
individuals with disabilities.
(4) Development of accessible
information technology including Web
access technology, software, and other
systems and devices that promote access
to information in educational,
employment, and community settings,
and voting technology that improves
access for individuals with disabilities.
(5) Development of technology to
support independent access to health
care services in the community for
individuals with disabilities.
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Applicants should describe the
approaches they expect to use to collect
empirical evidence that demonstrates
the effectiveness of the technology they
are proposing in an effort to assess the
efficacy and usefulness of the
technology.
Note: NIDRR encourages applicants to
adhere to universal design principles and
guidelines for more access0ble designs.
Universal design is defined as ‘‘the design of
products and environments to be usable by
all people, to the greatest extent possible,
without the need for adaptation or
specialized design’’ (The Center for Universal
Design, 1997, n.p.). Accessible design of
consumer products minimizes or alleviates
barriers that reduce the ability of individuals
with disabilities to effectively or safely use
standard consumer products. (For more
information see—https://www.trace.wisc.edu/
docs/consumer_product_guidelines/
consumer.pcs/disabil.htm.)
Reference: The Principles of Universal
Design, Version 2.0. Raleigh, NC: North
Carolina State University. Web: https://
www.design.ncsu.edu).
Program Authority: The Small
Business Reauthorization Act of 2000,
Pub. L. 106–554 (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638)
and title II of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 760 et
seq.).
Applicable Regulations: The
Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in
34 CFR parts 75, 77, 81, 82, 84, 85, 97,
98, and 99.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The
Administration has requested
$5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY
2006, of which we intend to use an
estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I
awards. The actual level of funding, if
any, depends on final congressional
action. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to
complete the grant process if Congress
appropriates funds for this program.
Note: The estimated amount of funds
available for new Phase I awards is based
upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation
for OSERS, minus prior commitments for
Phase II continuation awards.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$75,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000–
$75,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any
application that proposes a budget
exceeding $75,000 for a single budget
period of six months. The Assistant
Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services may change the
maximum amount through a notice
published in the Federal Register.
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Note: Maximum award amount includes
direct and indirect costs and fee.
Estimated Number of Awards: 15.
Note: The Department is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to six months for
Phase I.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that
are, at the time of award, small business
concerns as defined by the SBA. This
definition is included in the application
package.
All technology, science, or
engineering firms with strong research
capabilities in any of the priority areas
listed in this notice are encouraged to
participate. Consultative or other
arrangements between these firms and
universities or other non-profit
organizations are permitted, but the
small business concern must serve as
the grantee.
If it appears that an applicant
organization does not meet the
eligibility requirements, we will request
an evaluation by the SBA. Under
circumstances in which eligibility is
unclear, we will not make an SBIR
award until the SBA makes a
determination.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This
program does not involve cost sharing
or matching.
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IV. Application and Submission
Information
1. Address to Request Application
Package: You may obtain an application
package via Internet or from the ED
Publications Center (ED Pubs). To
obtain a copy via Internet use the
following address: https://www.ed.gov/
fund/grant/apply/grantapps/.
To obtain a copy of the application
package from ED Pubs, write or call the
following: ED Pubs, P.O. Box 1398,
Jessup, MD 20794–1398. Telephone (toll
free): 1–877–433–7827. Fax: (301) 470–
1244. If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD), you may call
(toll free): 1–877–576–7734.
You may also contact ED Pubs at its
Web site: https://www.ed.gov/pubs/
edpubs.html or you may contact ED
Pubs at its e-mail address:
edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
If you request an application from ED
Pubs, be sure to identify this
competition as follows: CFDA number
84.133S–1.
Individuals with disabilities may
obtain a copy of the application package
in an alternative format (e.g., Braille,
large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) by contacting the program
contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
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INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 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 the equivalent of no more than 25
pages, excluding any documentation of
prior multiple Phase II and III awards,
if applicable, and required forms, 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.
• Single space all text in the
application narrative, including titles,
headings, footnotes, quotations,
references, and captions, as well as all
text in charts, tables, figures, and
graphs.
• Use a font that is either 12-point or
larger or no smaller that 10 pitch
(characters per inch).
• Draw all graphs, diagrams, tables,
and charts in black ink. Do not include
glossy photographs or materials that
cannot be photocopied in the body of
the application.
The page limit does not apply to Part
II, the budget section, including the
narrative budget justification; the onepage abstract; the resumes; the
bibliography; the letters of support;
certifications; statements; related
application(s) or award(s); or
documentation of multiple Phase II
awards, if applicable.
We will reject your application if—
• You apply these standards and
exceed the page limit; or
• You apply other standards and
exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
3. Content Restrictions: If an applicant
chooses to respond to more than one
invitational priority, it must submit a
separate application for each priority.
There is no limitation on the number of
different applications that an applicant
may submit under this competition. An
applicant may submit separate
applications on different priorities, or
different applications on the same
priority. However, an applicant may
address only one priority in an
application.
4. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: January 10,
2006.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: March 13, 2006.
Applications for grants under this
competition may be submitted
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electronically using the Grants.gov
Apply site (https://www.Grants.gov), or
in paper format by mail or hand
delivery. For information (including
dates and times) about how to submit
your application electronically, or by
mail or hand delivery, please refer to
section IV. 7. Other Submission
Requirements in this notice.
We do not consider an application
that does not comply with the deadline
requirements.
5. Intergovernmental Review: This
program is not subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
CFR part 79.
6. Funding Restrictions: We reference
regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
7. Other Submission Requirements:
Applications for grants under this
program may be submitted
electronically or in paper format by mail
or hand delivery.
a. Electronic Submission of
Applications. We have been accepting
applications electronically through the
Department’s e-Application system
since FY 2000. In order to expand on
those efforts and comply with the
President’s Management Agenda, we are
continuing to participate as a partner in
the new government wide Grants.gov
Apply site in FY 2006. The Small
Business Innovative Research
Program—CFDA Number 84.133S–1 is
one of the programs included in this
project. We request your participation in
Grants.gov.
If you choose to submit your
application electronically, you must use
the Grants.gov Apply site https://
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 e-mail an
electronic copy of a grant application to
us.
You may access the electronic grant
application for the Small Business
Innovative Research Program—CFDA
Number 84.133S–1 at: https://
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.
Please note the following:
• Your participation in Grants.gov is
voluntary.
• 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 time and date stamped.
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Your application must be fully
uploaded and submitted, and must be
date/time stamped by the Grants.gov.
system no later than 4:30 p.m.,
Washington, DC time, on the
application deadline date. Except as
otherwise noted in this section, we will
not consider your application if it is
date/time stamped by the Grants.gov
system later than 4:30 p.m.,
Washington, DC time, on the
application deadline date. When we
retrieve your application from
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are
rejecting your application because it
was date/time stamped by the
Grants.gov system after 4:30 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 application
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 at https://eGrants.ed.gov/help/
GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.
• To submit your application via
Grants.gov, you must complete all of the
steps in the Grants.gov registration
process (see https://www.Grants.gov/
GetStarted). These steps include (1)
registering your organization, (2)
registering yourself as an Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR), and
(3) getting authorized as an AOR by
your organization. Details on these steps
are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step
Registration Guide (see https://
www.grants.gov/assets/
GrantsgovCoBrandBrochure8X11.pdf).
You also must provide on your
application the same D–U–N–S Number
used with this registration. Please note
that the registration process may take
five or more business days to complete,
and you must have completed all
registration steps to allow you to
successfully submit an application via
Grants.gov.
• You will not receive additional
point value because you submit your
application in electronic format, nor
will we penalize you if you submit your
application in paper format.
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• You may submit all documents
electronically, including all information
typically included on the Application
for Federal Education Assistance (ED
424), Budget Information—NonConstruction Programs (ED 524), and all
necessary assurances and certifications.
If you choose to submit your application
electronically, you must attach any
narrative sections of your application as
files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich
text), or .PDF (Portable Document)
format. If you upload a file type other
than the three file types specified above
or submit a password protected file, we
will not review that material.
• Your electronic application must
comply with any page limit
requirements described in this notice.
• After you electronically submit
your application, you will receive an
automatic acknowledgment from
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov
tracking number. The Department will
retrieve your application from
Grants.gov and send you a second
confirmation by e-mail that will include
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 System Unavailability
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 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 as described elsewhere in
this notice. If you submit an application
after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on
the deadline date, please contact the
person listed elsewhere in this notice
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
(if available). 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 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.
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Note: Extensions referred to 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 deadline
date and time or if the technical problem you
experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov
system.
b. Submission of Paper Applications
by Mail. If you submit your application
in paper format by mail (through the
U.S. Postal Service or a commercial
carrier), you must mail the original and
two copies of your application, on or
before the application deadline date, to
the Department at the applicable
following address:
By mail through the U.S. Postal
Service: U.S. Department of Education,
Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.133S–1), 400
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20202–4260; or
By mail through a commercial carrier:
U.S. Department of Education,
Application Control Center—Stop 4260,
Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S–1),
7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD
20785–1506.
Regardless of which address you use,
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, or
(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, or
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by
the U.S. Postal Service.
If your application is postmarked after
the application deadline date, we will
not consider your application.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not
uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before
relying on this method, you should check
with your local post office.
c. Submission of Paper Applications
by Hand Delivery. If you submit your
application in paper format by hand
delivery, you (or a courier service) must
deliver the original and two copies of
your application by hand, on or before
the application deadline date, to the
Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education,
Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.133S–1), 550 12th
Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–4260.
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The Application Control Center
accepts hand deliveries daily between 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC
time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and
Federal holidays.
Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper
Applications: If you mail or hand deliver
your application to the Department:
(1) You must indicate on the envelope
and—if not provided by the Department—in
Item 4 of the Application for Federal
Education Assistance (ED 424) the CFDA
number—and suffix letter, if any—of the
competition under which you are submitting
your application.
(2) The Application Control Center will
mail a grant application receipt
acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive
the grant application receipt
acknowledgment 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.
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
V. Application Review Information
Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this competition are from 35
CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in
the application package.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application
is successful, we notify your U.S.
Representative and U.S. Senators and
send you a Grant Award Notification
(GAN). We may also notify you
informally.
If your application is not evaluated or
not selected for funding, we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy
requirements in the application package
and reference these and other
requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining
the terms and conditions of an award in
the Applicable Regulations section of
this notice and include these and other
specific conditions in the GAN. The
GAN also incorporates your approved
application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: At the end of your
project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial
information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multi-year
award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the
most current performance and financial
expenditure information as specified by
the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118.
Note: NIDRR will provide information by
letter to grantees on how and when to submit
the report.
4. Performance Measures: To evaluate
the overall success of its research
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:09 Jan 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
program, NIDRR assesses the quality of
its funded projects through review of
grantee performance and products. Each
year, NIDRR examines, through expert
peer review, a portion of its grantees to
determine:
• The degree to which the grantees
are conducting high-quality research, as
reflected in the appropriateness of study
designs, the rigor with which accepted
standards of scientific and engineering
methods are applied, and the degree to
which the research builds on and
contributes to the level of knowledge in
the field; and
• The number of new or improved
assistive and universally designed
technologies, products, and devices
developed by grantees that are deemed
to improve rehabilitation services and
outcomes, enhance opportunities for
participation by individuals with
disabilities and are successfully
transferred to industry or other private
entities for potential commercialization.
For Further Information Contact:
Carol G. Cohen, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
room 6035, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202–2700.
Telephone: (202) 245–7303 or e-mail:
Carol.cohen@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD), you may call
the TDD number at (202) 205–4475 or
the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–
800–877–8339.
Individuals with disabilities may
obtain this document in an alternative
format (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, or computer diskette) on
request to the program contact person
listed in this section.
VIII. Other Information
Electronic Access to This Document:
You may view this document, as well as
all other documents of this Department
published in the Federal Register, in
text or Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF) on the Internet at the
following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/
fedregister.
To use PDF you must have Adobe
Acrobat Reader, which is available free
at this site. If you have questions about
using PDF, call the U.S. Government
Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–
888–293–6498; or in the Washington,
DC, area at (202) 512–1530.
Note: The official version of this document
is the document published in the Federal
Register. Free Internet access to the official
edition of the Federal Register and the Code
of Federal Regulations is available on GPO
Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/
index.html.
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Dated: January 4, 2006.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E6–126 Filed 1–9–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. EL06–30–000]
California Electricity Oversight Board;
People of the State of California, ex
rel., Bill Lockyer, Attorney General of
the State of California, and California
Department of Water Resources v.
Calpine Energy Services, L.P.; Calpine
Corporation; Power Contract
Financing, and Gilroy Energy Center,
L.L.C.; Order Providing Interim
Guidance
Issued January 3, 2006.
VII. Agency Contact
PO 00000
1527
Sfmt 4703
Before Commissioners: Joseph T. Kelliher,
Chairman; Nora Mead Brownell, and
Suedeen G. Kelly.
1. On December 19, 2005, the
California Electricity Oversight Board,
the California Attorney General, and the
California Department of Water
Resources (California State Parties) filed
a Petition for Emergency Declaratory
Order Requiring Continuing
Performance of Jurisdictional Power
Purchase Agreement and Complaint
Requesting Fast Track Processing
(Petition). The Petition seeks a
Commission order requiring Calpine
Energy Services, LP, and Calpine
Corporation (Calpine) to continue to
supply power, and otherwise perform,
under a Master Power Purchase and
Sale Agreement (Calpine 2 Contract). As
explained in more detail below, because
of a recently issued Ex Parte Temporary
Restraining Order (TRO) against the
Commission, we cannot grant the relief
requested. However, in the event the
Commission participates in the
bankruptcy proceedings, we hereby
provide interim guidance to the parties
regarding the standard to be applied in
this case, and require certain additional
filings.
Background
2. The California State Parties state in
their Petition that they expect Calpine to
file for reorganization under Chapter 11
of the United States Bankruptcy Code
and, when it does, to request that the
Bankruptcy Court reject the Calpine 2
Contract. The California State Parties
state that, if the Commission does not
act to require performance of the
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1523-1527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-126]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview
Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR)--Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR);
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S-1.
Dates: Applications Available: January 10, 2006.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 13, 2006.
Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award, small
business concerns as defined by the Small Business Administration
(SBA). This definition is included in the application package.
All technology, science, or engineering firms with strong research
capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are
encouraged to participate.
Consultative or other arrangements between these firms and
universities or other non-profit organizations are permitted, but the
small business concern must serve as the grantee.
If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the
eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA.
Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make a
SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY 2006, of which we intend to use
an estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards. The actual level of
funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are
inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant
process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I
awards is based upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation for the
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS),
minus prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of six months. The
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Note: Maximum award amount includes direct and indirect costs
and fees.
Estimated Number of Awards: 15.
Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000-$75,000.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to six months for Phase I. Full Text of
Announcement.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to stimulate
technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of
small business in meeting Federal research or research and development
(R/R&D) needs, increase the commercial application of Department of
Education (ED) supported research results, and improve the return on
investment from Federally funded research for economic and social
benefits to the Nation.
Note: NIDRR supports the goals of President Bush's New Freedom
Initiative (NFI). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the
following site: https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/
freedominitiative.html.
The goals of the SBIR program are in concert with NIDRR's proposed
Long-Range Plan (Plan) published in the Federal Register on July 27,
2005 (70 FR 43521). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates many
issues relating to disability and rehabilitation research topics. The
Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: https://
www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2005-3/072705d.html.
Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks
to--(1)
[[Page 1524]]
Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation
research; (2) Foster an exchange of expertise, information, and
training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding
of the unique needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3)
Determine best strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation
outcomes for underserved populations; (4) Identify research gaps; (5)
Identify mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6)
Disseminate findings.
Executive Order 13329--Manufacturing-Related Innovation
Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological
innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector of the United
States economy and directs Federal agencies to assist the private
sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts. ED's SBIR Program
encourages innovative R&D projects that are manufacturing related, as
defined by the Executive Order. Manufacturing-related R&D encompasses
improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes,
machines or systems. Broadly speaking, ED's SBIR program encourages R&D
in manufacturing through systems-level technologies, such as artificial
intelligence and other information technology devices, software,
systems, and product design. For more information on Executive Order
13329, please visit the following Web site: https://www.sba.gov/sbir/
execorder.html or contact Carol Cohen at: Carol.Cohen@ed.gov.
Background
The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (Act) was enacted on
December 21, 2000. The Act requires certain agencies, including ED, to
establish SBIR programs by reserving a statutory percentage of their
extramural research and development budgets to be awarded to small
business concerns through a uniform, highly competitive three-phase
process.
The three phases of the SBIR program are:
Phase I: Phase I projects determine, insofar as possible, the
scientific or technical merit and feasibility of ideas submitted under
the SBIR program. The application should concentrate on research that
will significantly contribute to proving the scientific or technical
feasibility of the approach or concept and that would be a prerequisite
to further ED support in Phase II.
Phase II: Phase II projects expand on the results of and further
pursue the development of Phase I projects. Phase II is the principal
R/R&D effort. It requires a more comprehensive application, outlining
the effort in detail including the commercial potential. Phase II
applicants must be Phase I awardees with approaches that appear
sufficiently promising as a result of Phase I. Awards are for periods
of up to two years in amounts up to $500,000.
Phase III: In Phase III, the small business must use non-SBIR
capital to pursue commercial applications of the R/R&D. Also, under
Phase III, Federal agencies may award non-SBIR follow-on funding for
products or processes that meet the needs of those agencies.
All SBIR projects funded by NIDRR must address the needs of
individuals with disabilities and their families. 29 U.S.C. 762.
Activities may include exploring the uses of technology to ensure equal
access to education, employment, community environments, and
information for individuals with disabilities and improving the quality
and utility of disability and rehabilitation research.
Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested
in applications that address one of the following priorities.
Invitational Priorities: For FY 2006 these priorities are
invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an
application that meets one of these invitational priorities a
competitive or absolute preference over other applications. The
invitational priorities relate to innovative research utilizing new
technologies to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and
their families.
These priorities are:
(1) Development of technology to support access, promote
integration, or foster independence of individuals with disabilities in
the workplace, recreational activities, or educational settings.
(2) Development of technology to enhance sensory or motor function
of individuals with disabilities.
(3) Development of technology to support access to employment,
promote sustained employment, and promote employment advancement for
individuals with disabilities.
(4) Development of accessible information technology including Web
access technology, software, and other systems and devices that promote
access to information in educational, employment, and community
settings, and voting technology that improves access for individuals
with disabilities.
(5) Development of technology to support independent access to
health care services in the community for individuals with
disabilities.
Applicants should describe the approaches they expect to use to
collect empirical evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of the
technology they are proposing in an effort to assess the efficacy and
usefulness of the technology.
Note: NIDRR encourages applicants to adhere to universal design
principles and guidelines for more access0ble designs. Universal
design is defined as ``the design of products and environments to be
usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the
need for adaptation or specialized design'' (The Center for
Universal Design, 1997, n.p.). Accessible design of consumer
products minimizes or alleviates barriers that reduce the ability of
individuals with disabilities to effectively or safely use standard
consumer products. (For more information see--https://
www.trace.wisc.edu/docs/consumer_product_guidelines/consumer.pcs/
disabil.htm.)
Reference: The Principles of Universal Design, Version 2.0.
Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University. Web: https://
www.design.ncsu.edu).
Program Authority: The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000,
Pub. L. 106-554 (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638) and title II of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 760 et seq.).
Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 81, 82, 84,
85, 97, 98, and 99.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY 2006, of which we intend to use
an estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards. The actual level of
funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are
inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant
process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I
awards is based upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation for
OSERS, minus prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000-$75,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of six months. The
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
[[Page 1525]]
Note: Maximum award amount includes direct and indirect costs
and fee.
Estimated Number of Awards: 15.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to six months for Phase I.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award,
small business concerns as defined by the SBA. This definition is
included in the application package.
All technology, science, or engineering firms with strong research
capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are
encouraged to participate. Consultative or other arrangements between
these firms and universities or other non-profit organizations are
permitted, but the small business concern must serve as the grantee.
If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the
eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA.
Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make
an SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost
sharing or matching.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: You may obtain an
application package via Internet or from the ED Publications Center (ED
Pubs). To obtain a copy via Internet use the following address: https://
www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/.
To obtain a copy of the application package from ED Pubs, write or
call the following: ED Pubs, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398.
Telephone (toll free): 1-877-433-7827. Fax: (301) 470-1244. If you use
a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll
free): 1-877-576-7734.
You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: https://www.ed.gov/
pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address:
edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.133S-1.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 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
the equivalent of no more than 25 pages, excluding any documentation of
prior multiple Phase II and III awards, if applicable, and required
forms, 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.
Single space all text in the application narrative,
including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and
captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller
that 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Draw all graphs, diagrams, tables, and charts in black
ink. Do not include glossy photographs or materials that cannot be
photocopied in the body of the application.
The page limit does not apply to Part II, the budget section,
including the narrative budget justification; the one-page abstract;
the resumes; the bibliography; the letters of support; certifications;
statements; related application(s) or award(s); or documentation of
multiple Phase II awards, if applicable.
We will reject your application if--
You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the
page limit.
3. Content Restrictions: If an applicant chooses to respond to more
than one invitational priority, it must submit a separate application
for each priority. There is no limitation on the number of different
applications that an applicant may submit under this competition. An
applicant may submit separate applications on different priorities, or
different applications on the same priority. However, an applicant may
address only one priority in an application.
4. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: January 10,
2006.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 13, 2006.
Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (https://www.Grants.gov),
or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including
dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically,
or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 7. Other
Submission Requirements in this notice.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
5. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail
or hand delivery.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications. We have been accepting
applications electronically through the Department's e-Application
system since FY 2000. In order to expand on those efforts and comply
with the President's Management Agenda, we are continuing to
participate as a partner in the new government wide Grants.gov Apply
site in FY 2006. The Small Business Innovative Research Program--CFDA
Number 84.133S-1 is one of the programs included in this project. We
request your participation in Grants.gov.
If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must
use the Grants.gov Apply site https://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 e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
You may access the electronic grant application for the Small
Business Innovative Research Program--CFDA Number 84.133S-1 at: https://
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.
Please note the following:
Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary.
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 time and date
stamped.
[[Page 1526]]
Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and must be
date/time stamped by the Grants.gov. system no later than 4:30 p.m.,
Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as
otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application
if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we
retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are
rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the
Grants.gov system after 4:30 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 application 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 at https://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/
GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.
To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must
complete all of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see
https://www.Grants.gov/GetStarted). These steps include (1) registering
your organization, (2) registering yourself as an Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR), and (3) getting authorized as an AOR
by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the
Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see https://www.grants.gov/assets/
GrantsgovCoBrandBrochure8X11.pdf). You also must provide on your
application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please
note that the registration process may take five or more business days
to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to
allow you to successfully submit an application via Grants.gov.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you submit your application in paper format.
You may submit all documents electronically, including all
information typically included on the Application for Federal Education
Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED
524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. If you choose to
submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative
sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich
text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type
other than the three file types specified above or submit a password
protected file, we will not review that material.
Your electronic application must comply with any page
limit requirements described in this notice.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a
Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your
application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-
mail that will include 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 System Unavailability
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 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 as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an
application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the deadline date,
please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice 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 (if available). 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 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: Extensions referred to 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 deadline date
and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to
the Grants.gov system.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail. If you submit your
application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or
a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of
your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the
Department at the applicable following address:
By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S-
1), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260; or
By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education,
Application Control Center--Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S-
1), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506.
Regardless of which address you use, 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, or
(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, or
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
If your application is postmarked after the application deadline
date, we will not consider your application.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.
c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery. If you submit
your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier
service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application
by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department
at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center,
Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S-1), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041,
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
[[Page 1527]]
The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays,
Sundays, and Federal holidays.
Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department:
(1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by
the Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education
Assistance (ED 424) the CFDA number--and suffix letter, if any--of
the competition under which you are submitting your application.
(2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application
receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant
application receipt acknowledgment within 15 business days from the
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.
V. Application Review Information
Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are
from 35 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in the application package.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a
final performance report, including financial information, as directed
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an
annual performance report that provides the most current performance
and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in
34 CFR 75.118.
Note: NIDRR will provide information by letter to grantees on
how and when to submit the report.
4. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects
through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR
examines, through expert peer review, a portion of its grantees to
determine:
The degree to which the grantees are conducting high-
quality research, as reflected in the appropriateness of study designs,
the rigor with which accepted standards of scientific and engineering
methods are applied, and the degree to which the research builds on and
contributes to the level of knowledge in the field; and
The number of new or improved assistive and universally
designed technologies, products, and devices developed by grantees that
are deemed to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes, enhance
opportunities for participation by individuals with disabilities and
are successfully transferred to industry or other private entities for
potential commercialization.
VII. Agency Contact
For Further Information Contact: Carol G. Cohen, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6035, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7303 or e-mail:
Carol.cohen@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475 or the Federal Relay Service
(FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this
section.
VIII. Other Information
Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the
Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/
nara/.
Dated: January 4, 2006.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E6-126 Filed 1-9-06; 8:45 am]
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